Page 181 of Risking the Pucking Defense

A deep frown mars my brow, and I finally pull it free and find Hayden’s name staring back at me.

I swipe the screen in a hurry and press it to my ear. “What’s wrong?” I almost shout.

He should be sleeping. They don’t need to head out for a few hours yet.

If he’s calling me, something must be wrong.

“Good morning, baby,” he rasps, his voice still rough with sleep.

“W-what’s going on? You should be sleeping.”

“Yeah, I know. And I will be again in a bit. I just needed to tell you something.”

“Oh?” I ask, more than a little intrigued.

“Turn your camera on, Hails,” he says, and I immediately do as he says.

“Hey,” I breathe when his sleepy face fills my screen. He’s got a pillow crease across his cheek, his eyelids are barely open, his hair is a mess, and he’s shirtless, which only increases my temperature even more.

“Hey, beautiful. Did you sleep well?”

“I was lonely,” I say with a pout.

“Damn, don’t say things like that,” he groans. “I missed you too. Brody snores like an angry rhino.”

I can’t help but giggle.

“Nothing like your cute little snores.”

I gasp. “I don’t snore.”

He smiles, and fuck, it does things to me.

“I hate to break it to you, baby. But you do.”

“Shut it,” I mutter, making him laugh. “You said you needed to tell me something.”

“Other than that I’m missing you?” he teases.

“Hayden Monroe, you did not drag your ass out of bed after that late night to tell me that you miss me.”

“Might have.” Yeah, it’s totally something he would do.

“Hayden,” I warn.

“Fine, fine. I’m calling to tell you that you have the day off.”

“I…what? No, I have⁠—”

“The day off. Today, you’re going to forget all about being in charge, and you’re going to do what you’re told.” His voice gets all commanding, and it sends tingles racing down my spine.

“I…uh…”

“You’ve got the day off,” he says for the third time, probably hoping it’ll settle in at some point. “You’ve got an hour to get up, dressed and ready, and then someone is coming to pick you up.”

“Someone?” My heart begins racing, and I push myself up so I’m sitting. “Who? What’s going on, Hayden?”

He chuckles, the sound and his lopsided, sleepy smile instantly relaxing me.