Chapter 3: Why Me?

HAILEY

“No. Not happening, big guy. If I get that close to you again, I’ll lose myself in your scent and drown in those blue eyes.”

Hailey knew that if she let Jayden get too close, the carefully crafted mask she’d perfected over the years would fall apart. Still, she couldn’t say no, not completely. There was no good reason to deny him a New Year’s kiss. After all, he was a family friend. Hesitantly, she stepped forward and turned her cheek toward him.

Jayden closed the small distance between them and gently took her champagne glass out of her hand and put it on the nearest table.

“That’s not exactly what I had in mind, beautiful,” he said with a smile, his voice low and casual, even though there was fire in his eyes.

Without another word, he took her hand and led her toward the balcony doors at the far end of the room, guiding her outside.

Confused, Hailey stopped as he shut the door behind them. They were alone on the corridor and it was freezing. Her dress was a modest black cocktail style with long sleeves, but the hem sat just above her knees, and the cold air immediately swept under it, sending chills through her body. She rubbed her arms, teeth chattering.

“What are you doing? Are you insane? It’s freezing out here,” she snapped, trying to stay warm.

Without hesitation, he took off his tuxedo jacket and wrapped it around her, pulling her closer by the lapels.

“I needed privacy,” he said, voice low and rough. “And I’d be more than happy to warm you up.”

Hailey sank into the jacket, still warm from his body. Fuck. He smells like heaven.

“Why did we need to come out here?” she asked, still puzzled. “You could’ve just”

Before she could finish, Jayden pulled her fully into his arms, jacket and all, and silenced her with his mouth.

Her breath caught in her throat as he kissed her, strong and sure. One hand slid into her shoulder-length auburn hair, and the clips holding it back flew away. Her body froze in surprise just long enough for Jayden to take full control of the kiss. He tilted her head, deepened the pressure, and explored her mouth with his tongue so thoroughly it left her gasping.

Her body betrayed her, reacting instantly. Her arms looped around his neck as she gave in. Jayden led; she followed swept up in his fierce touch, letting him explore her mouth with bold hunger. And she didn’t just accept it, she reveled in it.

This was what she’d secretly wanted from Jayden since her high school graduation the day she’d finally admitted to herself that she was wildly attracted to him. He’d never crossed the line, had never treated her as anything more than a friend. But she had felt the heat between them for years. Unsure whether the desire was mutual, she had kept her distance and avoided meaningful conversations to keep a safe emotional gap.

But now? Now, she knew. The hard press of his body told her everything.

She didn’t know whether she should celebrate or run away. The passion running through her felt both thrilling and terrifying.

In the end, Hailey’s body made the decision for her. Her hormones were all in, cheering wildly. She slid her fingers into his hair and tugged him closer, her mouth fusing more urgently with his.

I need to be closer to him. I need this. I need him. She kissed him back without hesitation, letting her tongue move with his. Jayden wasn’t just a fantasy anymore, he was real, and right in front of her. And she let herself sink into the moment, drowning in the sensation of his lips, the feel of his strong arms wrapped around her.

He awakened something in her, something she hadn’t felt in a long time. With Jayden, there was no slow burn, he set her on fire. His kiss overwhelmed her with heat, power, and total masculinity. It was all consuming. Eventually, he pulled away, both of them breathing hard.

“That’s why I needed privacy,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. His face rested against her hair, and the warmth of his breath on her neck made her tremble.

“Watching you from across the room was driving me insane.”

Hailey tried to ground herself, to pull away and come back to reality. “Jayden, I”

“Don’t,” he interrupted, his voice rough. His arms locked around her. “Don’t tell me you didn’t want that. Or that you don’t want more. Because I know you do.”

She couldn’t deny it. Not without lying. And she’d had enough lies in her life. She hadn’t expected her body to react like this but Jayden brought out her wild side.

“I did want it,” she admitted. “If I hadn’t, you’d be on the floor right now, screaming in pain after I kneed you in the balls.”

And God help me, I want more. But I can’t. I can’t go down this road.

She wasn’t the type to give herself over to pure desire without caution. And with Jayden she had a feeling it would never be halfway. He wasn’t the kind of man to do anything halfway. He would want it all.

A low, rough laugh rumbled against her ear. “I’m glad to know you haven’t changed much,” he said, clearly amused.

Oh, I’ve changed more than you think. “You don’t know me anymore,” she said quietly, pulling back from his warmth reluctantly.

He held her by the shoulders, adjusting his jacket around her more tightly.

“Maybe not,” he said. “But I want to. I want you. Spend the night with me, Hailey. Let’s go on an adventure, just like when we were kids.”

That struck something deep inside her. Their childhood “adventures” were some of her best memories. Most had been simple outings and trips to the candy store, or to get ice cream but Jayden had always made them feel like exciting missions. Even when he was in high school, he’d humored her, playing explorer or pirate just to make her laugh.

“I’m not a teenager anymore,” she said, her voice soft and sad.

“Believe me,” Jayden murmured darkly, “I know that.”

Hailey placed her hands on his strong arms, looking up at him. She searched his face for answers, but in the dim light, all she could see clearly was the lingering hunger in his eyes.

“Why?” she asked. “You have women chasing after you every day. Why me? Why now?”