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My heart quickens at that, but I roll my eyes to mask it. “You’re such a romantic.”
“Do you love me, Calista?”
I stop breathing until my lungs cry out for relief. During those seconds, Hayden watches me with a hungry expression, as if he’s starving for my affection.
“Right now, I don’t even like you. Stalker, kidnapper, dictator, etc… Should I continue?”
“Details.” He waves a hand in dismissal. “Answer the question.”
“Why does it matter to you?”
“Because I’ve never met anyone like you.” He leans forward, his gaze unwavering. “Calista, you challenge me, intrigue me, but you’re the only person to make me question everything I’ve ever known.”
“And you think that’s love?”
He reclines back in his chair with a thoughtful expression. “I think it’s profound. You’re irreplaceable. I’d be an idiot to think I could have this with another woman, when I’ve never wanted anything more than a quick fuck. Until you.”
I chew on my lower lip as a tiny bit of hope swirls within me. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
He gives me a sad smile that pricks at my heart. “I’ve been told that once or twice in my life.”
“By whom?”
“My mother.”
The simple answer carries a depth and weight that I can’t leave alone. It’s a reminder that beneath the hardened exterior of this man, Hayden is a person with his own history, pain, and complexities.
“I’m sorry I brought it up,” I say quietly.
“It’s fine. Although I think about her constantly, I’ve never spoken about her until now.”
“What changed?”
“You.”
“Don’t try to flatter me,” I say. “For once, tell me the truth.”
All traces of amusement leave his face. “You’re the first person that I ever wanted to share her memory with.”
“Oh.”
He doesn’t wait for me to gather my thoughts and shape them into a coherent sentence. After getting to his feet, he extends his hand. “Come on, it’s time for bed.”
“What if I’m not tired?”
“You will be.”
With a lifted chin, I rest my hand in his and get to my feet. “You’re right. The walk to the guest bedroom is really long.”
“Your sarcasm isn’t necessary,” he says, his lips twitching.
“Neither is your arrogance, but here we are.”
He shakes his head with a sigh. “Come on, let’s get you to bed.”
I stop my feet, but my heart continues racing with nerves and curiosity. “Wait.”
“What is it?”
