Page 56 of Make Me Whole
Chapter Twenty-Six
BRADLEY
I should've beensleeping.
Considering I'd kept Hailey up until a couple of hours ago, I should've been out cold. And yet, sleep wouldn't come. I'd been staring at her outline for the better part of an hour; trying to make sense of everything I was feeling.
I'd sat and listened to her share a part of herself with me, waiting for the tiniest speck of disinterest to come. But it never did. Instead, my respect for this woman morphed into admiration.
The way she'd conquered her past was nothing short of amazing. Sure, the road ahead wouldn't be without bumps and obstacles, but at least she was moving forward. She wasn't stuck in some rut in the past; unable to move away from one specific event.
Not like I was.
I reached up and wrapped a few tendrils of her hair around my index finger, brushing my thumb back and forth over the soft strands. She had no idea of the magnitude of feelings she'd evoked in me.
Hell, I didn't even understand half of them.
Being with a woman like this without that gnawing need to flee was unfamiliar territory. I wasn't used to hating the sun for coming up because it meant my night with her was over.
Speaking of sunrise.
Bending down, I pressed my lips against Hailey's cheek. "Time to wake up, sweetness. I want you to see something."
She stirred but her eyes remained closed. I kept planting soft kisses wherever I found a spot. Her nose. Her forehead. Her chin. And finally, her lips. Warmth spread through that thumping thing inside my chest when I felt her smile against my mouth.
"Mmm. I like waking up like this."
I like you too. Way more than I should.
I was grateful when those words stayed trapped on my tongue. There was no need to freak her out. I was already freaked out enough for the both of us. "I want to show you something," I said again.
Her lids parted to reveal those dark green eyes I so easily lost myself in. "I don't think my body can handle anything else."
A deep, genuine laugh rumbled through my chest. I couldn't even begin to describe how good it felt. Gripping her chin between my thumb and forefinger, I held her face steady.
With my gaze locked onto her, I slowly inched my face closer to hers until I was able to claim her mouth yet again; coaxing those plump lips apart until I could stroke her tongue with mine.
I kissed her with equal parts hunger and need. And not the need to lose myself in her warmth—although I did feel the aching reminder of that particular need. It was an almost desperate need for her to be mine.
A sexy moan filled the air at the same time as her arms slipped around my neck; her fingers toying with the ends of my hair. Hailey arched her back, her body begging to be touched and savoured.
She'd already given me so much, I wanted to share a part of me with her too. With great reluctance, I tore my mouth away and pressed my forehead to hers. "If you keep kissing me like that, we're going to miss it."
"Miss what?"
I pushed off the bed and after stepping into my jeans, I held out my hand to her. "Come with me and I'll show you."
Hugging the sheet to her chest, she eyed my hand for a while. It felt like an eternity before she grinned at me and touched her palm to mine. I tugged a bit harder than I intended to but couldn't complain when the action pulled her right back into my arms.
Where she belonged.
One of those carefree giggles I loved to hear filled the space between us. "I'll get dressed really quick then you—"
"No need." I pulled on the sheet she was still clutching to her until she had no other choice than to let it go. As much as I wanted to gawk at all those perfect, naked curves on display, I refrained.
Only barely.
"Arms up."
