Now You’re Mine: A Dark Stalker Romance (Possessing Her Book 2)
Now You’re Mine: Chapter 24

An hour later, I walk into Hayden’s bedroom, freshly showered in a silk nightie. I locate him sitting on the bed, waiting for me. His eyes find mine, and I smile. It falters at the serious expression on his face.

“Everything okay?” When he nods, I tilt my head. “Then why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m not used to seeing you with clothes on.”

I shake my head with a smile. “You’re going to have to get used to it. We’re home now, so things have changed.”

“Do you consider this your home, Callie?”

I bite my lip in thought. His gaze shifts to my mouth, his eyes darkening. Before I can answer his question, he holds out a hand and motions me forward. I walk up to him, and he takes my wrist, pulling me toward him until I’m standing between his legs.

“Yes,” I whisper. “This is my home because you’re here.”

“You’re my home.” He lightly taps my chest, just above my heart. “This is where I want to be.”

I cover his hand with mine, flattening it against my skin. “You are.”

He nods, but retracts his hand and squeezes his eyes shut as though he’s in pain. “Callie?” he says, his voice strained.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s been three weeks.”

“Three weeks since what?”

He looks up at me, the skin around his jaw tight. “I’m so fucking hard right now.”

“Oh.”

He nods. I swallow thickly. His gaze moves to my throat and then lower. My nipples harden under his scrutiny.

“You need to leave,” he grits out.

“Leave?” I frown. “Why?”

“Because if you stay, I’m going to fuck the shit out of you.”

I blink down at him. “Okay.”

“Don’t lie to me. That’s not what you want.”

“How do you know?”

“Because fucking you is what I want, what I need.”

“You think I don’t need you too?”

He takes my chin and pulls me close enough for me to see the honesty in his eyes. “If you need me, then I’ll give it to you. But only then.”

“Hayden, I do need you. Maybe more than ever.”

He nods and unbuttons his shirt, exposing his chest inch by inch. I watch him with anticipation as he reveals his sculpted abdomen, my hands itching to run my fingers over the firm ridges. Once he removes his clothes completely, he leans back and watches me.

“Come here, baby.”

After removing my nightie, I step forward, and he pulls me onto his lap, my legs straddling him. Then he wraps an arm around me and yanks me even closer. I run my fingers through his hair, tugging it lightly as I bring my mouth to meet his.

He reaches up and palms my breasts, massaging them before pinching my nipples. I gasp and arch into him, enjoying his touch. His hands move lower, tracing every curve. He stops to run his thumb over my tattoo.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs against my lips.

I grind onto his erection, my body humming with need. He’s right. It has been too long. I want him so badly, I can hardly think.

Hayden breaks the kiss, his eyes blazing. “Now, say that you’re mine.”

“I’m yours.”

“Again.”

“I’m yours, Hayden. Completely.”

With a low growl, he pulls us down onto the bed. Then he thrusts into me so hard that stars dance behind my eyelids, and I dig my nails into his shoulders, drawing blood.

“Fuck, Callie,” he groans.

“Oh, God. Harder.”

His body covers mine, and he drives into me again and again. I throw my head back and lean into the punishing rhythm. Then I grab his ass, pulling him to me, telling him I want more.

We’re both close, and I know it won’t take much for me to come. I cling to him as he pounds me into the mattress, continuing to fuck me. He uses one hand to grab my hip, digging his thumb into my tattoo as if to make sure it stays deep in my skin, marking me as his.

Then he grabs my throat, squeezing lightly, and I lose it. My orgasm explodes through me, making me scream out his name. And that I love him. His own release follows shortly after, and he collapses on top of me.

We lie there for a while, holding each other. The room is quiet except for the sounds of our heavy breathing. Eventually, Hayden rolls over and sits up on his forearm. He takes my chin and forces me to meet his gaze.

“Did you mean what you said?”

I grin. “‘Oh, God. Harder?’ I totally meant that.”

He playfully swats my ass. “You know which part.”

“Yes,” I say, my tone serious. “And I did.”

“Good.”

“What about you?”

His eyes burn into me and he nods.

“Say it.”

He traces my bottom lip with his thumb. “I didn’t want to love you, Callie, but fuck me, I do. Possessively. Irrevocably. Completely.”

I walk into Harper’s room the next morning carrying two coffees with a huge smile on my face. Hayden loves me. I can’t stop thinking about it.

“I brought coffee,” I greet.

“Awesome. The shit they serve here doesn’t have the right to be called coffee.”

After placing her drink on the side table, I give her a quick hug and take the seat next to the bed. “You sound like you’re in a good mood. Feeling better?”

“I’ll be stuck here for another day, but that’s not too bad.”

“At least you’ll be out of here before classes start.”

She groans. “Ugh, don’t remind me.”

I laugh softly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think about your wrist.”

She waves off my apology and takes a sip of coffee before setting the cup back down. “It’s fine. I know you’re excited to go back and you should be.”

“I am. I finally feel like my life is coming together. I have you and Hayden, and now I’m continuing my education. I’m really happy.”

“And yet you look exhausted.”

I give her a wry grin. “I was up most of the night.”

“I see.” She waggles her brows at me. “How is the sex god today?”

“Fine. He told me he loved me.”

“Get the fuck out? Wow. That’s amazing.”

“Thanks. I still can’t believe it.”

“It’s nice that he’s got the balls to admit what everyone else already knows. Did you say it back?”

I nod, my cheeks heating.

“Good. Now I’ll just sit back and wait for the wedding.”

“Harper, it’s too early for that.”

She wags her finger in my face. “You just wait. And when it happens, I’m going to be your maid of honor.”

I shake my head with a smile. “You’re ridiculous, but of course, you’ll be my bridesmaid.”

“Good morning, girls.”

Harper and I turn to see a woman walk into the room. She’s an older version of my best friend, except with her vibrant red hair cut in a short bob. Her green eyes are alert and hold a spark of intelligence that perfectly explains the pharmaceutical name badge attached to her pocket. Her navy pantsuit with a crisp white blouse and a pair of heels remind me of something Hayden bought for me. Something high-quality and stylish.

“Hey, mom,” Harper says with a smile. “This is Calista. She’s my friend from the Sugar Cube, remember?”

The woman nods. “Of course I do. It’s nice to finally meet you. My daughter talks about you all the time. You can call me Melissa. Whenever someone calls me ‘ma’am,’ it makes me feel old.”

“It’s great to meet you as well,” I say, taking her hand and shaking it. Her grip is firm, but her expression is welcoming. “Harper is lucky to have you.”

Melissa’s expression turns solemn as she retracts her arm. “I know this is late, but I’m so sorry for your loss. Your father was a very influential man, and we’ll miss him.”

“Thank you,” I say, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. “This year has been very difficult, but things are turning around for me. I didn’t realize you knew my father.”

“Oh, yes. We worked with him on occasion.”

“I’m sorry, but can you remind me of the company you work for?”

“AstraRx.”

I school my features to hide my confusion. “Oh, right. I remember now.”

The lie flows easily from my lips. I’ve been hanging out with Hayden too much. Having worked with my father’s campaign manager, I should recognize the name. The fact that I don’t isn’t a big deal, but considering someone drugged me, that makes it one.

I glance at her badge again, noting the logo. Before I can say anything else, she turns away from me and takes Harper’s hand in hers. “How are you feeling, honey? Better today?”

My best friend shrugs. “I’m bored out of my mind.”

“You’ll be out of here tomorrow.”

I nod. “And you have me. I’ll stay here until visiting hours end and they kick me out.”

“That’ll be great.” Harper grins at me, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “It’ll be even better if you’ve brought that bodyguard with you.”

Melissa frowns. “Is that why there’s a hulking bald man just outside the door? I was about to notify the hospital staff.”

“My boyfriend is overprotective,” I mumble.

“And hot.” Harper grins at me. “If Mr. Bennett had a friend that was as good-looking as him, I’d be tempted to break the law.”

I roll my eyes with a laugh and Melissa shakes her head. “It’s hard to believe that I gave birth to you,” she says to Harper. “But I have no regrets.”

“Of course you don’t. How long are you staying today, mom?”

The woman purses her lips. “Only until lunch time. After that, I have to go into the office. We’re rolling out a new drug and it’s all hands on deck. If I’m not there, Mr. Russell gets testy.”

Harper sits up in the bed and leans forward. “But you will be back tomorrow morning to pick me up, right? If I have to spend another full day here, I’m going to lose my shit.”

“I’ll be here first thing,” Melissa says.

My friend visibly relaxes, flopping back on the pillow. “Good. Now I want to hear all about your vacation, Calista.”

I inwardly cringe before launching into detail about the whole experience. Minus the part about how Hayden kidnapped me. And the naked part, too.

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