Page 22 of Big Risks

"Cancer. Eight years ago." She closes the dishwasher. "It's okay. She packed a lot of living into her time here."

Even though I want to ask more, to learn every piece of Hailey's history, she's already reaching for her jacket.

"I should probably head out. Let you get some rest."

"Right. Of course." I follow her to the door, a strange panic rising in my throat at the thought of her leaving. "Thanks for dinner. And the company."

Hailey steps outside into the cool night air, turning back to face me. "Thanks for tonight," she says simply.

Something in her voice, in the way the porch light catches her eyes, in the slight parting of her lips, it breaks the last of my resolve. Before I can think better of it, I step forward, one hand sliding to the small of her back, and press her gently against the porch rail.

"Walker," she breathes, but I'm already kissing her, desperately, like a drowning man who's finally found air.

She makes a small sound against my mouth, her hands coming up to grip my shoulders. For one terrible second, I think she's going to push me away, but then she's kissing me back, her body arching into mine.

I've thought about this moment for weeks, imagined the taste of her, but nothing compares to the reality. She tastes like the tiramisu we had for dessert, sweet and complex. Her hands move to my hair, fingers threading through it, tugging just enough to send a shiver down my spine.

"We shouldn't," she whispers when we break apart to breathe, but her eyes are dark with want.

"I know," I agree, trailing kisses down her neck. "Tell me to stop."

"I don't want you to stop."

Those six words undo me. I kiss her again, deeper, slower, trying to pour everything I can't say into it. Her hands slide under my shirt, warm against my skin, and I groan against her mouth.

"Inside," she murmurs. "If we're doing this, I don't want your neighbors getting a show."

I laugh, pressing my forehead to hers, and take a steadying breath. "Good point."

Taking her hand, I lead her back into the house, pausing by the stairs to listen for any sound from Olivia's room. All quiet. Hailey's fingers tighten around mine as I guide her to my bedroom. I’m thankful more than ever it’s on the main floor away from Olivia’s, as I close the door softly behind us.

In the dim light filtering through the curtains, we face each other. The urgency from outside has transformed into something more deliberate, more weighted with meaning.

"Are you sure?" I ask, needing to hear it.

Hailey answers by reaching for the hem of her sweater and pulling it over her head. The sight of her in a simple black bra, skin pale in the moonlight, nearly stops my heart.

"I've never been more sure of anything," she says.

I push her back onto the closed door, my heart pounding in my chest. She looks up at me, her eyes wide and full of a mix of fear and desire. Leaning down, I kiss her again, this time with more gentleness, more care. I want to savor every moment, every touch, every sound.

Her hands move to my chest, her fingers tracing the outline of my shirt. I let out a soft groan as she pulls it off, revealing my skin to the cool night air. She reaches for the buttons of my jeans, her touch light and tentative.

"Walker," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the fluttering of my heart.

I smile against her lips. "Shh. Let's just take it slow."

She nods, her eyes never leaving mine as she unbuttons my jeans and slides them down, along with my boxers. I watch as she steps out of her shoes and pants, her body glowing in the soft light. She's beautiful, and I want to memorize every curve, every line.

Moving to the bed, I pull her onto my lap. She wraps her legs around me, her body pressed tightly against mine. I kiss her neck, her collarbone, and her lips. She moans softly against my mouth, her hands gripping my shoulders.

"Hailey," I whisper, my voice hoarse with desire.

I flip us over and guide her down onto the bed, her hair fanning out across the pillow. Taking a moment to just look at her, I brace myself above her. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips slightly parted, and her eyes... they're filled with a mix of excitement and vulnerability that makes my heart ache.

"You're beautiful," I murmur, tracing a finger down her cheek, her neck, and her collarbone. She shivers under my touch, her breath hitching slightly.

"So are you," she replies, a soft smile playing on her lips. Her hands reach up, fingers tracing the stubble on my jaw, the lines around my eyes. I lean into her touch, closing my eyes briefly at the tenderness of it.

---