Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right
Hello 301

Chapter 301

+25 BONUS

Hayden let out this dramatic sigh, like I was too much to handle. "Because you're the only one who makes me forget all my principles "

He wasn't even trying to be smooth, but everything he said sounded like it belonged on some sappy Pinterest board. He didn't say he loved me, but it was written all over his face. I swallowed, still chewin

commeal pancake. "Hayden, get over here."

"What for?" He looked at me, confused.

"Just come here when I tell you to," I demanded, probably a little too bossy.

He stood up and moved closer. As soon as he sat down, I rested my head on his shoulder.

He seemed surprised, but I mumbled, "I can eat better leaning on you."

He laughed softly, this warm sound that made me smile, too.

T

After dinner, we left the hospital and headed home. Once Hayden had me all settled in, I asked, "Are you staying here tonight, or going back to your place?" "Staying here!" he replied without a second thought.

I suddenly remembered him doing push-ups and taking cold showers in the middle of the night. I

narrowed my eyes at him. "Then no push-ups at 2 AM, okay?"

His cheeks turned pink as he tried to act all serious. "Don't bring that up again."

I snuggled closer, wrapping my arms around his waist. "If you don't do it, I won't mention it."

Hayden swallowed hard. "Kiki, don't tease."

"Can't handle it?" I teased, going even bolder.

He grabbed my waist, his grip tightening. "Don't be naughty, and definitely don't... tempt me."

His voice was deep and rough by the end of that sentence.

"Hayden, you want to, don't you?" I asked, each word more daring than the last.

"Kiki...."

My hand slipped under his T-shirt, tracing along his skin like I had all the time in the world.

"Kiki," he breathed out, his voice completely wrecked now.

I stood on my tiptoes, brushing my lips lightly against his ear. "I'm okay now."

Hayden froze.

I really was okay, but he didn't seem convinced. Or maybe he was just scared to go there again.

And I have no idea what got into me. It was like I couldn't stop pushing his buttons, getting more and more excited watching him struggle to keep it together-sweat beading on his nose, veins popping at his temples. Chapter 301

+25 BONUS

"Just wait a little longer. You're probably still healing. Even if you're fine now, you need more time to recover," Hayden pleaded, his voice tight with restraint.

I shook my head. "No, I want it now."

"Kiki..."

"The more you say no, the more I want it."

He didn't say anything after that. He just stared at me, and my heart raced, like I'd just dared him to cross some invisible line.

A moment later, his hands were on my waist, lifting me off the ground.

My little plan had worked. I giggled, resting my head on his shoulder.

Then I remembered what those two girls at work had said today. I traced my fingers over the hickey I'd left on his neck. "Hayden, I heard you made the rounds of every office today. Were you showing off on purpose?" "Yeah, something like that," he said, his breath still uneven.

"What do you mean, 'something like that?" I asked as he carried me to the bathroom.

"I wasn't showing off. I was making an announcement, Hayden said, setting me down on the sink counter.

That's when it hit me-something was up. "An announcement about what?"

He leaned in, his breath hot against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

His voice was so deep it made my pulse race. He locked eyes with me, that intense gaze making my stomach flip. "An announcement to anyone who thinks they have a chance with me that I'm already taken.

I burst out laughing, the kind of laugh that would shake your whole body.

It wasn't to mock him; it was pure happiness. No one had ever said something like that to me before, and the fact that it was him? It just made everything sweeter.

Hayden didn't try to stop me. He let me laugh.

When I finally caught my breath, he reached for the collar of my shirt, and that's when I realized where we were. The bathroom.

Was he seriously planning to make our second time happen in here?