My grip on her hair tightened, and though her eyes widened just a fraction, there was no fear, and she didn’t try to move away.
“Cancel it,” I ordered, my voice low and firm.
She blinked, her eyes widening slightly as surprise flitted across her expression. “Thayer, I can’t?—”
“You’re still not steady,” I cut her off. It was an explanation, but my voice and expression made sure she understood this wasn’t a request. My free hand slipped under her shirt to rest on her waist, and my thumb brushed softly against the curve of her hip. “Stay another night.”
I expected her to push back, for the fire to flare in her stubborn eyes. And I’d already prepared to argue my point. Instead, she looked away briefly, as if weighing her options, then smiled almost shyly up at me. “Okay.”
Her quick compliance surprised the hell out of me, easing some of the tension from my shoulders.
“I can stay one more night.” It was obvious she still believed this was temporary, just another night for observation, and I didn’t correct her. Not yet. But deep down, I knew there was nothing temporary about this—she belonged with me. She wasn’t going home. Not tonight. Or tomorrow. Because shewashome.
After a beat, she took a step away. This time, I let her. I moved to the cupboards to grab plates and cups, then took them to the table. As we set everything out, I asked her about her class, and we fell into easy conversation.
Before I knew it, our meal was gone, and we’d remained seated at the table talking for a couple of hours. Being with her was like breathing. Effortless, comfortable, and necessary.
When she stood and began to clear the dishes, I stopped her with my hand on top of hers. “Go rest, baby. You cooked, I clean.”
“Oh, but?—”
“My house, my rules.”
She laughed, but there was still indecision in her expression.
“Your mother isn’t here, Hadley,” I reminded her firmly, wondering if she had ever been allowed to simply relax.
“Um, okay.”
“Good girl.” I moved closer, not stopping until our bodies were practically glued together. She gazed up at me, her eyes soft and trusting, and my heart kicked hard in my chest. My thumb brushed lightly along her jaw, my voice rough as I murmured, “Thank you for dinner, baby.”
Her lips parted softly, warmth flushing her cheeks. The way she looked at me was undoing me faster than I wanted to admit. Her voice was barely above a whisper when she answered, “It’s nothing. You’ve taken such good care of me.”
My blood heated at her words, desire tightening my muscles, making it harder and harder to resist closing the distance between us. I wanted to take care of her the way I had that morning, but my self-control was already hanging by a thread.
I moved my hand, threading my fingers into her hair, my palm cradling the nape of her neck. Her breath hitched sharply, her eyes locked onto mine, a mixture of nerves and anticipation simmering in their depths.
“I’m just getting started, baby.” My voice was thick with a possessiveness I could no longer conceal. “I take care of what’s mine.”
She shivered visibly, her lashes dipping as her eyes darkened slightly. A soft, hungry sound escaped her throat. It took every ounce of restraint I had not to kiss her right then, but I forcedmyself to exhale slowly and ease my hold, gently guiding her toward the living room.
“Sit,” I instructed softly. “Rest.”
Hadley watched me closely for a moment, a hint of discomfort still lingering beneath her carefully composed smile. I raised an eyebrow, and she laughed, her smile turning genuine.
She was so fucking beautiful. Soft, open, and strong all at once. But her parents had worked hard to make her believe she had to hide who she truly was. And fuck if I wasn’t determined to break down every wall her parents had ever forced her to build inside her.
9
HADLEY
“Thanks for lunch,” I called to Jana before she backed out of Thayer’s driveway.
We’d spent a couple of hours laughing over greasy burgers while she pumped me for information about my relationship. Not that I’d had much to tell her since he still hadn’t popped my cherry, much to my chagrin. Which was too embarrassing to share with anyone.
I never thought I’d be the girl panting after a guy until I met Thayer. There hadn’t been anyone I’d wanted to accept a date with, let alone have sex. Now I knew exactly what I wanted, but my pesky head injury had him being super careful with me. I didn’t know whether to be grateful for his restraint or frustrated by it.
“It’s been days,” I grumbled to myself as I used the key Thayer had given me.
