“More often lately,” I sigh, craning my neck left and right to ease the tension. “It’s called sleep paralysis. It started when I was little but it went away for years and came back after the accident.” I scoot away from him, resting against the headboard. “When it hits I can’t speak, I can’t move, I can’t even breathe properly.”
“How can I help?” he asks, taking my hand in his to massage my palm like he’s loosening invisible knots.
“Nothing. I can’t stop it and I never know when it’ll happen, it just—”
“No, Hailey,” he cuts in, curling his index finger under my chin. “How can I help while it’s happening? What do I do when you wake up paralyzed?”
“Nothing more than you just did. I...” I bite my tongue, unsure whether I should tell him what’s on my mind.
The moment I looked into his eyes and focused on him, the paralysis melted away faster than ever before. Just seeing him, hearing him... it helped me resurface.
“How are you feeling? How’s your shoulder?” he asks, tiredness making his voice huskier than usual.
“Sore. I’m thirsty and... I have so many questions.”
“I’ll go grab you a bottle of water.” He points to the door across the room. “The bathroom’s there if you need it.”
I swallow hard, pinching the comforter before flinging my legs over the edge of the bed. “A shower sounds good. I doubt I’ll get any more sleep tonight.”
“Take your time.” He checks the large closet, pulling out a night dress, and hands it over, leaning in to kiss my head. “I’m sure you’ll find a toothbrush and toiletries somewhere in the cabinets and drawers. I won’t be long.”
With visible reluctance, he leaves. I hear his footsteps halt as soon as he’s closed the door, like he’s prepared to wait until I get in the shower in case I need something.
Raking a hand through my tangled hair, I enter the en suite, hoping a few minutes alone underneath the warm water will help me organize my chaotic mind.
17
CARTER
The moment Hailey’s shower stops running, I head over there, clutching a water bottle in one hand and a first aid kit in the other, tension winding my muscles tighter with every step.
I enter the bedroom, finding her in the middle of the room, cheeks red hot, myhoodie hugging her frame.
My heart swells like a fucking balloon.
She loved hiding in my hoodies at Lakeside, so I brought them all here and ran in to leave one on the bed for her after she thought I’d gone downstairs. I didn’t expect that she’d wear it, her apprehension’s visible whenever our eyes lock, but here she is, shrugging the sleeves lower to cover her dainty fingers.
She still seeks comfort in me. I don’t know if it’s my scent or her wearingmyclothes. Whatever it is, it works miracles on her mental state. She’s not pale anymore. Doesn’t look half as frightened as she tugs the collar higher, hiding her chin.
“The hoodie’s yours,” I say, crossing the room. “But you need to take it off for a minute so I can change your dressing.”
She gives me a slow, heated once-over, her pupils growing, swallowing the blue irises as she takes me in. There’s a hunger inside her. Longing that closely matches mine. The atmosphere morphs into pure fucking lust when our eyes lock and her attention drops to my lips.
And before I react, before a single thought enters my mind, she steps forward, crashing into me like a tiny wrecking ball and her perfect, plump lips catch mine. Our height difference means she has to rise on her toes to make it work, both hands curling around my neck as her hot tongue thrusts into my mouth.
Everything inside me boils to unbearable levels. I’ve missed her so fucking much there’s no way I could ever put it into words. I’ve missed her sweet scent, her petite body pressed against me, the taste of her lips, and the titillating sounds she makes.
My mind ignites, consumed by a primitive, feralneedto drive myself deep inside her and remind us both who she belongs to.
I meet her kiss with equal fervor, drowning in the high of my own bad fucking drug. My hands slide down from her waist to cup her ass and I haul her up, my blood running a fever. I carry her across the room, beyond ready to claim her back.
She lands on the dove-gray sheets with a bounce, pulling me down with her, both hands clawing my shoulderblades so I’ll crush her into the mattress the way she loves most.
“I missed you so much,” she chants, whipping her legs around my back to hold me in place.
My lips part, but Hailey lifts her head off the pillow, shutting me up with another demanding, hot kiss.
We’re done talking for the night. We’re both driven by pure lust and undeniable feelings, wanting to show more than tell.
