Page 16 of Prairie Nights

“I was just thinking about how grateful I am,” he answered truthfully. “How grateful I am to be here with you. To be able to hold you and how grateful I am that you have chosen to trust me.”

She lifted her head, resting her chin on his chest as she reached up to run her fingers through his hair. Meeting his gaze, her lips curved into an affectionate smile.

“Now, knowing more, I know that trust is not easy for you,” he continued. “And the fact that you have broken down your walls for me.” his voice cracked with unexpected emotion as tears pricked his eyes. “It feels good.”

Whitney climbed on top of him, straddling his hips, and ran her hands through his hair. She smoothed her fingertips over his eyebrows and down his face, caressing his cheek affectionately. Running her fingers over his jaw to his lips, she leaned down and tenderly brushed her lips over his. The kiss was so light but electric; it made his heart jolt. Her eyes were dark and shiny, his emotion drawing out her own. Love shone in their depths and even if her head was not ready to acknowledge it yet, it was there, and the feeling was mutual.

“I feel safe with you,” she confessed as she kissed him again.

Pulling the covers over them both, he wrapped his powerful arms around her and pulled her into his chest, hugging her and stroking her back lovingly. Knowing what he now knew about Whitney, those words were her I love you.

* * *

Whitney woke the next morning, Hayden spooning her from behind. His taut, naked body enveloping her in tantalizing warmth, and she sighed contentedly. Last night had been, in one word, magical. Their bodies fitting together so seamlessly. They had discovered it was not just sex that drew them together, their connection beyond the physical. There was something intangible between them now, something raw and emotional. Whitney was done fighting their palpable chemistry.

Stirring behind her, Hayden’s large hand splayed on her stomach, the heat of it making her core instinctively pulse.

“Good morning,” he whispered in her ear. His breath tickling the sensitive skin on her neck. “Did you sleep well?”

“I did,” she responded, wiggling her backside into his groin. She could feel him harden under her movements and she giggled. “Someone else is awake.”

Hayden laughed groggily. “Little Hayden is always awake when you’re around, gorgeous.”

“Little Hayden?” she questioned with another giggle. “I would refer to him as Big Hayden.”

“Oh, really?” he asked, flipping her over and pinning her hands over her head. She squirmed with laughter, then moaned as he ground himself on her. “How about I show you more of what Big Hayden can do?” he asked, his mouth curving into a sexy grin.

“Yes, please.” she teased back, grinding her hips into his.

He climbed off the bed and grabbed his wallet, pulling out a condom. Sheathing himself, he crawled across the bed, mimicking a jungle cat, growling and snarling as he prowled towards her. She laughed in response, and he gave her a playful grin.

“What shall we do?” he asked, putting his hand to his chin in thought as he sat back on his heels. “How about you show me your yoga skills and flip over putting that perfect ass in the air for me?”

“You’re bossy.” she remarked as she flipped onto her stomach and curled her knees underneath her body.

“You like it,” he teased, smoothing his hand over her back, tracing her spine, his touch leaving goosebumps in its wake. Hayden smoothed his hands over her behind and squeezed, then slipped his fingers between her legs, massaging between her folds. She moaned as he circled the bundle of nerves at her centre and dipped a finger into her molten heat, making her cry out with approval.

“You’re so wet for me,” he said, his voice low and husky as he gripped her hips and sank into her with one long, deep slide. She gasped in pleasure as he pulled himself all the way out and plunged back in even harder.

“Just like that,” she cried out as he drove into her, their feral grunts and moans escaping with every punishing thrust. Slowing down his strokes to draw out their pleasure, his sensual movements were sweet torture, as Whitney got lost in each delicious sensation he was eliciting.

“Whitney, I hope you’re close because I don’t think I can hold back much longer,” he panted out as he sank deep with each grind and press.

She clenched, her inner walls gripping him hard in response, and he groaned as he started to lose control. Pulling her up flush with his body, her back to his front and reached between her legs, he strummed her swollen centre, causing her to follow him. White-hot pleasure ripped through her body and her head fell back on his shoulder as he clung to her, both trembling with their release. Bodies still connected, and their chests heaving in unison, Whitney breathed out.

“Hayden, that was…”

“Incredible.” Hayden panted as he leaned down and planted kisses along her neck.

Whitney melted into him, feeling connected mind, body, and soul as the last of her walls crumbled to the ground.

* * *

The storm having died down and the roads already safer with the snow ploughs out, Hayden and Whitney checked out of their room and made the three-block trek down the snowy sidewalks back to the arena parking lot. Climbing into his truck, he turned to her. “Are you hungry?”

“Famished.” Whitney replied with a glint of innuendo in her eyes.

He chuckled, then winked at her. “Let’s get some breakfast.”

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