Quarterback Dare

13

The soft light of the dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the room. I stirred, feeling the warmth of Hayden's body next to mine. His arm was draped over my waist, and I could hear the steady rhythm of his breathing.

For a minute, I lay there, savoring the peace of the morning and the morning I felt in his embrace. The events of the night before played through my mind, and despite the lingering soreness, I felt a deep sense of contentment.

Hayden shifted slightly, his eyes fluttering open. He looked at me with a sleepy smile, his hand moving to gently caress my cheek.

"Good morning," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.

"Good morning," I replied, smiling back. "Last night was...amazing."

"It was," he agreed, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Are you okay?"

"I slept well," I admitted, still feeling the ache in my body. "A little sore, but happy."

His expression turned serious as he brushed a strand of my hair from my face. "I'm sorry if I hurt you. I never want you to feel uncomfortable.

"It's okay, Hayden," I reassured him, placing a hand on his chest. "It was new for me, but it was beautiful. And you were wonderful."

He kissed me softly, his touch full of tenderness. I'm glad. You mean so much to me, Lily."

We stayed like that for a while, enjoying the quiet bliss of our intimacy.

We heard a bang on Hayden's door. "Hayden! You in there?" the was unmistakable—Myles. "Coach called an emergency practice. We need to go now."

Hayden groaned, burying his face in the pillow for a minute before looking back at me. "I guess duty calls," he said with a resigned sigh.

I laughed with a twist of disappointment. "It's okay. We can pick up where we left off later."

got up too, grabbing Hayden's button-down shirt and wrapping it around myself. "I'll make us some coffee while you get ready," I offered.

"You're the best," he said, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek before heading to the bathroom.

I made my way to the kitchen, started the coffee, and thought about how much had changed in such a short time. Hayden was more than I ever expected, and despite the interruptions and challenges, I felt our bond grow stronger with each passing day.

By the time Hayden emerged, dressed in his practice gear, I had two cups of coffee ready. He took his gratefully, taking a long sip.

"Thanks, Lily," he said, his eyes full of appreciation. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"I'll hold you to that," I teased, giving him a playful nudge.

With a final kiss, he was out the door, leaving me with a warm feeling in my chest. Despite the unexpected interruption, I knew we would have plenty of moments to make up for it. Our journey was just beginning, and I couldn't wait to see where it would take us next.