CHAPTER SEVEN

LYDIA

Sleepy and tired is what I was at 7 a.m. Hayden Eric Gaster defended my honor, makes my heart swoon. Maybe I misread him. Or he is crazy and possessive. Instead of sleeping, I researched Mr. Gaster. He’s never pictured with a woman of interest. I found pictures of him and his family and with clients. I admit, I am curious. I pray he’s not crazy. Hayden becoming obsessed with me is not something I want. My eyes closed, as I rubbed my pussy lips, savoring the slight heaviness of being touched tenderly by Hayden. I want him.

He’s taking me out of town. My hand flew against my fore head. “Oh, shit! I agreed to go out of town with him. Fuck, I can’t do that.”

My father always told me even if a man says nothing is going to happen, that’s a lie, it will. I will inform Hayden I can’t go out of town with him. My body wants to go. Every ounce of me wants Hayden to take my virginity. I swallow hard. I have to think rational, I thought as I hopped into the shower. Luckily, my school is just around the corner. I’ll make it there by 8.

~

Feels good knowing I aced my test. I skipped the remaining of my classes for the day. Once I arrived home, I fell into the pillows on my bed face first.

Slowly, I scanned my dark bedroom. The sounds from the street woke me. Going into the weekend, Midtown is crowded. I forgot to tell Hayden I couldn’t go out of town with him. Grabbing my cell off the nightstand, I checked for any missed calls.

Hayden sent me a text at 9:12 p.m.

Call me

It’s 1 a.m. I can’t call him.

I texted him back.

It’s too late to call you. Besides you are probably sleep. Also, I cannot go out of town with you. We can go bowling or something, maybe Saturday during the day before I go to work. Sleep tight.

Rolling over I glanced out the window. I decided to get a glass of water. My cell rang just as I sat at the kitchen counter.

“Home Pod, answer my phone.”

“Hello.”

“Hello Hayden. Why are you calling me so late?”

“Lydia, we were out until the wee hours of the morning. It doesn’t matter what time we talk.”

“Well, I thought you might be sleep. After all, I’ve messed up your sleep pattern.”

Hayden chuckled.

“Let me worry about that. Am I on speaker?”

“Yes, I left my cell in my bedroom. I’m in the kitchen. I answered the phone from my Home Pod.”

“Oh.”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m out getting something to eat. Would you like me to pick you up something?”

“No.”

“When was the last time you ate?”

I was silent for a minute. I actually didn’t remember eating today. The last meal I had was at the Waffle house.

“Lydia.”

“Yeah.”

“Are you going to answer the question?”

“When we ate at the Waffle House.” I cringed.

“Lydia, are you serious?”

“Listen, its ok I will make myself a slice of toast and eat a few cubes of cantaloupe.”

“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

“Hayden no!”

“Yes. I will see you soon.” He disconnected the call.

“Shit! This man doesn’t know how to take no for an answer. I pounded my fist against my thigh. I ran into the bathroom and brushed my teeth. I didn’t have on one drop of makeup and I sure wasn’t going to worry about it now. I pulled my hair into a fresh pony tail. I heard the buzzer. Strolling to the front door, I peeked at the security camera, then hit the button allowing Hayden to enter the building.

I unlocked the door, waiting for him.

Hayden smiled at me as he exited the elevator. He hurried me inside my apartment.

“What?”

“What! Why would you just buzz me up without asking who it was?”

I pointed to the camera next to the door buzzer.

He glanced over his shoulder. “Ok, still humor me and ask who is it. Ok?”

I smirked. “Ok.”

“What’s funny?”

“You are pretty protective over me already.”

He slapped me on the ass. “Get used to it. Also, next time wear a sweater over your tank top and shorts.”

I gawked into his blue eyes. “Hayden.”

He leaned down taking my lips. I love being with him already. I can get used to this.

Hayden stood back shaking his head, then stepped over to the counter, placing the large bag on the counter. I flipped on the kitchen lights.

“Why did you shake your head at me?”

Hayden sat at the counter. “Because you didn’t eat all day. You can’t do that Lydia.”

“I know. I’ve been so exhausted. Between school, work, and now you. It’s too much to handle.”

He pulled me close to him. His lips slid up and down the side of my neck. My fingers swiped across his tight chest through his t-shirt. Hayden’s fingers gripped my ass, causing me to whimper.

His nose tickled my ear. “Do you want us to stop seeing each other.”

Hayden pulled me even closer, holding me tighter.

“Not ever. I mean no.”

He laughed, pulling back staring into my eyes. “It’s ok. I don’t want to ever stop seeing you either. We are going to have a wonderful time next week.” He winked.

“Hayden.”

He released me. “End of discussion.” Hayden reached into the large brown paper bag, retrieving our meal.

“I bought you a turkey sandwich and a club salad. I need to know what you like to eat, so I won’t have to guess next time. Tonight, I wanted to make sure you got food on your stomach.”

I sat next to him, digging into my delicious sandwich. “This is so good!” I mumbled between bites.

He smiled as he ate his grilled chicken pasta. He shrugged off his beige blazer, laying it on the stool next to him.

“Do you dress business casual all the time?”

“No.” His eyes darted up toward the ceiling then back at me, with a slight twinkle. “Maybe I do.”

“I’m going to change that. When we go bowling Saturday. Wear a t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, not loafers or boots.”

“Fine, only if you wear whatever dress I pick out for you to wear to dinner when we are on our trip next week. Do you have a passport?”

“As long as the dress isn’t a mini dress, I’m fine with that. And yes, I have a passport. What country are we going to?”

“It’s a surprise. What countries have you been to?”

“Hmm, let’s see. Italy, Canada, France, England, Russia, and Japan.”

“Wow, you’ve traveled a lot.”

“Both my parents were teachers. My mother was an elementary school teacher. She taught third grade. My father was a college professor. They wanted me to see the world.”

“Where did your father teach?”

“Georgia State University, where I attend school.”

“Where does your mother teach?”

“She taught at Garden Hills Elementary before she became ill.” I zoned out while staring at my salad.

There was a silence between us.

“She passed away when I was sixteen, from Ovarian Cancer.”

Hayden rubbed my back. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.”

“My mother fought Breast Cancer.” Hayden’s voice was low as he spoke.

“The doctors removed both of her breasts. They didn’t have to, but it was her request. She said she wanted to cut down the chance of the cancer returning. The doctors explained cancer can return in other areas of the body. She told them she understood. She said she just wanted the chance to be here for me and my sister. I am deeply sorry for your loss. I don’t know what kind of person I would have become without her in my life. I was twelve when she was diagnosed. She’s been cancer free for eleven years.”

“That’s good.”

I raked over my salad. “You said you don’t know what kind of person you would have become. I can answer that. I had a boyfriend in high school then I shut him out. I didn’t have many friends throughout high school. Only friend I have is my cousin Karena. I’m good at shutting people out. Sometimes I’m not sure if I want happiness. I try to remember my mother told me to live my life to the fullest.” I stepped away from Hayden. The balcony has always been a place for me to think. Overlooking the city lights on the balcony, I took a deep breath.