else.
To him, she was just a mission.
She rubbed her hand across her chest, easing the tiny ache that found its way into her heart.
She knew Jayden would leave, just like her family had. She wasn’t going to let it devastate her like before. She didn’t have to be a victim. She could choose to look at this short time with Jayden as an opportunity, an opportunity to learn how to be herself again and to live.
Lifting her chin, she turned and faced him. He was gorgeous standing there, all cut muscles, blue eyes and blonde hair, like something out of a surfer magazine.
“I’m not sure I like that look in your eye,” Jayden teased.
“I’m thinking how I want to redo you.” Not that it mattered. He could wear a potato sack and still look hot.
“Why does that scare me?” Jayden reached out and took her hand as they headed towards the parking lot.
Her heart tugged at the warmth of their hands. She shook her head and quickly willed her body to stop being such an idiot every time he touched her.
“Don’t be scared. I happen to think you would look really good in pink.” She gave him a cheery smile as he laced his fingers through hers.
Jayden halted midstride. “Pink.”
Haley gave him an innocent look. She tried not to laugh at the horrified expression on his face.
“We did make a deal. And there’s no going back on a deal.”
#
After dining on burgers and fries at the local hole-in-the-wall restaurant, Jayden drove to the mall. They made their way into the department store. Haley’s face lit up with excitement.
He took her hand in his, telling himself it was for show, pretending to be a couple so he wouldn’t blow his cover. He also had told himself that same lie when he had kissed her in front of Dana.
He knew better. He’d kissed her because he wanted the rest of the world to know who she belonged to. He’d kissed her because all day he’d suffered through watching all those college assholes gawk at her with lust. He’d kissed her because he needed it more than his next breath.
“Jayden?”
He shook his head, forcing his thoughts under control. “Yeah?’
“I asked what size jeans you wear.” She glanced back at the display. Her gaze was glued to the mannequin wearing dark denim jeans the color of midnight.
“I thought you said my jeans were fine.” He glanced down at his favorite denims. He’d had them forever and they fit him just right
“Come, Jayden, let me play.” She stepped up to him, pressing her palms to his chest, while her full lips curved into a sexy pout.
His nostrils flared. On instinct, he cupped the back of her head and swiped his thumb across her bottom lip. “Be careful, sweetheart. I don’t play gentle.”
“Neither do I.” Her eyes flared with lust.
He was trying to warn her away from him. But she wasn’t having it. His shy little college girl wasn’t backing down from him.
His cock hardened behind his zipper, making his jeans uncomfortably tight. His heartbeat drummed in his chest and he could feel it all the way to his balls.
Jayden slammed his eyes shut and gritted his teeth.
“What’s wrong?”
He opened his eyes and scowled. “I’m trying to get myself under control.” Did she have no idea what she did to him?
“And what exactly do I do?”
He pulled her against him. Her eyes grew wide as his cock pressed into her stomach. A blush stole across her face.
Then that little minx did the unexpected. Instead of stepping back, Haley reached up on her tiptoes and sucked his earlobe into her hot little mouth.
“Fuck, Haley,” he growled as lust slammed into his stomach so violently he considered taking her right there against the wall.
She didn’t even have the courtesy to look sorry. Instead, she laughed.
Taking a step back, she grabbed his hand. “Come on, let’s go in here. I’m sure once you start trying on clothes you’ll lose your erection.”
Now it was his turn to look shocked.
She looked across her shoulder and grinned.