Page 7 of Behind the Cascades
I turn around, left arm poised to let my fist fly, only to pull it back at the last second. A very pissed off Hayes is shooting daggers at me through narrowed eyes.
"Where the fuck are you going, Charlotte?" Uh oh. Full name: he's pissed-pissed.
Feigning innocence seems like the most logical route right now. "Back to the hotel?"
"By yourself? What the fuck are you thinking?”
The huff that escapes me can only be described as guttural, mixed with annoyance. "I'mleaving. You're welcome to come or stay with your harlots, but I'm out."
I try to rip my arm out of his grip, but his grip only tightens. It’s not enough to hurt, but enough that I'm not able to walk away as freely as I'd like without making a scene.
“Harlots?” His laugh shakes his entire chest. “Heather’s friends?Hell no.I’d much rather go with you." He slides his hand down my arm and laces our fingers together.
We both start walking, letting the chill of the desert air fill our lungs and clear our heads. Despite the late hour, there's still people milling around, walking from hotel to hotel. The tension I felt earlier dissipates with each step we take away from the club, until I’m left feeling embarrassed for leaving how I did.
"Wanna tell me why you ran out of there like the place was on fire?"
I shake my head and grit my teeth. We both know that he knows exactly why. My pride can't handle any more dings with him, though, so I don’t say anything at all.
"No? Anything to do with the 'harlots' trying to invite themselves to our suite?" I can tell he’s trying to lighten the mood by teasing me but all it does is annoy me further. He's been hot and cold our entire adult lives, bringing me in and then pushingme away. It’s my fault for holding onto a dream that someday we would be together. Him having his arm around me, while chatting up other girls was the push I needed.
"Nope. I know it's your birthday but if you could keep it down when they get there, I'd appreciate it."
I hear the undeniable sound of his teeth clenching together and then my arm is yanked backward. He spins me toward him so swiftly that I don’t even stumble. The glow from the street lights behind him make him look both menacing and sexy.
"Sunshine. I'm going to say this once and only once. I don't give a damn about those women. Heather included for that matter. Every time they got closer to me, I leaned into you. I barely gave them half-ass answers to whatever bullshit question they asked me. If you weren't so busy ignoring me, you would've noticed."
My shoulders relax a touch with each word. "What do you want, Hayes? Because I've always only wantedyou. If that's not what you want, let mego."
His head rears back like I slapped him. “Letyougo? You’ve had me captivated for years. I can’t remember the last time you weren’t the first person on my mind in the morning, or the last when I went to bed. You’re everything I've ever wanted and more. But, you’re too damn good for me, Charlie. I'm terrified of fucking this up. Pushing you away somehow, losing you." He runs a hand through his hair and frowns. "You shouldn't be the wife sitting at home, waiting to see if her husband makes it back."
It feels like my eyebrows hit my hairline. I had no idea he had put half this much thought into us. But of course he had; Hayes has always been an over thinker.
"You mean like our moms? Who loved those husbands more than life itself? Loved the family they created together? You may have seen them as wives waiting at home, but I saw themas strong, resilient women who held everything together while their husbands were out there risking their lives."
The crease between his eyebrows grows as he looks down at me but he doesn't respond.
I reach out, cupping his face in my hand. "For you? I'd choose that worry, that dedication, and that love any day. I'd choose you above everything else."
His eyes soften as he finally meets mine, understanding the depth of my words. "I love you. I aminlove with you."
Shock ripples through my body as I stare at him. "You are?"
"I am. Everett called me out before dinner in front of Drew. I thought he was going to be pissed, but instead he gave me his blessing. Felt like I won Gold at the Olympics. I was working up the nerve to kiss you all night."
"If I told you that I love you too, would that give you the final push?"
His eyes widen a fraction before he pulls me into him and kisses me. Searing his mouth to mine, my lips naturally part and I almost get dizzy. He tastes exactly as I thought he always would like peppermint and desire.
He pulls away too soon and leaves us both panting. “You love me, huh?” The wink he delivers at the end has me continually swooning. He’s the definition of sexy and he doesn’t even have to try.
Chuckling, I shove at his chest. "I do."
“Thank god.” He grabs my hand again, pulling me the rest of the way to our hotel.
We both send out our quick, obligatory "we left" texts, as soon as we get into the suite. He lets go of my hand and jogs into the room that Odessa and I were staying in. I stand perfectly still where he left me, and within twenty seconds, he's marching out with my bag and taking it into his room.
I giggle and follow behind, standing in the doorframe. "How'd you know that was my bag?"
