A Risk Worth Taking (Book 1) Read online

  “You okay?” Kate asked. She could tell the blonde was checking her out. She didn’t blame her. Truth be told she was checking Hayden out too. She wished the two of them could get in a workout together, just not at the gym.

  “Yeah, all good.”

  “Okay,” Kate nodded her head. “Well, I have to go get ready for work. I’ll see you around, Hayden.” Kate dragged Hayden’s name out in a seductive tone.

  Hayden opened her mouth to respond, but could only let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

  Kate eyed her seductively, undressing Hayden with her eyes.

  “Yeah, see you around Kate,” Hayden said, a tinge of regret in her tone.

  As Kate walked away, Hayden sighed as she thought about the amazing woman she was letting slip from her grasps. It felt like the most foolish thing she had ever done.

  It was the most foolish thing she had ever done. She liked Kate. It was time she admitted that. She just didn’t know how to.

  Chapter 8

  Hayden woke up late the next day. When she got downstairs her mom was the only other person in the house.

  “Morning,” Hayden smiled, taking a seat at the kitchen table across from her mother.

  “Good morning,” Julia smiled brightly. You could tell that the woman really enjoyed having her daughter home. “What would you like for breakfast?”

  “I’m not really hungry.”

  “Well, you have to eat something sweetheart. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”

  Hayden smiled, recalling a similar conversation with Kate. Kate. She really missed Kate.

  “I’ll just have some toast,” Hayden compromised. “But I can make it myself.”

  “I can make it for you, I don’t mind.”

  “Mom, I can make my own toast. You don’t have to do everything for me.”

  “I only have you for so long. Is it so wrong that I’d like to spoil you while I can?”

  Hayden sighed as she smiled softly at her mother. “No, it’s not wrong at all.”

  Julia looked at Hayden like there was something she wanted to talk to her about. But, she seemed like she didn’t know how to bring it up. That could only mean one thing.

  Great, she wants to talk about finding love again. Why does my mother have to be such a romantic?

  “What is it?” Hayden asked knowingly.

  “I know you feel strongly about this whole no commitment thing, but I really do wonder don’t you want to find someone that you love and that loves you back?”

  “Yeah, I do,” Hayden replied honestly. “One day, just not now.”

  “You just seem so against falling in love.”

  “I’m not against falling in love.”

  “I just don’t want you to miss out on finding the right person just because you have your mind set on waiting.”

  “I won’t miss out. I do want to find love. I just don’t know that I’m ready for that yet.”

  “Hayden, it’s been two years since what happened with Joslyn. Not everyone is like her.”

  “I know that. Either way, when you love someone you open your heart up to getting hurt. For right now I’d rather protect my heart from anymore heart ache.”

  “Okay,” Julia said. “I get that. Just remember that by protecting your heart, you’re also shielding it from being loved. Don’t shield it for too long, okay honey?”

  “Okay, Mom.”

  Gabe and Kate were working the daytime shift together at Kove. Gabe was finding it hard to refrain from mentioning Hayden to Kate.

  Being the jokester that he was, Gabe kept making comments about Hayden to Kate all day. Eventually he figured the woman would cave and open up about her encounter with his sister.

  “So, Kate,” Gabe smiled. “Are you dating anyone?”

  Kate glanced at Gabe with a questioning look before nodding her head. “No, not at the moment.”

  “Interesting.”

  “What’s so interesting about that?”

  “Well, just the fact that you’re single. It’s just a little surprising that’s all.”

  “How so?”

  “You don’t seem like you’d have a hard time in the dating department. Plus, you’re always out at Vince’s. I’m sure you meet plenty of people there.”

  Kate looked at Gabe with a questioning look before narrowing her eyes at the man. “You know.”

  “Know what?”

  “Don’t play dumb. I know that you know.”

  “I don’t have any idea what you are talking about.”

  “I know that you know something that you shouldn’t know and you’re pretending that you don’t know, hoping that I’ll give in and say something about it.”

  “About what?” Gabe laughed.

  “About what you know!” Kate exclaimed. She was losing her patience with the man.

  “What that you and my sister know each other way more than you let on?”

  “I can’t believe she told you.”

  “It’s Hayden. She can’t keep a secret. Plus, we’re really close. Don’t worry; I’m one of the only people in the family that actually can keep a secret.”

  “After the big deal she made about not telling anyone, she told you right away.”

  “Well, in Hayden’s defense, I’m pretty sure she really likes you.”

  Kate looked at Gabe like he was crazy. “Your sister has made it very clear that she doesn’t want anything further with me. She doesn’t even want to hook up again.”

  “That’s just because of her stupid rule.”

  “I can’t stand that damn rule!” Kate said seriously.

  “Yeah, Hayden is extremely stubborn and set in her ways. She doesn’t go against her set standards easily. Once she’s decided something, it takes a lot to change her mind.”

  “Has she always been like that?”

  “Stubborn, yeah. That whole rule thing started two years ago though.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ll have to let Hayden tell you about that if she wants to. It’s more her story to tell.”

  “Okay, that’s understandable,” Kate sighed. She was starting to get frustrated with the situation with Hayden. She really liked her. Even if the only thing the woman wanted was sex, she’d be satisfied if that was at least happening between them.

  “Just give Hayden time. Eventually she’ll come to you.”

  “I really like her,” Kate admitted shyly.

  “Most people can’t help but like Hayden,” Gabe rolled his eyes.

  “I say screw her again,” Lauren said bluntly.

  “Lauren!” Hayden exclaimed.

  “What? That’s what you guys did wasn’t it?”

  Hayden had stopped by Lauren’s place to talk about her situation with Kate. She knew if anyone was going to give her honest advice on what she should do, it would be Lauren.

  “I wouldn’t word it that way though. It sounds so vulgar when you say screw her.” Hayden didn’t like referring to Kate like any other person she had hooked up with. It felt like there was more to them than just a hook up. She couldn’t downplay the connection they seemed to have.

  “What are you talking about?” Lauren asked dumbfounded. “You say screw all of the time when you’re talking about hooking up with someone.”

  “Yeah, but it wasn’t really like that with Kate. We talked for a while before we had sex. We shared things together and I actually enjoyed having a conversation with her. By the time we had sex it felt I don’t know…more passionate or something.”

  Lauren looked at her friend incredulously. “Passionate? You mean like love?”

  “We just met,” Hayden rolled her eyes. “Love at first sight only happens in movies. What I mean is that when we had sex it was like we cared more about each other, than ourselves if that makes any sense.”

  “Yeah, it does. Basically with anyone else you’d be more selfish in bed.”

  “Yeah, honestly. It just felt right with Kate.”

  “Wel
l, babe, I hate to tell you this but it sounds like you’re falling for her.”

  “But I don’t want to fall for Kate.”

  “Why not? What’s so bad about having one person that you have great sex with? If you like her that much, you should break the stupid rule. I’m not saying go right into a relationship with her. Just have sex again and see where it goes.”

  “What if it goes towards being in a relationship? Kate doesn’t seem like the type of girl to be okay with random hook ups. She seems like she would want a commitment.”

  “Hayden, I know you’re afraid to fall in love again.”

  “I’m not afraid.”

  “Okay, fine. You’re cautious to fall in love again. But, not everyone is like Joslyn. Some people are worth taking a chance on.”

  Everything everyone was telling Hayden made a lot of sense. Hayden was the only one that didn’t seem to be making sense. She was clinging to a rule that was stopping her from exploring what she felt for Kate. Maybe it was time she stopped listening to her brain and started listening to her heart.

  Hayden lifted her hand to the door of Kate’s apartment, but hesitated knocking.

  What if she’s busy right now? I shouldn’t just show up unannounced, uninvited. What if I waited too long? Maybe she doesn’t even want to see me anymore. This was a stupid idea.

  Hayden was about to turn to walk away when she stopped. Kate was someone she wanted in her life. She had to stop being such a coward and go for what she wanted. Right now she wanted Kate more than anything. She had never wanted someone more than she wanted Kate. She had to be honest; it scared her a bit.

  Hayden brought her hand back to the door and let out a breath before knocking softly on the door.

  A few moments later, Kate unlocked the door and opened it, surprise evident on her face. “Hey,” Kate greeted.

  “Hey,” Hayden smiled.

  Kate could tell how nervous Hayden seemed. She felt bad for the trouble the woman was obviously experiencing. Whatever happened in Hayden’s past must have really affected the woman.

  “What are you doing here?” Kate asked gently.

  Hayden opened her mouth to speak, but had a hard time finding the right words. She wasn’t used to giving in to her emotions, or having to say them out loud for that matter. She finally just said the first thing that came to mind.

  “I think I changed my mind.”

  Brown eyes met green eyes as Kate smiled and stepped aside, opening the door wider for the blonde to enter. Hayden entered the apartment.

  Chapter 9

  Kate turned to Hayden, a smirk planted on her lips. She looked like she was already preparing to go to bed. She was wearing a tight tank top and a pair of light boxer shorts. “So, you changed your mind about what exactly?”

  Hayden tilted her head as she narrowed her eyes at the brunette. “You know what.”

  “I’m pretty sure I don’t. You might have to jog my memory.”

  Hayden looked at the woman seductively as she approached her slowly. She caressed Kate’s cheek softly and leaned in to kiss her. Just as their lips were about to touch, Hayden redirected her path to Kate’s right ear.

  “I want us to have sex again,” Hayden breathed into her ear.

  Kate shivered at the feeling of Hayden’s breath on her ear. She could feel her excitement building already.

  Kate instinctively grabbed hold of Hayden’s jacket and quickly peeled it off of the blonde, allowing it to fall to the floor.

  “I guess your memory has been jogged,” Hayden laughed.

  “You have way too much clothes on right now.”

  Kate quickly took hold of the hem of Hayden’s shirt. She pulled it over Hayden’s head and threw it to the floor, pulling the woman into a kiss.

  Hayden moaned into the kiss as she gently took hold of Kate’s roaming hands. It was obvious the brunette was intending to take dominance again. That wasn’t going to happen this time. At least not for their first go at it.

  “I’m on top first this time,” Hayden said, taking hold of Kate’s tank top and lifting it over her head, exposing her erect nipples. Hayden could feel the heat rising in between her thighs at the sight.

  Hayden’s lips crashed against Kate’s, their tongues fighting for dominance. Kate wasn’t going to give in that easily.

  Hayden pushed herself forward and brought the woman down to the floor. She guided her onto her back, hovering above the woman. Kate, finally giving in, began unbuttoning Hayden’s skinny jeans. Hayden leaned back and slid her jeans down her legs, kicking them off. She was eager to recreate what they had done the other night.

  Hayden fell forward back on top of Kate, her mouth quickly wrapping around Kate’s left breast. Hayden wrapped Kate’s other breast with her hand, gently squeezing Kate’s erect nipple. Kate moaned as Hayden swirled her tongue around her nipple. It wasn’t going to take long for the blonde to take her over the edge.

  Hayden lowered her hand down Kate’s body, guiding it into Kate’s shorts and panties. She slid two fingers up Kate’s wet slit.

  Kate moaned out as Hayden’s fingers gently massaged her clit. Hayden brought her lips to the woman’s neck, sucking on her sweet spot.

  “You’re so wet,” Hayden breathed into her neck. Hayden was sure that she would be able to cum along with Kate. The noises coming from Kate were going to be enough to make Hayden climax even without Kate laying a finger on her.

  Hayden continued the ministrations on Kate’s clit until she could feel that Kate was ready to climax. She quickly took her fingers out of Kate.

  Kate sighed in frustration as Hayden’s lips crashed into hers. Hayden smiled as she pulled away and looked down at the brunette.

  “Seriously?” Kate sighed. “I was so close.”

  “Patience,” Hayden smiled. “Good things come with time.”

  “Hayden,” Kate said in a warning tone. “I need you to make me cum, now!”

  Hayden giggled at Kate’s tone. Maybe Kate was right about that temper of hers. Hayden slid down Kate’s body and pulled her shorts and panties down with her. She spread Kate’s legs apart, lowering herself into the brunette’s sex.

  Kate let out a deep moan as she placed her hands in Hayden’s blonde locks. Kate’s world was exploding with pleasure. The blonde was doing such amazing things to her. Hayden was very skilled with her tongue.

  Kate cried out in ecstasy as her legs quivered in uncontrollable satisfaction.

  Hayden slowly crawled up Kate’s body until she was staring down at the brunette. Kate had her eyes closed as she rode out her orgasm. Hayden grinned at the look of joy on her face. She loved that she was able to bring Kate to such an intense state.

  Kate opened her eyes and smiled as she saw Hayden smiling down at her.

  “That was amazing,” Kate moaned.

  “Yeah, I usually have that effect on people,” Hayden said.

  “It was definitely worth the wait.”

  “Don’t worry. I have even better up my sleeve. We’ve got all night.”

  Hayden opened her eyes and winced as her eyes adjusted to the sun light creeping into the bedroom. She looked over and found the spot next to her empty again. Kate obviously liked to get up early. As Hayden caught the smell of bacon in the air she smiled to herself. The brunette was obviously cooking breakfast again. Kate was so thoughtful. Hayden didn’t want her to go to so much trouble for her. She’d much rather Kate stay in bed with her. It would be nice to wake up to her lying next to her instead of slaving away in the kitchen.

  Hayden lifted the sheets off of her naked body and climbed out of bed. Her clothes were still in the living room so she grabbed one of Kate’s oversized t-shirts that was lying on the bed. It came down to just above her thighs. She didn’t have any fresh panties. Kate seemed to be her size, but Hayden didn’t want to just go through her drawers without asking. As intimate as the two women had gotten, she still felt the need to respect Kate’s privacy.

  Hayden pulled the shirt as down as it
would go and creeped into the kitchen. As suspected, Kate was busy cooking.

  “Morning,” Hayden smiled.

  Kate turned to the woman and laughed at the awkward stance she was in. Hayden was trying desperately to pull the shirt down so that it would cover her ass more.

  “Oh yeah it’s hilarious,” Hayden rolled her eyes playfully.

  “I just don’t see why the sudden modesty?” Kate laughed. “You were walking around completely naked last night.”

  “Okay well I don’t usually like to eat breakfast naked.”

  “I’d be okay with it,” Kate shrugged.

  “Kate,” Hayden pleaded.

  “I’ll get you a pair of panties,” Kate said as she walked past the woman. She tried to look at Hayden’s ass as she crossed her, but Hayden turned around as she walked past her.

  A few moments later Kate came into the kitchen with a pair of black panties. “Need any help putting them on?” Kate asked seductively.

  “I think I’ve got it,” Hayden smiled, taking the panties from Kate.

  Kate smiled as she went back to preparing breakfast.

  “You know, you don’t have to make me breakfast every time I spend the night.”

  “I wanted to,” Kate said as she placed two plates of scrambled eggs onto the table. “Besides, I like to cook, remember?”

  “You’re very good at it,” Hayden replied, sitting down at the table with Kate. “Among other things.”

  “I could say the same for you,” Kate laughed. “You’re gifted with your tongue.”

  Hayden laughed, taking a bite of her eggs. “Did you go to school for cooking?”

  “I did actually. I always loved to cook so it just made sense to try to make a career out of it. I’d like to open my own restaurant or bar one day. That’s why I’m working at Kove in the meantime.”

  “Wow, you’d be my dad’s dream daughter. He’d love for me to stay and help him and Gabe run the bar. I on the other hand want out of the small town life.”

  “I always enjoyed small towns. Then again, I grew up in Chicago so I’ve had enough city life for my lifetime.”