HAYDEN
“That was close!” Dale slapped the bartop before lifting his beer to his lips. We were watching a game I usually wouldn’t have cared less about. The Carolina Panthers were my team. Neither the Patriots nor the Saints did anything for me, but sitting in a bar filled with Patriot fans, I couldn’t help but root for the team.
“Maybe that’ll finally wake them up,” Knox suggested, shaking his head. He’d opted for a Coke, which wasn’t surprising. With a police officer as your girl, you tended to be a little more…careful when you were out.
Besides, I couldn’t really say anything. I also had Coke in front of me. I hoped to catch Katie awake later on. I knew she wouldn’t mind me having a slight buzz, but with my son being so small, I wanted to be fit to drive.
“I canceled the lease on my house,” I stated in the middle of a touchdown run for the Patriots. I hoped the excitement of possibly scoring would make the guys forget I’d even said the sentence.
It had been on my mind for days now, and because I didn’t know how Katie would react, I hadn’t told her yet.
Knox choked on a sip of Coke. Clearing his throat, set his glass down. “You what? What’s going on?”
Well, now, that was something he didn’t need to know just yet. “Nothing. I just don’t need or want the house anymore. Things changed. My view changed,” I explained just as New England scored and everyone jumped up.
I followed their lead, joining in on the hugging and clapping, the excitement and the analysis of the touchdown.
I still felt Knox’s eyes on me, but he was torn between pressing me and being super excited because the Patriots were finally in the lead.
Sometimes I wished the guys I worked with would be less talkative, maybe just saying a simple “huh”.
“The next few weeks at work will be hard,” Dale suddenly said.
I arched a brow. “Is that so?”
He nodded. “For whatever reason, everybody suddenly seems to either want to move or declutter the whole house.”
Recently, the business started cleaning out old homes, too, and while I loved the manual labor, I couldn’t believe how heavy some of that old furniture was.
“Busy is good,” Knox announced. He still eyed me, making it clear he’d eventually try to find out what was going on with me and my lease, but I wouldn’t lie. I was glad he didn’t ask right away again.
Emptying my glass, I focused back on the screen, my mind racing. There was so much to arrange, so much to plan, but it probably wouldn’t take very long until the guys realized my house was on the list of those that were supposed to be decluttered.
“I’ll be there less. With Katie working, I cannot leave Cory anywhere,” I stated, and the guys both nodded.
“I’m sure the boss understands, but can we talk about—”
No, we couldn’t, because the Patriots scored again on an interception and the whole bar jumped back to their feet. I decided to only stay a few more minutes before I went home.
I wanted Katie in my arms, feeling as if my time with her was so much shorter than I wanted.
* * *
KATIE
I shifted the cell from my right shoulder to my left as I tried to wash out the spit up Cory had gotten on my shirt.
“What do you mean he’s selling the house?”
Sarah groaned in annoyance on the other end of the line. “I don’t know. Knox texted that Hayden just told them, but that he won’t say more. I figured you’d know, but…”
I didn’t. I had no idea what this was about. Besides, I didn’t think this house belonged to Hayden. He was probably renting the place, and if he broke that… Where the hell did he think Cory and he would go?
“Listen, the boys are on their way home. You’re at his place, aren’t you?”
I glanced around the tiny kitchen and realized that this place was more home than my apartment, and I’d lived there for years. “Yes. I’m going to find out what he’s up to,” I stated, not sure if I promised that to her or myself.
“Thank God.” Sarah sighed in relief. “Keep me updated, okay?”
I promised her I would, then hung up. Just after I’d placed the phone on the counter and dried my hands on a dish towel, the key turned in the front door. I collected my thoughts for a moment, then stepped out into the small hallway.
Hayden looked yummy in dark blue jeans and a simple light blue button-down, his hair wild and lips pulled into a grin.
“Hey, Hayden—”
I didn’t get any further as he swept me up into his arms and kissed me like a dying man. His tongue demanded entrance and I opened for him, heat pooling in my belly.
He pulled away. “Tell me Cory’s asleep,” he begged, searching my face.
I nodded. “Yes…”
Before I could gather my thoughts again, Hayden’s lips were back on mine. He walked me into the living room, toeing off his shoes without breaking the kiss, then placed me back onto the floor, kissing his way down my throat as his hands worked their way under my shirt, finding my already hard nipples.
“This shirt needs to go,” he ordered. My arms lifted, almost of their own accord, and he pulled my shirt over my head.
I needed to speak now, break the spell he had on me. “Hayden,” I started.
He pulled back. “Yes?” His eyes were hopeful, sparkling, making me push all my worries away.
He didn’t look like a man on a suicide mission. Yes, his actions seemed to be those of a man getting his affairs in order, but that look he gave me? Damn, I swore it was love.
“I-I… I missed you,” I whispered. It was true, but wasn’t what I wanted to say.
He chuckled, his eyes going dark. “That’s why I came back early. I missed you, too.”
His hands worked on my bra, dropping it to the floor. He knelt and pulled my sweatpants down, kissing my abdomen. He nudged me a little higher up onto the couch after pushing me onto it, placing my legs over his shoulders, making room for him.
Last night, Hayden had been somewhat hesitant, but not tonight. There was a quiet confidence in every one of his movements, each stroke of his tongue. He’d gotten me to the edge fast the night before, but tonight? It didn’t take long for me to know I was going to come before I’d wrapped my head around the fact that Hayden had come home just to seduce me.
“Hayden…,” I gasped as I reached for him, my legs starting to tremble.
When he stood, I was glad to see his jeans hadn’t made the way up with him.
Condom in hand, he suited up. I couldn’t believe how relieved I felt. I didn’t think I could wait another minute.
I grasped his shirt, ripping it down the front. Both Hayden and I froze.
“That was an accident,” I forced out.
“Sexy,” he growled as he thrust inside of me. My legs wrapped around him, drawing him closer. There was an urgency, and I couldn’t pinpoint why.
Was he worried Cory would wake? Or was this about something else?
He thrust his hips, and all conscious thought fled my brain. I clawed at his shoulders, needing to hold on. I felt as if I were floating, as if I could leave my body and just enjoy the pleasure.
His pelvis rubbing against my core made this a hundred times more pleasant. “Hay, I’m close,” I whimpered.
He lifted me and sat on the sofa, me straddling him, moving me up and down his length.
“Do it,” he whispered. “Come for me, Katie.” He claimed my lips, swallowing every single sound as he stroked all the right spots.
As I shattered around him, I knew Hayden Park had forever ruined for any other man.