Chapter 4: Sick Of Playing Games

HAILEY

“You could’ve had the most gorgeous woman in that room if all you wanted was to pass the time.”

Jayden Knight was a billionaire investor and at thirty, one of the most eligible bachelors in the world. Even though they’d grown up as family friends, Hailey didn’t understand why he wanted to spend any time with her.

Sure, she owned a house in their small town, but she didn’t actually live here. Jayden had flown in just for Gavin’s engagement party and the New Year’s celebration. They were both leaving in the morning. Maybe he was just restless and bored. Still, there were plenty of beautiful women inside if he wanted a meaningless fling.

She couldn’t give him what he was probably looking for, and deep down, she wanted more from him than she could ever allow herself to have. Jayden was like a drug, dangerously addictive but she couldn’t take him in the way she longed to.

Jayden shrugged casually. “I already picked the most beautiful woman at the party. And I’m not here to kill time. I just don’t feel like pretending tonight, Hailey.”

There was something raw in his voice and it sounded like loneliness which made her instantly sympathetic. Hailey didn’t even bother to pretend she didn’t know what he meant. She did. Jayden was always surrounded by people.

He lived in the world of the ultra wealthy, but she understood how hard it was to know who genuinely cared about you in that world.

Were they real friends or just people after what you had? She’d grown up in the same circles, and that world was shallow at best. That’s why she avoided the spotlight now and kept her distance from that lifestyle.

Jayden didn’t have that choice. He was still too young to step away, and she doubted he ever would. He wasn’t the retiring type, he was driven, always had been.

Hailey raised a hand to his face and gently traced his jaw. She loved the rough texture of his stubble beneath her fingertips.

“You’re more than just your wealth,” she whispered sincerely. Beneath his brutal, businesslike exterior, Jayden had the heart of a man who had done just about anything to cheer up a grade school geek who had been bullied during her childhood years.

He’d even been willing to make a fool of himself when he was supposed to be a cool high school kid. That heart still beats in this man’s chest. He’d just learned to cover it well with social ennui and the “kill or be killed” survival instinct in business, just like her brothers had.

Jayden’s voice came out gruff. “And what else do I have to offer?”

He slipped one strong arm around her waist and lightly traced her lips with the pad of his finger. Other than the fact that you have a good heart and the face and body of a Greek god?

Or being so hot you could make a woman drop her panties just by looking at her?

Oh and did I mention you’re also crazy intelligent? Hailey said in her head.

Jayden wasn’t just handsome, he was every woman’s fantasy. Hailey had never seen him fully undressed, but she could already tell he was gorgeous underneath those clothes. His suits didn’t hide his toned build, and his tall frame and broad shoulders made him look powerful and dangerous.

His hair was a mix of sun kissed blond shades, always styled in a way that looked perfectly messy like he’d just run a hand through it and he had the perfect sex bed hair.

Somehow, he made even a suit look casual and sexy. Actually, especially in a tux, he looked devastatingly attractive. That effortlessly ruffled style made women especially her want to tear his clothes off and fuck him so hard until either of them could walk.

“You have a good heart, Jayden,” she finally said, distracted by the feel of his finger brushing over her lips and the intense desire in his eyes. She figured it was best to leave out the whole you’re hot enough to ruin me thing for now.

Jayden threw his head back and laughed.

“What? You do,” Hailey said firmly, crossing her arms in mock offense.

He calmed down slightly, shooting her a sly grin. “I’m an asshole, Hailey.”

She couldn’t argue with that. A man with his kind of money had to be ruthless on some level.

“Only on the outside,” she whispered . Her hand dropped from his cheek to his shoulder.

He played with a strand of her hair, his expression thoughtful. “You’d be surprised how deep the asshole side goes.” He sighed. “My sweet Hailey, rescuer of all things lost or broken, are you planning to fix me too?” he asked with a smirk on his impossibly handsome face.