Page 69 of Pucking Obsessed

“I don’t–” I stop speaking because it clicks. “He records her while she’s sleeping so he can listen to it to try and sleep.”

We don’t get to finish our speculation because Winter rounds the corner. There’s a determined expression on her face that tells me she knows exactly what she needs to do to help him. She’s in one of his hoodies and those stupid footless socks that look like if she pulled them up to full length they’d stretch from her head to her feet. She’s so focused that she doesn’t even glance at me or Callum as she walks past. She just slips into Tristan’s room and closes the door behind her without a word.

“He’s gonna hurt her one of these times,” Callum mutters, pushing off the wall and heading down the hall toward his room. “She’s tiny.”

I don’t answer. He’s not wrong, but Winter’s not scared of Tristan, not even a little. She knows exactly what she’s walking into, and she does it anyway. Every single time. Callum and I have always suspected that Tristan’s night terrors trace back to the carjacking. To the night he had to hurt Winter to save her. He doesn’t talk about it, but we all know it left scars on him, deeper than he’ll ever admit. And now, every night, he relives it.

Another crash comes from behind Tristan’s door, muffled now, followed by a sharp guttural groan that’s quickly silenced.

Callum pauses, looking back over his shoulder. “Text me that number. I need a rush order.”

I scowl at him, my irritation flaring again. “Go fuck yourself and don’t knock on my door again,” I snap, but he just grins, unbothered, and keeps walking.

I sigh, shaking my head and duck back into my room. The second I step inside and see Madison, the tension in my body eases and that’s not an exaggeration.

Madison’s still sprawled across the bed, her hair spilling over the pillow, her lips parted as she breathes softly in her sleep. Pride sweeps through me that I’ve tired her out enough that she can sleep so peacefully, not a care in the world.

I set my gun back in my drawer and then grab my phone. I shoot Callum the contact for the jeweler because I know he’ll just bug me about it tomorrow if I don’t. I toss my phone into the nightstand and crawl back into bed next to my girl. She stirs as I pull her against me, her body warm and soft, fitting perfectly into mine.

“I hope you’re having sweet dreams, princess,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to the back of her neck. I should have had my fill of her. I should be content like this, but my cock is straining, rigid and begging to be sheathed inside her. I turn her to face me and lift her leg over my hip. Lining myself up to her opening, I slide inside until I’m fully inside her wet heat. Madison moans softly, her leg tightening over me as if she wants to keep me right where I am. Only then, am I able to close my eyes and fall asleep.

EPILOGUE

MADISON

The whistle blows signaling the last cheer practice of the semester is ending, but I couldn’t tell you one thing we did the entire hour we were here. Something’s happening today. I’m not sure what, but I canfeelit. I grab my jacket and throw it over my practice uniform and as soon as I look up my gaze finds Hayden instantly. He’s leaning against the fence that separates the stands from the track around the football field.

His arms are crossed, and his dark eyes are locked on me. Something is definitely happening today.

I don’t stick around for the usual post-practice chatter. My pom-poms hit the grass, forgotten and I’m sprinting toward him.

Hayden leans forward just as I reach the fence, and without hesitation, he picks me up, and lifts me over the steel. When my arms wrap around his neck, his hands move to grip my thighs.

His face breaks into a rare, soft smile, the kind I know he saves just for me. That’s the thing about Hayden. He might always get what he wants because he’s a menace, but he’s also a cuddler. I mean, hereallyloves to just lay in bed and lay his head on my chest while I play with his hair. He’d never admitthat to anyone but me, but it’s one of my favorite things about him.

“The new coach let us out of practice early,” he says as his eyes roam over my face. “So I skipped my next class because I wanted to see you.”

My heart squeezes, and I bring my hands to his face, my thumbs brushing the sharp angles of his jaw before I nudge his hair that’s fallen across his forehead.

I don’t bother chastising him because he isn’t going to do anything he doesn’t want to, and it’s not like his future is uncertain. His grandmother wants him to run her vineyard and winery. She told me all about it when I met her at the wedding. She promised to show me pictures the next time I see her, which I’m hoping will be over the winter break. She wants to teach me how to make Hayden’s favorite pancakes, which he apparently is very particular about. I’m not really sure what I want to do after college, but I’m looking forward to having the time to figure it out.

Hayden leans in, his mouth claiming mine in a kiss that’s soft but deliberate, lingering like he’s in no rush to let me go.

When we finally pull apart, his eyes are still locked on me, the intensity there making my breath hitch. He’s just looking at me, studying my face like he’s looking for something.

“What’s up with you?” I ask, my voice quieter now. “I don’t buy that you’re nervous for the last game of the season tonight.”

His lips twitch into a small smirk before his gaze softens again. “I don’t have a single thought today that isn’t about you.” The words hit me, and I can feel my cheeks heat. Before I can reply, he adds, “Will you come somewhere with me?”

“Always. You know I will go anywhere with you,” I say without hesitation, nodding as he lets me slide down. My feet hit the ground, but I swear it feels like my heart’s still floating somewhere above me.

Hayden takes my duffle bag from me before he slips his hand into mine, and we start walking across campus. I let myself lean into him, my head bumping against his arm for a second before straightening again.

I’m afraid to jinx it, but everything feels perfect now. No threats. No secrets. No more looking over my shoulder or making poor Callum cut into his lying around time to play bodyguard. And being with Hayden is easy. We complement one another in such a natural way that still surprises me sometimes.

As big of a deal as the whole stepbrother thing seemed when we first met, it’s not even a thought anymore. We don’t even go back to the home Hayden grew up in. Not because anything bad happened, but our parents have been off traveling for months, practically since the wedding. I’m glad my mom is happy, and I’m even happier that I’m here with Hayden.

We make quick work of getting in Hayden’s SUV, but he doesn’t forget to buckle me in before he pulls out of the parking lot. It’s really cold today, and I freaking love it, but my teeth are chattering. Hayden cranks the heat up and then lets his hand cup my upper thigh.

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