Chapter 243 

Chapter 243 

He had this helpless yet fond smile on his face. “You’ve done it before. You’ve got a track record.” 

I didn’t even know what to say. 

My cheeks burned with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. 

Seriously? It was one thing for him to know, but did he really have to spell it out? 

+25 BONUS 

Clearly, his emotional intelligence was lacking. 

u act all 

“Kiki,” he said softly, “you’re so bold when you’re doing something naughty, but afterward, you scared. You’ve been like this since we were kids.” 

I was about to snap back, but then it hit me. 

Doing something naughty? 

Last night, when I showed up at his door in my nightgown… he didn’t think it was some innocent mistake. He knew I did it on purpose? 

Oh my God! 

This is beyond humiliating. 

I almost crushed the car key in my hand as I straightened up, ready to argue back. “Who are you calling naughty? It’s clearly you! You’re the one who–Mmm…” 

Before I could finish, Hayden leaned in and kissed me. 

Maybe because he’d just been running, his lips were cool. 

I froze, completely still. 

I could see his eyes close, the way his lashes brushed his cheeks, and the perfect line of his n 

nose… 

Just as I was getting lost in the kiss–and, let’s be real, how gorgeous he looked–Hayden pulled back, his hands still holding mine. “From now on, let me be the one doing the naughty things…” 

I blushed so hard I was sure I’d turned red all the way to my toes. 

I stared down at my feet, too flustered to say a word. 

“You’re really just going to see Dr. Lane and it’s not because something’s wrong?” Hayden asked again. 

I shook my head, words stuck in my throat. 

Why was I feeling so shy all of a sudden? When I was dating Jace, people teased us all the time. He’d pinch my cheek, put his arm around me, even kiss me on the cheek in front of everyone. 

never felt this embarrassed back then. 

But now? I was acting like a middle schooler with her first crush, getting all nervous just holding hands. 

And to think I tried to act all cool and composed around him back in Chiverton. 

Turns out, pretending and putting up walls don’t work when someone sees right through you. 

“I was going to make you some pasta, but I guess you’re good,” Hayden said gently. “Drive safe, okay?” 

still didn’t say anything. He chuckled. “Kiki, do you know what seeing you like this makes me want to do?” 

“What?” I asked. 

He leaned in, his cheek brushing against mine, his lips just barely grazing my earlobe. “I want to kiss you more. Because if I kiss you enough, maybe you won’t feel so shy anymore.” 

That made my embarrassment skyrocket. I smacked him on the back twice. 

Hayden laughed, and it only made me blush harder. 

“Stop laughing!” I said, raising my hand to cover his mouth. 

But then I felt it–a soft kiss against my palm. 

A shock ran through me, and I yanked my hand away as he chuckled softly. “Alright, I’ll stop teasing. Go on, and drive safely.” 

I bit my lip, my face on fire, and quickly turned around to get into the car. 

Hayden stood outside, watching me with a smile. 

He didn’t smile often, but right now, his grin was so warm and bright, like the sun rising over the horizon. My heart melted, feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. 

So this is what real love feels like. It makes your blood race, your heart skip, and it feels like you’re floating in a spring breeze, like everything’s sweeter than honey. 

I started the car, but I still felt all jittery under Hayden’s gaze. 

I 

I drove a good distance, but when I glanced back in the rearview mirror, he was still there, watching me. 

As I kept staring, I suddenly remembered what he’d said last night at the amusement park. He’d mentioned he was leaving today. 

But I never asked where he was going. 

I slammed on the brakes.