I look back and him and then at Hayden, who looks like he’s about to jump out of his chair, held back maybe only by the fact that this could be on live TV. “Wait, I have something to say—”
Lee interrupts, pulling me close to kiss me, forcing his lips on me before pulling back and grinning at the host and the audience. “Look, everyone, she’s so taken with the whole thing.”
Across the stage from me, I hear Cody, who’s been sort of quiet most of the show, speak up. “Seems like the woman has something to say, Lee, so why don’t you be quiet and let her talk?”
I glance over, and while he’s smiling at Lee, it’s decidedly menacing. Lee notices as well and lets me go, rising from his kneeling pose. I give Cody a nod of thanks and get out of my seat to address the audience. Off camera, Meredith’s about ready to have a fit, but she can’t interrupt, she knows that. “You know, I started this show just like you, a home viewer who thought an adventure on a reality TV show would be the experience of a lifetime. I mean, I’m not what the producers made me sound like. I’m no budding leader in education or whatever it was. I’m just a nanny who likes taking care of three precious little kids and loved getting my daily dose of drama. So Matchmaker sounded like a lot of fun. And it was. Until I was given a peek behind the green curtain and saw just how ugly and manipulative it can be.”
The audience is quiet, looking at each other uncertainly. The host keeps glancing off set and holding her finger up to her ear, probably being relayed information from Meredith or someone from the network who’s off camera. I don’t care. This isn’t for the home audience. This is for me and for the truth. “I went on dates with these guys, with producers and camera crew and more folks all around. It’s never private. Even those supposedly private, intimate moments have hidden cameras. And Meredith, the producer, is telling us what to say, how to react. And I get that. It’s her job to make sure she gets the scenes she needs. But is it her job to manipulate us behind the scenes? Telling us a narrative that she’s created, showing us confessionals that never aired because she psyched us out, telling us what others said and did, making us believe something that wasn’t true? That’s what this show is.”
There’s a few boos from the audience, and even a couple of the guys look outraged. Dean and Cody, in particular, look like they’re about to rip someone’s head off. I turn to Lee, who’s turning blotchy, his cheeks bright red but his forehead almost bloodless while his eyes look shadowed. “You know what, Lee? I found out the truth about you. How you threatened the show with your social media fans, that you’d make a scandal to derail the show even before it got started.”
“I . . . that’s a damned lie—” Lee starts, his face going surly. “Babe—”
“Let me finish!” I yell, getting angry now. “I’m not going to marry you, not on some special episode, not ever. You tried to hurt people. You lied, most of all, to me! You tried to ruin my chance to find love, to find someone, and why? To get a few more social media fans?”
Lee looks like he’s about to explode, and he stands up, jabbing a finger in my direction. “You stupid bitch. You’re ruining everything I worked for. It’s always about you, you, you. You know what? I was supposed to be the Match next season, that’s what. I was gonna break up with you, total sob story, of course, and be the heartbroken heartthrob looking for a second chance. And then Mr. Top Fucking Model went and fucked that up, too!”
Lee lunges at Hayden, but Dean cuts him off him with a nifty little move that’s so quick I can’t even understand what he’s doing. All I know is that Dean steps between Lee and me, they spin, and suddenly, Lee’s guided rather forcefully into his seat again, where Cody’s ready to clap his huge ham hock-like hands on his shoulders. Dean looks at me shyly, giving me a half-smile. “Never had the chance to tell you . . . third-degree black belt in Aikido.”
I give Dean a hug and turn back to Hayden, who’s stood up at the general commotion. Meredith is wildly gesturing for a commercial break, but the host is loving this and waves me on. I turn to Hayden, crossing the space and standing in front of him, reaching out and taking his hands.
“And you. I fell for you, hook, line, and sinker. Not some showbiz version, but for the real you. And as much as I was tricked by Lee’s scheming and Meredith’s manipulations, you were too, and I hope you realize that. Because I love you, Hayden. Show be damned—hell, everything be damned. I love you.”
I stand there, holding my breath, waiting for him to respond. It feels like forever. I don’t hear anything for a long time until there’s a small cough and the host breaks the silence. “Hayden?”
He holds my hands tighter, but I don’t feel the controlling power that Lee was trying to overwhelm me with, but the same strength that Hayden’s always had. He doesn’t force himself on me as much as reassure me. “I knew you were dating us all. That was the point,” he says, not looking anywhere but in my eyes. “But by the pond that night, something changed and I started falling for you. For real. I guess just seeing the dates set me back. I wasn’t ready for it. And when you said I was just some bad boy fantasy you were playing out, I thought you were just using me.”
I interrupt, blinking. “Bad boy fantasy? Wait, the confessional where I had to say something bad about you?” He looks surprised, nodding, and I look up into the studio lights, starting to laugh before I look him in the eyes again. “Yeah, Meredith had me film a confessional saying good and bad things about each contestant so they could slip them in as needed throughout the season. The worst thing I could come up with for you was that you’re my bad boy fantasy come to life and that you could easily break my heart, because I’d already given it to you.”
Someone in the audience ‘whooooos’ and there’s a general chuckle around the room as Hayden grins. He steps closer, and the audience lets out another ooooh worthy of a group of middle-schoolers. “That’s what you said before they edited it?”
I wrap my arms around his neck, nodding, smiling, and blinking back tears in my eyes all at the same time. “Yes, and you broke my heart, just like I predicted.”
Hayden sweeps that same damn curl behind my ear again and touches his forehead to mine, lowering his voice to the point that I wonder if the cameras can pick up the sound at all. I really don’t give a shit though. “I’m sorry. I thought you were breaking mine. I love you too.”
For an instant, we just look into each other’s eyes and then we kiss. From far away, I hear Cody laugh in his signature drawl. “Finally. Took y’all damn near long enough. That’s the problem with you city people. Talk, talk, talk. Like Elvis said, little less conversation, little more action!”
As we pull apart, the interviewer, ever astute, asks, “Uhm, you said by the pond? What date was that, because we never saw a pond date?” Our eyes widen, realizing we just told on ourselves, and we laugh.
“Yeah . . . uh, that wasn’t part of the show.”
Chapter 26
Hayden
Meredith is fuming, storming onto set and screeching at everyone as soon as the lights on the cameras go dark. “Go to fucking commercial, why is that so hard? You literally just ruined an entire season.” She spots Emily and me, stomping over. “You two, I will have your heads on a plate. You signed contracts to follow direction, not sneak around, ruining my show.”
“So what?” I comment as she rants and raves. “Sue me. I’ve got nine hundred dollars in my checking account. You can have every cent.”
We just smile, turning to each other for another kiss. Meredith opens her mouth, but before she can say anything, Nate taps her on the shoulder to get her attention. Meredith turns like a snake, nearly snapping at him. “What?”
Nate holds up his phone, pointing at something on the screen. “Look . . . social media is blowing up about the surprise twist ending. They’re loving it. Nobody seems shocked about the production stuff, just excited about the love. Hayden was always the favorite, so people are glad he got the girl. In fact, #EmiHay is the top trending hashtag right now.”
Meredith fumes, glaring at his phone for a moment until her phone rings. She answers, her face pinching as she hears the voice on the other end of the line. “Yes, sir. Quite the twist. It seems to be going over even better than expected.” There’s a deep pause, and the caller adds their two cents before Meredith speaks again. “Yes, it does seem we’ll have to find another Match for season two, but with this type of publicity, we’ll have of the best of the best. Next season is sure to be a hit.” She glares at us once more and turns, striding off in a huff. I see Nate glance back, giving Emily a smile.
I pull Emily close, chuckling. “Someone else I should worry about?”
Emily laughs, pulling me tighter. “Nope, just a friend of a friend wishing us well, I think.”
I lift her in my arms, ignoring everything else in the studio as I look into her beautiful eyes. “Say it again.”
Emily smiles back at me, biting her lip playfully. “What? That I love you? That what you want to hear?”
I growl, swinging her around and shaking her like a puppy. “Woman . . .”
“Hayden, I love you,” Emily says, stroking my cheek as I set her down. “I’m sorry that I let myself be talked into saying anything else. Can you forgive me?”
I take her hand, kissing her fingers before lifting her chin to look into my eyes. “We forgive each other, because I fucking love you too.”
I cover Emily’s mouth in a kiss that quickly grows deeper, and the first sound I hear is a single sharp clap. It takes me a moment to realize it’s applause, and our worlds are turned upside down as another set of hands joins, then another, until we’re surrounded by a wall of cheers and applause.
We’re mid-kiss when I hear someone clearing their throat right next to us. I lift my middle finger, refusing to stop kissing Emily. There’s a pleased laugh, and I hear McKayla’s voice in our ears. “Fuck off yourself too, but just thought you’d want to know that there’s a storage room off the hallway in the back of the soundstage. It even locks . . . if you’re interested.”
I pull back at her comment, looking at McKayla and giving her a nod of thanks. “Tell everyone that we’re gonna need a few.”
I grab Emily by the hand, the two of us almost scampering off in the direction McKayla indicated and earning another ooh from the audience. I don’t pay them any attention, just needing to be alone with Emily. Slamming the door behind us, I kiss her again, moaning into her mouth.
I know I should be taking my time, but I can’t. The emotional roller coaster we’ve been on is too much. “Fuck, Emily, I need to be inside you. I can’t wait,” I groan as I hurriedly undo my belt, my cock aching inside my pants. I lift her up and deposit her on a table—who the fuck knows what it’s here for, but it’s just the right height.
Instead of protesting, Emily lifts her hips, pulling up her skirt and pushing her panties to the side as she does. “I need you, Hayden. Take me, give me what I’ve been missing.”
The heat and hunger in her eyes and voice tell me everything I need to know, and with a fast shove of my pants, I enter her in one thrust. It’s hard, fast, pounding her as I growl into her ear, “God, you feel good. I’ve missed you . . . missed this tight pussy. It’s mine, Emily. You’re mine.”
She gasps and meets my thrusts and my dirty words, digging her fingernails into my arms as she hisses in pleasure. “Yes, that’s it. All yours. And you’re mine, too.”
I reach down, rubbing her clit, demanding that she come on my cock and let me feel her pussy flutter around me. She’s jolted by the intense sensation, staring into my eyes as I pound her and stroke her clit. In what feels like an instant, her entire body convulses, her pussy squeezing me tight. It’s so fucking sexy, and suddenly, I’m on the edge, my cock about to explode. “Fuck, Emily . . .”
She pulls back, pushing me away to slide off the table and drop to her knees. “No condom . . . so come in my mouth, Hayden. Fuck my mouth and give it to me.” Grabbing my hips, she engulfs me with her warm mouth, sucking me in deep, letting me down her throat as I groan. Just a few bobs and I’m done, shouting my release as I hold her head steady with my cock deep in her throat as she swallows every drop.
When I let go, I pull her to her feet, kissing her again tenderly, not even caring because I’m so worked up.
We’re adjusting our clothes when there’s a knock on the door. “Go away!”
“It’s Brad,” a familiar voice says from the other side of the door. “Open up, please?”
I glance back at Emily, who gives me a nod as she smooths out her skirt. I open the door to see a smirking Brad, looking me up and down. “What do you need, Brad? We were about to come back out there.”
“Yeah . . . everyone knows,” Brad says, reaching forward and plucking the tiny wireless mic off my shirt.
I can’t help it. I don’t know what the hell to say so I just laugh. “Uhh, so everyone heard?”
“The producers cut the feed, but we could hear it at the sound board. You guys fuck like jackrabbits, you know. Now get out of here, out the back before someone wants you to do a special-edition episode or something.”
Emily grabs my hand, entwining our fingers and grinning. “Thanks, Karma Fairy.”
Chapter 27
Emily
I wake up in the hotel bed, feeling Hayden’s warmth behind me. It’s been awhile since we’ve been out to Los Angeles again, but I’ve gotta admit, I love the feeling of having a five-star bed and Egyptian cotton sheets. I wiggle my ass back against him, feeling him stiffen already. Hayden stirs, putting a strong arm around me and pulling me closer, nuzzling at my neck. “Woman, I was trying to sleep a little more. You waking me up for a reason?”
I take his hand and bring him up to cup my breast, sighing happily when his fingers start stroking my nipple to full stiffness. “Definitely waking you up for a reason. We’ve got to get ready. But not for a bit longer.”
Turning over, I look him in his soulful eyes that are full of lust and bite my lip. Reaching down, my hand still trembles as I find his cock and wrap my hand around him as he grows rock hard and throbbing. Hayden grins wolfishly, cupping my ass and squeezing. “Sleep is so overrated.”
Pulling me on top of him, he kisses my neck, nibbling and licking my skin as his fingers stroke my back before working his way down to wrap his lips around my nipple, tugging at it with his teeth and making my body tremble with need. I grab the headboard, glad we’re in a hotel room because after last night, I want more than my poor bed back home could handle. Hayden’s tongue and lips tease my nipple until I’m wet and aching between my legs before switching to the other side, stars shooting across my vision as I hold myself still for him.
“Hayden,” I moan, reaching down and running my fingers through his hair. “Oh, my love.”
Hayden pulls back, looking up at me with a naughty twinkle in his eyes. “My love. That reminds me, I had an idea.”
“What’s that?” I ask, loving the feeling of his hands on my back as they stroke down to cup my ass. “Let me guess, you want me to tie you up and then find my favorite sex toy?”
Hayden stops, then laughs. “McKayla’s been a bad influence on you. No, actually, I was just thinking that I wanted to taste you.”
“Hmm, well my favorite number is sixty-nine,” I purr, climbing off Hayden just long enough to let him slide down the bed before I climb over his face, lowering my pussy slowly toward him as I reach out and take his cock in my hand. “Now promise me—”
Words are wiped from my mind as the tip of Hayden’s tongue starts stroking my pussy lips, making me gasp and pleasure shoot up my spine. I lean forward, pulling his cock to my hungry mouth and engulfing as much as I can, desperate to give him the same feelings he’s giving me. Unfortunately, Hayden’s so much taller that I can’t swallow him fully, but still I bathe the head of his cock with my tongue, sucking and licking it until Hayden arcs his hips, driving more of it into my hungry
mouth.
I nearly scream in ecstasy when Hayden finds my clit and nibbles on it, overwhelmed at how good it feels. I moan around his cock until I can’t take any more and sit up, grinding my pussy down onto his hungry lips and begging for him to make me come. Hayden reaches around and grabs my ass, not letting me have even an inch of breathing room as he buries his tongue deep inside me, tongue fucking me as his lower lip strokes against my clit over and over. I reach down, planting my hands on his rock hard stomach as the first tremors roll through me. I let myself go, riding and bucking on his tongue until I come, throwing my head back and crying out his name, the most perfect word I can think of.
“Your turn,” I tell him when I can speak again, getting off his glistening face, but Hayden doesn’t move, instead reaching down and positioning his cock so that it points straight up. “Oh, really?”
“Ride me, cowgirl,” Hayden teases. “You know I love it when you do.”
Grinning, I turn and climb on top of Hayden, letting my pussy lips tease the head of his cock for a moment as we look into each other’s eyes before I sink down slowly, moaning as I feel him stretch me open.
Hayden lets out a deep moan as I envelop him, rolling my hips as I ride him. He reaches up, and we entwine our fingers as I look into his eyes, bouncing up and down before rolling my pussy back and forth, squeezing and moaning as his cock thrusts deep inside me. “You’re so fucking perfect, Emily.”
“You keep saying that,” I reply, smiling as I squeeze his cock again before doing a new little move that Cassie told me about, twerking my hips up and down in bed and making Hayden whimper. It feels so good for us both. “Keep doing it.”
I ride him faster and faster, letting go of his hands to put my hand over his heart as he does the same to me, both of us panting. Sweat trickles down my skin, and Hayden starts thrusting up to meet me, our hips slapping together in the early morning light until I feel him swell. “Babe . . .”
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