Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

“Belle, wait.”

That was the last thing she wanted to do. It had taken every ounce of pride she had to come into town to find Hayden. And it wasn’t like she had a lot of pride on tap after he’d run away from her not once, not twice, but three. Freaking. Times .

If Livi hadn’t been so despondent—and Elle’s mom so insistent—Elle would have stayed in the safety of her suite, licking her wounds. There was only so much rejection one woman could take, after all. Especially from the person she never thought would hurt her.

Except Livi was a bit of a force of nature even when she was feverish. She’d insisted Elle make the trip to locate Hayden and deliver the message in person. “He’s going to be so disappointed,” she’d moaned.

It pained her how much that was likely true. Still, she didn’t have the heart to let the other woman down. Livi-of-the-awesome-shoes hadn’t done anything wrong. Except, perhaps, capturing Hayden’s attention. And maybe making him fall for her.

Elle sped up, trudging quickly down one of the side streets.

“Dammit, Elle.”

Of course he caught up to her. Even wearing his carbon fiber leg, the man was faster than most. He wrapped his fingers around her upper arm, pulling her to a stop. She wanted to shake his hand off, but even through the fleece she wore beneath her down vest, she could feel the sizzle of his touch.

He must have felt it also because when she glanced up at his face, his blue eyes were as dark as the sea during a storm. She panted out a breath. His nostrils flared.

A car drove by, startling them both. Hayden glanced around before gripping her arm tighter and tugging her in the direction of his place. They were both breathing hard when he unlocked the side door and guided her inside the sunny kitchen.

Hayden’s paternal grandparents owned the weathered two-bedroom bungalow for more than fifty years before moving to an assisted-living community further inland. They’d deeded the little home, its extensive workshop, and their cat to their only grandson when he returned from active duty.

Beula was sunning herself on the bench in front of the boxed bay window. A single swish of her tail was the only tell the cat was aware of their presence. A miniature Christmas tree sat front and center on the round kitchen table. It was decorated with photos of holidays from years past. Many of them were of Elle and Hayden sitting on Santa’s lap. Hayden’s grandfather, the town’s postmaster, had played the part of Santa for a quarter of a century.

Elle pulled her arm free to get a closer look. She fingered the photos, many of them worn with age.

“I’ve never seen these,” she whispered.

He made a rough sound with his throat. “My grandmother kept them.”

“Such precious photos.”

Tears suddenly stung the back of her eyes. The man behind her had played a role in so many of her memories—good and bad. It hurt to think that part of her life could be over.

“How did we get so messed up?” she asked, not bothering to turn around.

He was silent behind her for so long, she thought he’d left her again. But when she worked up the courage to face him, it was to see him looking as wrecked as she felt. It pained her to take a breath.

“I don’t want to lose you, Hayden.”

With a slight shake of his head, he stalked across the room to her. They stood facing each other, less than an inch separating them for what felt like hours until . . . She wasn’t sure who kissed who first, but it didn’t matter. Teeth and tongues clashed as they tried to get as close to one another as possible.

Hayden’s hands were suddenly everywhere. In her hair. Along her back. Burning a path along her skin beneath her fleece. When his mouth moved to explore the curve of her neck, she tilted her head to give him better access.

Elle wasn’t going to let the opportunity to explore the body she’d been fantasizing about all week go to waste. She tugged his Henley free of his jeans and slipped her fingers beneath it. He nipped at her jaw when her fingers made contact with his ridiculously flat abs. His thumb brushed over one of her nipples, already sensitive and aroused, and her knees almost buckled. He groaned when her fingers tangled up in the happy trail of hair leading below the waistline of his jeans.

“Either tell me to stop, or tell me you want this, Elle.” His teeth grazed her ear. “But you have to decide. Now.”

She’d never heard him sound so desperate.

It will change everything.

Elle ignored the warning voice in her head, instead turning her chin so his lips met hers again. It was answer enough for Hayden. The sound of the zipper on her vest was loud in the room as he worked it down. Multitasking, he sucked on her tongue while shoving the bulky garment down her arms. She gripped the hem of his sweater and the Henley beneath and rolled them up his torso. When her palms stopped to explore the expanse of muscles lining his body, he broke off their kiss to finish shedding his sweater and shirt.

Eyes wild, he backed her toward the hallway leading to his bedroom. Elle shimmied her fleece over her head, only to manage getting one of her arms caught. He chuckled.

“Don’t laugh at me,” she said through the wad of fabric covering her mouth.

He took pity on her, untangling the fleece and pulling it free. It went flying down the hall. Elle suddenly wished she’d given more thought to her lingerie choice this morning. She was pretty sure her dingy sports bra wasn’t doing her any favors right now.

Lucky for her, Hayden seemed preoccupied with her collarbone. He stared at the blush spreading over her skin as if he’d never seen such a thing before. Then he traced it with his finger. Clearly, Elle lacked a lot of sexual experience because it felt oddly erotic.

“Hayden.”

Her moan refocused his attention. He made quick work of her bra, letting it fall to their feet. His hands cupped her breasts, and he made a guttural sound as he pressed her back against the wall.

“I’ve dreamed of these,” he murmured, surprising the heck out of her, before he leaned down to take the tip of one between his lips.

You did ? She might have asked if he hadn’t just obliterated all her brain cells. Her head hit the wall with such force, a picture frame fell from the wall. The shattering glass yanked them out of their sensual haze. They were both panting when they looked down at the broken frame. It was a photo of Hayden and his older sister when they were very young.

“I always hated that picture,” he said.

Elle gasped out a laugh before his mouth returned to her other breast. She scraped her fingers over his scalp when he moved lower. He dragged a low stool with his foot, positioning it behind him. Crouching down, he let his tongue wander over her stomach until it dipped into her belly button. His hands moved from gripping her waist to the top of her leggings. He began to roll them and her panties down her legs. She squirmed against him when his lips traveled lower.

“Don’t move,” he ordered with a growl.

Swearing, he struggled to get the leggings over her sneakers. She toed them both off and stepped out of the last bit of her clothing. Elle was naked in front of him, her body pressed against the wall. The position made her feel awkward and exposed, like one of the butterflies Miles used to collect and pin to a board.

“We should find a bed,” she pleaded.

“Not yet.” His eyes wandered over her body reverently. “You are so damn gorgeous. It takes my breath away.”

His words only added to her self-doubt about being so exposed to him. But then his mouth was on her, and she forgot all about any insecurities she had, reveling in the immense pleasure of his tongue instead. When he spread her thighs farther apart with his hands, she began to slide down. She slapped her palms to the wall, attempting to anchor herself. He hitched one of her knees over his shoulder. The change in position brought her even greater pleasure.

Elle arched her hips into him. His response was a groan of encouragement. He cupped her ass as he feasted with more urgency. Her breath was coming in hurried pants now. She could feel her orgasm cresting. As much as she wanted it, Elle didn’t want it to end. A sob broke from her throat when the feeling of profound bliss rocked through her.

She slid down the wall onto his lap. He cradled her head against his shoulder, rubbing her back as she returned to the living. Elle shifted against him. A sharp hiss brushed against her neck. She lifted her eyelids. His lips were in a tight line. She tortured him with another shimmy.

“Elinor,” he bit out.

She nipped at his shoulder. “Can we move this to the bed now?”

He stilled beneath her. His mouth might have been tight, but a look of trepidation shadowed his eyes.

“You sure?” he whispered.

Seriously?

It was too late to turn back now. Not that Elle wanted to. She wanted this man like she’d never wanted anything in her entire life.

“Absolutely,” she whispered against his lips. Her hand reached between them and she stroked his hard length over his jeans.

She’d forever marvel at Hayden’s athleticism. With a feral growl, he stood with her in his arms and strode into one of the bedrooms. He laid her on the bed and stepped back, his eyes roaming her flushed body once again. Her skin grew even warmer under his gaze.

“Do you need some help with your jeans, Deputy?” she mocked him.

One side of his mouth kicked up in a sly smile. “Don’t sass me, Elinor. You’ll be sorry.”

She pressed up on the back of her elbows. “Or what? You’ll put me in handcuffs?”

Her taunt had the desired effect. Hayden shucked his jeans and underwear in five seconds flat. She chewed on her lip, watching the muscles in his ass move as he strolled over to the dresser, where he pulled out an unopened box of condoms.

An ugly thought hit her. Had he bought those in anticipation of being in this bed with Livi? Something on her face must have tipped him off because he swore when he put the box on the bedside table.

“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t. I will get out the handcuffs if you don’t stop letting your imagination go places it shouldn’t.”

She couldn’t help but smile with relief. This man got her. It was as if their minds were connected somehow.

Hayden sat on the edge of the bed and unwrapped the strap securing his prosthetic to what remained of his leg. She’d seen his stump before—she’d even insisted on touching it when he first came home. It sat just below his knee. Not losing his knee joint gave him more range of motion with his leg. It also allowed him to run with greater precision.

He placed the artificial leg on the floor beside the bed where a single crutch lay and reached for a condom. She rubbed his back while he rolled it on.

“We still good?” he asked her, forever the gentleman.

She glanced down at his erection. “You’ll do,” she teased.

He covered her body in one smooth move. Elle sucked in a breath at the contact.

“I warned you about sassing me.” He nipped at her lip.

She dragged her hands up his torso. All the snark left her when their eyes collided. The adoration and awe she saw in his had her heart feeling like it was swelling. He did want her. She bucked her hips into his.

“Keep doing that, and I won’t be able to take care of you,” he groaned.

A giddy laugh escaped Elle’s throat. She’d never had a lover worry whether she came more than once. Of course Hayden would be that guy.

Elle wrapped her legs around his waist. He didn’t have to be invited twice. Hayden let out a sigh as he eased himself inside her.

“Mmm.” She adjusted her hips so that he filled her completely. “It’s perfect.”

He took her lips in a searing kiss. Then he began to move. Elle quickly picked up his rhythm. When she dug her nails into his shoulders, he increased the pace.

“So. Much. Better. Than. I. Dreamed,” he panted each word as he drove into her.

She might have latched onto the nugget that he’d been dreaming of her had her release not been building in its intensity. It suddenly washed over, taking her over the edge with it. She cried out Hayden’s name. He stilled above her. Elle could feel him staring at her again. She forced her eyelids open.

“You are so beautiful,” he whispered. “So, so beautiful.”

And then he was moving again, driving into her three more times before she felt his body grow tense beneath her fingers.

“Yes!” he shouted when she clenched her muscles around him. “God, yes.”

Minutes later, they were a tangle of sweaty limbs, both still breathing fast. Hayden adjusted the pillow beneath her head before he slipped out of the bed. He used his crutch to hobble to the bathroom down the hall.

Elle would have peeked at his perfectly imperfect body again, but she couldn’t seem to keep her eyes open. She felt the mattress sag when he crawled back into bed. He drew a flannel blanket over their bodies.

“I have to meet West for the contest later.” She tried to make her body move, but it was no use.

“Sleep.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I won’t let you miss it.”

“I wouldn’t mind if we did,” she murmured as her eyes drifted shut.

“Mm.” He feathered kisses along her jaw. “There would be talk if neither of us showed up.”

A ripple of unease ran down her spine. Her sated body quickly extinguished it, however. As she dozed off, she promised to think about the implications of their rash behavior later.