Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 452

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"Why are you asking me for permission to do something you want?" Hayden countered.

I leaned my head against his neck, avoiding his gaze as my fingers toyed with the buttons on his shirt. "Because I don't want you to overthink it. I don't want you to be upset."

He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, the warmth of it spreading over me. "So, you're worried about how I'll feel?"

There was a soft happiness in his voice, like my concern for him meant more than I realized. It reminded me that men need to feel cared for too.

"Of course. You're my boyfriend. I don't want you thinking I'd ever leave you behind for someone else, especially not a guy I used to be with. I wouldn't want you feeling weird about me staying connected to an ex," I said honestly.

I knew too well what it felt like to deal with betrayal and suspicion, and I never wanted Hayden to go through that because of me.

"You care so much about me," Hayden teased, though his voice was filled with affection. His words brought back the memory of Jace's comment at the airport, that I never cared about him. But that wasn't true. I had cared-he just never seemed to see it. "Of course I do. You come first," I said, fully meaning it.

There's that saying-if you love someone, tell them. So I did, making sure Hayden knew exactly where he stood. That way, no matter what happened, there'd be no misunderstandings, no room for doubt.

Hayden gently lifted me so I was facing him. "We may be together, but we're still individuals. You don't need my permission to do what you want."

I shot back with a laugh. "Does that mean there

tell me?"

not. I'd always tell you and get your approval," Hayden said, though it came off a bit

really unfair to yourself,"

you. You're a woman-you should be treated with

help but laugh. "You're such a feminist. If

apple bobbed as he responded, "Mm, our daughter. Of course, I'll spoil

froze for a second, then my face went bright red as I quickly buried it back into his

whispered softly in my ear. "We'll wait until after

needing to secure funding through Kylian's

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Chapter 452

finalized," Hayden answered, tightening his arms around my waist.

embarrassment against his neck. "No, I was

want to," Hayden murmured. "I think about it every

still yearning for something, tugged at my heart. He already had me, but his words made it sound like he still hadn't fully reached me. I couldn't bring myself to say anything as bold, so I went for a more subtle response. "Aren't we already

girl," Hayden sighed, his voice tender. "I don't just want to be close to you-I want to be your husband.