Page 5 of Harvesting with Hayes (Mountain Men Fall Harder #4)

CHAPTER FIVE

Hayes

The spiked cider tasted amazing, not at all like it had alcohol in it. Easy down, and down more went. I felt good, buzzed, electrified.

Okay, maybe a bit more than buzzed. Tipsy, almost.

But kissing Hayes?

That wasn’t a mistake. Far from it.

I thought about it constantly, my body on edge, filled with nervous energy as I worked up the courage, then chickened out again, worked up the courage once more only to chicken out again. A vicious cycle circling round and round until I couldn’t take it any longer.

With the alcohol making me bold, I went for it.

And it was everything I’d fantasized and more.

Our mouths moved together, in sync with the other, as if we’ve kissed for years and not mere seconds.

Hayes deepened the kiss, coaxing my mouth open with his tongue, only to plunge inside and duel with my own. My knees weakened, and I tightened the clasp of my hands at the back of his neck, afraid I’d fall to the ground at any second.

As soon as it got good, it was over, Hayes tearing his mouth away, leaving me feeling empty, lonely, and wanting more. I stepped backwards, running one hand through my hair while I brushed my fingertips of the other hand along my tingling lips.

How? How is this man making me feel so much all at the same time?

My head spun and my feet gave way. Suddenly I saw the ground moving closer and just as I was about to hit the dirt face first, a large arm wrapped around my waist and stopped my fall.

“Whoa, there.” Hayes’s face appeared before mine, with a warm smile, no trace of judgement. “You okay?”

“Never been better.” I brushed the hair out of my face. “Spend the night with me, Hayes.”

Who the hell am I right now?

Damn you alcohol, making me do things I wouldn’t normally do…

“Serena…” Hayes’s voice sounded as if he were in pain. “Don’t do that…”

“Do what?” I asked with as much innocence as I could muster.

His head dipped down and nuzzled my neck before dragging his mouth up to my ear, causing an explosion of desire to course through my veins, hot and heavy. “I want more than anything to take you home, strip you naked, and do insanely naughty things to your delectable body.”

I clenched my legs together, nearly orgasming on the spot, as a thousand fantasies flooded my mind, each one dirtier than the last.

“But I’m not taking advantage of your drunken state, Serena. I could never.”

“I’m telling you I want you too!” I said, cringing inside at my desperation.

“Come on, let’s get you home.” Hayes kissed my forehead ( forehead!) and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “I’ll drive you there. Just tell me your address.”

I walked along beside him, hoping he’d change his mind. One night with this man. One night was all I asked.

After what seemed like an eternity, we stopped at a large black four door truck. Hayes helped me inside, placing me down gently on the seat. He buckled me in and closed the door. As soon as he did, I laid my head against the cool window glass and my eyes slipped shut.

Sleep carried me away before Hayes was even in the truck.

I popped one eye open and a sharp slice of pain tore through the side of my head.

Ugh.

I closed my eye and popped the other open, only for the room to spin, a wave of nausea crashing over me.

Ugh times a thousand.

I shut my other eye and kept them both closed, but it was no use. Now that I had woken from my sleep, I couldn’t ignore how I felt. It wouldn’t go away, no matter how much I tried to sleep it off. I knew from experience.

The room spun in circles beneath my lids, the blackness somehow moving as if the very bad I was on floated through the sky.

Forcing both my eyes open, another sharp pain hit me sideways. Along with a rush of anxious thoughts.

Where am I?

Whose room is this?

I replayed in my mind what I could remember from the night before, but it made my head throb and spin worse.

Then it hit me sideways.

Memories from the night before rushed to the forefront of my mind, like a leak springing free, water gushing out.

Hayes. Lots of spiked apple cider.

Kissing him. Asking him to spend the night with me.

Oh shit, I really asked that didn’t I?

I pulled the covers over my head and groaned.

This must be his house. Where else could I be?

The last thing I remember was walking out of the festival with him.

This must be his room!

More panic and excitement rushed through me. Okay, keep calm.

Deep breaths.

I totally embarrassed myself last night. There was no way Hayes wanted anything to do with me anymore. I could barely handle two cans of spiked apple cider. He must think I’m such an idiot.

I groaned and rolled to my side, but something hard poked me in the ribs.

I pulled out my phone, the screen lighting up with text after text.

It was only five in the morning. Thank God there was more time for sleep.

But with another long day ahead of me at the festival, I knew I’d need some ibuprofen, a hearty breakfast, and a warm shower.

As soon as I sat up, a strong wave of nausea pulled me back down and I moaned in protest. Why did I drink so much? I despised being hungover.

I tried once more but all it did was cause me more dizziness and more nausea. I needed to throw up and fast. I grabbed the trash can beside the bed, got sick in it, and finally, when I heaved absolutely nothing, my stomach completely empty, the nausea subsided.

I laid back down and prayed the sleep gods would pull me under.

Moments later, a knock sounded on my door before Hayes popped his head in. I wanted to crawl under the covers and never show my face again. This guy must think I’m a piece of work.

“I heard you throwing up. Everything okay? Want some water?”

“I’m okay. I’d love some water, please.”

Hayes wasn’t gone long before he walked through the doorstep and handed me a glass of cold water.