This is the exact reason why I fight so hard to stay away from Hayden King. I don’t know why it is that he has the effect he does on me, but every time he’s around and he tears my guard down, it’s hard for me to resist him. There’s something about the softness in his eyes, the parts of him he keeps hidden from the world and shields with his playboy facade.
I’m not saying he isn’t a playboy, because I know about Hayden and his history. But there’s a softer side, hiding behind the arrogance he constantly emits. There are layers to him, yet no one takes the time to notice. It’s probably because he’s too in your face with his cockiness, but I see through his bullshit.
I can’t let myself get involved any deeper with him, though. Something about him reminds me of Orion and I think that’s what scares me the most. Perhaps it’s his persistence. When I first met Orion, I was just a baby in my freshman year. I didn’t want to get involved with anyone and he was so goddamn insistent.
He worked his way under my skin like a splinter, but he was never permanent. I thought otherwise and didn’t realize how disposable I was in his life. I will never be that in someone else’s life again and I can’t let myself think that Hayden is any different—because he isn’t.
Like he said… one more night to fuck me out of his system. Maybe then his persistence will subside and I can successfully avoid him. Another mistake, another bad decision, and then I will finally learn my lesson. After tonight, I know I can’t fall into this habit with him, and the thought will only make hating him easier.
But with the way he’s looking at me right now with those hooded eyes, it’s hard to imagine hating any part of him.
“How much have you had to drink?” he questions me, his voice low as his eyes search mine.
Rolling my eyes, I snort. “This is only my second one, King. I’m barely even buzzed.”
A smirk tugs on his lips and he nods. “You might not think much of me, Eden, but the last thing I would do is take advantage of a girl when she’s drunk.”
“Is it really taking advantage if I’m giving my consent?”
Hayden shrugs. “If you’re drunk, are you really in the right mind to give consent?”
“I appreciate you trying to be a gentleman, Hayden, but that’s not what I’m looking for tonight,” I tell him honestly as I take a sip of my margarita. “I want to make a mistake with you and hopefully fucking learn from it this time.”
He stares at me for a moment, his tongue darting out as he wets his lips. “I hope we both learn, because I need you out of my system and out of my goddamn head.”
His words feel like they throw me off balance. Still holding on to my glass, I take another large gulp, attempting to wash away the lump that lodges in my throat. Hayden already made it clear that he needed to get me out of his system and the sexual tension that sizzles between us whenever we’re near each other is palpable.
But it’s the end of his sentence that throws me off. He wants me out of his head. What the hell could I possibly be doing in there? We had a one-night stand over the summer and sure, we’ve had a few run-ins since then… but what could possibly be going on in that mind of his that involves me?
“So, what do you say, pretty girl?” Hayden questions me, tilting his head to the side as he sets down his empty beer. “You ready to get out of here?”
I glance over my shoulder at Winter before looking back at Hayden. “I came here with Winter,” I explain to him, pulling my bottom lip in between my teeth. She knows Hayden and I slept together before, but I don’t want to deal with her questions if she knows that I’m leaving with him now.
“And?” Hayden retorts, cocking an eyebrow at me before he looks over my shoulder at her. “It looks like she’s a little preoccupied. Did you guys come here together?”
Releasing my bottom lip, I nod. “Yeah, she drove.”
A smirk forms on Hayden’s lips as he leans back in his seat and crosses his arms over his chest. “You don’t want her to know you’re leaving with me, do you?” A sinister look passes through his eyes. “You want me to be your dirty little secret, baby?”
My jaw clenches and I feel the heat creeping up my neck before spreading across my cheeks. I don’t answer him, because that’s exactly what I want him to be. At least just for tonight.
“Your place or mine?” I ask him.
A chuckle rumbles in his chest. “Babe, I live in a house with two other guys. There’s no way we keep this a secret if I take you there.”
“Yeah, well, I live with Winter, so how exactly is that going to work?”
“It’s not ideal, but I’m not against fucking you in the back seat of my car.”
Narrowing my eyes at him, my top lip curls up in distaste. “Gee, how thoughtful of you.”
“What do you want? A bed covered in rose petals or some shit?” he quips playfully as he uncrosses his arms. I watch him as he rises to his feet and takes a step toward me, directly into my space. He leans down, his lips brushing against my ear. “I’ll be out front waiting for you. You figure out how the hell you’re getting away from your friend.”
The warmth of his breath sends a shiver down my spine and he lightly presses his lips against the sensitive skin behind my ear. He trails his lips along my skin before nipping at my lobe.
“For the record, I’m not fucking you in my car,” he breathes, his voice thick with lust. “I’m taking you back to your place and I’ll sneak out when your roommate is asleep.”
A fire ignites inside me, warmth spreading across the pit of my stomach. Instinctively, I clench my thighs together, inhaling as his scent invades my senses. He makes my head swim and I can’t think straight with him this close. It could be from the alcohol, but it’s more so him.
Hayden King is fucking intoxicating.
He pulls away, a ghost of a smile on his lips as he stares down at me, waiting for me to respond. “You gonna take care of your friend and meet me outside?” he asks as he lightly cups the side of my face, his thumb gently stroking my cheek.
Swallowing roughly, I nod as any words I had to say get caught in my throat.
Hayden smiles down at me, dragging his thumb across my skin once more. “Good girl.” He winks, before pulling his hand away. Without another word, he spins on his heel and strides away from the bar, leaving me completely breathless.
My head is still swimming, my body tingling, and I feel like I could explode. Goddamn him. This is what Hayden does to me and I hate him for it. It makes me dislike him even more than I already do, just for the pure fact that my body betrays me anytime he’s this close to me.
Lifting my glass to my lips, I drain the rest of my margarita before setting it down. A ragged breath escapes me and I inhale deeply, attempting to calm my heart as it thumps erratically in my chest. Turning around in my seat, I find Winter is still fully immersed in her conversation with the same guy.
My hand shakes, my palm clammy as I reach for her and tap on her shoulder. Winter turns around, the smile leaving her face as her gaze meets mine. The heat is still spread across my cheeks and her eyes scan my face.
“Are you okay?” she questions me, a worried look passing through her eyes. “You look flushed.”
I nod, forcing a smile on my face. “I think I’m going to get an Uber and head home. I drank my drinks way too fast and feel pretty exhausted.”
Internally, I cringe at the lie and the way it easily fell from my lips without any remorse. I hate leaving her here like this, but I recognize the guy she’s talking to. I didn’t notice at first, but it’s someone she’s been hanging out with occasionally. I can’t remember his name for the life of me, though.
“Are you good to drive home?” I ask her, glancing over her shoulder at the guy beside her before looking at her. “Are you good here with him, too?”
Laughter falls from her lips. “Girl, I told you about Travis already.” She pauses, tilting her head to the side. “Remember? He plays for the football team. We’ve hung out a few times and he’s safe.”
“If you’re sure,” I tell her, still feeling wary of leaving her. I do remember her telling me about him now, but you still never know. Then again, they are in a public place.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to take you home? I can meet up with him another time,” she tells me, sitting up straighter in her seat like she’s about to shift into mom mode.
I shake my head at her, waving my hand dismissively. “Don’t ruin your night over me. I already called an Uber, so I’m good.”
“Okay. Well, I’ll see you later tonight,” she pauses, a grin tugging on the corners of her lips as she winks, “or in the morning…”
A soft chuckle escapes me and I can’t help but feel a little more at ease. I can only hope that she’ll be late getting home or coming home in the morning. That way I can get Hayden out of our apartment before she has the chance of catching him.
After saying my goodbyes to her, I go to pay my tab, only to find out that Hayden already paid for it. My heart pounds erratically in my chest as I grab my purse and head out of the bar. Just as he promised, Hayden’s black WRX is parked out front and the engine rumbles as he sits there waiting for me.
I can’t see through the tinted windows, but he must be leaning over the center console because the door is suddenly pushed open for me. Grabbing the side of the door, I pull it open more before dropping down into the seat next to him.
A soft blue hue glows in the car from the lights inside as I close the door behind me. Grabbing my seat belt, I put it on before turning to look at him. Hayden has one hand on the steering wheel, the other on the gearshift, and his head is turned toward me.
“I was beginning to think you weren’t going to come out.”
“Was that a crack in your ego? The possibility that a girl was standing you up instead of melting into a puddle at your feet?” I quip, feeling the electricity in the air between us.
“Oh, no, baby.” He smirks, shaking his head. “If you weren’t coming out, I was coming back in for you.”
My heart is in my throat and I attempt to push away the stupid feelings he ignites inside me. He’s a smooth talker, that’s all Hayden King is. His words hold no weight.
“You better start driving before I change my mind.”
A chuckle rumbles from his chest. Without another word, he moves the gearshift and the tires peel as he whips the car onto the street. The speed pushes my back against the seat and a rush of adrenaline courses through my body.
Hayden is dangerous and intoxicating.
This is most definitely a mistake.
And I can’t wait to regret it in the morning.
