“Hey, Evans! Didn’t realize you were comin’ tonight!” some guy says, slapping him in the back jovially, his timing perfect enough to prove Hayes’ point.
“See?” Hayes says when his friend moves on.
"So it really wasn't you they were talking about?"
"No." Hayes draws me even closer, and I can't help but lean into his touch. His hand moves from the back of my head down to my neck, and the yearning inside me becomes almost overpowering. He brings his lips to my ear, his breath hot as he murmurs, "I know what I want, Kym, and it's not just some one-night stand. It's you." He pauses as his hand moves to my waist, pulling me flush against him. "You might not be expecting forever. But I fucking am. Promise me you'll never doubt my intentions again."
Sucking in my breath, I nod, completely lost in his touch and the intensity of his words. I can feel my resolve slipping away, my body aching for his. His lips find mine and everything else fades away—the lights, the music, the crowded bar—leaving only the two of us in this moment. We stumble back toward the nearest wall, my back hitting it hard as he pins me against it. His hands roam over my body, sending electric shocks through me. I moan into his mouth as his hand slides under my shirt, tracing patterns over my skin.
“I’ve never felt this desperate before, trouble. I fucking need you.”
All my doubts disappear as he kisses me with a fiery passion that leaves me breathless. My hands tangle in his dark hair as we deepen the kiss, our bodies pressed tightly together, rocking like we’re teenagers without any self-control. If I wasn’t completely out of my mind with lust, I’d spare a thought for the gossip mill of Cedarwood Valley. But honestly, I don’t really care what anyone thinks because this man—this beautiful, sexy,hotman—wants me. He wants me when no one here could spare me the time of day. He’s not trying to hide me; he’s kissing me openly in a wanton display and I’m loving every second.
Finally, we break apart, gasping for air. Hayes rests his forehead against mine, his hand still on my waist while my arms are still wrapped around his neck. We stand there for a few moments, taking in the moment we just shared.
"I've meant every word I've said to you, Kym," Hayes whispers. "I want you, all of you, and I won't stop until you're forever mine."
"I believe you," I murmur, looking into his eyes and seeing nothing but truth there as he smiles.
"Then do you think we can start this night over?” He brushes the tip of his nose against mine. “I was really looking forward to my date with you."
I look up at him and nod. "Take me home?"
"My pleasure."
HAYES
We drop Regina off at the farmhouse with Josh, then continue on to Kym's cottage in palpable silence.
My emotions are so raw, I can barely speak. I've never felt as connected to another human as I do when I'm around Kym, and seeing her with another man's hands on her tonight only drove that knowledge home. I don't know much in this world—I've never been great at school—but what I do know is that I was put on this earth to find her. And she was put on this earth to be found by me.
As soon as my truck comes to a stop outside her cottage, we sit for a moment, still not saying anything until Kym turns to me. "Should we go in?"
I cut the engine and unhook my seatbelt, meeting Kym around the front of the truck where I cave to the need I have inside of me to touch her.
Illuminated by the headlights, I pull her into my arms, kissing her deeply before I lift her off the ground and carry her inside. The truck's lights cut out as we step through the front door, but I don't need them anymore because the only thing on my mind is Kym, and I’m already holding onto her.
In the moonlit room, I lay her down on the couch, her body soft and pliant beneath me as I press my lips to hers once more. Her hands roam up and down my back, pulling me closer as she deepens the kiss. All thoughts of the night's events vanish as I lose myself in the taste and feel of her. This woman is sublime.
Pulling back just enough to look down at her, I drink in the sight of her flushed cheeks and kiss-swollen lips. "Kym," I whisper, brushing my thumb over her cheek. "You have no idea how much I want you right now."
Kym's eyes flicker with desire and she reaches up to cup my face, pulling me down to kiss her again. “I might have an idea,” she whispers around my mouth, her lips hungry against mine as she wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me closer. I deepen the kiss, savoring the taste of her as I run my hands over her body, feeling every curve and dip beneath my fingertips.
She moans softly as I press my body into hers, the heat between us growing with each passing second. Our clothes become a hindrance and I pull back from the kiss to undress her, my hands shaking with desire as I peel off her shirt and unhook her bra, revealing her perfect breasts. I take a moment to appreciate the view before I lower my lips to her nipples, teasing them with my tongue until they harden and Kym moans again.
“So fucking hot, trouble.”
I remove the rest of my clothes quickly, eager to be skin-to-skin with her. Kym's hands roam across my back, her nails raking lightly over my skin, sending shivers down my spine.
"Hayes," she whispers, her voice mirroring my own desire.
I nip at her neck, drawing a long line up to her ear before tracing the shell with my tongue. Her breath hitches in her throat and I trail down her neck to her collarbone, alternating between nibbles and soft strokes of my tongue as I travel downward, hooking my fingers into the waist of her skirt and pulling it down her thighs.
“Gorgeous.”
I spread her legs with my knee, trailing my lips down her torso. Her skin is flushed, rosy from anticipation and desire, and I make it a point to kiss every inch of skin on my way to her center. She tastes like vanilla and it's the sweetest flavor I've ever tasted as I settle between her thighs and run my tongue through her folds.
“Yesssss.” She arches beneath me as I explore her with my tongue, flicking it against her clit before I delve deeper and taste her most intimate self. She tangles her hands in my hair, tugging lightly as she whimpers in pleasure, rocking her core against my face. I could spend an eternity between her legs and never tire of her taste.
