Aren’t I? What if I bring Nate down with me? I wring my hands as my heart rate spikes.I don’t want to hurt him.
Two years ago…
Another family gathering, another opportunity for my parents to tear me down. I didn’t want to be here, but Pete insisted it was the right thing to do, and we had to make an appearance. He told me he would stay by my side, but as soon as we arrived, he left in search of my father, leaving me to the clutches of Morgana.
She walks into the room where I’m currently in hiding, and she slowly looks me up and down before tutting. “You couldn’t have dressed a bit more presentable, Hayleigh?”
I force my eyes to stay where they are; rolling them will only make things worse. “Sorry, mother. I’ll remember for next time.”
She purses her lips and narrows her eyes. “So, have you set a date yet?”
My brow furrows. “I don’t know what you mean, mother. We aren’t engaged.”
She laughs, it’s high and trill as she places a hand on her heart. “Whoops. Cat’s out of the bag now.”
A sickening feeling rolls through me, but this is what I wanted; it’s part of my list, and Pete is better than most. He’s everything my parents wanted, and sure, he can be mean sometimes, but that’s only when he’s stressed. He always apologises and tells me he loves me. I could do worse.
My mother clicks her fingers in front of my face. “Honestly, Hayleigh. Your head is always in the clouds. Get it together and do not mess this up for us. This is a smart union.” With that, she waltzes out of the room without a care in the world.
Suddenly, that list feels more like a noose than a guide.
I snap out of my daydream when Nate peeks his head around the door. “Can I come back in?” I nod. “Here, a drink, a sandwich and some painkillers.”
“Thanks, Nate.” He nods and goes to leave, but I call his name. He stops and turns around to look at me. “I honestly am very grateful for all of this, and I promise to pay you back.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t need paying back, but I’ll settle for you letting me help you finish that list we started?”
Can I do that with him? My stomach churns as I twist the fabric of the sheets between my fingers.
I nod. “Deal.”
“Deal. Goodnight, Hayleigh.”
“Goodnight, Nate.”
Chapter 11
Nate
Two months later…
This is torture and should be illegal. It isn’t fair. Since when had I firmly placed myself in the friend zone? How do I know I’m in the friend zone, you ask?
Hayleigh.
Walking around in one of my t-shirts that she swiped from the clothes hanger. It hits her mid-thigh, and every time she stands on her tiptoes to get something from the cupboard, it rides up, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek and look away because I’m not a complete pig.
Okay, maybe I’m a bit of a pig because I'm standing in the shower fisting my rock-hard dick?
Yes, I am.
Luckily, I have an ensuite, so I don’t need to worry about being caught. I think about seeing her in my t-shirt earlier on, when she bent down to grab something from the freezer, and that hot pink lace peeked out from underneath. I squeeze my dick tight as I stroke it up and down, slowly. The pleasure builds at the base of my spine, and I let out a low groan as I imagine her lifting that t-shirt, showing me more of that delicious arse covered in lace.
Fuck.
I have to steady myself with one hand on the shower wall as I set a punishing pace, grunting as the pleasure takes over my body. I imagine Hayleigh on her knees, her hot mouth on my dick as she looks up at me. My balls tighten, and I relax my grip enough to set my orgasm free.
“Fuck, Hayleigh.”
