I frown. “Why? What are you doing?”

“I met some people downstairs last night. They’ve asked me to go to dinner with them.”

I narrow my eyes. “What people?”

I’m on high alert. Some romantic fucker is going to swoop in and steal her off me with pretty words and promises . . . wedding rings.

Not that I have her . . . but still.

“Some guys,” she mutters, uninterested.

“What guys?”

“The ones from Holland.”

Blond fuckers . . . ugh, my blood boils. She likes blonds.

“Suit yourself,” I snap.

She nods as she keeps reading, totally unaffected.

“Why don’t you come over here? I’ll cuddle your back while you read.”

“I’m good.” She rolls over and puts her back to me.

I know you’re fucking good. Good at being a prick-teasing asshole.

With no shame at all, I get up and climb into her bed. I’m allowed to spoon in bed with her; it’s something we’ve always done.

Only now I know how it ends.

I lie with her in my arms and imagine a million ways I could fuck her; I get turned on; she keeps reading her book—god only knows what’s so interesting in it—then I go to the shower and pull my dick alone.

I put my arm around her from behind and pull her close. I inhale her scent and smile into her hair as the world disappears.

She has this calming effect on me. As soon as she’s in my arms, all is well in the world.

She keeps reading . . . and reading . . . and reading.

Does she even know I’m here?

“What could possibly be so interesting in that stupid book?” I huff.

“Everything,” she murmurs, distracted. “I’m just getting to the good bit.”

“I don’t . . .”

“Shh.”

“Did you just shush me?”

“I did, baby. Go to sleep.”

“You’re infuriating, you know that?”

“Shh.”

“I mean . . .”

“Christopher,” she snaps. “I’m reading. If you are not going to sleep, go back to your own bed.”

“A lot of women would die to have me in their bed, you know?” I huff.

“Why don’t you go and see where they are, then?” she mutters as she turns the page.

“I’m going out,” I warn.

“Okay.”

Fucking woman has me bent over a barrel, and she knows it.

“I’m going out to meet women,” I warn again.

“Okay.” She kisses my arm. “Have fun.”

Screw this . . . I am going out to meet women, and I am having sex tonight.

No more Hayden Whitmore puppy patrol.

I sit up.

“If you are going to the locker, can you get my white dress out?” she says.

I narrow my eyes. I know that white dress . . . the one that makes me hard as a rock on sight.

“No, you’re not wearing that out without me.”

“Why not?”

“Because we don’t know those fuckers?”

“What fuckers?”

“The ones from Holland,” I snap. “Who knows what kind of perverts they might be.”

“Oh . . .” She keeps reading.

I climb out of bed. “Is Bernadette or Kimberly going with you?”

“I haven’t asked them.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t need a bodyguard, Christopher.”

“In that dress, I disagree.”

She turns her head. “Are you going to cuddle my back and go to sleep or keep mouthing off?”

“I’ll give you mouthing off.” I pull her into my arms aggressively from behind. “Why don’t we fuck?” I suggest.

“Be still, my heart,” she whispers as she reads. “If you’re horny, just go and find a girl to play with. You’re getting annoying.”

“You would rather read a book than . . .” I press my lips together because words fail me right now.

“Yes,” she snaps. “I would, actually.”

“I have needs, Grumps.”

“Then go and meet them. We are not fucking, Christopher. Not now, not ever. Stop suggesting it. You’re beginning to piss me off.”

Right. That’s it. I don’t need to stay here and cop this abuse. I get out of bed in a huff. “I am going out.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t come looking for me.”

“I won’t.”

I stare at her as I begin to fume.

She really doesn’t want me.

How?

I march outside and go to my locker in a huff. I get my things out to wear tonight.

Screw this.

I’m not coming on to her again . . . ever again!

I’m done being her puppy.

I go through her bag and retrieve her white dress, and I stuff it into the bottom of my bag. She’ll never find it here. This dress is for my eyes only.

I’m done with Hayden Whitmore.

Two weeks later

HAYDEN

“Happy birthday, baby,” Christopher’s soft voice whispers.

I drag my eyes open to see a white box with a red ribbon sitting in prime position on my pillow. “Huh?” I frown. “You bought me a present?”

He kisses my cheek from behind me. “Of course I bought you a present. It’s your birthday.”

“But we have no money.” I frown as I sit up in bed.

“I would sell my left nut for you.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” I giggle as I pick up the precious gift and shake it at my ear. “You might need that one day.”

He chuckles too. “Open it.”

I slowly unwrap the present as he watches. It’s a necklace. A fine chain and a silver disk. I smile. “It’s perfect.”

He turns it over in the box. “It’s engraved.”

I read the words:

GHW

ALWAYS

C

My eyes flick up to him. “GHW? What’s that?”

“Grumpy Hayden Whitmore.” He pulls me closer into his body and hugs me tight.

I giggle. “Or Gorgeous Hayden Whitmore.”

“Goofy Hayden Whitmore.” He pokes me in the ribs.

I laugh as I pull it out of the box. “I love it.” I hold it out. “Can you put it on me?” We sit up, and he carefully pulls my hair around my neck and puts it on me. I hold it as it sits on my chest. “Christopher, this is so special.” It is truly special. I know he can’t afford it.

He gives me a beautiful broad smile. “Only the best for my girl.”

His girl.

We stare at each other as the air swirls between us.

“You shouldn’t have spent your money on me.” I smile.

“It’s okay.” He shrugs. “I didn’t need that nut.” He hugs me tighter. “I have a full day planned for us, starting with birthday cake for breakfast. Then we are going swimming and having a picnic, followed by dancing our way around town tonight.”

I smile, excited. We always have so much fun together. “I can’t wait.”