Page 23 of Ensnared By Silence
Chapter 8
Aubrey
Ithought he wouldrun away or push me to leave when I told him the truth. I don’t know what possessed me to tell him, but as soon as he pulled me into his comforting embrace, I was glad that I did. I wanted to believe his words about my worth, but I was still trying to find my place in the world and struggling to move past my years of pain and misery.
“Would you like to stay for dinner? I was planning on grilling out tonight. I have some steaks and chicken marinating in the fridge.” He looked hopeful as I peered up at him from my comfortable position in his lap.
I didn’t want the day to end, and I had a long day of projects tomorrow, so I nodded against his chest. “That sounds great.”
Hayden leaned over and stroked my cheek, causing butterflies to take flight in my stomach. His gaze was heated and filled with need, but he hadn’t made a move past some intense kissing since I left this morning, and I worried he couldn’t handle being with me now that he knew. I needed to show him I wasn’t afraid of sex, but I still hadn’t explained what happened last night.
“It wasn’t you who caused last night, and I’m sorry you had to see that. I’m sure it was uncomfortable for you, but I’d like to explain, if you’ll let me.”
He shifted me onto the couch next to him and turned his whole body to mine before he took me by the hands. I thought of where to start. I refused to discuss what happened in that shitty trailer in the Flats, in thatshed,so I went with the truth, to a degree.
I cast my eyes to our entwined hands. “I was aware of what was happening to me when they . . .” I cleared my throat and brought my eyes to his as I continued, “and I’ve slept alone since that night. I can’t be sure, but I think it was you . . . holding me while I slept that . . . triggered the memory. I was disorientated and I can’t say I’m sorry enough.”
Tears blurred my vision as Hayden lifted both my hands to his mouth and placed a soft kiss on the back of each. He smiled sadly at me and replied, “I’m sorry if I did anything to cause it. I . . . shouldn’t have been so rough with you.”
Reaching up, I placed my fingers against his soft lips and stopped him before he tried to take the blame for what happened. It wasn’t his fault. It was those three self-entitled fuckwad’s fault, and watching a real man shed tears for me and my pain solidified my resolve to get justice . . . one way or another.
“You did nothing wrong and what happened wasn’t your fault. In fact, you did everything exactly right.” Thinking of the way Hayden made me fall apart with ease had my pussy clenching, remembering his thick length splitting me open and baring my soul. “I like sex, love it in fact, but I usually don’t . . .” He raised his eyebrow, and I pursed my lips before I blurted out the embarrassing detail. “I rarely have anything more than a hook-up. It’s always on my terms, so there are no feelings, no commitments, and no repeats.”
I cringed, and he lifted my chin until I met his gaze. One cheek was lifted in a sexy smirk and he lifted an eyebrow as he let his eyes run up and down my body. I felt every inch of my skin heat as he looked deeply into my eyes. “So, I’m the exception?”
“It appears so,” I replied, biting my lip and glancing down to see his dick pushing against his shorts.
I needed to get us back on a track that didn’t lead to me bouncing on his cock like a pogo stick, so I cleared my throat and asked, “Would you mind if I grabbed my laptop and sent a quick email to Amaya?”
Eager to show the Callahan brothers what I could do, I wanted to get my work sent over as I promised, but I didn’t want it to infringe on my time with Hayden. Every minute went too fast when I was around him, and I feared there would never be enough time with him.
“Go for it. Do you want to use my office, or would you be more comfortable somewhere else?”
“I would love to hang out here, if that’s okay,” I replied, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.
I loved the shimmer on the lake as the soft breeze blew across it. It was late September, and the cool days were a pleasant break from the hot summer we just had. Leaves were changing around the lake, and it was peaceful out here. No noise, no cars, no intrusions.
He kissed me, gripping the back of my neck and pulling me close to his toned body as his tongue caressed mine, ratcheting my need for him higher. He pulled back and winked before standing and adjusting his thick cock, which was almost at eye level with me.
I involuntarily licked my lips, and he brushed his thumb over my swollen bottom lip as he whispered, “Later.”
He took both glasses and walked back into the house while I sat stunned with wet panties on the back deck. Shaking the fog from my brain, I walked in and saw Hayden making our drinks as I ran to the car and grabbed my computer bag. It went everywhere with me. I lived in a crappy place and my computer was my business, my degree, and my world. In a tornado, I would strap it to my chest for safety.
Comfort washed over me as I walked alone through the house. The place was decorated nicely, but there were few personal touches to show it was really lived in. Noticing no pictures and remembering his comment about family being our biggest stressors, I realized Hayden was as alone as I was. Maybe more, with actual family and no contact.
