Page 50 of Restrained

My eyes drift to the clock on Hayden’s nightstand. Shit. It’s almost seven. I’m so late. “Um, yeah. I’m sorry, I lost track of time.”

Asher is not amused. “Baz usually goes to sleep at eight, unless that’s another thing Viv has changed. I’d like to eat with him.”

“I’m on my way. You, mom, and Tony can take Baz to my house.”

“Is fuckface there?”

I find my skirt on the floor, dropping my towel, letting the phone rest against my shoulder as I shimmy into it, all with Hayden’s amused and amorous gaze on me. “No. Viv assured me Sawyer won’t be there.”

“Good.”

“I’ll be there in fifteen.”

Click.

Shithead.

I toss the phone onto the bed and grab my bra and blouse, pulling them both on as Hayden’s strong arms wrap around my waist. “You have to go?”

I take a moment for myself, something I never do, and lean back against his strong chest. “I don’t want to.”

I turn in his arms to face him, looking up at his handsome face. “You had something to tell me?”

I watch his throat as he swallows, and then he shakes his head, leaning down to kiss the tip of my nose. “No. It can wait.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and tilt his head down to look into his beautiful eyes and look straight into his soul. They give a lot away even though he seems hard on the outside. His eyes say so many things. My gaze sweeps over cheekbones male models would kill for and a perfectly straight nose with the exception of a very slight bump I just noticed. “Are you sure?”

His smile is lopsided as his eyes land on my lips. “I mean I’d love for you to stay.” His lips sweep across mine. “But not so we can talk.”

I laugh against his lips and brush a light kiss over them. “I’d much rather be here with you.”

He kisses me, pulling my body to his, making me feel safe and protected in a way I've never felt and didn’t even know I wanted until now. He doesn’t let go, and it feels good to be swept up in him as his lips hold mine captive.

But all good things must end. I can feel his reluctance to let me go as we slowly part and he growls, his lips still close to mine. “Go see your family, but tomorrow, you’re mine.”

I thought I’d hate the possessive alpha male shit.

I was wrong. My thighs clench together, and all I want to do is climb in his bed and let him do whatever the hell he wants to do to me.

“Tomorrow.”

He kisses me, and I smile, going into the bathroom to fix my hair and lipstick, tucking my shirt in. He walks me to my car and gives me one last kiss to again mess up my cherry red lipstick and steal most of it.

He stands in the driveway as I back my car out and begrudgingly drive to my beach house, seeing my mom’s car in the driveway.

When I walk inside, Baz greets me happily shouting, “Aunt Lola! Aunt Lola! Uncle Asher is here! And Uncle Linc! And Aunt P! And Grandma and Grandpa!”

I laugh as the little guy jumps up and down excitedly and Vivienne stands behind him, a great big smile on her face at his happiness.

I look down at Baz, who I swear has grown a foot in the short time he’s been here. “I know, buddy. Are you excited?”

“Yes! Excited!” He jumps around the living room and then runs off to the kitchen. I hear a “humph” sound and then moments later, see Baz is wrapped around Asher’s neck, riding on his back. I’m guessing that sound was Baz jumping on him.

“Hey, Ash.”

He holds onto Baz and nods. “Hey. Dinner’s almost done. Where the hell have you been?”

“Working.”

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