Chapter 724

Hayden didn’t say a word.

I wasn’t sure what he meant by his silence, but the thought of him with Yara made me snort coldly. “Of course you’re not scared. You’ve never exactly been short on women, have you?”

His eyes stayed locked on me. That look made guilt creep up my spine.

Just as I was about to demand why he was staring like that, he finally spoke. “What I fear more than anything is seeing you hurt.”

Oh.

So, he was willing to let me hate him, push him away, yell and scream—all to keep me safe. His intentions really were painstakingly sincere.

I got it. I really did. That desperate kind of love, where the thought of losing them terrifies you more than anything else.

“Stop with the sweet talk,” I shot back. “You’re just trying to get off easy. Love isn’t about bailing when it gets hard—it’s about sticking together through it.”

Hayden’s fingers brushed my cheek, warm and steady. “I’d give up the whole world before I’d lose you.”

It wasn’t like him to say things so bluntly, and that one line hit me square in the heart.

A wave of emotions rolled over me—the time we’d spent apart, my anger, the harsh things I’d said, the way I’d tried to hurt him. I’d even let myself get close to someone else, just to make him jealous. Thinking about it now, he must’ve been wrecked.

“All you ever do is say pretty words. You’re the one who pushed me away in the first place,” I muttered, leaning forward to nip at his jaw.

My teeth grazed his stubble, lingering until I reached his lips. I let everything out—my frustration, my pain, the stupid games we’d played—pouring it into that one bite. But as I did, I realized I was losing control.

He was injured, and I couldn’t forget that. Forcing myself to stop, I rested my forehead against his chest, trying to catch my breath.

Hayden chuckled softly. Obviously, he read my thoughts.

“Don’t laugh!” I snapped, my cheeks heating up.

But he just kept grinning, and I nudged him lightly. “Still laughing? What, can’t keep up anymore?”

Chapter 724

If he wasn’t hurt, I would’ve stripped him down and pinned him right then and there.

Then he leaned closer, his breath brushing my ear. “If you want, I can help you another way.”

His hand slid into motion, making it very clear what he meant.

My brain short-circuited for a second. Hayden had never bothered with alternatives before; he was more of a “go big or go home” kind of guy. But now? His offer sounded way too practiced.

“Getting creative, huh? Looks like your ‘modeling gig’ really paid off,” I teased, raising a brow.

He didn’t flinch. “You know what they say—learning never stops.”

I snorted. “Yeah, but you’re not just learning. You’ve been practicing, haven’t you? Real hands-on experience.”

“You’re my first. Want to help me perfect my technique?” he quipped, his hand wandering again, like he was testing me.

In a hospital. Seriously? Even though no one was likely to barge in, there was no way I’d let him try anything here.

I swatted his hand away, laughing. “Not a chance, buddy. Not here.”

Of course, the more I refused, the more he upped his teasing, making me squirm as we bantered back and forth. For a moment, I forgot he was even hurt.

Then he let out a quiet groan, and I froze.

“Did I hurt you?” I asked, my stomach twisting.

He shook his head, brushing it off. “It doesn’t hurt.”

Liar. It definitely hurt. He just wouldn’t admit it.

Chapter 725