I glance down at the flowers once more before looking back up at him.“Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see.”
“That’s not suspicious at all.”
His hand stays planted against my back as he opens the passenger door for me.“Do you trust me enough to get in the car?”
My gaze catches his for one long second.“That’s the problem.”
Something dark and emotional flickers behind his eyes as he steps aside, letting me climb in first.The entire drive downtown feels strangely easy after that.Music plays low as city lights streak across the windows.Hayden’s hand occasionally shifting against my knee like he can’t stop touching me now that he’s started again.And honestly?I don’t want him to.
Dinner turns into whiskey after.Whiskey turns into lingering touches across the table.And by the time we finally make it back to my apartment later that night, there is no universe in which I don’t invite him up.And both of us are smiling more easily than we probably should be.
Vinny greets us at the door as soon as it swings open.Well, greets me.He stops dead the second he notices Hayden stepping in behind me, green eyes narrowing in suspicion before his tail flicks once.
“Oh, this should go well.”I chuckle under my breath.
Hayden closes the door behind him, gaze locked cautiously on the cat now stalking slow circles around his boots.“That thing looks like it’s seen war.”
“He’s sensitive.”
“He’s judging me.”
“He absolutely is.”
Vinny sniffs Hayden’s shoe once before abruptly rubbing against his leg like they’ve known each other for years.I stare in disbelief as Hayden looks down at the cat now winding happily around his ankles.
“Seriously, Vinny?”What a complete traitor.No loyalty at all.I shake my head.
Hayden’s mouth curves up in a triumphant smile.“I knew he had good instincts.”
Vinny meows loudly in agreement.“Oh my God.”I point a betrayed finger at Vinny.“You don’t even know him.”
Hayden crouches down to Vinny’s level and begins scratching beneath Vinny’s chin with immediate confidence while my horrible cat practically melts.And somehow,somehow, watching Hayden Sloane standing in my apartment petting my cat, while I hold sunflowers, suddenly feels more intimate than everything that happened at Gild the night before.
Which should probably concern me.A lot.
Chapter Eighteen
Hayden
Something In The Way
Nirvana
Warm morning light filters through the sheer curtains covering Vanessa’s bedroom windows, pale gold stretching across tangled sheets and bare skin when I open my eyes.For a second, I don’t move.Because Vanessa is asleep against my chest.
One leg tangled with mine beneath the blankets.Copper hair spread across my shoulder, her hand curled against my ribs like she fell asleep touching me and never stopped.And Christ.I don’t think I’ve ever experienced peace quite like this enough to understand how to trust it.
Vinny lifts his head from the foot of the bed the second he notices I’m awake, green eyes blinking at me lazy and slow, before the traitorous cat stands, stretches, and walks directly across my stomach to shove his head beneath my hand.
I stare at him.He stares back.“You’ve known me for less than twenty-four hours.”The cat purrs in response, head-butting my hand for more pats.
Vanessa makes a soft sound against my chest, shifting closer at the vibration of my voice before her eyes blink open.For one sleepy second, confusion flickers across her face.But then, she looks up at me and I’m awarded with a smile that’s filled with warmth.And Jesus if that doesn’t slam hard against my ribs.
“Morning beautiful.”My hand slides through her hair, fingers catching gently in the waves tangled around her shoulders.
“Morning.”Her gaze drifts across my chest before she glances toward the cat sprawled across my stomach like he pays rent here.
