Page 117 of The Wingman

Hayden wraps his arms around me and I catch his scent—warm, spicy, and clean. So familiar it makes my heart ache. “Can I steal you away for a bit?”

It looks like everyone has everything handled, so I nod and take Hayden’s outstretched hand. He leads me over to a bench.

“I’ll do it,” he says firmly when I reach for my skates. Then he kneels in front of me. He shoots me a quick wink as he tightens the laces.

On the roller rink, we skate big loops, listening to ridiculous disco music and exchanging private smiles. I’m wobbly on my skates, but he holds my hand. I know if I were to swerve or stumble, he’d be right there to catch me. A song he loves comes on, and he lights up, dancing while we skate and spreading his joyful, silly energy around the rink. Soon, everyone is dancing and goofing around, and I’m laughing at Hayden’s hilarious disco dance moves.

He does a thrusting dance move and I give him a teasing look.

“Be careful with that thing,” I say, glancing down at his crotch. “I know what you’re working with.”

“Andersen.” He looks scandalized. “This is a family event.”

“So I probably shouldn’t do this, right?” I nudge the collar of my dress aside an inch, and Hayden’s gaze lands on the delicate mint-green strap of the bra he sent me.

His eyes flash with desire before he makes a pained face and groans. “You play dirty.”

I dissolve into laughter. “I’m so happy you’re here,” I admit.

His eyes warm with affection. “Me, too.” He presses a kiss, then takes my hand and spins me.

Kit never came to events like these. If he wasn’t playing hockey, he was resting or golfing. Everything revolved around him.

Hayden’s so different. I don’t know why it took moving in with him and doing whatever we’re doing to see it. I have more fun with him than anyone. In hindsight, I realize I looked forward to hanging out with him on our trips to Vancouver more than a woman in a relationship with someone else should.

If I let myself, I could fall harder for Hayden than anyone. Roller skating with him and talking on the phone before bed and talking about stats with him? It all feels so right.

When Jamie and Pippa’s wedding is over and whatever Hayden and I are doing is done, I’m going to try to remember this feeling. This is what I missed out on for years with the wrong guy.

CHAPTER 54

DARCY

“God, I fucking missed you.”Hayden pins me against the wall in the elevator, sucking on my neck. “I thought about you constantly.”

My skin flushes hot, and I arch against him like a cat as tingles run across my skin. “I used the toy in your bed.”

He stills and drops his head to my shoulder with a tortured groan. I just laugh. The elevator doors open, and with a grin, he leans down and flips me over his shoulder.

Marry that man, Carmelita hissed at me after Hayden privately donated a hundred grand to the Women in STEM scholarship fund.

“This is unnecessary,” I laugh, upside down, as he carries me to the front door and unlocks it. “Anyone could see.”

“Let them see.” Inside, he kicks his shoes off while gripping the back of my thighs to hold me steady. “They’ll know we’re busy for the rest of the night.”

Heat coils between my legs. “You’re not going to tell me to slow down?”

“No.” He drops his bag and strides to his bedroom. “That was a stupid idea.”

In his room, he gently sets me on my feet. In the nextinstant, his mouth is back on mine. Then his hands are on the hem of my dress and lifting it over my head. When he sees the lingerie he bought me, his eyes darken, and his head falls back.

“Are you okay?” I laugh.

“No.” He groans, frowning at my lingerie. “I’m so hard it hurts.”

I make a low, sympathetic noise, and, holding his gaze, I bring my hand to the front of his pants, palming him. His lips part as I squeeze the hard length.

“Poor Hayden.” My fingers graze up and down him, toying.