Page 34 of Undertow

“Never let my brother hear you talking to one of his fearsome beasts in that voice,” Hayden says dryly.

Hades wags his tail and rests his big head on my shoulder. “He’s not a beast,” I say soothingly, shooting Hayden a look. “He’s a sweetheart.”

“He’s a cockblock,” Hayden states, but at least he’s smiling wryly.

Heisa bit of a cockblock, but I’m glad for it.

I was caught up in Hayden’s irresistible sexiness, but I hadn’twantedto have sex with him in my living room, and now that moment has passed, thanks to good ole Hades.

___

Since we’re both hot and bothered, I tell Hayden I need to take a shower and clean up before we start the second part of our date.

He decides to use our short intermission to take Hades back home.

I’m a little sad to lose our chaperone.

Hades would have probably been more effective at keeping my clothes on than I’ll be by myself, but realistically, I knew this night wouldn’t end before Hayden and I had sex one last time.

I think about it as I dry off after my shower, then rub lotion all over my body.

I think about it when I pick out a pair of blue lacy panties to wear under my strapless midnight-blue sheath dress with a keyhole cut out between my breasts.

I love this dress.

The fabric is silky smooth against my skin, and it clings to every curve on my body. It’s very sexy, so I grab a thin white cardigan to go over it, then I find a pair of navy blue flats to finish the look.

I’m not sure what we’re doing for the next part of our date, but just in case a lot of walking is involved, I don’t want to be wearing heels.

It’s a few minutes before six when Hayden rings my doorbell.

“You changed,” I say, leaning against the doorframe and looking him over. He’s wearing a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to show off his sexy arms and a pair of dark blue jeans.

He looks me up and down, a faint smile on his perfect lips. “So did you,” he points out. His gaze lingers on my bare legs, and I shift on my feet, anxious to get out of here before he gets me in the house and out of my clothes.

“Are you ready to go?” he asks.

I nod and grab my purse, then I make sure to lock up.

Parker should be home from Hannah’s house soon, so I text her in the car to let her know I’m going out, and to text me when she’s home and the place is locked up again.

I have to admit, though, I feel safer than I did before Hayden got involved. I know there are cameras, and I’ll get an immediate notification on my phone if anything is amiss. I can check the live view anytime to make sure everything is all right, and now that the neighbors think Hades might be staying with me, I highly doubt any of them will step foot on my property.

He really has made all of my problems go away.

Well, those problems.

He’s a whole new problem, and I have a feeling he won’t help me fix that one.

Chapter Ten

Gemma

Hayden takes me to a nice restaurant for dinner, then to his brother’s bar for a couple of drinks.

I don’t drink as much this time since I’m less nervous. When I feel myself getting tipsy, I switch to water, then when Hayden finishes his drink, he pays the bill, takes my hand, and we walk along the beach.

I love walking the beach at night. It’s so peaceful.

---