Chapter Nine
HADLEY
My feet are up on my desk as I stare out at the familiarskyline. Buildings of varying heights, creating a cutout in the sky that Ilove. While I lived most of my life on a farm, this city is where I feel themost like myself.
I chew on my pen cap, thinking about how in the last threedays I have been very unlike myself.
I don’t do randomhookups. I don’t get drunk and sleep with guys—well, at least with guys notnamed Cayden. I am the sensible one. The rule follower. I am not like Melaniewho lives her life without regret. This is my worst trait and also sometimes mybest one.
My plan today was to work from home until my meeting withRenee and Ben to discuss options on the case.
When I sat on the couch, however, I did not think aboutanything other than the fantastic sex I had there and then Cayden’s face as Iran off during our ride.
That man makes me crazy and I hate it.
There’s a knock on my door, but the person doesn’t wait forme to respond, it opens and then clicks closed before I can get to my feet.
When I see who is there, my heart stops. “Cayden.”
He doesn’t say anything as he moves in the room. I’m on myfeet a second later, not sure what exactly is happening, but then my face is inhis hands before he gives me the most crushing kiss I’ve ever experienced.
I respond without pause. My mouth opening to him, and thekiss becomes harder, more intense. My hands roam his chest, loving the tensingof his muscles beneath my touch.
He pulls back, working hard to catch his breath. “I needyou.”
I feel the same. “We…”
“I need you, Hadley. I need you.”
My heart is pounding and I want to deny him, but I havenever heard the ache in his voice like I do now.
I move my hands to his cheeks, looking into his green eyes,trying to decipher what’s hidden there. He’s hurting, or something deeper, andfor whatever reason, he’s here and I want to take that pain from him.
Because I am a fool who happens to want so much more fromhim.
I could deny him, but that would also be denying myself.Justone more time.One more kiss. One more memory to hold onto. It can’t hurtmore than what is already happening.
Lie.
“I need you too,” I admit. I have thought of him for daysand while I wish it were different, I ache for him.
He groans and then his mouth is on mine again. The kiss isfrantic, as though we both know we’re chasing time and regrets. There’s nolaughter or silliness like when we were drunk. This is pure lust.
“I am going to fuck you on this desk. I’m going to make youwant to scream out, but you won’t be able to,” he promises and then turns me somy back is to his front. “I’m going to hike up this pretty skirt.” He does aspromised, his hand sliding between my legs. “Pull your panties to the side so Ican finger you while you imagine it’s my cock.”
I shiver, but grin because he’s about to find out the flawto that plan real soon. He pushes me down, my face against the cool wood, and Ihold onto the edge. I have dreamed of this so many times.
Cayden’s hands move higher and then I hear the hitch in hisvoice. “Bad girl you are.”
“Why is that?” I ask as he moves his other hand down myback.
“Because you’re not wearing any panties.”
“No. I’m not.”
He kicks my legs apart more. “Keep them like this,sweetheart.”
“Or what?”
