Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 724

Hayden didn't say a word.

25 BONUS

I wasn't sure what he meant by his silence, but the thought of him with Yara made me snort coldly. "Of course you're not scared. You've never exactly been short on women, have you?"

His eyes stayed locked on me. That look made guilt creep up my spine.

Just as I was about to demand why he was staring like that, he finally spoke. "What I fear more than anything is seeing you hurt."

Oh.

So, he was willing to let me hate him, push him away, yell and scream-all to keep me safe.

His intentions really were painstakingly sincere.

I got it. I really did. That desperate kind of love, where the thought of losing them terrifies you more than anything else.

"Stop with the sweet talk," I shot back. "You're just trying to get off easy. Love isn't about bailing when it gets hard-it's about sticking together through it."

fingers brushed my cheek, warm and steady. "I'd give up

to say things so bluntly, and that

someone else, just to make him jealous. Thinking about it now, he must've been wrecked. "All you ever do is say pretty words. You're the one who pushed me away in the first place, I muttered, leaning forward

jaw.

lingering

stupid games we'd played-pouring it into that one bite. But as I did, I realized

to stop, I rested

chuckled softly. Obviously,

snapped,

I nudged him lightly. "Still laughing? What, can't

Chapter 724

would've stripped him down and pinned him right then and

breath brushing my ear. "If you want, I can help you another

motion, making it

of a "go big or go home" kind of guy. But now? His offer sounded way too practiced. "Getting creative, huh? Looks

brow.

"You know what they

but you're not just learning. You've been

first. Want to help me perfect my technique?" he