Hayden

To be on the safe side, I kept my phone off for the rest of the weekend. I wasn’t ready to see Derek again; I didn’t know when or if I ever would be. It was bad enough seeing him on TV. Sure enough, when I walked into the clinic this morning, Amanda and Jessica looked at me curiously. Even Jeremiah had a concerned look on his face. Wilford waved at me and smiled before following Margerie to one of his exam rooms, clearly not aware of what was going on.

“Good morning,” I announced. To Amanda, I said, “Is everything prepped and ready to go for Lady?”

She nodded. “Yes, Dr. Hunter.”

“Good,” I said, walking past them to Michael’s office so I could drop off his scone. He wasn’t set to come in until later, but very soon I wasn’t going to be able to buy him breakfast. When I retreated to my office, I had to get my head in the game: I was about to operate on Lady to remove the tumor. Sighing, I set my purse down and finished my pumpkin latte. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Jeremiah at my door.

“Hayden,” he murmured.

After he had hugged and kissed me the other night, I hadn’t known what to say. I’d stood there like an idiot and then told him good night before hurrying off. Even if I could have a relationship with him, I wasn’t ready, not when my heart belonged to another man.

“Good morning, Jeremiah. How was your weekend?”

He walked into my office and shut the door. “It was okay. I tried calling you yesterday to see if you wanted to do something together, but I kept getting your voicemail.”

“Sorry about that,” I replied in all seriousness. “I kept my phone off all day.”

“Avoiding someone?” he asked.

I snorted. “How’d ya guess?”

He moved closer. “I watched the game Saturday.”

“Unfortunately, I did, too.”

Leaning against my desk, he looked down at me and crossed his arms over his chest. “What did McLaughlin do to you, Hayden? For him to make such a huge statement, it had to be something bad.”

I closed my eyes and huffed. “It’s not anything I want to talk about.”

His fingers caressed my cheek, and my eyes shot open. I grabbed his hand and moved away from his touch. “I can’t, Jeremiah. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m not ready for a relationship right now.”

He chuckled lightly. “I could tell the other night when I kissed you. But don’t worry, I’m a patient man. I’ll be here whenever you’re ready.”

“Dr. Hunter, Mrs. Jenkins and Lady are here,” Amanda called out over the speaker.

Jeremiah smiled and left my office before I could tell him that I’d most likely never be ready for him. One of these days I’d have to tell him, but it wasn’t going to be today.

I pressed the intercom button. “Thanks, Amanda. I’ll be out there to get Lady myself.”

The surgery went well; I tried to remove as much of the cancerous tumor as I could. From what I could tell on the X-rays, it looked like I’d been successful in getting it all. Lady was going to stay with us for a few days while I monitored her and ran more tests.

“Hayden, you about ready?” Michael asked, sticking his head inside my office.

I finished my paperwork and shut Lady’s file. “I am now. Sorry it took so long.”

“No worries. I had to finish up my own paperwork. I’m trying to follow up with my past patients before I leave town. Friday is my last day, you know.”

I huffed. “Don’t remind me.” Chuckling, he opened the door so I could walk past. “Wanna grab dinner? Or do I need to help you pack?” I asked.

He put his arm around my shoulders. “We could always do both. I’m not going to pass up free labor.”

“You suck.” I laughed. “I should make you do it all, since you’re the one leaving.”

“Yeah, but you love me. I’ll pay for dinner if that makes it better,” he offered with a dashing smile.

“Deal,” I said, laughing. We turned off all the lights and headed to the front of the office. My car was parked just outside, and when Michael opened the door, I stopped dead in my tracks. You’ve got to be kidding me.

Standing by my car was Derek, arms crossed, with a somber expression. He didn’t have the right to look at me as if he were the wounded one. I was the one he’d left after I’d opened myself up to him. So many emotions fought inside me, and I didn’t know what I was supposed to feel. On one hand, the anger was there, and I wanted to tell him to fuck off, but on the other I was happy to see him. The wind blew his scent toward me and I stiffened, hating myself for wanting to run into his arms.

Michael squeezed my shoulder and whispered in my ear, “Talk to him, Hayden. If all else fails, you can always kick his ass. To judge the way he looks, I don’t think he’ll put up much of a fight.”

“Then why don’t you do it?” I challenged.

“Because it’s not my fight. He’s here for you. Just listen to what he has to say.” He kissed my cheek and then walked over to Derek. I couldn’t hear what he said, but after he was done, he marched off toward his car and left.

Heart thundering, I held my head high and closed the distance. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t lean against my car. You’ll scratch the paint,” I snapped.

Huffing, he stepped forward. “Is that all you have to say to me?”

I threw my hands in the air. “What would you like me to say?”

“I don’t know, maybe that you can forgive me? You have no idea how sorry I am. I was wrong for letting you go.”

I walked up to him, barely holding it together. My eyes filled with tears, and as much as I hated myself for it, they fell down my cheeks. “Then maybe you should’ve thought about that before you ripped my heart out.” I’d never been so blunt with my feelings, but I couldn’t keep them in any longer. Derek stumbled back as if I’d slapped him, and that gave me the chance I needed to get away. Scrambling into my car, I bolted down the street as fast as I could. Unfortunately, when I looked in my rearview mirror, I wasn’t alone. Derek followed close behind.

I was tempted to go to Michael’s, but I didn’t want to bring this confrontation to his home. Instead, I went to my place and prayed I could get through the fight that was about to ensue. I hated confrontation, but I had to let him know how badly he’d hurt me. Taking a deep breath, I got out of my car, and he was right there, his blue eyes blazing.

“I know I hurt you, Hayden. It killed me to see the look on your face that morning. I’d give anything to take it back.”

The tears welled up again. “But you can’t!” I shouted. “I didn’t want to get involved with you because I knew you’d hurt me. I’m just another woman to add to your endless parade.”

He shook his head. “That’s not true. You’re worth more than that to me.”

“Oh yeah? Is that what you said to everyone else? There are pictures with you and a hundred different girls floating around on the Internet. I’m just waiting for the day I get put on there, lost in the midst of them all.”

The muscles in his jaw tightened. “We all make mistakes, Hayden. I’ve made a shit ton of them, but all in the past. I’m not like that anymore.”

“And how do you expect me to believe that?” I asked, pushing past him toward the door. I unlocked it and stormed inside, knowing he was right on my heels. He wasn’t going to give me the chance to lock him out. The door slammed behind us and I jumped, especially when he grabbed my shoulders to keep me from running away.

“I don’t,” he murmured. “But I’m hoping you’ll try. I’m in love with you, Hayden.” I gasped and froze when his lips brushed against the back of my neck. “I never thought I could feel this way about anyone again, and when things started getting more serious between us, it scared me.” His grip tightened and he pulled me in closer. I couldn’t break away, and yet I didn’t want to. “I don’t want to lose you like I lost Brianna. It’d tear me the fuck apart. Just seeing the way you looked at me tonight broke me. I want you to look at me like you used to.”

“And how is that?” I asked, whispering the words.

He gently turned me around and tilted my chin up with his fingers. “As if I’m actually worthy of a woman like you.” He grasped my face. “I need you, Hayden. Please give me another chance. I’m always going to be afraid of losing you, but I’d rather take that risk than not have you at all. So what I want to know is if you can love me the way I love you. If you say no, I’ll walk out that door and you’ll never see me again. But if you say yes, I’ll spend every day of my life making it up to you.”

Tears streamed down my cheeks and I closed my eyes. My heart wanted one thing, but my mind screamed at me to run away, to avoid the heartache. Derek’s hands slid down my cheeks and he sighed, the sound making my heart hurt. He turned around and I opened my eyes, watching him retreat to the door.

“Wait,” I called out. He glanced at me over his shoulder, his gaze raw and torn. “I don’t think I can let you walk out that door.”

“Why?” he asked, turning fully around.

I took a step forward and then another. “Because as much as I want to fight it, I’m in love with you, too. And just so you know, there won’t be any more second chances. I don’t think my heart can handle any more pain.”

Rushing toward me, he picked me up in his arms, backing me against the wall. His lips locked on to mine, demanding and hot as he tasted me. I gave in and let him claim me. “I’m not going to let you down. I can promise you that.” He didn’t give me a chance to speak, only kissed me harder as he rocked his body against mine. “I want you so fucking bad right now.”

I wanted him, too. My need for him outweighed all logic, and I gave in. “Down the hall, first door on the right,” I moaned. He carried me down the hall and buried me in my mattress. His hands were everywhere, ripping at my clothes and caressing my skin until I was completely naked beneath him. Biting his lip, he raked his gaze down my body while he undressed.

“You have no idea how much I missed you this week.” All he had to do was feel between my legs to know how much I’d missed him. My thighs were wet, my body screaming at me to let him inside.

“Why don’t you show me, then?” I asked boldly.

A groan rumbled in his chest and he licked his lips. “Happy to.” Crawling up my body, he spread my legs with his hands, his gaze on mine as he slid his tongue across my clit. Everything inside me tightened and I cried out. He plunged in deep, breathing me in as he fucked me with his tongue; it was my undoing. My orgasm hit me from the inside out, and when my hips lifted, he held me to his face. Toes curling, I rode wave after wave of ecstasy. Derek groaned and slid his tongue inside me one more time.

“You taste so fucking good. I could do this every day.”

I giggled. “I won’t stop you.”

With his heated gaze on mine, he kissed his way up my thighs to my stomach. His hands clutched my breasts, and one after the other, he pulled my nipples between his teeth and sucked them generously. My back arched off the bed and I cried out. “I could come with you just doing that.”

He shook his head and bit my lip. “Not this time, love. I want to be inside you when you come again.”

His cock pressed against my opening and I bit my lip, waiting on him to push inside, only he didn’t. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I didn’t bring any condoms. This was the last thing I was expecting.”

Grinning from ear to ear, I ran my hands through his hair. “As long as you don’t have any STDs, we’re good. I’m on the Pill.”

He groaned and pushed the tip in. “Thank fucking God. And just so you know, I’m clean. There’s no way in hell I could leave without making love to you.”

I sucked in a breath as he filled me completely, thrusting his hips gently yet deep. I’d never known I could need someone as much as I needed him. His touch sent fire through my veins; I felt as if I could explode any minute. Gripping me tightly, he flipped us over and I was now on top. I could feel him stretching me, the ache of it so painfully erotic. I hadn’t known that pain and pleasure could be so damn addictive.

Pulling me down to him, he sucked a nipple between his teeth and groaned as I rode him hard. His hands clenched my waist and he moved me faster. Everything built up inside me and I screamed out my release as he, too, was milked to completion, his cock pulsating as he spilled his warmth inside me.

“Holy fuck, that felt good,” he murmured, clasping my face in his hands. He drew me down to his lips and kissed me. “How does breakfast in bed sound?”

“Great, but you might not want to spoil me. I might expect it every morning.”

His eyes twinkled. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”