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Hayden
I startto breathe easier once I have Calista behind the locked door of my penthouse.
Although I’m not sure the ache in my chest will ever subside, not after seeing her lying motionless in a pool of her own blood. I thought my worst nightmare brought to life was finding my mother’s lifeless body, but that pales in comparison to Calista being in her place.
The visual is etched into my mind like a scar, ugly and permanent. I can’t stop the shudder that runs through me. The show of weakness grates on my nerves, but it’s a physical response to my need for her.
She frowns at me. “Are you okay?”
With someone threatening her, I’m far from okay. I’m close to losing my fucking mind.
I meet her gaze, exuding a fictitious calm to keep her unaware of the thoughts torturing me. “I’m fine. Did you get enough to eat?”
She nods at the plate in front of her, still half-full. “Yes, thank you for dinner.”
“You’re welcome.”
Silence descends on the room while the tension between us crescendos, the strains of yearning vibrating along my skin like a plucked violin string. I drum my fingers on the table to rid myself of the urge to touch her. It’s pointless.
“I know you slept at the hospital, but it’s getting late,” I say. “Do you want to go to bed now?”
“Yes.” Despite her blank expression, her voice holds a weariness that only exacerbates my desire to hold her. “I think I need to lie down,” she says, “even if I don’t fall asleep right away.”
“Do you need another dose of your pain meds?”
She shakes her head. “My shoulder doesn’t hurt at all.”
I rise from my seat, flicking my gaze from her unfinished meal to the dark circles under her eyes. Despite her dramatic ordeal and obvious exhaustion, Calista sits with her back straight and her chin held high. My admiration for her fortitude swells.
As I turn to assist her, the scent of her fills my senses, reminding me of this morning when the smell of her pussy coated my fingers. She looks up at me, her hazel eyes studying me intently. In that tiny pause, I detect the hesitation that rises before she places her hand in mine, nervousness simmering beneath the surface of her skin.
She’s right to worry. It’s going to take everything I have not to fuck her tonight.
After pulling Calista to her feet, I immediately release her to avoid doing something I might regret. Actually,Iwouldn’t regret kissing her, but if her behavior is any indication, she’d take exception to it.
This is going to be a long fucking night.
This woman doesn’t understand the hold she has on me. One glance, one touch, and I’d be on my knees for her. The realization is disturbing.
Calista runs her palms down her thighs and I stay silent, giving her time to compose herself. When she finally meets my gaze, she offers me a weak smile that wobbles on her lips. My fingers twitch with the need to soothe her, and I fist them at my sides.
With a curt nod, I gesture toward the hallway. “I’ll escort you to your room.”
“Thank you.”
She walks beside me as I guide her by resting my hand on the small of her back. It’s not enough to satiate my hunger. Each step is a dance, an opportunity for me to follow her lead.
Or for her to submit to mine.
Once we reach the guest room door, she stops, turning to face me. I do the same, the weight of my indecision bearing down on my shoulders. I should give Calista time away from me like she requested, but my need to be close to her, to reassure myself that she’s safe, is a physical ache.
“Goodnight, Hayden.”
I open my mouth to command her to walk to my room just as she opens the door to the guest room and steps inside. Now I’m the one who’s hesitating. If my behavior didn’t shock me, I might find my reluctance to take what I want amusing.
My palm slaps against the wood to prevent her from shutting the door. Calista blinks up at me in surprise, but her expression morphs into a frown when I stride up to her.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, her voice tinged with suspicion.
