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This is the reason I don’t immediately release a scream when he grabs my hips and shifts me onto his lap.
“Shh, baby, I’ve got you,” he whispers into my hair.
He gently pushes my cheek to his chest and rests his chin on my head, keeping his arms around my waist. The scent of his cologne, both comforting and familiar, surrounds me while the heat of his body eases into my muscles, relaxing me. I instinctively snuggle closer, burrowing my face in the curve of his neck.
I can hate myself for that show of vulnerability later. Right now, I’ve entered into a state-of-mind that’s free from turmoil. The tension between us earlier is nonexistent as he traces soothing patterns along my lower back and his heartbeat reverberates against my ear.
Hayden may not want to love me, but I’m pretty sure I love him.
* * *
The joltingof the plane jars me awake.
I open my eyes as panic sets in, only to find myself held securely against Hayden’s chest, his arms tight around my waist.
“You’re fine,” he murmurs in my ear. “We just landed.”
The haze of sleep lifts, and the uncertainty of the situation creeps back in. I shift slightly, trying to extricate myself from his hold. In response, he tightens his grip on me.
“You can let go now,” I say.
“I can, but I won’t.”
The stewardess, who I didn’t know was there this entire trip, makes her way down the aisle. “Allow me to welcome you to your destination, Mr. & Mrs. Cole.”
Hayden tenses behind me. I open my mouth to correct her but immediately press my lips together when he digs his fingers into my thigh. I give him a sickly-sweet smile to communicate my displeasure at his high-handedness.
“Thank you,” he says to the woman with a polite nod. Then he leans forward, whispering in my ear, loud enough for her to hear. “You can let go now, honey.”
“No problem, darling.”
I shove off his chest hard enough to cause him to grunt and get into a standing position. My grin is indicative of how petty I am. But it fades the second my bare feet touch the floor. I’d forgotten I’m only wearing my pajamas underneath Hayden’s coat. My face blazes with embarrassment.
As if nothing is out of the ordinary, Hayden rises smoothly, unfazed, adjusting his rumpled shirt. The one I cuddled against for nearly eight hours. He meets my gaze, his glinting with humor. I want to smack the smug look off his face.
He leans close, brushing his lips against the shell of my ear. “Play nice.”
“Play fair.”
“Never.”
He retrieves his suitcase, takes my hand, and leads me down the aisle. I paste a smile on my face for the crew members as we leave the jet and get into a nondescript car. This time, Hayden drives.
I settle into the passenger’s seat and fasten my seatbelt before he can order me to. Then I stare out the window, watching the colorful scenery go by without actually seeing it.
We drive for over two hours before reaching a quiet marina. Hayden parks the car and gets out without saying a word to me. Left with no other choice, I follow him, hugging my arms around my middle, silently fuming. There’s a gentle breeze in the air, coming off the water just ahead, but the warm pavement under my bare feet has me wanting to remove his coat.
I don’t, refusing to expose my pajamas. Just like with the tattoo, I won’t give Hayden the satisfaction of knowing his actions have upset me.
At the end of a long dock sits a sleek motorboat. A man with a straw hat, hula shirt, and khaki shorts reclines in the driver’s seat. His snoring halts the second Hayden clears his throat.
“Mr. And Mrs. Cole,” the man greets. “Right on schedule. I’m Mateo.”
His gaze quickly travels over Hayden, but when it lands on me, he squints. Whether it’s in confusion or judgment, I can’t tell.
I bite my lip to refrain from rolling my eyes at both the false identity and the fact that Mateo won’t stop staring. Hayden gives the man a look of warning, which does the trick.
The boat’s engine comes to life while Hayden climbs into the boat and sets down his suitcase. Then he turns back to offer me a hand. I take it but quickly retract my arm to step past him and occupy a seat near the back. If he’s bothered by my aloofness, he doesn’t show it. As usual, Hayden remains poised and in control.
