We’d learned so much about her in the past few days. Hayden was smart, funny, and optimistic; a bundle of limitless energy, both physically and otherwise. To her credit she worked two jobs, even if she only got paid for one. When she wasn’t working at three different physical therapy offices, volunteering at a local rescue shelter took up the rest of her time. Cats. Dogs. That sort of thing. She went out and found homes for these animals, all on her own time. When Sawyer had questioned her on it, she’d merely shrugged and told us ‘some things are worth way more than money.’
And that, right there, was the exact moment I knew that I wanted her.
It killed me to find her in Sawyer’s bed this morning, but just like us, she was beyond competitive. Which was something I was banking on, right now.
“You coming in, or are we coming out there to get you?”
Hayden wrapped her arms around her body and took a half step backward. Her T-shirt and sweat shorts were made for sitting in front of a fire, not standing on an icy patio.
“You know I don’t have a bathing suit,” she balked.
Bodie rolled his eyes. Sawyer laughed.
“You really think you need one?”
“Of course I need one!” she shot back. “What kind of girl do you think I am?”
“The kind who recognizes that any bathing suit you bought,” Bodie began, “would pretty much cover the same things as the underwear you’re wearing right now.”
That gave her pause. Hayden looked down, taking stock of herself.
“Bra, panties, bikini… what’s the difference?” Sawyer agreed. “You’re going to be under the water anyway, right?”
Hayden’s shivering grew more pronounced, and for a second I was afraid we might lose her to the warmth of the fire that awaited inside. She glanced at the door, then back at the hot tub.
“What if I wished for you to get in here?” asked Bodie.
Time stopped for a moment. I saw her expression change.
“You’re using your wish?” she asked.
My friend shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”
He repositioned his long legs, which had been extended into the fourth corner spot. Reaching out with one hand, he patted the seat back invitingly.
“Alright then,” said Hayden. “Turn around.”
My heart picked up speed as Bodie and I immediately averted our gazes. Sawyer was a little late to the party, though.
“Allthreeof you,” she insisted, sternly.
Begrudgingly, he joined us. We stared off into the darkness of the secluded forest, each of us wondering what came next as we heard the back door open and close. Maybe she was dropping her clothes off. Or maybe she’d ditched us entirely, and was laughing her ass off in front of the fire.
That’s when I felt the water level rise around me, and a bare, feminine leg slipped past mine.
“You can turn around now.”
Hayden was settled into her corner of the tub, which was exactly opposite mine. I watched as she dipped her head beneath the water, to get the frost out of her already wet hair. Whenshe came back up, she looked utterly beautiful. Her cheeks were rosy with excitement, her lips full and glistening in the dim blue moonlight.
“Your wish is my command,” she said, turning to wink at Bodie.
~ 11 ~
HAYDEN
“Oh my God…” I breathed. “Yessssssss.”
My head lolled back against the hot tub’s corner cushion, as I extended both legs. The pleasure was overwhelming. Almost too much to bear.
