Warmth engulfed my entire body as I slowly open my eyes, to see Hayden's tanned arm, securely wrapped around my body. I have my head buried in his chest, enabling me to hear his deep, even breathing.
I tilt my head back, kissing the bottom of his chin softly, loving how soft and smooth his skin feels.
He stirred, opening his sleep eyes, giving me a slow smile. "Good morning."
"Morning," I replied, my voice a little raspy.
"How are you feeling?"
"Amazing," I smiled, kissing him softly again. I was never much of a morning person but having Hayden here changed everything. "You?"
"Never better," he grinned, pushing me back so that his body was on top of mine. "What are we doing today?"
I shrug, reaching out and tracing my finger lightly down his jaw, loving how beautiful he looked of a morning. His hair is ruffled, his eyes slightly droopy, his face relaxed.
"All I know is I need a shower and to brush my teeth," I told him, covering my mouth, not wanting to blast him with my morning breath.
He rolled his eyes. He moved back to his previous position and I began to move from the bed, before I realised I had no clothes on. I glanced down at myself.
"I'm naked."
"I know."
"Can you not watch while I walk to the bathroom?"
"I am definitely watching," he teased.
Letting out a huff, I got to my feet and was surprised at the soreness I felt between my legs as I walked to the bathroom. I let out a slight groan as I leant into the shower cubicle to turn the hot water nozzle on.
I step inside and let out a sigh. Last night had been perfect. Well, the part when we came home that is. I didn't really appreciate finding out that my mum is dating the infamous Carrie's father.
I was halfway through brushing my teeth, when I heard the door open. Drawing my eyebrow up, I watched Hayden walk in and open the shower door. I almost choked on my toothpaste as I took in his magnificently perfect body. My eyes roamed over every inch of it as he stepped inside.
"Mind if I join?"
"Do I get a choice?" I laughed although my words were muffled.
"Nope."
"Want a kiss?" I asked, giving him a big, toothy smile, knowing that my mouth was completely covered in paste.
"Ah, no thanks... I can wait."
"Are you sure?" I asked tauntingly, moving closer.
Before he had any time to react, I pressed my foamy lips to his, smearing the toothpaste across his mouth.
"Yuck," he laughed, wiping it off.
Laughing at his expression, I rinse my mouth out and place my tooth brush back onto the window ledge. As I turn, Hayden stretched, twisting so that his shoulders were exposed. A gasp left my lips as I saw the vicious, dark lines that ran down his shoulders and back.
"What?" he asked obliviously.
"Your back," I groaned, my cheeks heating up.
With a soft laugh, Hayden gave me a lope sided smile. "Why are you embarrassed? It was hot."
"Oh my God," I rolled my eyes.
He let out another laugh and I turn back around, planning to reach for the soap, before Hayden pulled me to him, pressing my back against his defined chest and wrapping his arms around me. I sigh, leaning back, loving the secure feel of him, feeling my embarrassment ebb away as he held me in his strong arms.
He began to leave a trail of soft kiss across my shoulder and up my neck. I let out a soft moan.
"Hayden," I murmured softly. "We need to discuss something."
"Hmm?"
If I tell him now, while he's naked, he might not be able to run away so fast. Good theory? I think yes. Maybe I could trap him in the shower cubicle? Now there's an idea...
"About the guy I was seeing. I think you should know that-"
"Grace," he groaned, his arms tensing. "I honestly don't want to know, okay? I don't want to ruin anything we have going here."
I let out a sigh.
"And why are you thinking about that right now?" he added and I knew he was frowning.
"Because Hayden, if you knew-"
"Shh," he said, turning me around and silencing me with a punishing kiss. I let him dominate my mouth, easily opening for him. After he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine. "I seriously don't want to know."
"I think you do."
"Just drop it, please."
Letting out a heavy sigh, I nod. "Okay."
He kissed my nose softly. "Now quit hogging all the water."
He swatted me out of the way and I roll my eyes, stepping back, taking my time admiring his bare, naked backside.
I tried but he doesn't want to know.
I'm doing the right thing by respecting his wishes, aren't I?
***
"I am so full that I think I might explode," Hayden told me as he laid beside me on the picnic rug, rubbing his belly.
"You ate four chicken rolls, no wonder you're full."
"I was hungry," he defended, putting his arm under me so that I was using his arm as a pillow.
Hayden and I decided to go have a picnic at one of the waterfalls that was about fifteen minutes out of town. We packed juice, chicken and fresh bread rolls from the bakery.
The warm rays of sunshine kiss my face and the exposed skin on my chest, arms and legs as I lay back on the rug. It felt so nice to relax and soak up some sun. Breathing in the crisp, fresh air always made me feel good.
I never thought hanging with Hayden would be so easy. We get along so well. Never an awkward moment, lapse in conversation or anything. I've never had such a strong connection with someone before and it made me feel a little overwhelmed.
After talking for a little longer as we were lazily sprawled across the rug, recovering from our food coma, Hayden suddenly got to his feet, removing his t-shirt. I look up at him, still completely affected by his shirtless appearance, despite seeing him in only swimmers daily.
"What are you doing?"
"Going for a swim."
"You're meant to wait an hour after eating," I told him sternly, a teasing smile on my face.
"What are you, my mother? Come on!"
It didn't take much to convince me. I leap to my feet and tug off my dress, discarding it without a second thought. I had a red and white striped bikini on. I'd never worn it before but I loved the look of the fiery red against my dark skin.
I followed Hayden down the track and we smiled at another couple who were walking back up. I carefully climb over the moss-covered rocks as we made our way toward the waterfall.
I could hear the distant splashing of the water. I love being out here. The calming sound of the water, the birds and feeling the warm sunshine on my skin made me feel strong and healthy. I can feel energy bubbling through my veins.
Having Hayden here with me, only made it better.
I watch his defined back muscles dance deliciously as he elegantly maneuvered over and around rocks. We finally reach the water and he ran in, belly flopping into it. I threw my head back in laughter, running in after him.
The icy cold water wrapped around my body as I submerge myself deeply.
Getting onto my knees, I watch as Hayden floated on his back. The water stilled as we both stopped moving. Water glistened off his tanned skin as he let the weak current move him.
"This is my favourite place." he announced. "Wait, actually, my second. Your bed is now my favourite place."
I roll my eyes. "Very romantic, Hayden."
Slowly wading over to me, he cupped my face into the palms of his hand. The teasing smile he wore mere moments ago faded. "I don't think I ever apologised for how I treated you when you first transferred to school."
"Don't worry about it."
"No, it was wrong. I took my anger out on you. I'm really sorry, Grace."
"It's fine, seriously. I forgive you," I laughed, splashing him.
"I hope so," he replied, his voice laced with seriousness as he looked at me.
"I do, Hayden."
"Mia and Mike told me what they were going to do to your house and I didn't stop them. I didn't care enough."
I thought back to the time when Mia and Mike graffited my house. I frowned, not welcoming the sudden walk down memory lane.
I cast my eyes down as I let out a sigh. "Oh."
"I was in a really dark part of my life, but you've helped me. I can feel myself being the person I used to be. I don't have the anger, the dark thoughts, the resentment anymore. Well, not as much, anyway. You've really helped me and what's worse, I was such a dick to you. I'm really sorry, Grace."
"Thanks," I smiled, giving him a soft, forgiving kiss. "I appreciate your apology."
"Good, because I don't dish them out very often," he playfully replied, flicking my nose, returning back to the Hayden I've grown so attached to. "Last one to the waterfall has to cook the other one dinner tonight."
I gasp as he took off from me.
I let out an annoyed groan as he reached the waterfall before me.
"That's no fair."
"Life isn't fair."
After staying in the water for so long that our skin became wrinkled, we finally retired to the grass where we toweled off and packed up our picnic. Hayden tossed the basket and rug into the tray of his Ute, before throwing the keys at me. I caught them last minute as he walked around to the passenger side and causally got in.
With raised eyebrows, I poke my head through the driver door window.
"What are you doing?"
"You can drive home."
"You do realise I don't know how to drive very good, right?" I asked. "My mum never had much time to teach me."
"Hop in, I'll teach you."
"Pretty sure that's illegal," I told him, knowing 100% that it is.
"Only if we get caught. We won't go on the main road," he assured me.
"You're a bad influence on me," I said as I threw my hair into a bun, before sliding in behind the wheel.
"Put your foot on the clutch before starting the car," he reminded me as I plug the key into the ignition.
"Roger that."
I did as I was told and the Ute rumbled to life.
"Now slowly release the clutch at the same time you accelerate. Be really gentle."
The Ute lurched forward with a loud groan, before the engine cut off.
"Shit!" I cursed, gripping the steering wheel. "What did I do?"
Hayden let out a loud laugh. "You stalled it. Your face was priceless!"
Shooting him a heated glare, I re-start the car. It appears my anxiety was simmering at the surface, but hadn't flooded me yet. Maybe it was because I am in control. Well, I'm supposed to be, anyway.
"Try again. Release the clutch slower this time."
The car shook but I manage to get it going.
"Hand brake off would be good," he laughed, taking off the hand brake. "Should have told you that, sorry."
I drove around the dirt road, gradually increasing my speed.
"That's good. Hear how it's revving really high? You need to change gears. Put the clutch in and put the gear into second."
Glancing down at the numbers on the gear stick, I did what I was told.
"Good," he praised with a smile. "See? It's easy."
"Kind of," I muttered, going around the bend.
"Want to go to third?"
"I like this one."
"You need to go to third," he told me. "Can't you hear it?"
I put my foot on the clutch as he changed the gear. It shuddered slightly so I put more pressure on the accelerator.
This is fun. I grin, exchanging a wicked look with Hayden as I continue to do laps around the car park. After about fifteen minutes, we decided that was enough.
"That was really fun," I told him as we swapped seats. "Thanks for letting me do that."
"How else are you going to learn?" he smiled, spinning the wheels of the Ute as he took off.
I shook my head at him. Show off.
"What are you cooking me for dinner tonight?" he boasted, a proud smirk on his face.
Rolling my eyes, I shoved his arm. "Tacos."
"Oh, I love tacos."
"Wait until you taste mine," I said to him.
As soon as the words left my lips, I glance at him, only to see a dirty smirk on his face.
"I want to taste all of you. Again."
"Hayden! I was talking about my cooking!"
"Uh huh," he grinned, reaching over for my hand.
Apparently, he liked to do that.
"I had a really great day with you today," I told him as we got to my house.
"Me too, Grace," he smiled, before leaning over and pressing his lips to mine. "Now let's get inside and taste those tacos."
Considering we had only eaten lunch not too long ago, I know he isn't referring to actual tacos.
I roll my eyes and playfully slap his arm before I get out of the car.
That boy and his dirty mind.