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I stop talking to take a breath, and also, to see if there’s anything he wants to say—like nice knowing you, but I gotta go. But when I look at him, he’s smiling softly.
“First, I’m honored to be on your short list of dates. And second, I want to know everything about you, including your kids. Any man who truly wants to get to know you, spend time with you, have a future with you, will be okay with you having kids and understand that the three of you are a package deal. And if he doesn’t get that, he’s not worth wasting your time on.”
I release a sigh, finally relaxing. “Thank you. I think I needed to hear that. My kids are my life. They’re away with my in-laws for the summer, and it’s taking everything in me not to drag them back home.” I laugh lightly, and Hayden joins.
“Where are they?”
“Florida. The kids and I are close with my late husband’s parents. They’re all the family we have left. They took them to their vacation home. They live on the beach, near a pier, and have a boat. My kids are in saltwater heaven.”
Our food arrives, and we continue to talk while we eat. Hayden tells me a little about his family. His parents are married but not close. He believes the only reason his mom stays with his dad is for financial stability. He has one older sister, who also works with him, but they’re not close either because they’re both vying for the same position. She’s married but doesn’t have any kids because she’s too busy with work.
“My true family is my best friend and roommate,” he says as we finish our dessert. “We’ve been friends since we were kids, only separating during high school when my parents forced me to go to boarding school.”
“That sounds horrible.”
“It was, but in our family, it’s tradition. My dad went, my sister went, so of course I went. When I returned, my dad wanted me to go to school where he went—Yale. But I drew the line and went to NYU. Graduated with honors and then went straight to work for my dad.”
“Sounds like you’re just as married to your job as your sister is.”
“I was,” he says simply, “but recently, my priorities have shifted, and I find myself wanting more.” At that word, my thoughts go back to my earlier conversation with Lacey, when I told her I wanted more. Could it be possible that the second guy I’ve been out with could be the one? I shake the thought from my head. No, that’s crazy. And besides, I thought that about Brody and look how that ended.
Hayden stands and extends his hand, knocking me from my thoughts. “Dance with me?”
I place my hand in his, and he pulls me up so our bodies are flush against one another. My hands glide up his chest and encircle his neck, and his slide down my sides and settle on my lower back. We sway to the music as the chemistry sizzles between us. I consider resting my head on his chest, wanting to hear his heartbeat and smell his scent, but as his eyes stay locked with mine, I can’t bring myself to break the connection.
“I could dance with you all night,” he murmurs, drawing me closer. “You feel perfect in my arms.” He twirls us around, and my back hits the brick wall. His hand ascends into my hair, and he tilts my head back. “Tell me I can kiss you, Bree. Tell me I can feel what your lips feel like, taste you…”
My breath hitches, and I nod. I’m about to verbalize my permission, but before I can get the word out, Hayden’s mouth is on mine, his lips coaxing my own. His tongue pushes between the seam of my lips to taste me, and when I suck on his tongue, wanting to taste him back, he groans into my mouth. When his fingers tighten around the strands of my hair to the point it’s almost painful, a zap rushes through my body and straight to my core.
Our kiss turns fervent, desperate. Our mouths fuse, our tongues dueling with each other. My hands lock around Hayden’s neck, and with one hand, he lifts me off my feet, pinning me against the wall. My legs wrap around his waist, and I grind myself against his hardness, wanting more… needing more.
And then he breaks the kiss, his eyes meeting mine. “Fuck, Bree. I knew you’d taste good, feel even better, but…” He shakes his head. “You’re as goddamn addicting as those brownies you make.”
I can’t help the laughter that bubbles up, and then I realize I’m in his arms, my heat rubbing against his stomach, and I go shy.
“Don’t do that,” he says, gripping my underside and pushing me farther against the wall so our bodies are closer. “Don’t go shy on me, now.” He kisses my lips softly, and butterflies swarm my belly. “That kiss was hot as hell, baby, and if I were any less of a gentleman, I wouldn’t have stopped. But I don’t just want tonight with you. I want tomorrow and the next day…”
