Hayden made a soft sound in his throat. His breath moved over my lips, and I closed my eyes, imagining the way he would feel, taste. Then his breath warmed my cheek and each of my eyelids before it returned to tease my lips again.

I placed my hands on his chest, curling my fingers into his sweater. “Hayden,” I whispered.

He answered by clasping my hips and pulling me into his lap. I wanted nothing more than to kiss and touch him. I lowered my cheek to his shoulder, squeezing my eyes shut as his caress drifted from my hips to the small of my back. Fine shivers danced over my skin, making me ache for something I could never have.

His hands traveled up my back, fingers pressing into my spine, bunching the thin material of my tank top, then back down. My body arched into the motion, and his hands shook. Each time his hands came close to my bare skin, it felt like every cell came alive only to slowly burn out. His breathing turned ragged.

I don’t know how long we stayed like that, coming close to touchingto somethinguntil Hayden drew in a heavy breath and lifted me off of him. “Enough,” he murmured. “God, but it’s not enough.”

“I’m sorry.” I lowered my chin, wishing I were someone else, someone he could kiss, he could touch.

Hayden leaned back, brushing a few of my curls back as his eyes met mine. “Don’t apologize. I’m enjoying this. You have no idea how long I’ve wanted it to be like this between us and I don’t want to stop, but…”

“But you’re afraid you won’t stop?” I asked, feeling my skin flush even more.

“Exactly.” His smile was crooked as he lay back, patting the spot next to him. “Come here.”

I raised my brows at him. Lying beside him was so not going to quell the fire burning in my blood. And a part of me couldn’t believe what he’d admitted or what had happened between us. It seemed surreal, like a dream I’d never thought I could grasp.

Hayden’s gaze fell to my lips.

My heart did a stupid little jump that made me all warm and fuzzy. He liked mereally liked me. Even after seeing my scars. It was like hitting the jackpot of awesome guys.

“Come on.” He patted the spot next to him again.

“It’s a Friday night. Shouldn’t you be out having fun or something?”

One corner of his mouth tipped up. “I’m having fun here. Lots.” He placed his hands behind his head. Straightening out his legs, he nearly knocked me off the bed.

I didn’t have much of a choice. Carefully, I climbed over his legs and sat down on the other side.

“Lie down,” he ordered.

“Hayden.”

The smile grew. “Ember?”