Page 19 of Lost in You

“Why is it that every time I go looking for you, you’re about to walk out of my life?”

I turn and find Hadley behind me. Her dress is bunched in her hands, as if she’s about to start running. She motions toward the room we were in earlier. She looks behind her briefly before walking over there and opening the door. I follow her in and shut the door behind us. She opens the second door, the one leading to her room. She waits for me to enter before shutting and locking it behind me.

“You were going to leave without saying goodbye?” she turns, her brown eyes penetrating mine.

“I was just trying to save myself from the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ speech I’ve heard about before.”

“That’s not fair,” she says as she moves closer to me. She lets go of her dress, her finger in my face. “I want you here with me. I wish I could show everyone out there that you’remydate and not Alex’s. You don’t know what it did to me to see you treat her so well.”

My eyes immediately go to her mouth. I can’t help it. I’m a guy. She licks her lips and leans toward me. She knows what I’m thinking and maybe she wants me to kiss her again. Her hands rub up the lapels of my jacket, her eyes on me.

“I don’t want you to leave, Ryan. In fact, we need to figure this out tonight so I can see you tomorrow and make plans to see you again on my next break.”

“You can have anyone—”

She silences me with her lips. My hand finds her waist, holding onto her as if I’m afraid she’s going to go away. Her hands leave my jacket, one moving into my hair and the other pressing under my jacket against my white dress shirt.

Her tongue traces my bottom lip, my mouth opening on instinct. When her tongue touches mine, my mind explodes. Heat soars through my body, urging me on. My hand grips her waist tighter, pulling her closer. My free hand cups her face. My thumb gently rubs along her cheekbone until I spread my fingers out behind her head, holding her to my mouth.

She pulls away. I’m not ready. I’m desperate for her. Hadley rests her forehead on my chest. Her hands leave my hair and circle my waist. I hug her back, taking advantage of her exposed skin. I place small kisses on her shoulder, her neck, purposely staying away from her mouth because I know if I return there I’ll want more.

“I’m here for one more day,” she says, tilting her head, giving me more access to her neck. “I want to see you tomorrow.”

I stop and pull back. This is exactly why we can’t work. Someone like Hadley Carter shouldn’t have to stoop to be with someone like me.

Looking into her eyes, I want to get so lost in the magic they hold. I drop my hand from her cheek, her expression changes immediately and she steps back.

“If you don’t want to be here, Ryan, then just go.”

“It’s not that. Believe me when I say that. I’m just confused.”

“About what?”

“This,” I say, motioning between us. “It doesn’t make sense.”

Hadley steps forward and picks up my hand. She places it over her heart, my fingers brush against her breast. I attempt to control my breathing in front of her. I’m having so many firsts in such a short amount of time and each one with her. She makes me feel amazing.

“Do you feel this?” she asks as she taps my hand with her fingers. She smiles when I nod. “You do this to me.”

“But –”

“No buts. Just hear me out. I heard what you said the other night and I remember. Material things don’t mean anything to me. This…” she rests her hand against my heart. “Means everything to me. It’s one thing if you don’t feel the same as me – and if you don’t, I’ll walk away, but I have a feeling that you do.”

“You could get into trouble.”

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take. We’ll be careful.”

“My parents won’t like this, they won’t approve.”

She steps closer, my hand moving with her body, cupping her neck. “They shouldn’t. I’m too old for you, but I’m willing to try and play by the rules for the next few months.” Hadley kisses me full on the lips. I wrap my other arm around her, pulling her as close as I can.

“Can I see you tomorrow?” she asks, breaking our kiss.

“I have church.”

“I like church.”

I can’t help but smile and start nodding like a love-struck teenager. Now I know why Dylan acts the way she does when she says she’s in love. I’m not sure how it’s going to work, but I don’t want to fight her. She drags me over to the love seat and we sit and talk about my town and how behind-the-times it is. When I put my arm around her, she snuggles into my side. I rest my head on top of hers and close my eyes, dreaming of what life can be like with Hadley.

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