I roll my shoulders back, aiming straight for him, ignoring the whispers of what he’s done. Brushing aside my insecurity over the life he lived before me.
They don’t know him, and they don’t have him.
I do.
I might be a good girl. And I might have lived a sheltered life. But that doesn’t mean I can’t meet my husband toe-to-toe. Reina seems to think I’m going to try to tame him. But that’s what she doesn’t understand. I fell for his wild side. I want to be wild right alongside him.
27
Emery
Hayes snags my hand,pulling me to his side the moment I’m within reach. His fingers find my chin, lifting my face to his. “Is Reina causing problems?”
“Is she evernotcausing problems?” Venom asks in return.
Hayes glances at Venom, who chuckles.
“She was fine.” I place my hand on his chest. “Nothing I couldn’t deal with. What are you guys doing?”
“Giving you time with the girls.” Hayes presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Looks like they finally set you free.”
“They left in search of snacks,” I say. “I wanted some time with you now, anyway.”
“And that’s my cue.” Venom lifts his beer, turning to leave.
“I didn’t mean to imply he had to go.”
“He’ll be fine.” Hayes shrugs, not seeming the least bit bothered that I scared away his friend.
If anything, his smile grows as he spins us so I’m on the stool against the wall, and he’s blocking me from the rest of the room. We’re in a corner, and with him towering over me, we’re in our own little bubble.
My dress rides up with him standing between my legs, and even if no one can see me because of how he’s positioned, it’s risky.
“Are you having a good night?” His fingers dig into the hair at the sides of my head, raking it back.
“It’s better now.”
“Is that so?” He smirks.
“It is.” I plant my hand on his chest, slowly dragging my fingers down the hard planes of his stomach until I reach his belt. “I was thinking…”
He groans when my fingers curl inward, dipping into his pants as I pull him closer.
“What were you thinking?” His voice is raspy.
“I was thinking about how much I’ve missed out on in life. How much I haven’t done because I didn’t get the chance.”
Hayes tips my chin up, lowering his mouth to mine with his whisper. “There’s still plenty of time.”
Time.
I wish more than anything that were true, but time isn’t on my side. Not when my uncle plans to rip this out from under me at any second.
What I do have is this moment. This night. This short time with Hayes. Which is why I tilt my chin, slowly dragging my teeth over his lower lip, eliciting the most intoxicating rumble in his chest.
“We have plenty of time, huh?” I smile, looking up at him. “That contradicts everything you preach about seizing the moment, doesn’t it?”
“Only if we waste it.” He presses his forehead to mine. “I intend on seizing every moment when it comes to you. What do you think about that, Emery?”
