As soon as those words left my mouth, a wave of embarrassment crashed over me.


    I cringed inwardly, thinking I’d been way too blunt. I bet Hayden felt super awkward, too.


    But instead of backing off, he just stared at me for what felt like forever before saying, “Oh.”


    Just Oh?!


    Seriously, how was he so chill?


    I nced up at him, watching as he slowly straightened up. Then he added, “Your eyesight sucks,


    and even after I showed you exactly where it was, you still missed it. How else was I supposed to


    help you without getting closer?”


    His logic was so on point that it made me feel like I was the one with the dirty mind.


    Hayden then casually walked over to the side, sat down, and picked up his tablet to work on


    something. I stole a few nces at him before taking a couple of sips of water, trying to get my


    brain back on track. Sure, there were a few minor issues in the document that Hayden had gged,


    but nothing major. He could’ve easily handled them on his own. Even if he needed my input, a quick


    phone call would’ve done the trick. Making me stay thiste just to go over them felt like overkill.


    Was this all on purpose?


    I couldn’t help but sneak another look at him. But he was totally engrossed in his work, not even


    ncing at me, which made me feel like I was just overthinking the whole thing again.


    Still, I wrapped up thest of the issues he pointed out and nced over at him. But when I turned


    my head, I was totally caught off guard. Hayden had passed out, half–sprawled on the hotel chair


    with the tablet still clutched in his arms.


    I always figured he was the type who never got tired, but clearly, I was wrong.


    He’s just human, after all–who wouldn’t get tired?


    Even gods would take naps; that god in the show I was watching earlier sure did.


    I didn’t make a sound, just sat there watching him sleep. His eyes were shut peacefully, and though


    his skin wasn’t wless, his warm tan gave him this rugged, manly vibe.


    His nose was straight and sharp, and the way the light hit his face as he slept made him look like a


    TV drama heartthrob, no special effects needed.


    Considering how much Demi had beenining about being tired, Hayden must be even more


    wiped


    out.


    Over thest few days working together, even though he asionally directed me to do stuff, he


    was the one constantly on the move, climbing up and down, not just using his muscles but also his


    brain to get the lighting just right.


    After a full day of that, it’s no wonder he was out cold–he had to bepletely drained.


    Falling asleep like that, he must’ve beenpletely wiped out.


    Suddenly, a breeze slipped through the room, making the curtains dance, and I felt a chill creep


    over me.


    I nced at Hayden in his short sleeves and decided to grab a nket for him.


    As soon as I draped the nket over him, his eyes suddenly snapped open, and he grabbed my


    wrist. I couldn’t tell if I’d been too loud and woke him up, or if he was just that alert even while


    sleeping.


    His grip was so strong, I seriously thought he might crush my bones.


    “It hurts,” I gasped softly.


    He loosened his hold just a little, but didn’t let go. He just stared at me.


    At that moment, I was close–close enough for him to see the panic in my eyes.


    And being this close, I could see his eyes held a deep, dark intensity…


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    We didn’t say anything. My lips moved, but for some reason, the words just wouldn’te out. We


    stayed like that, frozen in the silence…


    Until my bent leg started cramping, making me shiver and nearly lose my bnce. That was when


    he reached out with his other hand to steady me.


    Now both of my hands were trapped in his. I snapped out of it and quickly tried to exin, “I… I saw


    you sleeping, so I wanted to cover you with a nket so you wouldn’t get cold…”


    As soon as the words were out, I realized how that sounded, so I hurriedly added, “Don’t get the


    idea, I didn’t mean anything by it. I just… didn’t want you getting sick and messing up the setup.”


    wrong


    I finished talking and tried to pull my hands free, desperate to retreat.


    But Hayden didn’t let go. Instead, he pulled me closer, so close I almost tumbled into his arms. “Mr.


    Hart-


    11


    “Just worried I’ll get sick and mess up the setup?” His voice was rough and husky from sleep.


    My heart pounded like crazy, my breath caught in my throat, and I could feel the heat rising in my


    cheeks. “…Yeah.”