“And… hard,” I teased, watching Hayden’s jaw tighten.


    He didn’t say a word, but I could feel the tension. His grip loosened on me, but his mood was


    obvious.


    “Seriously, Hayden?” I tugged on his arm, pouting like a pro. “You’re not actually mad, right?”


    “No,” he muttered, but his face said, ‘absolutely yes.‘


    “Come on, you’re not the type to get all worked up over something like this, are you?” I tilted my


    head, trying to figure him out.


    “I know exactly what you mean,” he said, lifting me like I was nothing and plopping me right onto the


    hotel room’s rocking chair.


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Iughed, wrapping my legs around his waist. “Oh, so you think you’ve got me all figured out, huh?”


    | tugged him closer.


    He swallowed hard, trying so badly to keep his cool, but the way his body stiffened under my touch?


    Oh yeah, I had him right where I wanted.


    He looked so serious, almost adorable in this new, flustered way. I couldn’t help but push more.


    “What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?” I smirked, my legs still wrapped around him, shifting just


    enough to mess with his head.


    Hayden still wouldn’t give in, but I wasn’t letting him off that easy. I pulled him closer, the chair


    swaying beneath me.


    He leaned forward, hands gripping the chair for bnce, while I reached up, yanking him down by


    the cor of his shirt until his face was inches from mine. His breath hitched, and I could feel him


    starting to crack.


    “If you won’t say it, I will,” I murmured against his ear, feeling his skin heat up. Yeah, I knew exactly


    what I was doing to him.


    He tried to pull back, but I didn’t let go, pressing my body closer.


    “You’re not the type to fuss over details or baby anyone,” I said, pausing just long enough to feel the


    tension in his muscles spike. “That’s how you were when I first met you–rough around the edges.


    And once I get an impression, it sticks. You’re my tough guy, Hayden. Always have been.”


    I couldn’t see his face, but I felt his body tighten under my hands.


    “And as for hard…” My hand trailed down from his chest, gliding lower, teasing. “You wouldn’t deny


    that, would you? Hard enough to-”


    Before I could finish, the chair rocked beneath us, harder than before. I gasped, and in one quick


    move, Hayden grabbed the arms of the chair, stopping it, then lifted me like I weighed nothing.


    “I’ll show you exactly how hard I can be,” he said, his voice low, with that edge I knew too well.


    Men–always soposed until you push the right button. Then instincts kick in, and their real side


    shows.


    I wrapped my arms around his neck and whispered, “No.”


    Hayden gave me a deep look. I knew he misunderstood–he thought my “No” meant I was shutting


    down the whole thing.


    “I don’t want to go anywhere,” I said, smiling up at him, all coy. “I want… it right here.”


    He nced at the rocking chair, then back at me. “It’s too small.”


    “But it sways,” I teased, watching his expression shift. A rare flicker of unease crossed his face, and


    I leaned in close to his ear. “Might save you some work.


    “I don’t need saving. But if you want it here, I’ll make it happen.” His voice was low, full of promise.


    With that, he sat down on the rocking chair, pulling me onto hisp. The chair dipped under our


    weight, swaying gently.


    We locked eyes, and the heat between us was practically electric.


    Sometimes, it’s the little things–the teasing, the unexpected ces–that build the most tension.


    His hand slid under my dress, fingers tracing azy, torturous path up my thigh. I leaned in, my


    teeth gently catching the buttons of his shirt, tugging them loose, one by one.


    But just as things were about to get serious, a knock from the room next door snapped us back.


    “Nate, you up?” Retta’s voice cut through the walls.


    Of course, she’d show up just to ruin Lena’s night.