Chapter 282

Guys can't handle a crying girl, and girls freak out when a guy shows vulnerability. And let's be real, a little roughness the first time during sex isn't surprising. It's all new, right?

Plus, Lena texted a sweet message, saying soreness is normal and I shouldn't blame Hayden. Honestly, Hayden owes Lena a huge thank you. She calmed me down effortlessly and helped his sister get Nate for her surgery.

I was still healing, so Hayden, however much he wanted me, had to wait. I thought he'd go back to his room, but he stayed and held me.

"Hayden, isn't this driving you crazy?" I teased, leaning against his chest.

He mumbled, "Don't talk. Go to sleep."

I giggled. "But can you really sleep like this?"

"Kiki," he groaned, his voice gravelly, "don't push it."

He was clearly uncomfortable, struggling to contain himself. If he'd gone to his room, he wouldn't have had to deal with this. But no, he stayed, making it harder on himself.

I poked his side. "Why do you do this to yourself?"

He pulled me closer. I smiled. Even a tough guy could be stubborn.

"When are you bringing Yuna over?" I asked, shifting to a more serious topic.

"I'll arrange things at work tomorrow, then pick her up," Hayden said, gently rubbing my shoulder.

"Are you coming straight back, or staying a few days?" I asked casually.

"How many days do you want me to stay?" he shot back.

I blinked, surprised. Oh. He thought I'd miss him. Someone's feeling confident.

I ignored his question. "Are you taking the train or flying?"

"Whatever works with the schedule," his deep voice almost lulled me to sleep. When you're tired, you say whatever comes to mind.

Without thinking, I murmured, "The high-speed train's more comfortable."

"Okay, I'll take the train," he agreed, readily accepting my suggestion.

Chapter 202

My eyelids grew heavy. "Yuna's going to be so excited to see you."

"She likes you too. She'll be happy to see you as well…" I heard him say as I drifted off.

I smiled, thinking of Yuna's adoration. "Yeah, I'm her future sister-in-law."

Hayden chuckled softly, the last thing I heard before sleep.

Chapter 283

In the middle of the night, I rolled over and found Hayden gone. I thought he'd left, but then I saw the living room light was on. Faint grunting noises reached my ears.

What was Hayden doing?

Half-asleep, I tiptoed to the doorway and froze. Hayden was on the living room floor, doing push-ups.

Had he changed his workout routine? I glanced at the clock: 2:30 AM. This wasn't early-morning exercise; this was late-night desperation. He couldn't sleep.

Was it because he was thinking about… that?

It hit me, and I quickly snuck back to bed, pretending to be asleep. I couldn't sleep either.

I heard him do push-ups for half an hour, then take a long shower before finally returning to bed. Only then did I finally drift off, nestled in his arms.