“We need to talk.”
Her eyes flash with something I can’t explain, and I brush my lips against hers to make the uneasy look fade away.
“I fucking yearn for you,” I confess as her fingers tangle in the fabric of my shirt at the shoulders.
“Good sex does that to a person.”
My cock thickens with the reminder.
“I want to fix all of your problems. It’s been hell holding back and watching you try to do it all on your own.”
Her teasing smile fades away.
“Fixing things is what I do,” I continue. “But I’ve had to force myself to take a step back. I know you want to work through the problems on your own. I’ve been fighting it since I met you. I hate seeing you struggle.”
Her eyes lock on mine.
“I felt physical pain watching what was happening to you on that video feed. I’ve never felt terror like that in my life. I feel like I’ve been put on this earth to protect you, Hayden. I never want you out of my sight, and I know at times that’s going to seem a little smothering, but I just can’t see myself acting any differently.” I swallow, trying to force down the emotion clogging my throat because the tears burning the backs of my eyes don’t feel very manly. “I want to pull you to my side and protect you, cocoon you from anything bad that threatens to touch your life. I know you’re independent, and I’m in awe of that side of you, but I want to be a part of your bubble.”
“My bubble?” She blinks up at me, her cheeks red.
“This barrier you surround yourself with, daring anyone to cross you. I want inside that protective casing. Let me in. Please, Hayden, just let me be a part of who you are.”
Her eyes water, and I back a way a little, thinking I’m crushing her without knowing it, but she clings to my shirt.
“You said you don’t date.”
“Date?” I scoff. “I don’t want to date you, Hayden. I want to be a staple in your life. I have no baggage, no real reason to have avoided relationships as long as I have, and as corny as it sounds, I feel like I’ve been waiting for you, and I didn’t even know it. Being inside of you the other night was absolute euphoria, but this isn’t just about sex. It never was.”
“Waiting for me?”
“For you.” I run my nose up the side of her neck, smiling against her skin when her breath hitches. “I want to spend every second with you. I want to make you coffee in the morning and run my hands down your soapy body in the shower. I want to argue with you about stupid TV shows and whether tomatoes are a vegetable or a fruit. I want to pull you to my side and growl at any man brave enough to approach you.”
“And sex?”
“Oh, I want lots of that, but not more than you can take.” I give her a wicked smile as I pull my face back to gaze down at her. “But I can admit that watching you walk a little funny after being inside of you last night made my cock hard all over again.”
“I can’t feel you there anymore.” She bites her lower lip as her eyes sparkle. “I miss it.”
She squeals in delight as I pick her up and carry her to my bedroom.
“No more sleeping in the other room.”
“The bed is really comfortable,” she argues as she pulls her shirt over her head.
My hands are working my belt open, and I have to pause at the sight of her perfect tits encased in lace. “You drive me wild.”
“You need to go grab a condom,” she urges, and my feet are immediately carrying me to the guest bedroom to grab that stupid basket Wren—or Whitney—took the time to put together last night when I texted my friend with my urgent request.
“Did you see this stuff in here?” I ask, holding up a packaged butt plug.
Her cheeks flame again. “I’m not opposed to playing, but if the intent is to fit you inside there, that’s never going to happen. Is that a deal breaker for you?”
“That miraculous pussy of yours is all I need.”
“This one?” she asks, shimmying her jeans and underwear down at the same time before spreading her legs.
“That’s the one.” I dive for her, mouth locking over the spot in question without warning.
I hold her with gentle hands as she squirms under the assault of my mouth, groaning only a few minutes later when she pulses against my mouth. I may need more than just a few days off if every day is going to be like this with her.
“Condom, now,” she pants as her fingers finally let go of my head when I come up for air.