Finding Ourselves.

Chapter 5

​The highway stretched long and dark as the evening settled over the countryside. The heavy hum of the SUV’s engine was the only sound filling the cabin, but inside, the air was suffocatingly thick with unspoken tension.

​They were still hours away from Los Angeles when Hayes glanced down at his phone. The dashboard clock read past midnight.

​"We need to stop for the night," Hayes commanded, his voice low and gravelly.

​Liam, sitting in the front passenger seat, pulled up a map on his tablet. "There aren't many high-end places out here, boss. The closest spot is a small, quiet inn about two miles up the road."

​"Fine. We're stopping," Hayes grunted.

​When the three black SUVs pulled into the gravel driveway of the dimly lit inn, the security team immediately fanned out to sweep the perimeter. Hayes, Liam, and Elaine walked inside the small lobby. The tired innkeeper behind the counter informed them they only had two rooms available for the night.

​Before anyone could even discuss sleeping arrangements, Liam grabbed one of the room keys off the counter, tossed a stack of bills at the innkeeper, and smirked.

​"I'm taking this one. Have a good night, kids," Liam called out over his shoulder, practically sprinting down the hallway with his key to ensure he didn't have to share a bed with his brooding older brother.

​That left one key. One room.

​Hayes reached down and took the remaining key. He turned slowly toward Elaine, his dark emerald eyes fixed on her. "Follow me," he murmured.

​They walked down the narrow, carpeted hallway in silence. Elaine walked a pace ahead of him, her light purple dress swaying gently with every step she took.

​Behind her, Hayes stared at the subtle, hypnotic roll of her hips.

​Does she even realize she sways like that when she walks? Hayes thought bitterly, his jaw clenching so tight a muscle twitched in his cheek.

​His eyes dropped lower, taking in the soft, full curve of her rear beneath the fabric. It was rounded, soft, and completely irresistible. Dark, filthy thoughts flooded his mind before he could stop them. Would it jiggle if I slammed into her from behind? Would it bounce against my thighs because it looks so damn soft?

​Fuck. His groin swelled instantly, his trousers stretching tight over his rigid length. The sudden ache was so intense he had to shift his stride, thrusting his hands deep into his pockets just to adjust himself and keep his zipper from bursting.

​Looking down at her delicate frame, he felt a dangerous, possessive heat clawing at his chest. She was so small. So cute, so grabby, her head barely reaching his chest. He was so much taller, so much broader, that the urge to crush her against the wall, lift her up by her thighs, and pin her on her toes while he rode his d**k straight into her until she screamed his name almost made him lose his mind. He wanted to carry her. He wanted to f**k her so bad he could taste it.

​He dug his fingernails into the palms of his hands inside his pockets, forcing every drop of his legendary willpower to keep from grabbing her right there in the hallway.

​They stopped outside Room 204. Hayes unlocked the door, pushed it open, and let her step inside first.

​The room was small, dimly lit, and intimate. It contained only a single lamp on a side table, a compact one-seater leather couch, and a large double bed centered against the main wall.

​Elaine froze in the center of the room. Her eyes locked onto the bed, and an instant, furious blush flooded her cheeks. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Are we... are we sleeping in that together?

​Panic and a sudden, thrilling spike of heat coursed through her blood. Unable to handle the suffocating silence, she gasped out an excuse. "I... I'm going to clean up in the bathroom."

​She grabbed her small travel bag and towel, practically darting into the adjoining bathroom and shutting the door behind her.

​Standing before the bathroom mirror, Elaine leaned against the sink, breathing heavily. Her cheeks were flushed a deep, rosy pink. In the bright vanity light, her wavy red hair framed her face, her naturally red eyebrows and plump, rosy lips making her look like a vision. She touched her warm cheeks with trembling fingers, taking in a sharp breath.

​What is wrong with me? she thought, her pulse racing as she turned on the faucet and splashed cold water over her burning face.

​Outside in the main room, the lights were low.

​Hayes sat on the edge of the small leather couch, his long legs spread wide. Between his calloused fingers, he held a thick, hand-rolled tobacco cigarette, taking a slow drag and blowing a plume of dark smoke into the shadowy air.

​When Elaine finally pushed the bathroom door open, her breath caught in her throat.

​In the dim moonlight filtering through the window, Hayes looked like a dark, brooding god carved from marble. His massive shoulders filled the couch, his broad chest rising and falling slowly as the ember of his cigarette glowed in the shadows. He looked lethal. Wild. Unforgivingly masculine.

​Elaine stood frozen near the bathroom door, sucking in a quiet, unsteady breath as she stared at his muscular silhouette.

​Without turning his head, his deep, raspy voice sliced through the heavy darkness of the room, vibrating straight through her chest.

​"Take the bed, Elaine."