Chapter 43
Hayden
Stepping out of the shower, I wrap a towel around my waist and make my way over to the vanity.
Evening chores are finished, and I’m going to do my best to enjoy a rare night alone.
I don’t think I’ve had a night alone since Sierra showed up on my doorstep a couple of months ago.
She’s with Melanie and Roger and has asked to stay the night.
Knowing they’ve pretty much become her adoptive grandparents, I couldn’t say no.
I appraise myself in the mirror as I apply some beard oil to my short stubble and run some product through my hair.
Not too bad for having slept like shit ever since I poured my heart out to Miranda.
I’ve been doing my best to give her space, but my heart was silently breaking when Sierra asked me to make her stay.
I told Miranda that I wouldn’t pressure her to change her mind, but I also told her the only way this thing would be over between us, either way, is if she ended it. And she hasn’t.
Loud banging on my door pulls my attention away, and I’m instantly reminded of the day Sierra arrived at my house.
Never in a million years would I have expected to have a teenager show up and find out I’m responsible for her.
Assuming there isn’t much chance of it being another child showing up, I rush to the door and pull it open without looking to see who it is.
I’m pretty sure my heart stops beating when I find Miranda standing on my porch with red eyes and makeup smudged beneath them. She gives me a brittle smile, and I step back so she can enter my house.
Even though it’s obvious she’s been crying, she still takes my breath away. “Sweetheart, are you okay? Did something happen?”
Shaking her head, she attempts to give me another smile. “No, I just—”
When she trails off, I take her by the hand and lead her into the kitchen. It isn’t until her eyes trail down my body and back up that I remember I’m only wearing a towel. “Help yourself to a drink. I’m going to throw something on. I wasn’t expecting you, sorry.”
I disappear into my bedroom and throw on the first T-shirt and pair of jeans I can find before rejoining her in the kitchen. As I suggested, she’s seated at the island with a glass of amber liquid and the bottle of whiskey along with an extra glass beside it.
“Damn. The hard stuff, huh? Talk to me.”
“I’m so sorry,” she says through a heavy sigh. “I was stupid. I had it in my head that I needed to do something new. That I needed to move out and start over. But everything I want is right here.”
She blinks rapidly, but it doesn’t stop new tears from streaming down her face.
I can’t stand to see her cry. Not for me.
Not for any reason. Instead of taking the seat beside her, I stand behind her chair and spin her to face me.
Her hair is silky and soft under my fingers when I brush it back, and I can’t resist kissing her cheeks to erase her tears.
“You are not stupid. And there’s no wrong decision. Whatever you feel is the best for you is the right decision. I love you. And I’ll be here no matter what.”
Instead of helping, my words seem to make her tears flow faster. I wrap my arms around her and hold her close, wishing I knew the right words to say. There must be something I can do so she understands that when it comes to me, she always has a choice.
“I’m going to stay. Tomorrow, I’m calling the Carruthersville Public Library and telling them I don’t want the job. And I’m returning the keys to my apartment.”
Her words are muffled as she speaks against my chest. It takes a moment for them to sink in. She’s staying. My shoulders sag with relief, and I hold her even closer. I can’t believe she’s staying. When she loosens her grip, I pull away to meet her gaze.
“You’re staying because it’s what you want?”
“Yes,” she says, nodding emphatically. “I love you. This is where I belong.”
My body heats at the sound of those three words on her lips. She loves me. I hadn’t realized how desperate I had been to hear her say it. I’ve loved her for longer than I should admit, and relief courses through me knowing I’m not alone in the way I feel.
“This is where you belong. I don’t want to hide. I spent too many years trying to deny my feelings, and I’m done doing that.”
A small smile tugs at her lips, and gone is the tearful, worried expression she’d been wearing since she got here. “You aren’t upset with me? I’m so sorry I treated your feelings like they were nothing.”
I stroke her cheek with the back of my fingers. “Sweetheart, stop apologizing to me. Never worry about putting yourself first.”
Before she can say another word about it, I kiss her lips. As her mouth works against mine, my groan is partly relief, and partly need. It feels like an eternity since I’ve had her alone like this, without the idea of her leaving looming over us.
“Stay the night.” My lips brush against hers as I speak.
She stiffens against me, and her eyes meet mine when she pulls away. “What about Sierra?”
I kiss along the column of her neck, letting my tongue tease the sensitive space beneath her ear. “She’s gone for the night. She asked to stay over with your mom.”
A surprised laugh escapes Miranda, and once again, I pull away to look at her, my brow raised in suspicion. She rolls her lips in and tries to hide a smile, but I can see right through her. Instead of asking, I pin her with my gaze and wait.
“She’s just funny, that’s all. Still trying to play matchmaker.”
As much as I want to know what has her laughing, and more importantly, how Sierra could have known Miranda was coming here, I leave it alone and glide my mouth along her neck, nipping and sucking as I pull her to her feet.
“I’ve missed you,” I say against her neck as I back her toward my bedroom.
I have missed her. Ever since our first night together, it’s felt like a piece of me is missing when we aren’t together.
The rapid thrumming of her pulse against my lips causes my blood to heat.
Blindly reaching for the hem of her shirt, I tug it, only breaking the kiss long enough to pull it over her head and toss it to the floor.
Her fingers do the same to mine, and instead of reaching for her jeans, I reach for the button of mine, quickly undoing them before sliding the zipper down. Miranda does the same, and by the time we reach my bedroom, there’s a trail of clothes in the hallway behind us.
“So beautiful,” I murmur when I finally have her backed up against the side of my bed.
Her breathing is heavy as she stands before me, wearing nothing but a simple white bra and panty set. Something about having our feelings out in the open makes me even more desperate for her. I need her more than I’ve ever needed anything in my life.
“Take those off.”
I don’t wait for her to comply before I slide my briefs down, allowing my throbbing cock to spring free.
Her eyes dart to my erection, and I hum in satisfaction when she takes in a sharp breath and licks her lips.
My mind goes to the night after the wedding when she had her mouth on me.
Hell, I’ve barely stopped thinking about it. But that’s not what I want tonight.