Defending Hayden (Second Chances #7)(51)

I bit my lip and pushed my ass into him. “And what are you going to do about it?”

He growled deep in his chest and lowered his lips to my neck, his teeth nipping my skin. “I’m going to make love to you right here,” he said, kissing his way up my neck to my cheek. His fingers grasped my chin and he turned my head, closing his lips hard over mine. “And right now.”

Lifting my hips, he positioned himself behind me and pushed his way inside. I cried out and held on to the side of the pool as he thrust me up and down his cock. He had one hand on my hip and the other massaging one of my breasts, pinching my nipple between his fingers.

“Whatever I do, I can’t ever seem to get enough,” he murmured in my ear. He bit down on my neck again and I almost lost it.

“I know how you feel,” I moaned back.

His thrusts grew more urgent, his pace quickening. I could feel him pulsating inside me and I knew he was close. Sliding his hand between my legs, he rubbed my clit, and my release came hot and swift. My body tightened around him and he moved me harder against him, the water sloshing all around us. I screamed out my release and he held me down on him as he filled me with his warmth. He jerked a few times and I couldn’t help but giggle.

“Feel good?” I asked.

He kissed my neck and then slowly pulled out of me, turning me around to face him. “You have no f*cking idea. Now, let’s go take a shower and begin round two.”

—

The next morning, the doorbell rang just as Derek and I started making breakfast. I’d tried calling Michael all morning to see where he was, but he never answered. I wanted to talk to him before he left town.

“I’ll be right back,” Derek said, strolling off to the door. He was dressed in only a pair of blue plaid boxers, but he obviously didn’t care. I scooped a load of eggs onto our plates and divided up the bacon, giving him most of it. Derek walked back into the kitchen and I squealed when I saw Michael behind him, his whole face glowing.

“Where have you been? I’ve been calling all morning,” I said. I jumped into his arms and he laughed.

“I was a little detained. That’s why I wanted to come over and say goodbye. I didn’t want to leave without seeing you.”

He let me go and I studied him, pursing my lips. “Detained, huh? Doing what?” He glanced nervously over at Derek, who got the hint.

“All right, I’ll leave you two alone.” Grabbing our plates, Derek looked at me and then nodded to the back porch. “I’ll take these outside and wait for you there.”

“Okay.” As soon as he was out the door, Michael beamed and grabbed my hands. “I had the best f*cking night of my life.”

“Did you, now? Who were you with?”

He glanced down at our hands and smiled. “Aaron Grainger. We hung out with some of the other players and had a few drinks, but then we went back to his place and…”

I gasped. “Are you serious?”

Nodding quickly, he smiled more widely. “I’ve never met anyone quite like him. He knows that I’m leaving today, but he wants to keep seeing me. I picked the perfect time to move away, huh?”

I squeezed his hands. “You didn’t know you were going to meet someone the day before you’re supposed to leave. I’m happy for you, though. I know you’ve been alone for a long time.”

He glanced at me and then outside at Derek, who sat drinking his coffee. “So have you, but at least now I’m leaving knowing you’ll be okay.”

“The same goes for you.” I hugged him again and didn’t want to let go. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

“Ditto, babe. Just know I’ll always be around if you need to call.” He let me go and kissed my cheek. “I should probably get going. I’ll see you soon though. Tell Derek I said goodbye.”

“I will. Be careful.”

He winked. “Always.” I walked him to the door and watched him drive away. My heart hurt to watch him go, but I was happy for him. We’d both gotten what we wanted.





Chapter 22





Hayden


Michael’s absence really hit me when I stopped at the Caramel Café to pick up my breakfast. I started to order two blueberry scones and then realized Michael wouldn’t be at the office to eat his. It was probably going to take a few days to get used to it. On the way up to the clinic, my phone beeped.

Derek: I love you! Have a good day!

Just like that, he had a way of making everything better.

Me: I love you, too! Don’t get hurt on the field.

When I opened the door to the clinic, Jeremiah glanced up at me from the desk and smiled, then busied himself with something on the computer. Jessica was right beside him, looking at the monitor as well.

“Good morning,” I said.

Jeremiah nodded and said, “Hey,” but kept his gaze on the computer.

Jessica looked up. “Good morning, Dr. Hunter. We’re just reviewing the schedule. We’re switching your first patient with an emergency call while Dr. Patton takes your eight-thirty exam.”

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t care about a scheduling change, but we all knew that emergencies were usually the harder cases. I didn’t like them taking away one of my patients without my consent, especially when I knew for a fact that Jeremiah didn’t have anyone scheduled until later in the morning. I walked over to the computer and looked at the schedule.