Page 196 of The Way I Hate Him
“I wasn’t going to bother you over cramps. You’re making such good progress.”
“That wouldn’t bother me,” he says as his hand finds my lower abdomen, and he holds me gently. “I want to take care of you.”
“Seriously, it’s not a big deal.”
“It is to me,” he says, kissing my cheek. “Everything that happens to you matters to me.”
The past few weeks since we’ve been together have made me realize one big thing. The difference between dating a man older than me rather than a man my age is astounding. Whereas Matt was more about having fun, Hayes is deeply intimate in every aspect of our relationship, not just the bedroom. And sure, there are probably men my age who are more mature than, let’s say, someone like Matt, but Hayes is so different.
He’s attentive.
He listens.
He cares more about what’s going on in my life than what video game level he’s on.
He’s mature, sexy, skilled . . .
And moments like this, when he treats me with such care, solidify the thought I’ve been harboring for a while now.
I love him.
There’s no question about it. I love him, and I’m waiting for a moment to say it. When I think he’ll be ready. I don’t want to come off clingy and scare him.
“Can I get you anything?” he asks.
I shake my head. “No. Just stay here with me.”
“That’s not a problem,” he whispers as his head snuggles into my hair.
We stay there for a while, his hand holding me gently, helping with my cramps, and when they finally start to abate, I say, “I don’t know if you know this, but my birthday is this week.”
I feel him stiffen behind me and then lift. “It is?”
“It is. I wasn’t sure if Ryland or Aubree told you, but I didn’t want you not to know and then be upset about it.”
“I would have been livid if you didn’t tell me.” He lifts me up and gently brings me to his lap. He rests a pillow behind me, and I lean against that for support while he strokes my thigh with his thumb.
“I know. And don’t think you have to do anything special—”
“I already know what I’m going to do.”
“Really?” I ask, stunned.
He nods. “I’ve been planning a special day for us for a while, and I’ve been trying to think of a good time to do it. This gives me the perfect opportunity.”
“That’s really sweet,” I say as I curl in closer.
“You deserve it.”
I look up dreamily at him. “You were such an asshole to me when I first came up to your house, and look at you now, spoiling me.”
He lets out a deep chuckle. “Denial will make you do stupid things.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re no longer in denial.”
“Me too,” he says as he leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead.
* * *
