Page 65 of I’d Be Honored

Maddie gripped the back of Hayley’s neck with both hands and drew her in, her eyes urgent. “Promise me you’re done running.”

“I promise.” Hayley meant it with her entire being. She would do everything within her power to stay in Maddie’s world, no matter what that meant. There was no turning back.

Maddie’s thumb brushed across Hayley’s lips, a question in her gaze.

Hayley nodded slowly. She craved the closeness they had shared the night before.

Maddie leaned down in a heartbeat, pressing her lips to Hayley’s in a kiss that left no room for hesitation. It suddenly felt like neither of them had a choice anymore—maybe they never had in the first place. An overwhelming, undeniable need surged through Hayley, lighting up every nerve beneath Maddie’s touch.

Hayley slid her tongue along Maddie’s bottom lip. Her mouth parted, responding with the same level of desire. They intertwined together in a way that felt instinctive, every shared breath swearing a sacred promise to one another.

The intimacy of the moment was so all-consuming, so raw, that Hayley felt exposed for the first time in years. It was as if a lifetime of carefully built defenses had melted away in an instant. The thought of losing this connection, even for a second, felt unbearable.

She wrapped her arms around Maddie’s waist, holding her close, their mouths moving with the rhythm of the music. Heat pooled between Hayley’s legs, and she probably would have gotten them kicked out of the club that night if Maddie hadn’t eventually pulled away.

Hayley chased her lips, unprepared for the cold.

“My God,” Maddie breathed, her chest heaving. “I would have made you jealous sooner if I’d known that’s how you’d react.”

Their first kiss had been soft and slow, full of tender vulnerability. The second had hit Hayley like a brick wall, full of such a fierce intensity that she was left breathless and shaken.

Hayley snorted a laugh, struggling to regain her words.

“Turns out I like it when you get possessive of me.” Maddie’s voice was still husky. She moved to kiss Hayley again, but pivoted at the last second, her mouth landing right against Hayley’s ear. “I wish you could bend me over this couch right now.” The whisper sent a rush of goosebumps down Hayley’s neck.

Maddie’s words hit Hayley low between her legs, where a thrumming ache was already building. She stole another kiss, sliding her tongue into Maddie’s parted lips. Now that Hayley knew what it was like to be with her this way, she couldn’t imagine ever stopping.

Hayley let out a soft, shaky exhale.

Maddie held her gaze, the dim amber lighting caught the soft planes of her face as a heavy house beat pulsed through the brick arches. “There’s no one but you, baby. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Hayley kept Maddie near for the rest of the night. They moved together as one on the dance floor, pressed close enough to feel each other’s body heat. The throbbing need in Hayley’s center continued to build with every passing second. It burned from somewhere deep within her like molten lava just waiting to erupt.

“Take me home,” Maddie urged at last, her breath tickling Hayley’s ear.

She didn’t need to be told twice.

Hayley ushered their very drunk best friends safely into the waiting limousine, sending them on their way home before immediately pulling Maddie toward the curb. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she hailed their own ride. The moment the taxi door clicked shut behind them, what little restraint they had left completely shattered, neither of them able to keep their hands off each other in the back seat.

Before they were even fully inside the apartment, Maddie pounced on Hayley. Hayley kicked the door shut with the tip of her heel as their lips melded together, Maddie’s fingers fumbling with the buttons of Hayley’s pants.

Hayley stopped Maddie, grabbing her by the wrist and roughly pushing her backward until the wall supported her weight.

Maddie let out a small gasp, and Hayley suddenly couldn’t wait another second.

Her bedroom was too far away. Hayley hiked up Maddie’s dress and tore off her thong right there in the hallway, needing to touch her now, to lay claim to what was hers.

“Tell me again,” Maddie demanded through ragged breaths, one leg wrapped around Hayley’s hip. “What you said at the club.”

“You’re mine,” Hayley purred as she thrusted three fingers inside Maddie.

“Oh God, fuck.” Maddie’s moan reverberated straight through Hayley’s body.

“I’m the only one that gets to feel deep inside of you, stretch you, mark you.” Hayley bit into the nape of Maddie’s neck, sucking hard until she could taste the metallic tang of Maddie’s blood.

“Hayley,” Maddie cried out, tightening around Hayley’s fingers. Her nails dug into Hayley’s back as her teeth bit down hard into her own lip.

Hayley quickly slid her fingers out and carried Maddie to her bedroom, setting her gently on the edge of the mattress.