Page 69 of I’d Be Honored

Maddie shook her head. It had taken months for the two of them to get to where they were now. She was certain revealing feelings that massive would definitely freak Hayley out.

“Well.” Caitlin held Maddie’s gaze. “I think that before you say anything to her, you should figure out what you’re willing to give up for this relationship.”

Maddie hadn’t been expecting that. “Go on.”

“Hayley will never leave New York. Period. So if you want to be with her, you’d have to be okay with eventually leaving LA and moving here. I don’t see any other options,” she added softly.

Maddie hadn’t thought that far ahead. She had been so focused on the logistics of flights and weekend visits between coasts that she had never stopped to consider the long term. But as she sat there, surrounded by the city she had grown to love, she realized she already knew the answer. After this summer in New York with Hayley, Caitlin, and Gemma, it wasn’t even a question. There was nowhere else she’d rather be.

“I’d move.”

“Well, then, cheers to that.” Caitlin raised her glass to Maddie’s, smiling. “All right, that’s settled. Make sure you tell Hayley that part when you talk. It might go a little easier.”

“What if that’s not what she wants, though? Maybe she has no intention of continuing this after the wedding. Maybe her pride’s so big that she just didn’t want me sleeping with anyone else.”

“Maybe,” Caitlin conceded, but she didn’t seem convinced. “But wouldn’t you rather know now?”

Caitlin was right, of course. Maddie needed to lay everything out on the table because if she didn’t at least try to fight for what she wanted, she could still lose Hayley either way. The thought settled heavily in her chest, equal parts truth and fear.

Maddie did her best to push her worry aside. The hard conversations would have to wait until another night. She had spent the entire day fantasizing about seeing Hayley that particular evening, and she was determined to see her plans through. They would talk another day, though. When the time was right.

——

Once Maddie and Caitlin left the bar, they parted ways. Maddie swung by a grocery store to grab a few things before heading straight to Hayley’s apartment. Hayley would be home from work in about two hours, and Maddie needed all that time to get everything ready.

After laying a silicone strap-on and harness out on Hayley’s bedspread, Maddie slipped into the new lingerie she had bought specifically for that night. It was a deep crimson, sheer satin set trimmed with delicate lace. Hayley had gone on and on about how sexy Maddie looked in her dress from the bachelorette party, so she’d decided to turn it up a notch. She stepped into a pair of black six-inch heels, feeling a spark of confidence settle through her, and headed into the kitchen to start dinner.

By the time the food was simmering on the stove, Maddie checked her phone, and her heart flipped. Hayley would be home any minute. She poured two glasses of red wine and perched herself on the kitchen island with her legs crossed, trying to look seductive as she waited.

The door swung open, and Hayley stopped short. “My God,” she breathed.

Hayley dropped her Birkin unceremoniously onto the entryway table, her focus entirely on Maddie as she approached. She uncrossed Maddie’s legs and slid in between them. “I could get used to this.”

The thought sent chills across Maddie’s skin. She grabbed Hayley’s face and pulled her in for a kiss.

When their lips parted, Hayley leaned back, taking Maddie in again. “Fuck, you look sexy. And are you cooking? Wait, did you break into my apartment?”

Maddie handed Hayley a glass of wine, laughing. She slid the key off the countertop behind her and held it up for Hayley to see. “Gemma said you insist on only using this ‘for emergencies,’ but…”

“You’re right—this was definitely an emergency.” Hayley grinned, clinking their glasses together.

Maddie threaded her free hand through Hayley’s hair at the back of her neck and pulled her closer. Kissing Hayley had quickly become Maddie’s favorite obsession, but this kiss was different—soft and delicate, as if Hayley was being intentionally gentle with her.

“I have another surprise for you,” Maddie whispered, her eyes flicking toward Hayley’s bedroom.

Hayley took the long stem from Maddie’s hand and placed it on the island next to her own. Then she walked over to the stove and turned it off.

“We can eat dinner later,” she murmured, her dark eyes smoldering. “I want dessert first.”

A slow smile crept across Maddie’s face as Hayley lifted her from the marble and carried her down the hallway.

Hayley tossed her gently onto the bed, her lips parting slightly when she saw what Maddie had brought with her. She looked at Maddie, who spread her legs wide in encouragement.

Hayley dropped to her knees, her fingers trailing up and down Maddie’s bare thighs. Maddie reached down to lift Hayley’s chin, tilting her head up to meet her gaze. Hayley lingered there, looking almost conflicted.

Maddie sat up, worried. “Is something wrong?”

“No, I…” Hayley glanced at her, then back at the harness. “I want you to wear it,” she confessed.