Page 30 of Hayes

He had reluctantly agreed to wait until after college to get married, but he had argued about it and told her it was ridiculous to wait that long.

"We already know we are going to spend the rest of our lives together, so there is no point in waiting."

"I won't have your parents accusing me of tying up your life."

"I am the one asking, no scratch that—I am begging, and I hate that I have to do so."

"Well don't," she had snapped back. "I love you and want nothing more than to be with you, but we wait until after college."

Then everything changed. In just a few minutes, their entire lives had gone to hell. When she came home and learned what happened, it had changed her. Two days before that, she had told him she was pregnant, had cried in his arms, and freaked out about it.

"It will work out," he had assured her, trying not to show how damned scared he was. His parents were going to kill him, and truth be told, he did not want to be a teenage dad. He could go on to college, but it would mean she would have to stay out a year, her dreams put on hold, and he did not want her blaming him.

They had finally managed to accept what happened and were still trying to decide what to do when that occurred with her parents.

During the course of the investigation, the scandal, the revelations about the family being broken and having been living above their means for years, it took its toll on her. He wanted to offer to bail her out—he had money of his own. His allowances were generous.

He had been gifted with an expensive sports car because of his academic achievements, and he was planning on selling it to help her out of the terrible situation, and if she needed more, he was going to prevail on his parents for help.

But she refused and turned on him in anger, saying, "I don't need your pity."

It broke his heart to see her going through all she was going through, and he felt helpless. But he never dreamed she would leave without a word to him.

He stood by her every step of the way, and it angered him that people—so-called friends—had started pulling away from her. He did not give a damn about that—he loved her, and he was going to be by her side.

When he discovered she had left and her number went straight to voicemail, he could scarcely believe it. Tilting his head down, he stared at the exquisite face that had haunted his dreams for most of his life. Her skin was smooth, the dark brown lashes making shadows on her round cheek.

Her lips were slightly parted, and he could feel the stirring in his loins as he continued to stare at them. Her breasts were pressing on his body, one leg thrown over both of his as if to stop him from leaving. As if he could, he thought whimsically.

They had wasted so many years being apart, and he wanted them back. "I love you so much," he whispered. She was fast asleep, but he could not stop saying the words. He had cried them out when he poured his seed inside her earlier and felt no shame about being so vulnerable.

The issue about her not being able to conceive could be dealt with. He would call on his vast resources to see what—if anything—could be done. But he knew without a doubt that she was never getting away from him again.

He had accepted it before or thought he had. He would have to meet with Simone and let her know that they couldn't see each other again. He was aware he was going to be hurting her, but it could not be helped.

Chapter 8

"I see you have become familiar with the kitchen." He came behind her as she poured the beans into the filter. He had awakened to find the space beside him empty.

"Nothing complicated. Just coffee. I still hate the kitchen." She leaned back against him and closed her eyes, savoring the feel of his lean, muscular body pressing up on hers. She was already dressed to go but did not care about being late.

She wanted to linger over coffee and pretend they were a normal couple. Perhaps just this morning. After last night, the talks about what happened in the past and her tears, followed by the subsequent cleansing of his tender lovemaking, she was starting to feel at peace.

"I need to greet you properly." Turning her around, he gazed at her with glowering eyes, his sensuous sweeping of her face sending tingles all over her body. "Hi." Cupping her face, he brushed his lips over hers before plunging his tongue into her mouth.

She had time to draw a deep breath before the passion was spiraling between them. She clung to him; her body fused to his as she melted in his hot embrace. Tearing his lips from hers, he trailed melting kisses down her neck and then back to her lips, where he devoured her.

Ending the kiss, he put her away from him, his body a churning mass of desire so profound, it took his breath.

"Coffee," he rasped, stepping back. "I would suggest we call off work and spend the entire day together, but I think I know what that answer would be."

Pressing a hand over her galloping heart, Camelia leaned against the counter weakly and took several deep breaths. "You have crucial meetings, and I made an appointment with Sylvia Cross."

"The up-and-coming designer."

"Yes. She is in demand now and I want to get the scoop before she is inundated by eager reporters. Hayes–"

"I want to see you tonight." He brushed past her to pour the coffee into the two cups she had laid out. "I have several meetings lined up, and I have to end things with Simone."

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