Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Hello 452

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.

be together, but

"Does that mean there are things you think you

tell me?"

Hayden said,

really unfair to yourself," I teased,

deepened, his eyes locking with mine. "I'm a man. It's different for you. You're a woman-you should be

such a feminist. If

responded, "Mm, our

went bright red as I quickly buried it back into his

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

secure funding through Kylian's deal with the

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Chapter 452

tightening his arms around my waist. "Why?

hiding my embarrassment against his neck. "No, I was just

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

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