Chapter 302

I returned to bed, wrapped up like a human burrito. I realized I was the one with the dirty mind. Hayden's self-control was remarkable; I couldn't even begin to fathom it. All he'd done was give me a bath—a perfectly innocent bath. Even though I'd already pushed his limits, I couldn't resist teasing him. "What, afraid you can't keep up?"

That's the kind of comment that would irritate most men. But Hayden wasn't most men. He pinned me down, his voice firm. "Knock it off and behave. You're wasting your time." He saw right through my little game.

"You've really hurt my feelings," I said, feigning sadness and pulling the blanket over my head.

He pulled it back and gently pinched my cheek. "It's not that I can't keep up, and trust me, you definitely attract me. I'm just worried about hurting you. Let's wait until you're fully recovered, okay?"

My cheeks warmed. "So, what, if I'm always this fragile, you're just never going to touch me again?"

Hayden's lips twitched. "Yeah, I'll just hold back my urges."

I yanked the blanket over my head again, determined to ignore him. But he wrapped his arms around me, blanket and all, pulling me close. "I won't let it come to that."

My face felt like it was on fire. He kissed me gently and whispered, "You lie down and relax for a bit. I'm going to take a shower."

Of course, a cold shower! The thought had barely crossed my mind when he admitted it himself: "A cold shower." His self-control was truly extraordinary. He'd rather suffer than risk hurting me.

A bittersweet warmth filled my chest. I watched him walk away and called out, "Hayden."

He turned back, his eyes soft. "Yeah?"

"You're fine. Really fine." I stuck out my tongue, embarrassed, and buried myself under the blanket.

Hayden laughed softly. "I know."

When he returned, I'd already drifted off. Despite the turmoil with my parents, his presence had calmed me. The emotional rollercoaster of the afternoon had exhausted me, and I fell into a deep sleep. I slept better than I had in a long time. When I woke, the sun was already high. Surprisingly, Hayden hadn't gone for his morning workout. He was lying next to me, reading a book. It was as if he had a thousand different facets, each one captivating and setting him apart.

I didn't say anything. I just watched him until he turned and met my gaze.

"Hey, you're awake?" He set the book aside and gently brushed his hand through my hair. The way he did it felt so comforting, like he was soothing a sleepy child. I nuzzled into his chest. "Why aren't you working out? Why are you reading?"

"I didn't want you to wake up and freak out if I wasn't here," he said, making my heart skip a beat. He was worried I'd have a nightmare or be scared alone.

I propped myself up, leaning against his chest. "Hayden, you're the best guy I've ever met. Like, ever."

"Oh," he said, simply.

I gaped at him. "Seriously? That's all you've got? I just gave you the biggest compliment, and you're giving me an 'oh'?"

He grinned. "Thank you for the compliment, Mrs. Hart."

My face went red. "Who's Mrs. Hart? I didn't agree to marry you! And you haven't even proposed."

"Oh," he said again, this time with a teasing glint in his eyes.

I groaned. "What's with the 'oh'?"

Talking to him was like solving a riddle. He barely spoke, leaving me constantly trying to decipher his thoughts.