Defending Hayden: A Second Chances Novel (12 page)

To be on the safe side, I kept my phone off for the rest of the weekend. I wasn’t ready to see Derek again; I didn’t know when or if I ever would be. It was bad enough seeing him on TV. Sure enough, when I walked into the clinic this morning, Amanda and Jessica looked at me curiously. Even Jeremiah had a concerned look on his face. Wilford waved at me and smiled before following Margerie to one of his exam rooms, clearly not aware of what was going on.

“Good morning,” I announced. To Amanda, I said, “Is everything prepped and ready to go for Lady?”

She nodded. “Yes, Dr. Hunter.”

“Good,” I said, walking past them to Michael’s office so I could drop off his scone. He wasn’t set to come in until later, but very soon I wasn’t going to be able to buy him breakfast. When I retreated to my office, I had to get my head in the game: I was about to operate on Lady to remove the tumor. Sighing, I set my purse down and finished my pumpkin latte. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Jeremiah at my door.

“Hayden,” he murmured.

After he had hugged and kissed me the other night, I hadn’t known what to say. I’d stood there like an idiot and then told him good night before hurrying off. Even if I could have a relationship with him, I wasn’t ready, not when my heart belonged to another man.

“Good morning, Jeremiah. How was your weekend?”

He walked into my office and shut the door. “It was okay. I tried calling you yesterday to see if you wanted to do something together, but I kept getting your voicemail.”

“Sorry about that,” I replied in all seriousness. “I kept my phone off all day.”

“Avoiding someone?” he asked.

I snorted. “How’d ya guess?”

He moved closer. “I watched the game Saturday.”

“Unfortunately, I did, too.”

Leaning against my desk, he looked down at me and crossed his arms over his chest. “What did McLaughlin do to you, Hayden? For him to make such a huge statement, it had to be something bad.”

I closed my eyes and huffed. “It’s not anything I want to talk about.”

His fingers caressed my cheek, and my eyes shot open. I grabbed his hand and moved away from his touch. “I can’t, Jeremiah. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m not ready for a relationship right now.”

He chuckled lightly. “I could tell the other night when I kissed you. But don’t worry, I’m a patient man. I’ll be here whenever you’re ready.”

“Dr. Hunter, Mrs. Jenkins and Lady are here,” Amanda called out over the speaker.

Jeremiah smiled and left my office before I could tell him that I’d most likely never be ready for him. One of these days I’d have to tell him, but it wasn’t going to be today.

I pressed the intercom button. “Thanks, Amanda. I’ll be out there to get Lady myself.”

The surgery went well; I tried to remove as much of the cancerous tumor as I could. From what I could tell on the X-rays, it looked like I’d been successful in getting it all. Lady was going to stay with us for a few days while I monitored her and ran more tests.

“Hayden, you about ready?” Michael asked, sticking his head inside my office.

I finished my paperwork and shut Lady’s file. “I am now. Sorry it took so long.”

“No worries. I had to finish up my own paperwork. I’m trying to follow up with my past patients before I leave town. Friday is my last day, you know.”

I huffed. “Don’t remind me.” Chuckling, he opened the door so I could walk past. “Wanna grab dinner? Or do I need to help you pack?” I asked.

He put his arm around my shoulders. “We could always do both. I’m not going to pass up free labor.”

“You suck.” I laughed. “I should make you do it all, since you’re the one leaving.”

“Yeah, but you love me. I’ll pay for dinner if that makes it better,” he offered with a dashing smile.

“Deal,” I said, laughing. We turned off all the lights and headed to the front of the office. My car was parked just outside, and when Michael opened the door, I stopped dead in my tracks.
You’ve got to be kidding me.

Standing by my car was Derek, arms crossed, with a somber expression. He didn’t have the right to look at me as if he were the wounded one. I was the one he’d left after I’d opened myself up to him. So many emotions fought inside me, and I didn’t know what I was supposed to feel. On one hand, the anger was there, and I wanted to tell him to fuck off, but on the other I was happy to see him. The wind blew his scent toward me and I stiffened, hating myself for wanting to run into his arms.

Michael squeezed my shoulder and whispered in my ear, “Talk to him, Hayden. If all else fails, you can always kick his ass. To judge the way he looks, I don’t think he’ll put up much of a fight.”

“Then why don’t you do it?” I challenged.

“Because it’s not my fight. He’s here for you. Just listen to what he has to say.” He kissed my cheek and then walked over to Derek. I couldn’t hear what he said, but after he was done, he marched off toward his car and left.

Heart thundering, I held my head high and closed the distance. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t lean against my car. You’ll scratch the paint,” I snapped.

Huffing, he stepped forward. “Is that all you have to say to me?”

I threw my hands in the air. “What would you like me to say?”

“I don’t know, maybe that you can forgive me? You have no idea how sorry I am. I was wrong for letting you go.”

I walked up to him, barely holding it together. My eyes filled with tears, and as much as I hated myself for it, they fell down my cheeks. “Then maybe you should’ve thought about that before you ripped my heart out.” I’d never been so blunt with my feelings, but I couldn’t keep them in any longer. Derek stumbled back as if I’d slapped him, and that gave me the chance I needed to get away. Scrambling into my car, I bolted down the street as fast as I could. Unfortunately, when I looked in my rearview mirror, I wasn’t alone. Derek followed close behind.

I was tempted to go to Michael’s, but I didn’t want to bring this confrontation to his home. Instead, I went to my place and prayed I could get through the fight that was about to ensue. I hated confrontation, but I had to let him know how badly he’d hurt me. Taking a deep breath, I got out of my car, and he was right there, his blue eyes blazing.

“I know I hurt you, Hayden. It killed me to see the look on your face that morning. I’d give anything to take it back.”

The tears welled up again. “But you can’t!” I shouted. “I didn’t want to get involved with you because I
knew
you’d hurt me. I’m just another woman to add to your endless parade.”

He shook his head. “That’s not true. You’re worth more than that to me.”

“Oh yeah? Is that what you said to everyone else? There are pictures with you and a hundred different girls floating around on the Internet. I’m just waiting for the day I get put on there, lost in the midst of them all.”

The muscles in his jaw tightened. “We all make mistakes, Hayden. I’ve made a shit ton of them, but all in the past. I’m not like that anymore.”

“And how do you expect me to believe that?” I asked, pushing past him toward the door. I unlocked it and stormed inside, knowing he was right on my heels. He wasn’t going to give me the chance to lock him out. The door slammed behind us and I jumped, especially when he grabbed my shoulders to keep me from running away.

“I don’t,” he murmured. “But I’m hoping you’ll try. I’m in love with you, Hayden.” I gasped and froze when his lips brushed against the back of my neck. “I never thought I could feel this way about anyone again, and when things started getting more serious between us, it scared me.” His grip tightened and he pulled me in closer. I couldn’t break away, and yet I didn’t want to. “I don’t want to lose you like I lost Brianna. It’d tear me the fuck apart. Just seeing the way you looked at me tonight broke me. I want you to look at me like you used to.”

“And how is that?” I asked, whispering the words.

He gently turned me around and tilted my chin up with his fingers. “As if I’m actually worthy of a woman like you.” He grasped my face. “I need you, Hayden. Please give me another chance. I’m always going to be afraid of losing you, but I’d rather take that risk than not have you at all. So what I want to know is if you can love me the way I love you. If you say no, I’ll walk out that door and you’ll never see me again. But if you say yes, I’ll spend every day of my life making it up to you.”

Tears streamed down my cheeks and I closed my eyes. My heart wanted one thing, but my mind screamed at me to run away, to avoid the heartache. Derek’s hands slid down my cheeks and he sighed, the sound making my heart hurt. He turned around and I opened my eyes, watching him retreat to the door.

“Wait,” I called out. He glanced at me over his shoulder, his gaze raw and torn. “I don’t think I can let you walk out that door.”

“Why?” he asked, turning fully around.

I took a step forward and then another. “Because as much as I want to fight it, I’m in love with you, too. And just so you know, there won’t be any more second chances. I don’t think my heart can handle any more pain.”

Rushing toward me, he picked me up in his arms, backing me against the wall. His lips locked on to mine, demanding and hot as he tasted me. I gave in and let him claim me. “I’m not going to let you down. I can promise you that.” He didn’t give me a chance to speak, only kissed me harder as he rocked his body against mine. “I want you so fucking bad right now.”

I wanted him, too. My need for him outweighed all logic, and I gave in. “Down the hall, first door on the right,” I moaned. He carried me down the hall and buried me in my mattress. His hands were everywhere, ripping at my clothes and caressing my skin until I was completely naked beneath him. Biting his lip, he raked his gaze down my body while he undressed.

“You have no idea how much I missed you this week.” All he had to do was feel between my legs to know how much I’d missed him. My thighs were wet, my body screaming at me to let him inside.

“Why don’t you show me, then?” I asked boldly.

A groan rumbled in his chest and he licked his lips. “Happy to.” Crawling up my body, he spread my legs with his hands, his gaze on mine as he slid his tongue across my clit. Everything inside me tightened and I cried out. He plunged in deep, breathing me in as he fucked me with his tongue; it was my undoing. My orgasm hit me from the inside out, and when my hips lifted, he held me to his face. Toes curling, I rode wave after wave of ecstasy. Derek groaned and slid his tongue inside me one more time.

“You taste so fucking good. I could do this every day.”

I giggled. “I won’t stop you.”

With his heated gaze on mine, he kissed his way up my thighs to my stomach. His hands clutched my breasts, and one after the other, he pulled my nipples between his teeth and sucked them generously. My back arched off the bed and I cried out. “I could come with you just doing that.”

He shook his head and bit my lip. “Not this time, love. I want to be inside you when you come again.”

His cock pressed against my opening and I bit my lip, waiting on him to push inside, only he didn’t. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I didn’t bring any condoms. This was the last thing I was expecting.”

Grinning from ear to ear, I ran my hands through his hair. “As long as you don’t have any STDs, we’re good. I’m on the Pill.”

He groaned and pushed the tip in. “Thank fucking God. And just so you know, I’m clean. There’s no way in hell I could leave without making love to you.”

I sucked in a breath as he filled me completely, thrusting his hips gently yet deep. I’d never known I could need someone as much as I needed him. His touch sent fire through my veins; I felt as if I could explode any minute. Gripping me tightly, he flipped us over and I was now on top. I could feel him stretching me, the ache of it so painfully erotic. I hadn’t known that pain and pleasure could be so damn addictive.

Pulling me down to him, he sucked a nipple between his teeth and groaned as I rode him hard. His hands clenched my waist and he moved me faster. Everything built up inside me and I screamed out my release as he, too, was milked to completion, his cock pulsating as he spilled his warmth inside me.

“Holy fuck, that felt good,” he murmured, clasping my face in his hands. He drew me down to his lips and kissed me. “How does breakfast in bed sound?”

“Great, but you might not want to spoil me. I might expect it every morning.”

His eyes twinkled. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

The next morning, I didn’t run away. Instead, I stayed in Hayden’s bed and watched her until the sun came up. I really needed to get to my house and get my things for practice, but I refused to leave her, not until she woke up.

“Rise and shine, love.” I kissed her bare breast and licked her nipple. She moaned and opened her eyes, greeting me with that sexy smile of hers.

“Good morning, indeed.” She stretched her arms above her head and glanced over at the clock. “Well, it
was
a good morning. I have to be at work in an hour and a half.”

“And I have to be at practice in two hours. I didn’t want to leave until you were awake. I was thinking about this weekend and wanted to see if you’d like to come to the game with me.”

Eyes wide with excitement, she sat up. “That’d be awesome. Do you think Michael could come, too? He’s moving away this weekend and I want to see him before he goes. He’d love to be there.”

I tapped her chin. “Anything for you, love.”

She sat up and pursed her lips. “What happened to breakfast in bed?”

“How about a coffee from Caramel Café instead? I know you like it there.”

“And how would you know that?”

I cleared my throat, not wanting to answer.

Her lips spread into a full grin and she giggled. “Don’t tell me you’ve been watching me?”

Sighing, I brushed the hair off her face. “I’m not going to lie, I did watch you this past week, hating myself for what I’d done. It was my punishment.” Her smile faded. “I wanted to talk to you, but I knew I fucked up. When I saw you with that other doctor I almost lost my shit.”

She gasped. “Jeremiah? When did you see us?”

My jaw clenched. “The night he kissed you. I wanted to beat the shit out of him for touching you, but I knew I had no right.”

She grabbed my hands. “Derek, there’s nothing going on between me and him. He’s always had a thing for me, but I’ve never reciprocated. That kiss came out of nowhere. If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t kiss him back.”

“As long as that fucker doesn’t do it again, we’ll be fine.” Just the thought of him touching her made me livid. I didn’t want anyone putting his hands on her but me.

“So what does this mean, exactly?” she asked. “Between us, I mean.”

“What do you want it to mean?” I countered.

“Well,” she began with a mischievous leer, “if you don’t want anyone else kissing me, then I guess the same should go for you as well.”

Covering her with my body, I leaned down and kissed her. “Are you saying you want to be mine?”

“Maybe. I might need a little more convincing.” She snickered and wrapped her legs around my waist. My cock twitched, and she didn’t help matters by rubbing her pussy all over it. Making love to her was going to be an addiction I couldn’t quell. I knew without a doubt I’d always want her.

“Last night wasn’t answer enough?” She bit her lip and answered me with a shake of her head. I started to push into her, but then my phone rang. When I reached over to grab it, I looked at the screen and groaned.

“Who is it?” Hayden asked.

Chuckling, I ran a hand through my hair. “It’s my mother.”

Unhooking her legs, she slid out from under me. “Answer it then, silly. We have to get ready to go anyway. We can continue this tonight.” She kissed me on the cheek. “I’m getting in the shower.”

Lounging on her bed, I watched her walk into the bathroom, swaying her hips to mess with me. Fuck, she was going to kill me. “Hey, Ma,” I said into the phone.

“Hello to you, too. If I didn’t call you, you’d probably forget all about me, wouldn’t you?”

I chuckled. “I talked to you two days ago.”

“And that’s an eternity in mother years. Your father and I watched the game the other night. Who is this Hayden? Is she the girl you were on TV with the other week?”

“Yes.” Twenty questions were about to commence. My mother had been reaming my ass about the number of girls I’d been seen with, but I’d never really cared what others thought of me until Hayden.

“Must be serious if you apologized to her during the game the other night. That had to take some work, getting all those kids to hold up those signs.”

“It was worth it,” I admitted in all honesty. I had made the signs myself and walked through the crowd to hand them out before the game. The kids had loved it, and it had given me a chance to meet some of the fans.

“She’s beautiful,” my mother gushed.

“Yes, she is.”

“Are you two actually dating, or is she one of your weekly girlfriends?” she inquired.

“Nice, Ma.”

“What? I’m just a mother who wants to see her son happy instead of whoring around. You need a good girl in your life.”

Hayden turned on the shower and winked at me before shutting the bathroom door. “I do have a good girl, Ma. Hayden and I are officially dating now.”

“You are?” she squealed excitedly. “When are you bringing her home to meet me?”

“One day, I’m sure. With the season starting and her work schedule, I don’t know when we’ll get out there, but I’m sure she’d be happy to meet you and Dad.”

“I look forward to it. I’m just happy you found someone else after all this time. I thought I was going to lose you.”

Sighing, I laid my head on Hayden’s pillow; it smelled like her. “I thought so, too, but not anymore. I’m happy now.”

“And I’m happy for you. Just don’t do anything stupid where you have to apologize on national TV.”

I laughed. “Yes, Ma. Anything else?”

“Only that I love you. Good luck this weekend.”

We said our goodbyes, and I rushed into the shower before Hayden could get out. I had to finish what she’d started.

The Caramel Café was packed and we were running out of time, but I’d promised Hayden breakfast. She ordered a pumpkin spice latte; that was what she drank every single morning, according to the hostess behind the counter. I had to remember that. Since I had a few minutes before I needed to leave for practice, we sat down at one of the outside tables.

“Do you want to get together tonight?” I asked.

“Of course. My place or yours?”

“Mine. And bring a change of clothes in case the night runs late.”

She giggled, and it was the sweetest sound. “I need to go home and check on Patch before I come over. He’s probably mad that we didn’t pay him any attention last night.”

“Then bring him over with you. I’m sure Bear will keep him company.” As a kid, I’d had animals, but Bear was by far the best dog I’d ever had. And since Evan lived nearby, I’d had him check on Bear while I was away.

Her face brightened. “You don’t mind?”

“Not at all. Bear’s getting around much better now. He can actually walk on his own.”

“That’s amazing. I can’t wait to see him. I’m sure Patch will love to come over, too. Maybe we could take them to the Whitewater Center.”

I’d never been there, but I’d heard it was an amazing place. It was set up for Olympians to practice their kayaking skills. You could raft down the course, plus go through several obstacle courses and hiking trails.

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll be home before you, so just come on over after you get off work.”

She leaned over the table and kissed me. “See you then. Now get to practice before you’re late. I don’t want you fined because of me.”

I grasped her chin and held her in place. “It’d be worth it.”

“Good morning, Hayden,” a voice called out.

Hayden’s eyes went wide and she backed away, her gaze meeting someone behind me. I turned to look, and standing with a scowl on his face was the same fucker who’d kissed her. “Hey, Jeremiah,” she greeted awkwardly. “I was just about to head to the office.”

I got to my feet, knowing I would tower over him. Dressed in his uniform and lab coat, he wanted to look intimidating, but I wasn’t falling for it. He may have been more educated than I was, but that wasn’t going to win him Hayden.

“I don’t think we’ve met,” he said, holding out his hand. “I’m Dr. Jeremiah Patton.”

I grabbed his hand and squeezed. “Derek McLaughlin.” Then I dropped his hand and focused back on Hayden. “I’ll see you tonight.”

She glanced from me to Jeremiah nervously. “Okay. Have fun at practice.”

I wanted to walk with her to the clinic, but when Jeremiah didn’t follow her, it was obvious that he had something to say to me. Once she was out of earshot, all pleasantries were gone.

“What the hell are you doing with her?” he growled.

Smirking, I faced him head-on. “I don’t think that’s any of your business. For future reference, though, it might be in your best interest not to ever kiss her again.”

He stepped forward. “Why? Afraid she might like it?”

The rage overwhelmed me, but I had no choice but to rein it in. The last thing I needed was an assault charge—although that fucking cocksucker was going to regret it if he ever touched her like that again. “Don’t push me,” I hissed low. “You’ll regret it.”

“We’ll see about that.”