Page 50 of I’d Be Honored

She wore a long khaki trench coat, her hands stuffed into the pockets, looking unsure of herself.

“I just haven’t seen you since the Knicks game, and I know you’ve been busy, but I missed you.” Maddie held her gaze, her expression softening.

Hayley’s heart squeezed. I missed you too. But Hayley couldn’t say it.

“Can I get you some pinot noir?” she asked instead, gesturing for Maddie to come in. “And take that coat off—it’s the middle of summer.” LA fashion is so strange, she thought to herself as she reached for a second burgundy glass.

Hayley filled the oversized round bowl with a generous pour. She turned back to Maddie, the drink extended in her hand, and froze.

Glass shattered across the white tile on the kitchen floor, a sound she barely registered.

Hayley could only see Maddie, standing in front of her, the coat now discarded. Underneath, she had been wearing nothing but the most daring set of lingerie Hayley had ever seen. And dear Lord, it was entirely see-through.

“Oh my God, Hayley—” Maddie rushed over to her, scanning the floor for broken glass. “Are you okay?”

Hayley didn’t know how to answer. She couldn’t have cared less about the mess or even being injured. If she was bleeding out and these were the last seconds of her life, she was exactly where she wanted to be.

“Maddie.” Hayley swallowed against the lump in her throat. “You look… fuck.”

Maddie smiled and straightened, seeming to remember why she had come over in the first place. “Do you like it?”

“I…” Hayley drank her in, unable to find the right words.

Maddie took a step toward her.

“Wait, be careful—” Hayley stopped Maddie from coming any closer with a slight push, using her body to block the way. She could see a jagged edge digging into the bottom of her foot. A sharp pain should have pierced through her, but she hadn’t felt a thing.

Fueled by adrenaline, she grabbed the closest rag she could find and quickly swept up the spill, cursing herself for dropping the glass.

Smooth, Maddox.

She threw the towel into the sink. Reaching down, she plucked the shard from the bottom of her foot without a flinch, tossing it into the trash. She returned her attention to Maddie, who offered a sheepish grin.

“I’m really glad you’re here.” Hayley’s tone was genuine.

“Yeah?” Maddie asked coyly. She took a step toward Hayley, reaching behind herself to unclasp her bra.

Hayley gently caught Maddie’s wrists, dropping her focus to the floor as she wondered what the hell she was doing. “Would it be okay if we just watched TV tonight?”

Silence.

She looked up and took in Maddie’s stiff posture and flushed cheeks.

“No, no, Maddie, listen to me.” Hayley cupped her face, holding her gaze. “You are the sexiest woman I have ever seen. I’ve just had a long day, and I…” She trailed off, shaking her head. “But I’d really like it if you stayed.”

“We do have a lot of Summer House to catch up on.” A gleam returned to Maddie’s eyes.

The corners of Hayley’s mouth lifted as she laced their fingers together. She led them into her bedroom and opened a drawer in her closet.

“Wow.” Maddie raised her eyebrows at the matching black set that Hayley handed her. “This must be from Hugo Boss’s new Sweatpant line of suits. Very exclusive.”

Hayley rolled her eyes even as she laughed. “Very funny. I do own comfortable clothes, you know.”

Maddie smiled slyly and met Hayley’s gaze before beginning to shed her lingerie. She did it deliberately, making sure Hayley was watching as she meticulously slid each item off. Then, with equal patience, she pulled on the hoodie and sweatpants Hayley had given her.

Back in the living room, Maddie made herself comfortable on the couch while Hayley went into the kitchen. She carefully filled another glass of wine and placed it next to her own on the coffee table.

Too tired for reason, Hayley immediately reached for the blanket and pulled it over them both, leaning into Maddie’s side. It was surprisingly effortless to relax in her presence.