Page 26 of Forever my Love

“I’m not mad at you.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m frustrated at myself.”

“For?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

He took a deep breath and blurted out, “For wanting you so much it hurts.”

He watched fear and curiosity mix in her eyes as she looked at him.

“Hailey?” he warned her as she moved forward.

She shook her head. “I… want to try…” She dropped off as she laid her hand flat on his chest, just over his heart.

When she leaned up on her toes and brushed her lips slowly, softly, across his, he almost broke.

Let her lead, he said over and over in his head.

When her tongue darted out to cross his closed lips, he closed his eyes and wished he was made of stone so he wouldn’t burst into flames with desire for her.

“Since I like kissing now, maybe I’d like… more,” she said against his mouth.

He almost fell over.

He gently took hold of her hips and pressed her entire body against his. He needed his desire to be pressed tight up against her soft body.

When he kissed her and pulled her further up against him, she tensed, so he dropped his hold on her and took a giant step away.

“I…” She shook her head as tears flooded her eyes. Without saying anything, she darted from the room.

Shit. He practically slammed his fist against his chest.

Shit.

For the next hour, he pummeled the heavy bag until his knuckles almost cracked and bled.

The next day, he worked at Baked again. This time, there were no emails or deadlines to keep him occupied, so he watched Hailey. Watched the people of Pride come and go.

He chatted with everyone he knew who had a moment to talk.

His sister and Wyatt came in for lunch, and he enjoyed their company for almost a full hour.

Shortly before Hailey was off work, he suggested that they head to the Golden Oar for dinner again. He knew that Harper was working that night and figured Nick would be there after he got off shift.

He was secretly hoping to get a little more detail from them on what was going on.

When they walked into the restaurant, Harper waved at them. He followed Hailey into the bar area.

“We saw your Jeep out front and thought we might join you for dinner,” Hailey said. “When do you get off work?”

“Five minutes,” Harper answered after looking at her watch.

“Order us a couple of burgers. We’ll grab a booth,” Hailey said. Harper pointed to an open booth.

“I love this place,” Hailey said as she sat down. He took the seat next to her as Nick followed them and sat across from then. Moments later, Harper joined him.

“Nick has news he wants us to hear.” Harper shifted to sit almost sideways in the booth.

“We found Fred,” Nick said as he pulled out a printout and laid it on the table.

“What?” Hailey jerked beside him.