A Risk Worth Taking (Book 1) Read online

  Hayden smiled up at the woman seductively. “Spread your legs a little more for me.”

  Kate did as she was told, giving Hayden more access to her dripping wet core.

  Maybe I do love this woman already. Look at her. How could I not fall in love with Kate? She’s incredible.

  Chapter 11

  “You know we could just order dinner,” Hayden said as she entered Kate’s apartment, carrying a few bags of groceries.

  Kate followed suit, grocery bags filling her arms as well. The two women went grocery shopping together to get the supplies that Kate needed to make their dinner.

  “When I asked you to come over for dinner I meant a good dinner,” Kate said. Kate had invited Hayden over for a dinner date. She was making her specialty, penne a la vodka. She figured it was appropriate given the blonde’s love for vodka.

  “Chinese food is a good dinner.”

  Hayden and Kate set the bags down in the kitchen and turned to one another.

  “Not better than the dinner I’m going to make you. Besides I…”

  “Love cooking,” Hayden finished, smiling after.

  Kate smiled back, leaning in and giving the blonde a quick kiss before starting to put the groceries away.

  “Want any help?” Hayden asked.

  “That’s okay. You just sit back and drink your wine.”

  “Just so you know, wine has a certain effect on me,” Hayden said. She grabbed the wine bottle that the two had purchased on the way back to the apartment.

  “And the shots of tequila and vodka sodas don’t?” Kate laughed.

  “No, seriously. For whatever reason, when I drink too much wine I get a little emotional.”

  Kate stopped putting the groceries away in order to look at Hayden, who was now using a bottle opener to open the bottle of wine.

  “Emotional as in bite my head off or emotional as in might break down in tears?”

  “Definitely the latter,” Hayden replied, successfully opening the bottle.

  Kate grabbed two wine glasses from the cabinet and placed them on the table in front of Hayden.

  “Well, then I guess we better make sure we don’t discuss anything that might make you emotional,” Kate smiled.

  “I should probably just stop at one, maybe two.”

  “Wow, Hayden Kovacs showing restraint in drinking. That’s a new one.”

  “Shut up,” Hayden smiled. “I’m doing you a favor. I don’t want you to have to deal with my melodramatic tears.”

  “I wouldn’t mind,” Kate shrugged. “Everyone has their moments. There’s no shame in that. Besides, what are hook up friends for?”

  “Is that what we’re calling us now? Hook up friends?”

  “I think it suits us. We hook up with each other. I’d say we’re friends. Wouldn’t you?”

  Hayden looked up at Kate as she finished pouring the two glasses of wine, a hopeful look in her eyes. “Definitely,” she agreed.

  Kate smiled as she accepted the glass of wine from Hayden. She placed it back on the table as she went back to sorting the groceries.

  At least she thinks we’re friends. I wish she thought we were more than friends. Maybe she isn’t interested in being more than hook up friends. She didn’t say she was looking for something less complicated. Maybe I’m the only one reading too much into this.

  Hayden and Kate were sitting on the floor in the living room. They had already finished with dinner and were now drinking wine while they talked.

  “You still haven’t given them an answer?” Kate asked. “Why not?”

  Hayden had gotten a call from the marketing firm to let her know that they needed her final answer in the next couple of days. If she wasn’t going to accept the job, they had a second choice in mind.

  “I don’t know,” Hayden answered honestly. “Part of me isn’t sure if I want it. And if I’m not sure that I want it, maybe I should allow someone who does want the position to have it.”

  The past few days had left Hayden feeling conflicted over her plan for her future. She was back in the town that she grew up in and for the first time ever, she actually enjoyed being there. She wasn’t sure if that was because of Kate or if she was finally mature enough to appreciate having a safe place to call home. Either way, she found herself unsure if she wanted to leave the town permanently.

  “I thought this was your dream job?” Kate asked.

  “I thought it was too. I’m not so sure anymore. I guess I started thinking about the cons of taking the job. As much as I want to travel, I still want to be able to see my family more in between my travels. If I take this job, I’ll be based in New York and I’ll be too busy to come home more often. I’ll probably only see my family for the holidays at best.”

  “Do you get vacation time?”

  “Not enough to come see them as much as I’d want to.”

  Or see you as much as I’d want to.

  “Maybe you should discuss these things with them. Who knows? There could be an option for you to be based here sometimes. The possibilities are endless with technology now.”

  Hayden grinned at the brunette. Kate was so optimistic and open minded about everything.

  “How are you so perfect?” Hayden asked honestly.

  Kate looked taken back at the question. She looked down at the floor, unsure how to respond.

  “I mean aside from not liking cleaning and this bad temper I have yet to see,” Hayden added.

  “I’m not perfect,” Kate said seriously. “Far from it actually.”

  “I’d have to disagree.”

  “You’d be the first woman to,” Kate said, looking up at the blonde.

  “What do you mean?” Hayden asked in confusion.

  “It’s nothing.”

  “It doesn’t sound like nothing,” Hayden said. Hayden’s expression was full of concern.

  “I’ve just had a lot of bad luck in relationships in the past. Apparently, not too many other people think I’m as perfect as you think I am.”

  “Then those people are idiots,” Hayden declared. “I don’t think I’ve ever met someone as amazing as you are, Kate. If those other women couldn’t see that, then that’s their loss.”

  Hayden hated to see Kate so self-doubting. But, it just made her realize she had more in common with her than she thought. She’d felt the same way when her relationship with Joslyn imploded. It was why she was so against letting that happen again. She had finally built her confidence back up. She couldn’t risk losing it again.

  “You know, you’re the best hook up friend I’ve ever had,” Kate said, moving closer to the blonde.

  There’s that word again. Friend.

  “I’m pretty sure I’m the only hook up friend you’ve ever had,” Hayden laughed, allowing Kate to kiss her passionately.

  Kate slowly got on top of Hayden, straddling her lap. The two only broke their kiss for short bouts of air. Hayden wrapped her arms around Kate’s waist, placing her hands on Kate’s ass.

  Kate pulled back and smiled as she grabbed hold of Hayden’s shirt and raised it above her head. She did the same with her shirt and then moved on to Hayden’s bra. She reached behind the blonde and unclasped the black material. She slid the straps down Hayden’s shoulders and threw it to the side.

  Their lips attached to one another’s, desperate to continue. Hayden reached behind Kate and unclasped her bra.

  Kate gently pushed Hayden onto her back, allowing her bra to fall off at the same time.

  Hayden moaned as her nipples rubbed against Kate’s. She could feel the heat rising between her legs.

  Kate shifted her focus to the spot on Hayden’s neck that she knew drove her crazy.

  Hayden’s moans caused Kate to speed the process along and lower herself to unbutton Hayden’s jeans. She wanted more of the woman.

  Kate grabbed hold of Hayden’s jeans and panties and quickly pulled them down. She removed her own pants and panties before turning her attention back to Hayden. She kissed Hay
den’s sex before kissing a path back up the woman’s body.

  Kate looked down at Hayden and looked into her eyes before kissing the blonde. Using her right hand, she spread the blonde’s legs and inserted two fingers into her dripping wet core.

  Hayden moaned into the kiss as Kate pushed her fingers inside of her. Hayden rocked her hips, trying to add to the thrusts Kate was applying.

  Kate held her still and smiled into the kiss as she pulled away and looked down at the woman. “If you needed me to go harder, all you had to do was ask.”

  Hayden went to respond, but could only cry out in pleasure as Kate thrusted her fingers deeper into her. She applied more pressure and started moving at a faster pace.

  Hayden was so close; she could feel her walls tightening around Kate’s fingers. Kate used her thumb to rub at Hayden’s clit while she continued thrusting her fingers in and out.

  Hayden held onto Kate tightly and cried out as she felt her walls tighten and her climax take over her body.

  Kate kept her fingers inside of Hayden as she rode out her orgasm, looking down at the woman fondly. As Hayden came back down, Kate slowly slipped her fingers from the blonde’s core and kissed her softly.

  Hayden was still riled up from the intense sex she and Kate had had the rest of the night. There was no lack of chemistry in their hook up friendship.

  It didn’t help that Hayden had a lot going through her mind. She wasn’t sure what her future held anymore. She knew she wanted to travel, but did she really have to move to New York permanently to do so. She knew she would miss her family and friends. Now she also had someone else she would miss. Kate.

  Hayden turned onto her side and looked at Kate sleeping soundly next to her. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Kate made her feel things no one had ever made her feel before. As in love as she was with Joslyn, even she never made her feel so cared for. Obviously the two women hadn’t declared love for each other, but there was a moment during their sex that Hayden almost thought she was going to tell Kate that she did.

  That’s not possible though. I just met Kate. I can’t be in love with her yet. I mean I’m opening up my mind to falling in love with her, but there’s no way we could be there yet. This isn’t a fairy tale movie where you fall in love at first sight. This is real life. Real life isn’t a fairy tale.

  Hayden sighed as she thought of what was supposed to happen. She was supposed to have come home, get the rest of her things and move back to New York for her job. She was not supposed to meet Kate.

  That thought made Hayden’s stomach turn. The thought of not meeting Kate made her sick. She couldn’t imagine not knowing the brunette now that she did. Kate made her want to be a better person. She liked how she felt around Kate. Like she was special. Wanted. Needed even.

  Now that she had Kate, she wasn’t sure if she could go back to a life without her.

  Chapter 12

  The next day, Hayden and Kate spent the entire day together. Hayden texted Gabe and got him to cover for her. She wasn’t ready for her parents to know that she was actually considering dating someone exclusively. She knew her mother would be thrilled. She’d been asking her to settle down for a while now. She was never very happy with the way Hayden went about her relationships.

  Hayden and Kate went to the grocery store to grab a few things for that night. On the way home they stopped at a café for coffee.

  “Hey, are you sure you want to come over tonight?” Kate asked. “I heard the snow is supposed to get pretty bad. You might not be able to drive until later tomorrow.”

  “That’s not necessarily a bad thing,” Hayden answered.

  “No, it wouldn’t be.”

  “Yeah, we can have dinner and then binge watch something on Netflix. We can cuddle, maybe do some other stuff.”

  “Don’t forget hot chocolate,” Kate added. “I always drink hot chocolate whenever it snows.”

  “See, being snowed in together will be the best.”

  “Agreed,” Kate smiled.

  “Hayden?” a woman’s voice called out from behind Hayden and Kate.

  Hayden’s eyes went wide at the sound of the woman’s voice. She would know that voice anywhere. She dreamed of that voice for a long time.

  No, what is she doing here? She’s supposed to be in California. Why is she here?

  Hayden turned around, eyes still wide. Kate could tell by the look on Hayden’s face that she was surprised to see whoever this woman was. And not in a good way.

  “Joslyn,” Hayden finally smiled.

  “Hey, Hayd!” Joslyn exclaimed, pulling the woman into a hug.

  After a moment, Hayden hugged Joslyn back.

  Is she seriously hugging me? She’s acting like the last time we saw each other she didn’t completely break my heart.

  As Hayden pulled away from the awkward embrace, she caught a glimpse of a woman standing next to her. A gorgeous woman standing next to her.

  “Hayden, this is my girlfriend, Jaime. Jaime this is Hayden.”

  “Oh, so this is the famous Hayden,” Jaime commented.

  She talked about me? What could she possibly have to say about me?

  “Who’s this?” Joslyn asked, referring to Kate.

  Hayden looked over at Kate, unsure of how to introduce her to Joslyn.

  What do I call her? My friend? My hook up? My hook up friend?

  Kate picked up on the confliction going through Hayden’s mind. She extended her hand to Joslyn and smiled at the woman.

  “Hi, I’m Kate, Hayden’s girlfriend.”

  Wait! My what?

  “Really?” Joslyn asked in surprise. “I heard through the grapevine that you don’t really do girlfriends anymore.”

  How dare she bring that up? Whose fault is that? And she’s acting like she still knows me. She does not know me anymore. She never did.

  “Yeah,” Kate agreed. “But, I changed that. Right babe?”

  Kate put her arm around Hayden’s shoulder and pulled her close to her.

  “Um, right,” Hayden quickly responded.

  “Hayden and Kate,” the barista called out.

  “Oh, that’s us,” Kate shrugged. “We better get going babe. We’re trying to get home before the storm starts.”

  “It was so nice seeing you, Hayden,” Joslyn said. “And it was so nice to meet you, Kate.”

  “You too,” Hayden smiled slowly. She wanted to get as far away from the woman as possible.

  “I’m in town for a few more days. Maybe we’ll see each other again.”

  I really hope not.

  “Yeah, maybe,” Hayden replied. “Bye Joslyn.”

  As soon as Hayden and Kate were outside of the café, Hayden sighed in relief.

  “Thank you so much!”

  “It was nothing.”

  “No, seriously, Kate. That was amazing. Thank you!”

  “It looked like you could use some help,” Kate said as they both got into Kate’s car.

  Kate looked over at Hayden and could tell that the blonde wasn’t as upbeat as she was before their encounter with her infamous ex. She knew that Joslyn was the woman that caused Hayden to be so cautious about falling in love. That alone was enough to make Kate despise the woman.

  “Hey, are you okay?” Kate asked, placing her hand on Hayden’s knee and giving it a gentle squeeze.

  “Yeah,” Hayden shrugged. “I’m fine.”

  “You don’t have to do that, Hayden. I don’t know everything that happened with Joslyn, but I know it wasn’t good. I’m sure it was hard for you to see her like that. Especially with another person.”

  “I hate her,” Hayden said quietly. She was on the verge of tears, but she refused to let them fall. She wouldn’t cry over Joslyn ever again.

  “It’s okay to hate her,” Kate assured Hayden.

  “She’s the worse kind of person! I mean she acts like she didn’t completely destroy everything we had together. She was the one that cheated on me after being together for three year
s!”

  “I’m so sorry you had to go through that, Hayden. You deserve so much better than that.”

  Hearing Kate’s kind words almost made Hayden give in to the emotions she was feeling. But she wouldn’t do it.

  Do not cry Hayden! She’s not worth it!

  “It’s completely understandable why you’re so weary of entering another relationship. After what you went through, it’s no wonder you don’t want to fall in love again.”

  It might be too late for that.

  “I shouldn’t let her affect me like that. It’s giving her power she doesn’t deserve.”

  “You don’t have to anymore. You don’t have to let what she did stop you from finding real happiness, Hayden.”

  Green eyes met brown eyes as Hayden gazed at the brunette.

  Just tell her how you feel. Maybe she feels the same way. This doesn’t have to be so complicated. I really like her. Hopefully she really likes me. She seems to. Maybe we can be so much more to each other than hook up friends.

  “Come on,” Kate said. “We have an amazing night ahead of us. We’re not going to let a certain someone spoil that.”

  “For sure,” Hayden smiled.

  The snow had already been falling for two hours. Hayden and Kate were officially snowed in. The town was in a state of emergency so no cars were allowed on the roads.

  After the two had dinner, Hayden and Kate found a television show to watch on Netflix. Though, they had to keep rewinding since they kept taking breaks to talk and occasionally make out.

  Hayden couldn’t believe how much she enjoyed talking to Kate. It was like it didn’t matter that they had great sex. Even without the sex the two had a connection that she had never experienced before.

  “What made you choose to move here?” Hayden asked suddenly. It was a thought that was going through her mind for a while. It made her a believer in faith. Kate could have chosen any town to settle down in, yet she chose Staunton and she chose to work at her father’s bar.

  “Actually, my mom grew up here. She always talked about how great it was to live here so I figured it would be a good choice.”