by Jodi Vaughn
“I’ll let you take me shopping for clothes and let you change my wardrobe however you like.” He shrugged. “I’ll even pay for everything.”
“What do you want in return?”
“In return, you’ve got to do something for me.” He let his gaze dip down to that pulse in her neck that seemed to pick up speed at his proposal.
“What do you want me to do?”
That was a loaded question. There was a lot he wanted her to do and it all involved her being naked.
“I want you to let me give you the college experience that you’ve been missing. Everything that you’ve missed out on, everything that you’ve been warned not to do. I want you to agree to do whatever I say.”
Haley stared at him for a few beats, as if considering his proposal.
Any other woman would have been putty in his hands.
But not Haley.
She was different. She had a mind of her own.
Haley eased back in her seat and met his gaze. “Okay, on one condition. You can’t refuse what I pick out for you. You have to buy it and wear it.”
“Okay.” He shrugged and gave her an easy grin.
She stuck out her hand and smiled. He took her hand in his and shook, holding on to her hand a second too long.
He leaned closer.
“Remember, Haley, a deal’s a deal. There’s no going back now.”
#
Jayden walked Haley to each one of her classes and stood watch just outside the door. He managed to pass the time researching stalkers on his cell phone. He discovered that all stalkers were not the same. There were actually different types. Haley’s stalker resembled what they called a rejected suitor. One person fit that description.
The ex-boyfriend.
He lifted his head as the doors to the classroom swung opened and students poured out into the hallway like ants. He ignored the flirty looks the girls were shooting him and instead kept his gaze on Haley as she headed toward him, her head high and a smile on her lips. A girl walking beside her touched her arm and Haley turned. She said something and they both laughed.
His heart tugged in his chest and he couldn’t tear his eyes off her.
Neither could the other males in the hallway.
Jayden frowned, watching a guy slide up beside her and ask her a question. His gut burned. Jayden started moving closer to her.
Haley replied to whatever the dude has said to her and shook her head before looking back at Jayden and smiling.
He wasted no time wading through the throng of people to get to her.
“How was class?” he asked, sticking his hands in his jeans pockets. He realized he was standing close, but he couldn’t seem to make himself step back.
“It was good.” Haley smiled and slung her backpack across her shoulders.
“I got it.” He took her backpack and slung it across his shoulder. “Is that your last class for the day?” He slowed his pace adjusting to her stride as they walked out of the building and toward the direction of his car.
“Yep. She stuck her hands in the back pocket of her jeans. Her breasts strained against the thin material of her shirt. A couple of guys passed by, their gaze zeroed in on Haley’s chest. Jayden let out a growl. The guys hurried away.
“So what did you do all day?” She looked up at him. “I’m sure you were bored to death.”
“Actually I was looking up Fayetteville’s upcoming activities.” He grinned. No need for her to know about his stalker research. “For your college experience.”
“Oh yeah. How could I forget?” She laughed.
“Haley!”
Jayden followed Haley’s gaze to her roommate, Dana, who was running across campus toward them. He’d seen Dana around Little Rock and knew she had a penchant for trying to catch a sneak peek of the Guardians while they were working out or trying to get dressed. Truth be told, she was going to get herself in a whole lot of trouble with that kind of behavior.
“Hey.” Dana frowned at Haley and then gave Jayden a surprised look.
“Hi, Dana.” Haley frowned and shifted her weight. “I’m sorry I moved out in such a hurry…”
Dana crossed her arms and gave her a scowl. “You didn’t even wait until I got back to the dorm. You could have at least told me face-to-face.” She looked over at Jayden and then back at Haley.
“Yeah, I know. It all happened very quickly and well…”
Jayden pulled Haley into his arms.
“Sorry, Dana. It’s my fault. I realized I couldn’t be away from Haley another day.” Jayden looked down into Haley’s surprised expression and covered her lips in a blazing hot kiss.
CHAPTER FOUR
Jayden’s warm lips covered hers and she opened her mouth, welcoming him to taste her. He took the invitation and slipped his hot tongue inside her willing mouth. Her fingertips gripped his narrow waist, momentarily forgetting Dana was standing there. She pressed closer, wanting to crawl inside him until they were one.
Slowly he pulled away, leaving her breathless and startled at her own quick reaction. His blue eyes bored into hers, searing her with a look of lust that made her shiver despite the warmth of the spring day.
“Wow. I had no idea you guys were dating.” Dana grinned.
Still dizzy from Jayden’s kiss, Haley glanced at her friend and murmured, “Yeah, me either.” Her nerve endings tingled from the contact of the kiss.
She tried to step back to clear her head, but Jayden didn’t release his hold. He slipped his hand around her waist and pulled her in front of him, pressing her back into his chest. He nuzzled her neck. She had to fight to keep her eyes from fluttering shut.
“You sure know how to keep a secret, Haley. I should be mad that you didn’t at least tell me.” A streak of pain flashed in Dana’s eyes.
“I’m sorry, Dana. I didn’t mean to keep anything from you.” She hated that she’d betrayed her friend. Dana had been a good friend to her since she moved here and she would never intentionally hurt her. But most of all she hated lying to Dana.
“It’s my fault, actually.” Jayden cleared his throat. “I didn’t really want anyone to know how involved we were. It might cause some unwanted talk about the difference in our ages”
Dana’s eyes narrowed as she looked between them. “Surely you can’t be that much older than Haley? What are you, twenty five?”
Haley snorted.
Jayden squeezed her tight. “Something like that.”
“You guys look so cute together.” Dana’s expression softened as she looked between them.
“Really?” Haley looked up at Jayden.
“Yeah, like Ken and Barbie,” Dana said brightly
“I don’t look like Ken,” Jayden groused.
“Well, like a surfer Ken, you know, with all your bright-colored T-shirts.”
Haley bit the inside of her cheek. She didn’t have to look at Jayden’s face to see he was glaring.
“Well, I’m heading to the library to study. I’m supposed to have dinner with my sweetie tonight. You two should come.”
Haley shook her head. “I don’t think Mark would appreciate us busting in on his romantic dinner for two. Besides, it sounds like he is trying to make you and your relationship a priority.”
Dana shot them a sheepish look. “Or it might have something to do with him catching me flirting with a certain professor of his.”
“Dana!” Haley’s mouth dropped open.
Dana frowned. “What? I was trying to see if Mark would even notice. He’s been so busy with his classes lately.”
“And did he notice?”
“Dana grinned. “Oh, yeah. Not only is he taking me out to dinner, he is insisting that I spend the night at his apartment. Which has never happened.”
“You’ve never spent the night at your boyfriend’s apartment?” Jayden asked over Haley’s shoulder.
“No.” Dana pouted. “He’s always telling me that he has to study and that when I’m over there he can’t concentrate
because I distract him too much.”
“Sounds like a nice problem for a guy to have.” Jayden laughed.
“I guess you would know since you two are living together.” Dana glanced down at her cell phone in her hand. “I need to go if I’m going to study before I get ready for my date. Maybe we can all do something together this weekend?”
Haley shivered as she forced a smile to her lips. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to be out in public with someone still stalking her.
“Let me see what we have planned and we’ll get back with you,” Jayden answered for her.
“Sounds good.” Dana gave Haley a wink before making her way back to the dorm.
Haley waited for Jayden to release her since Dana was out of sight, but he didn’t.
“So how much homework do you have?” His breath tickled her ear sending butterflies fluttering around her stomach.
Slowly she shook her head trying to calm her racing heart. Her body warmed under the embrace of his protective body. “I don’t have any homework and my next test is Monday.”
“So you’re free?”
“Pretty much.” She tried to catch her breath. She was pretty sure he could feel her heart racing. She sucked in a deep breath and concentrated on not grinding her butt against his crotch.
“Good.” He released his hold.
She forced herself to step away. She needed to get used to letting him go. Jayden was here on a job, not for anything 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. “Maybe I’ll help you out and put some pink on you. I’m sure you’ll lose your hard-on then.
#
“Are you sure you don’t want me to carry anything?” Haley cut her eyes at Jayden as they walked out of the mall and into the parking lot. The slight breeze drifted across her, chilling her skin.
“No, I got it.” Jayden shook his head as he carried three bags in each hand with ease.
“Are you still pouting?”
“I don’t pout,” he groused.
“Okay.” Haley nodded her head, not believing him for a second. “So are you still upset about me dressing you up?”
Jayden shot her a glare. She couldn’t help but laugh.
“That shirt looked really good on you. I don’t see what the big deal is.” When he’d walked out of the dressing room, all she wanted to do was lick him from head to toe.
“I told you I don’t wear pink.”
“It’s not pink, it’s coral.” And he looked hot in it.
“It looks a hell of lot like pink to me. Can you imagine what the other Guardians would say if they see that on me?” He grimaced.
“Then don’t wear it around them. “ She shrugged. She’d been around the Guardians enough in Arkansas to know they wore jeans and leather and rode Harleys. To humans, they looked a like a biker gang.
“I don’t go anywhere but to work, Haley.” He shrugged. “It’s not like I’ll have a place to wear it or any of this other stuff.”
She pasted a smile on and forced the next words out. “Then wear it when you go on a date.”
His gaze hardened before he glanced away. The mood between them shifted.
“It’s been a while since I had a date.”
She frowned.
That’s not what she had heard. In fact, Dana was constantly talking about how many women Jayden had gone through. From his reputation, he was insatiable in bed.
“I don’t think a week constitutes a long time.” She elbowed him, trying to lighten his mood.
Jayden stopped and faced her, his expression grim. “The last time I took a woman out on a date was over six months ago.”
Haley’s smile slipped. Her mind quickly calculated the date and she realized that would have been around the time she had been abducted.
“Besides, I don’t date, Haley. I hook up with women.” His eyes narrowed, driving the point home.
“Okay.” She knew this about h
im already. She didn’t expect him to be celibate, for heaven’s sake.
He shook his head and looked away, frustration creasing his brow. “I shouldn’t have bought this. It’s just a waste of money
Haley’s chest ached as self-doubt crept through her heart. She dropped her head. She didn’t want to push Jayden to do something he didn’t want to do. Heaviness settled across her shoulders like a shroud of guilt.
She dug out her cell phone and pulled up her inspiration app. It had been her go-to since she’d moved to Arkansas and felt abandoned by everyone that had ever mattered. She knew she was going to have to find a life on her own now and she was determined to have the life she wanted. This time she was doing it on her terms.
“Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times”—Aeschylus.
She wasn’t sure who the hell Aeschylus was, but he hit the nail on the head.
Sucking in a deep breath, she slipped her phone back in her purse and looked at Jayden. “If you really think it’s a waste then take it back.” She grabbed his keys out of his jean pocket. “I’ll wait in the car.”
#
He was a dickhead.
He’d seen the hurt in her eyes.
“Haley, wait.” He quickened his steps to catch up to Haley as she stomped away. He hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings.
“Haley, wait.” He jogged around in front of her blocking her path. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. You put a lot of effort into making me look good. I didn’t mean to dismiss that.”
She crossed her arms and glared at him, as her foot tapped against the asphalt.
“Would it make you feel better if you told me to fuck off?”
“Maybe.” Tap, tap, tap. She held his gaze.
“What I said came out wrong.” He was able to talk a female out of her panties, but trying to apologize was more painful than listening to his Granny talk about sex toys.
“How’s that?” She continued the incessant tapping of her foot against the ground.
“I actually like the clothes. I think you really did a good job picking stuff out.” He swallowed. Why the hell was this so hard?
She stood there in silence.
“Look, I don’t date. I haven’t for a very long time.” He blew out a breath.