As soon as I’m through, I see Hayden. He’s pacing back and forth as if he’s uncertain I’ll show. My heart pounds as I watch him. I’m so not a rule-breaker. It makes this so much more exciting.
Still, the part of me that always does as I’m told wants to run away, and the other part wants to run straight into his arms.
He sees me before I can do either.
“You came,” he breathes, his face lighting up as he comes forward to pick me up and spin me around as he covers my lips with kisses. “Holy shit, you’re beautiful,” he says in awe when he’s done, stepping back to survey my outfit. He shakes his head. “And you smell good, too.”
I grin, blushing at his praise and excitement for me, my lips burning from where his touched them. “You like it? It’s a fragrance Brad picked out for me.” I make a face. “I think he called it Lush Lust.”
Hayden laughs, shaking his head. “He and McKayla are something else.” He grabs my hand, tugging me off into the darkness. “Let’s go.”
We quietly make our way down the hedge line to the trees. He leads me deeper into the trees for a moment, scouting ahead to make sure the coast is clear and then coming back to escort me forward.
When we step out to the pond, it takes my breath away. The moon reflects off the surface, giving the ripples a sparkling effect. I know it sounds cliché, but it looks absolutely magical.
Holding my hand, Hayden leads me to a blanket he’s laid out next to the bank, and we sit.
He shakes his head, a grin coming across his face, his eyes glowing in the moonlight. “I’m so glad you came,” he says, the relief in his voice genuine. “I wasn’t sure you were a sneak-out-to-see-a-guy kind of girl. I got the impression before that you were the one who always followed the rules. I think I like that you’re a little naughtier than I thought you were.”
I laugh. “I’m really not. This is the first time I’ve ever snuck out . . . for anything. But I’m a grown ass woman. I can do what I want.”
Hayden chuckles. “That you can.” We sit in silence for a moment, the chirps of crickets filling our ears, enjoying the scenery for a few moments. “So what made you decide to be on Matchmaker?”
I purse my lips, thinking. “Honestly? I’m a bit of a boring homebody and a reality TV show addict. I saw a commercial promising adventure and experiences on the season finale of a show and figured I’d give it a shot. I never expected them to pick me or even call me back.” I let out a mirthless laugh. “What are the odds that they’d pick me?” I shake my head. “But I knew it was probably the only shot I’d ever have at being on one of the shows I love, so I went for it. And look, it paid off.”
“Why wouldn’t they pick you? A beautiful, unsuspecting woman who finds love on the show? It’s a perfect story. All the rest of the women who get chosen to come on here are going to have mighty big shoes to fill.”
I blush. I love the way Hayden’s words make me feel. “You think so?” I ask.
“I know so,” Hayden says confidently. He leans forward, his eyes alight with interest. “Tell me more. What do you love about reality shows? I mean, this has been fun, but it’s all a little too fake, don’t you think?”
The mirth flees my face as I nod. “Yeah, there’s that. Well, I knew things would be scripted, so that’s not really an eye-opener for me. At home, it’s just an escape. I feel like I get to know the people based on their reactions to whatever situation they’re thrown in. It’s interesting to see how people deal with different things. Although I did think there’d be more getting out and adventure, from the way they described the show to me. Today was a start, I guess.” I look over at Hayden. “What about you?”
Hayden sits back on his ankles. “Well, before I showed up here, I had a little issue with a photographer wanting a bit too much from me. Instead of flipping out, I walked off-set with him yelling in my ears. It was unprofessional, but I wasn’t about to do what he was asking.” A faint smile plays across his handsome face as if he’s remembering something. “That was when my agent told me he got me an interview for this show. I didn’t want to do it at first because I can’t act for shit, but Jay, my agent, pulled a guilt trip number on me and I slowly changed my mind. After a while, I didn’t think it would be so bad. Like you said, it’s reality TV and they’re just looking for true reactions, so I thought maybe I could handle that.” He laughs, scratching at the stubble on his chin. “Apparently, they needed a guy who fit the whole bad boy biker asshole profile.”
“You don’t seem like an asshole to me,” I say softly, looking him in the eye. “You’ve been nothing but sweet to me.”
Hayden chuckles. “Woman, if you think I’m sweet, I’m gonna have to up my game. I notice you didn’t comment on the bad boy biker part?”
I grin at him mysteriously. “Yeah, well, I don’t know anything about that since we’re kind of told what to wear and I haven’t seen any bike. But a bad boy biker sounds like fun.”
Without warning, I move to him, lifting my head, inviting him to kiss me. His lips barely touch me at first, soft and gentle, but there’s already such heat between us that the softest touch ignites the blazing fire within us. We’re soon kissing each other hotly, our tongues dueling as we claw at each other’s clothing.
He lays me back, kissing and sucking down my neck, one hand coming up to cup my breast, his thumb rubbing across my nipple. Hayden purrs in my ear, sending another thrill through me and taking my breath away. “Mmm, Emily, I could kiss you all night, but I’ve been thinking of how you tasted all day. I need you on my tongue again.”
Hearing the agreement in my moan, he works his way down my body, helping me slip my dress top and bra off and suckling on my breasts as he pushes my dress down further, taking my panties with it. I lift a leg to get them the rest of the way off, and he leans back, taking me in with his eyes. Hayden clears his throat before he can speak. “Fuck, woman, perfect . . . you’re perfect.”
He covers me with his body, and it somehow feels even naughtier that I’m naked while he’s dressed. We writhe together for a moment, and I need to feel his skin on mine. I reach for the hem of his shirt, encouraging him to take it off. He lifts his arms, and I slide it up and over his head, kissing his lips hungrily when his mouth is exposed again. When I see his bare chest, I can’t help but touch him, pressing the palms of my hands across his hard pecs, tracing down his abs. I look over his ink wonderingly. “I want to know the story of each of these,” I tell him, tracing his tattoos.
“Anytime, anything you want to know,” he says before capturing my hands and pulling me close again. He returns to kissing my neck as he rubs and tweaks my nipples. Just when I think he’s not going to say anything, he starts murmuring in my ear. “The roses on the fronts of my shoulders have baseball leather and stitching in the petals. I got the flaming compass one when I had to start from scratch. Burn everything I knew and go in a different direction.”
I meet his lips, exploring his mouth with my tongue. “Okay, tell me the rest later. I thought there was something else you wanted to do with your tongue?”
I smile shyly and he grins back at me. “Oh, trust me, I didn’t forget . . . but we have all night.” With a lust-filled gaze, he runs his tongue from my sternum, down to my belly button, dipping in for a moment that makes me giggle, and continuing on down to lap at my pussy. My hips jerk. He’s so good at this that I’m losing control almost immediately, and he’s only just beginning. He licks and sucks at my clit, fucking me with his tongue, then slips first one and then two fingers inside me. “Fuck, you taste so good. I could die a happy man with your taste on my tongue.”
I groan without even realizing it. Hayden hums hungrily in response, his tongue fluttering quicker over the tip of my clit. I clutch at the blanket as he starts curling his fingers, rubbing me and setting my nerves on fire as my hips take over, bucking up into his voracious lips and smearing my juices all over his face. “Hayden . . . oh, fuck.”
“Anytime,” Hayden says breathlessly, an
d I throw my head back, holding back my screams of pleasure by pure luck alone. Hayden holds me to his lips until the last spasm is gone before withdrawing his fingers and kissing his way back up my body to find my lips, kissing me softly as he takes me in his arms and rolls me on top of him. I sit up, reaching down to undo his pants. Hayden lifts his hips and I slide his pants down, my eyes widening at what I find. “Surprised?”
I gawk, reaching down to ease his underpants down over the bulge in front of me. He’s perfect, just like I knew, and my mouth waters at the idea of returning the favor he’s given me. Leaning forward, I lick the head of his cock, and it’s velvety smooth and warm, with a ridge behind his head that I tease with the tip of my tongue. Hayden wraps a hand through my hair and pulls me back, his breath coming in short gasps.
“You keep that up . . .” he says, reaching with his other hand into his pocket. He takes out a condom, and I understand, grinning.
“Well, now you know how I feel,” I joke, unwrapping the condom and easing it down his shaft. “Next time, I want more of that.”
“Next time, huh?” he says, taking my waist in his hands and holding me over him. “I like the sound of that. Now . . . let’s ride.”
The first touch of Hayden’s cock against my pussy makes me want to drop down hard, satisfying the aching throb inside me, but his powerful hands keep me frozen, unable to move downward as he lets my wetness coat the condom. When I’m just about ready to beg, he starts lowering me, my body stretched and filled like I didn’t know was possible. I groan, glad he took the time to ease himself inside me. When I’m all the way down on top of him, Hayden looks up, pulling me down for a deep kiss. “How’s it feel?”
“You know damn well that this is amazing,” I reply, squeezing my pussy around him. “You’re perfect.”
Without saying anything else, I start to ride him, rolling my hips back and forth, letting his cock fill me and thrill me. Hayden holds his hands on my hips, squeezing my ass and thrilling me as he looks in my eyes the whole time. My ass bounces up and down on his cock, slapping hard against his upper thighs as I drive myself faster and faster until Hayden starts thrusting up into me, meeting my hips with his own and driving the breath out of me. It’s gigantic, each upward thrust of his cock meeting my hips and making my clit grind against the base of his cock and sending explosions through my body. I try to maintain eye contact until I can’t take it anymore. “Hayden!”
He rolls us, pinning me to the blanket and pushing my knees up until they’re sandwiched between our bodies, and he takes total control, pounding me mercilessly. I’m unable to move, totally in his control, and I love it. His power is undeniable, and the sensations sweeping through my body make my toes curl.
“Em . . . Em,” Hayden grunts sexily as his cock plunges in and out of me. I feel him swell, and with a harsh grunt, he comes, the last thrust pushing me over the edge. I feel the explosion start somewhere between my pussy and my stomach and catapult outward, my body shaking as I cry out. Hayden covers my mouth with another kiss, muffling my cries to make sure I’m not heard. We’re far away, but with how that felt, who the hell knows?
When our bodies can finally relax, Hayden rolls off my body, his cock slipping out and leaving me feeling empty and already wanting more. Still, I can barely breathe, and I let him hold me as the night air cools us to the point I can speak again. “So, now what? What do we do?”
Hayden strokes my hair and chuckles softly before kissing my forehead. “Well, I guess I’m gonna need to be damn sure I’m your match.”
I chuckle and nod, content to stay in his arms all night. But eventually, our whispered chatter slows as we know we need to get back before we’re caught. We dress and head back to the house, Hayden walking me to the hedge by the side door. I can see his dark silhouette as I sneak in, walking toward my room and trusting that he’ll stick to the plan and come in another door in a little while, no one the wiser.
Chapter 16
Hayden
I sip my black coffee, wishing I could mainline it as I sit in a chair in the lounge, gazing out at the landscaped grounds. Early morning call time has me more than a little grumpy, along with everyone else.
Being out late with Emily is one thing, but even after I successfully snuck back in, I was so pumped I couldn’t sleep. There’s just something about being with her. Yeah, we’ve got chemistry off the charts, but it’s more than that. I want to talk to her, listen to all the thoughts that run through her brain, and experience life with her. And I met her on a damn TV show, of all things.
Thinking of Emily makes me wonder where she is and what we’ll be doing today. I get the answer to one of my questions a moment later as she comes waltzing onto the set, McKayla and Brad still putzing with her hair and makeup. They stop before they come all the way in the room, away from the rest of the guys but near enough to me that I can hear every word.
“You look like shit, girl,” McKayla is complaining at Emily but scowling at Brad. “Brad, you gotta learn to cover up those dark circles or Meredith is gonna hire a competent makeup artist who can.”
Brad scowls. “I’m doing the best I can with Cinder-fucking-ella over here . . . out past curfew. What are you doing with this rat’s nest for hair? Meredith said a poufy ponytail and that ain’t it!”
I laugh a little, trying to keep it down because their banter makes it sound like Emily looks awful, when the truth is, she looks gorgeous. Yeah, maybe she looks a little bit tired, but I know the reason for that. And it’s a damn good reason too.
Before Emily can reply to their antics, Meredith blows onto set like a tornado, Nate following behind, as always, with his goddamn clipboard.
“All right, people,” Meredith says loudly, looking around the room at the remaining men, some whose nervousness is showing on their faces like an open book. “We’ve got a card ceremony first. Two of you will be cut,” she announces casually as if reading something off the menu and not potentially crushing a man’s dream. “After that, we’re on location for sailing today, photo shoots, and short solo dates with each. We’ll do some confessional shots onboard, and then a late night for you, Emily, as we’ve got some filming when we get back.” She claps her hands together with finality. “Busy day, everyone. Let’s roll!”
As she shouts orders to the camera crew, we start lining up with our cards in our hands. I’m not nervous at all as the dramatic music and ceremony begins. I know there’s no way Emily won’t match me. Not after everything we shared.
My confidence proves to be spot on. Emily ends up cutting Carlos and Matt. As much as I want my competition eliminated, I’m sad to see those two go. I would have much rather she sent Lee packing.
I watch as Emily gives them each a hug and a soft peck on the cheek before sending them home. Matt actually looks a little crushed, but he takes it like a man and gives her a smile of thanks as he is sent off. The smug smirk on Lee’s face as he does causes me to look away. I can’t fucking wait until it’s his turn.
I should have warned her about him, I think to myself. But as soon as I saw her, anything I’d planned to say was driven from my brain.
After the ceremony, we all get shuttled into SUVs and head for the marina. Once there, we board a huge, sleek sailboat and are sent down to our cabins immediately for the crew to set up on the deck.
I’m in my cabin for all of five minutes before I consider sneaking out to see Emily. The only thing holding me back is I’m not sure what today’s timeline looks like and don’t want either of us to get caught.
For the next hour, I pace restlessly, thinking about my game plan until Nate finally shows up, instructing me to come up on deck.
Up top, my breath catches in my throat as I see Emily almost immediately. She’s lying on a patterned towel on the deck in a bikini, looking like a goddess basking in the sun, her skin glistening with a light sheen of oil.
“Hayden,” says Meredith, who never seems to be more than a few feet away, no matter where we are, “this should be ea
sy for you. I need some shots of you and Emily together. Lovey-dovey private moment look, maybe some fun in the sun shots too. Once we get all the shots we need, you’ll have about thirty minutes to chat below deck while we reset up here for the next suitor. Any questions?”
This is the best news I’ve heard all day. For once, I don’t want someone to strangle Meredith. I can’t contain my grin as I shake my head. “No, ma’am.” I’m talking to Meredith, but my eyes never leave Emily’s. She’s so damn enchanting. This is going to be fun.
As I move toward her, I can already feel air crackling between us. Somewhere, I hear Meredith yell, “Action!” but I’m already in the zone.
I lean over Emily, almost in a high push-up position, caging her in with my arms. Feeling desire boil my blood, I growl deeply. “Arch your back for me, Emily. Press your tits up toward me.” I give her a wink. “Just play along.”
She flushes slightly but does as I ask.
I pause for a moment for the photographer, then drop down to one elbow, bringing the other hand to her face and staring deep into her eyes. I hear the click of the camera.
I trace a fingertip down her cleavage, following it with my eyes. Click.
She brings a hand up toward my face, and I lean into it, closing my eyes at her touch. Click.
I turn my face, catching her index finger in my mouth. Click.
I let her finger go with a pop, pressing back to rest on my knees and pulling her up to do the same. Bodies flush to each other, just a breath between us from shoulder to knees, I wrap her ponytail in my hand, pulling her head back a little and meeting her lips in a soft kiss. Click. The kiss might be soft, but I’m damn sure not, and I can’t help but press our bodies together, grinding my cock against her belly slightly for some relief.
I hear the photographer clear his throat. “Maybe some playful ones now.”
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