Page 62 of Craving You

It is a real relationship, dummy! What is wrong with you?

Good question.

But as she climbed into her car to head home, Hailey forced herself to admit that she knew why. She knew why she was fighting this whole thing and refusing to believe in their future.

Because she was letting her past dictate her feelings.

It was why she couldn’t simply accept Max at face value; it was why she wasn’t able to believe that he was as committed to her as he said he was. She didn’t doubt for a second that he was committed to being a father, but she felt like maybe she was just like some consolation prize that went with the baby.

One of the hardest things, though? Knowing he was sleeping in the next room night after night. Every night she had to fight to keep from getting up and knocking on his door, or just tiptoeing in and crawling into his bed. She missed sleeping beside him, kissing him, touching him, making love with him. She craved his touch almost more than she could bear.

Damn pregnancy hormones…

“I should probably talk to a therapist about how screwed up I am where men are concerned,” she murmured before pulling away from the coffee shop.

Driving through the downtown area, Hailey noted all the different little businesses—a nail salon, a craft store, a wine bar, and a bougie little bath shop filled with every kind of sweet-smelling soap and bath bomb you could imagine, Ash’s hair salon, and a handful of other small shops.

Just not a place to do yoga or Pilates.

Then, as she turned off the main road and drove through the streets leading her to her cousin’s house, she fell a little more in love with the town. Everything about Sweetbriar Ridge differed from her life in Florida. From the first time she visited her cousins as an adult, she’d been enamored with the sweet, tiny mountain town. Moving here was an easy decision, living here with Max and raising their baby should be a dream come true, but she couldn’t enjoy it—not really, not yet.

“I seriously need help.”

She pulled into the driveway and parked next to Max’s car. Grabbing her tea and the small box of brownies, she went inside, unsure if he was in the house or up in his office.

“Max?” she called out when she stepped into the kitchen.

“Down here!” he replied.

That was odd, she thought. Going down to the basement, she found him jogging on the treadmill and laughed.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“I brought home some brownies and now I feel bad about letting you have them! You’re working out and doing something healthy and you shouldn’t get off the treadmill and eat cake. That just seems wrong.”

“Or…” he began as he slowed his pace. “I’m working out so I can eat more cake.” He winked. “It all depends on how you look at it.”

“I guess.” Right now, however, she wasn’t thinking about cake. She was thinking about how sexy he looked in a pair of athletic shorts and a tank top. Sure, he was sweaty, but in a fantastic and sexy way.

Yum.

If I licked him, he’d taste better than any damn cake…

When the treadmill came to a stop, he hopped off and grabbed a towel, still smiling. He must have noticed her blatant stare because his expression changed too—became a bit more thoughtful before turning downright wicked.

He knows exactly what I’m thinking.

And honestly? She was more than okay with it.

Swallowing hard, Hailey did her best to stay where she was. Max was slowly moving toward her, causing her heart to race. Licking her lips, she waited and wondered what he was going to do or say.

When they were practically toe-to-toe, she had to force herself not to press up against him.

“I love it when you look at me like that,” he said gruffly. His dark eyes scanned her face. “I’ve loved this entire week with you, but it’s been torture keeping my distance.” Reaching up, his hand skimmed from her cheek to her jawline and down her throat, resting over her rapidly beating pulse. “I’m trying to respect your wishes, Hailey, but I’m just a man, and you are pure temptation. I crave you more than I crave my next meal.”

She went to close the distance between them when he stopped her.

“But I don’t want this to be because you’re having a bad day and wanting to shut out the world,” he admitted. “I can’t do that again. If you want me, then you need to want me with the good and the bad. You can’t be ashamed of what we have and treat me like I’m some dirty little secret. It’s not fair.”

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