Page 79 of The Hallows Queen

I nod, smiling at him as I slide my free hand into his and lead him inside.

When we’re locked inside my apartment, I kick off my shoes and drop my purse on the floor. He finds his home on my couch, patting the cushion next to him and wiggling his brows. “Come here and give me some attention.”

“Nope,” I say, walking past him to go into my room as I shout behind me. “We’re going on a date. Get ready!”

He runs after me. “What’re we doing?”

“Going to the movies.” I turn to face him as I peel my wet shirt over my head and toss it into the laundry basket. “Like a real couple.”

“Like a high school couple?” He lifts a brow.

“Youarein high school,” I tease, turning to the closet to grab some dry clothes. Popping the button on my pants, I slide them down my legs and kick them off. Luckily, my panties and bra were safe from the rain, so with a t-shirt and a pair of jeans in hand, I turn to head for the bathroom.

“Wait, wait, wait,” Hayden says, grabbing me by the hips. “Give me a little show first.”

I snort, pushing his chest and moving him backwards across the room until the backs of his legs hit the bed. “Sit down.”

He sits, leaning back on his elbows to scan his gaze down my body. “God, you’re fucking sexy, Miss Leyton.”

Grinning, I wrap my arms around his neck before I climb onto his lap, my knees falling to either side of his thighs. He looks up at me, his teeth biting into his bottom lip as I roll my hips. My fingers press into the skin on the back of his neck, and he hisses. “We’ll never get out of the house if you do that, baby.”

I lean into his neck, licking down his throat as I grind my pelvis against him. “You’re the one who wanted a show.”

He moans between his lips, dropping his head back as his hands snake around my body and grab my bare ass. When he squeezes my flesh, I feel moisture pool between my thighs.

Rolling my hips once more, I pull from his neck and kiss his lips softly. “Now get ready to go.”

I stand before he has a chance to stop me, and he groans. “P.”

Grabbing my clothes, I run to the bathroom laughing. “Look up movie times!”

* * *

To my surprise,we manage to leave the house in time to make the next showing of some Romcom I’ve been wanting to see. Hayden puts his hood up, and I have a large pair of sunglasses on my face, even though the sun isn’t out, because we’re both afraid of someone recognizing us.

The movie theater isn’t as empty as I imagined it would be – maybe something so public for our first outing together was a mistake — but the smell of popcorn has me putting one foot in front of the other to keep going. I don’t dare hold his hand in the lobby, and we stand three feet apart at the concession stand as we get snacks, but once we’re inside the dark theater, I feel comfortable enough to lace my fingers through his.

We find seats a few rows from the top and make ourselves comfortable, passing popcorn and candy back and forth and stealing kisses between mouthfuls. The trailers play in front of us, but I can’t keep my eyes off of Hayden. This is the firstrealtime we’ve been out together – as a couple after school started – and it feels fucking amazing.

I’m on a new high that I didn’t know existed after keeping our secret all week long, and I know he is too because he’s staring right back at me.

As the theater fills with people, and I sink down in my seat without realizing it, and Hayden’s hand squeezes my thigh. “It’s okay.”

I lean to the side, putting my chin on his shoulder to whisper to him. “I’m nervous.”

He runs his hand up and down my thigh to comfort me, then turns to look at me again. “Turn that anxiety into something else, P. Feel the risk and the thrill. Let it fucking consume you, because it’s consuming me, and I’m so fucking turned on I might explode.”

My gut flips, and I grin at him. “You’re crazy.”

“Crazy for you,” he says, kissing me. I pull back when I start to feel nervous again, and he puts a hand on my cheek. “It’s okay, I promise, baby. The movie will start soon, and you’ll feel better.”

I nod, turning to face the screen again as I blow out a breath.

He taps my knee. “I’m gonna pee before the movie starts. You okay?”

“Yeah,” I answer, watching as he stands up and brushes the popcorn crumbs off his lap.

He leans down and kisses me. “I’ll be right back.”

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