Hayden appears and strides straight to me. Our eyes lock in the mirror, and he arches a brow, looking absolutely unamused.
“What?” I ask.
“You were so desperate for a shower, yet you were in and back out of it in three minutes?”
“In five.”
He smirks. “Ry, our baby girl is asleep in her crib, and I’m here. I’ve got the monitor and everything.” He sets the device on the counter and wraps his arm around my shoulders from behind. “I have a feeling you don’t trust me enough.”
“I trust you.” I put the comb on the countertop and cover thehand he has splayed on my breastbone. “I just… You’ll be on tour in three months. I feel like I should start getting used to doing this on my own. And you’ve been so busy and so tired after rehearsals and studio hours. I don’t want to put more pressure on you, to add more to your plate. You’re?—”
He covers my mouth, cutting me off mid-sentence. I blink up at him.
“You done?” he asks.
I shake my head.
He only rolls his eyes. “Yeah. You are.”
In his reflection, I catch sight of the tiny pair of pointe shoes inked on his hand and my heart melts. He got this one for me. So, in his words, everyone would know that his heart now belongs to a ballerina.
“When you told me you were pregnant, I told you I’d be there for you. Always. When you said you wanted to keep the baby, I said then we’re keeping her. She’s just as much mine as she is yours.” His voice is firm, unwavering. “You don’t get to decide you’re doing this alone. Not now. Not ever.” With a thumb, he brushes my cheek. “Don’t worry about my plate, Ry. Let me carry yours for a while. Let me be there for you. Especially when it comes to our daughter.”
Slowly, I turn around and wrap my arms around his neck.
“I love you, Hayden. I don’t know what I’d do without you. You’re an incredible dad…and the best partner I could’ve ever asked for. I’m so lucky you’re mine.”
“I love you too. And trust me, I’m the lucky one here.” He kisses me softly, his fingers brushing over my skin where my T-shirt has ridden up, and when he pulls back, he drinks me in, wearing a small smirk. “You look hot, by the way.”
Groaning, I push him away.
His laughter fills the room as he takes a step back.
Iris is only a month old, and Dr. Bell hasn’t cleared me to have sex yet. Hayden has been supportive and firm in his belief that we follow her orders. It’s just…with him leaving for the tour soon, I can’t shake this stupid feeling that I’m letting him down.
“I know you mean well, but I feel awful making you wait. I’m sorry that?—”
He shuts me up, this time stepping into me, making me back away until my ass bumps into the vanity. Arms around my waist, he lifts me and sets me on the countertop.
I wrap my legs around his hips, pulling him closer as he slides his hands down my sides, steering clear of my breasts. My heart is pounding so hard I can barely breathe. This foreplay that can’t go anywhere will be the death of me, and he does it all the damn time.
“Are you going to kiss me?” I loop my arms around his neck.
“I haven’t decided yet.” He grins. “But I picked up a few tricks from my girlfriend.”
“Your girlfriend?” I quirk an eyebrow, the butterflies in my stomach letting loose. “What is she like?”
“My girlfriend is the most beautiful girl in the world. Her eyes remind me of a blue sky just after a storm rolls through and the sun returns. Her lips drive me insane. Every time she says my name, I lose it a little.” He brings his mouth to my ear. “Especially when she falls apart for me.”
God, I want to kiss him so badly. “Is there anything else I should know about your girlfriend?” My voice is a breathy whisper.
“She has a heart of gold. And she’s kind, gentle and compassionate. She always looks out for her friends, and her family means the world to her.” He nuzzles into my neck and nibbles on my skin. “My girlfriend has a great sense of humor and it’s such a pleasure spending time in her company.”
“Is that all?”
“I forgot the most important detail, Ry baby.” He cups my face, his green eyes glued to mine. “My girlfriend is a wonderful mom. The role fits her perfectly. I’m so damn proud of her.”
I inch into him and our lips collide. The kiss is slow, but burning, making my heart race. Our tongues swirl and dance in the rhythm only they know. Goosebumps scatter all over my skin as he digs his fingers into my flesh. Back arched, I press myself closer to him, determined to leave absolutely no space between us. He grinds against me,his hardness pressing against my core. A moan springs out of my mouth and the heat in my lower abdomen flares.
