Page 110 of Right Number, Wrong Man
I get a towel from the bathroom, helping Hailey to dry off. Her teeth chatter while I grab a blanket from my duffelbag and wrap her in it, pulling her into my lap. She leans against me, head resting on my chest.
Damn, she can definitely hear my pulse race.
So much for playing the cool-as-a-cucumber, unemotional Dom she wants me to be. I’m not cut out for casual. I’m a man for wedding bells and vows and forevers.
Hailey tugs on the blanket. “Pink cowboy boot print?” she asks, playfulness in her tired voice.
“So what?”
“I don’t believe for one second that you like pink.” She giggles.
“I bought it for you.”
I can’t tell her that it’smyfavorite color, too—simply cause she loves it.
“How very sweet of you,” she teases.
“I have my moments.” I run a hand through her hair, combing it with my fingers. “Still doing fine? Blood flow alright? No numbness or dizziness?”
“I’m tired and sore, too hot and too cold, but I feel great. I’m empty in the best way, like all the tension I’ve been holding is gone.”
I hum in understanding and massage the base of her neck over her shoulders, tracing every tendon and every bone.
This woman makes me wanna believe in God cause it can’t be coincidence that a being as perfect as her exists. Somebody must’ve shaped her with intention. Carefully, reverently, ardently. She’s so full of light and grace and beauty, the world doesn’t deserve an angel like her.
A devil like me doesn’t deserve her, either, but I ain’t giving her up again. I’ll happily go to hell for making her mine.
When Hailey stops shivering, I carry her to thebathroom and sit her down on the counter by the sink while I turn the shower on.
“Have a nice, long shower. I’ll call the reception for fresh sheets and then I’ll order some room service for you. What do you wanna eat?” I ask.
She slides off the counter. “Nothing. I want to sleep when I’m done.”
“Nope. That won’t do, Sugar. You gotta eat something. Pick whatever you fancy. I’m paying.”
She rolls her eyes, but I let it slide this one time. “Then I want the biggest, juiciest burger they have. Medium rare. And fries! Double fries! And a vanilla milkshake. And a cupcake for dessert! Something with berries. Raspberry if they have.”
I tap my temple, touching the plastic of the mask. This thing is really starting to get on my nerves. “Yes, ma’am.”
At my words, Hailey’s head tilts in slow motion, her expression turning heavy. My heart drops.
“Jax, tonight was fun, but?—”
“But?” I ask, out of breath even though I’m standing still.
She laughs, waving a hand. “Oh, don’t mind me. My brain is mush. What the hell am I even saying? You’re right, I need a shower and some food to fix me.”
No, I ain’t buying it. Something’s wrong.
“Hailey—” I start, but she interrupts me.
“I’ll be done soon,” she says and unwraps herself, leaving the blanket on the counter.
When she steps into the shower, I walk out. There’s no point pressing her for an answer. She’s stubborn like me. All I can do is let her be and hope she’ll tell me another time.
I sit on the bed, cradling my head in my hands. I hate the next part.
The leaving.
