17. Hayden

17

HAYDEN

I am drawn to him like a moth drawn to flame. His fierce nature to protect me, and to shelter me unlocks something primal inside me. He is such a paradigm. His large muscles, rugged scars, and callused hands make him seem so menacing. But the way he’s holding me right now, so gingerly as if I may break, and returning my kiss so tenderly makes him anything but. He breaks from the kiss and stares deep into my eyes. Our foreheads still touching.

“What happened here, Hayden? Tell me so I can make whoever did this pay,” he growls out.

"It was the wolves," I explain, still reeling from the terror of it all. "I was inside, reading, when I heard their howls. Before I knew it, they were inside ransacking everything.” I shudder at the memory. "There were three of them. I had no time to hide, but did I manage to grab my knife and slash at them whenever they lunged at me. They were more interested in the food, thankfully.”

My voice shakes as I recount the horrific details.

"I did everything I could to fend them off, to protect what little I have, but they were relentless.”

I can feel the tension radiating off Cagan. His instinct to protect me on high alert. I wouldn’t take it past him to seek out every wolf involved and mutilate them.

"When I realized there would be nothing left worth salvaging, I ran as fast as I could into the woods and climbed up a tree. I watched from above as they destroyed everything.” I feel tears welling up as the thought hits me again. "And now my home is gone. You worked so hard on it, and I know it wasn’t much… but that's all I had."

“You have me, Hayden. I’m not going anywhere,” he says as he stares directly in my eyes like he’s trying to see deep down into my soul.

“Well, I was going to find you, but I had to clean myself up. I was covered in dirt and debris, so I went down to the nearby stream to wash off," I explained to him.

Cagan nodded, his jaw clenched. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you."

"You couldn’t have known Cagan, this is all so bizarre,” I say. “Then I went back to see the remains, hoping to find some extra clothes, but I didn’t have any luck.”

Cagan pulls me closer, tucking me inside his warm chest. "It's okay, we'll find you something else to wear. The only thing that matters to me right now is that you are safe.”

I feel a sense of comfort and safety in Cagan's arms. He tightens his embrace around me, his strength and warmth enveloping my shaken body. As I cling to him, I'm suddenly overcome by an overwhelming realization - I love him.

Beyond his capability to protect me, I love who he is deep inside. I love his brave heart, his gentle spirit, and his caring soul. Being near him makes me feel whole in a way I've never experienced before. Safe, protected.

Before I even know what I'm doing, I take his face in my hands and press my lips to his. The kiss transports me, a stirring in my heart eclipsing the anguish of all that just happened. After the initial surprise, Cagan wraps his arms around my waist and returns the kiss with a tenderness that melts me.

In this moment, with our bodies intertwined, the world around us fades away. The trauma and heartbreak of the wolf attack no longer feel so raw. There is only us, lost in each other. The love I feel for him consumes my entire being.

When we finally break apart, my eyes find his. I understand now why I felt such an innate sense of connection with Cagan from the moment we met. "I think I’m in love with you," I confess in a whisper.

Cagan's eyes mirror the depth of emotion I'm feeling. He strokes my hair and says, “I’ve been in love with you since the moment I laid eyes on you. You consume me, Hayden.”

Still reeling from the exhilaration of his words, I wrap my arms around Cagan's neck and draw him in again. This time our lips meet with an urgency fueled by the depth of emotion passing between us.

My hands explore his muscular back as we kiss deeper and more sensually. I have found my oasis in this harsh wilderness, and I will never let it go. No matter what may come, I know Cagan and I can weather any storm as long as we do it together.

Right here, right now at this moment, nothing else matters except this. I want us to build a lifetime of memories together, starting with the one I’m about to propose.

“Cagan,” I whisper, as I bring myself up on my tip toes and plant kisses on his corded neck. “Please, make me yours.”

He lets out a growl low in his throat. “Not here Hayden, you deserve so much more than our first time being on the forest floor… You’ve been through so much today…”

I jump up and wrap my legs around his thick waist. I cut him off with my mouth, silencing whatever excuse he has of being a gentleman. I don’t want a gentleman right now, I want him to wreck and ravish my body.

As the kiss deepens, I will my tongue to do its best to persuade him to take me to bed, and judging by the firm bulge I feel against my inner thighs, I’d say it’s doing its job.

“Hayden, you’re making this really hard for me…” he grinds out.

“I know, I can feel that…” I say, trying to bring some humor to the situation. Suddenly, I find myself being tilted backwards and being laid down upon the forest floor ever so gently. I look up and he looms above me, and from the looks of the other part of him that’s giant, it won’t be as gentle as he is.

“Please Cagan, I need you, I need this…” I whine as I squirm around, rubbing my thighs together, seeking friction.

“You don’t have to beg. If this is what you need, I’m more than happy to give it to you,” he says as he rips what’s left of my torn and tattered top off my chest, leaving me bare to him. He grins as he descends upon my chest, nipping and sucking on my breasts. I let out a feral moan and arch into him, desperate to feel more of him.

“These have to go,” I grunt out, reaching for his pants in a desperate attempt to rid him of them.

“Patience, Hayden, let me revel in you for a little bit,” he says as he continues his onslaught of languid kisses on my breast.

He pauses briefly to remove his own clothes, and I am stunned by the beauty that is him. Taut skin, tight muscles, a smattering of hair leading down to something I am more than eager to see.

He lifts my hips and slowly and carefully removes my wrap, and underwear. Taking his sweet time. I wiggle in hopes of showing my impatience.

“I don’t want to hurt you Hayden, what you’ve dealt with today…”

I sit up on my elbows and look at him head on. “I want you to hurt me Cagan, I want it hard, I want it rough. I don’t want to be treated like I’m something breakable. Do your worst, I can take it,” I say with the most absolute confidence I can muster.

“Fuck, Hayden,” he growls out seconds before his hot, warm mouth engulfs my pussy. I moan loudly, as he works his tongue like a gifted magician. “You taste just as good as I imagined you would,” he says between strokes of his tongue. He takes extra care of my clit, knowing just where to press to detonate the bomb that is brewing inside me.

“Cagan, I’m about to…” I can’t formulate the words right now, too overcome by the sensation creeping up my spine.

“Cum on my tongue Hayden, I’ll savor every last drop,” he says with a deep grovel.

His dirty mouth was all it took for me to cum harder than I ever have. His tongue lapping up every ounce of my release.

Cagan’s eyes darken with desire as he stands up, his muscles rippling under the moonlight. The anticipation is almost too much to bear. I feel every second stretch out as I watch him slowly slide his pants down, revealing more of his powerful thighs and the impressive bulge that has been teasing me.

He’s magnificent. His cock stands proud and erect, looking almost intimidating in its size. I’ve never seen anything like it, and an overwhelming blend of awe and desire courses through me. He’s perfect, every inch of him.

“Hayden,” he murmurs, his voice thick with need, “are you sure about this?”

I nod, unable to find my voice. My body is aching for him, every nerve ending on fire with anticipation. “Yes, Cagan. I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

He lowers himself back down, positioning himself between my legs. His hands are gentle but firm as he spreads my thighs wider, making room for himself. I feel his tip brush against my entrance, and I shiver in response, my body instinctively arching towards him.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he whispers, his breath hot against my skin. “Tell me if it’s too much.”

I can only nod again, my heart pounding in my chest. I grip his shoulders, needing to anchor myself as he begins to push inside. The initial stretch is intense, and I gasp, my nails digging into him. He pauses, concern flickering in his eyes.

“Are you okay?” he asks, his voice strained with the effort of holding back.

“Yes,” I breathe out, “please, keep going.”

He inches in further, and the sensation is overwhelming—pain and pleasure mingling together until I can hardly tell them apart. He’s so big, stretching me in ways I’ve never felt before, but it feels right. It feels like this is exactly where I’m meant to be.

“Fuck, Hayden,” he groans, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers down my spine. “You’re so tight.”

I moan in response, my body adjusting to his size. I can feel every inch of him, and it’s almost too much, but I crave more. “Don’t stop,” I manage to say, my voice barely more than a whisper.

He begins to move, slow and steady at first, allowing me to adjust to the sensation. The friction is intoxicating, sending waves of pleasure through me with every thrust. I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper, needing him closer.

“Cagan,” I moan, my hands clutching at his back, “you feel so good.”

He grunts in response, his pace quickening slightly. The intensity builds with each movement, and I can feel myself getting closer to the edge. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before, a pleasure so profound it almost hurts.

“Hayden, you’re incredible,” he murmurs against my ear, his breath hot and ragged. “I can’t hold back much longer.”

“Don’t,” I whisper back, my voice trembling with need. “I want it all, Cagan. Give me everything.”

With a growl, he thrusts harder, deeper, and I cry out, the pleasure cresting over me again like a tidal wave. My body tightens around him, and I feel him shudder as he reaches his own release, spilling into me with a final, powerful thrust.

For a moment, neither of us moves, both lost in the aftermath of our shared ecstasy. Then he collapses beside me, pulling me into his arms. We lie there, tangled together, our breathing slowly returning to normal.

“I love you, Hayden, I’m not sure what I would have done if something were to have happened to you,” he whispers, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

“I love you too, Cagan,” I reply, feeling a profound sense of contentment. In his arms, I know I am safe, loved, and exactly where I belong.