CHAPTER 92: STAY FOR THE NIGHT

Hailee’s POV

I pressed my cheek gently against his bare back, my arm sliding hesitantly around his waist. His skin was warm, his scent wrapping around me like a comfort I didn’t deserve.

"I’m sorry," I murmured again, my voice shaking. "I messed up. I should’ve been here... with you."

He stayed still, but I felt his breathing hitch just slightly.

"I hate knowing I hurt you," I continued softly, closing my eyes against him. "You mean more to me than you think, Nathan. And if you’re angry... if you’re hurt... I deserve it. But please don’t shut me out."

My words trembled as I added, "I’m sorry... please, Nat."

There was a pause—long enough for my heart to pound painfully in my ears—before I finally felt him shift under me.

Nathan turned slowly until we were face to face in the dim light, his intense eyes locked on mine.

His gaze searched mine for a long, heavy moment, and I could feel the storm of emotions swirling in his eyes—hurt, anger, but also worry.

"You drive me insane, Hailee," he said finally, his voice low and rough. "One minute you’re here, the next... you’re gone. You make me worry, you make me angry... and still—" He exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "Still, I can’t stop caring."

My chest tightened painfully. "Nathan—"

"No," he cut me off gently, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. "You don’t get to do that and think I won’t care. You matter too damn much to me."

I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper. "I’m sorry."

Something in his expression shifted. Softened. His hand lingered against my cheek as he studied me, as if deciding whether to forgive me or not.

"You hurt me tonight," he admitted quietly. "But if you’re here now..." He trailed off, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin. "Then maybe that’s enough for me to forgive you."

A small, shaky breath escaped me. "I’m here," I promised.

For a long moment, neither of us moved. Then, without another word, he pulled me into his arms, holding me so tightly I could feel his heartbeat against mine.

"I hate fighting with you," he murmured into my hair. "Don’t make me feel like I’m not important to you again."

"You are," I whispered back, clutching him even tighter. "You are."

I stayed there, curled against him, feeling the tension slowly leave my body. His warmth, his scent, the steady rhythm of his breathing—it all wrapped around me like a safety I hadn’t realized I’d been craving all night.

After a while, I tilted my head up to look at him. "Nathan... about our date..."

He let out a slow sigh, his gaze dropping briefly before returning to mine. "Don’t worry about it," he said quietly. "Next time."

The guilt tugged at me again, making my chest feel heavy. "How do I make it up to you, then?"

His eyes softened, but there was still something deep and intense in his gaze. He reached up, cupping my face gently in both hands, his thumbs brushing my skin.

"Stay," he murmured. "Spend the night with me."

I didn’t even hesitate. "Okay."

His lips curved faintly, a hint of relief and something warmer in his expression. "Good," he said softly, like he’d been hoping for that answer all along.

His gaze lingered on me for a long moment, his thumb still brushing my cheek. Then a faint, knowing smirk tugged at his lips.

"But first," he murmured, his voice dropping lower, "you need to change into something comfortable."

He slid out of bed and crossed the room to his closet. I watched as he pulled out one of his shirts—soft, loose, and smelling faintly of him. He walked back over and held it out to me.

"Here," he said simply, his eyes never leaving mine.

I took it from his hands and stood to my feet. Without overthinking it, I began to undress right there in front of him, taking off my top slowly.

Nathan’s gaze darkened instantly. He didn’t move, didn’t speak, just watched me, his eyes following every inch of naked skin as it was exposed. There was a hunger there, raw and unguarded, that sent a shiver racing down my spine.

I didn’t bother with a bra. I pulled his shirt over my head, the oversized fabric brushing my thighs. It clung in all the right places, and I was acutely aware I had nothing on underneath.

When I looked up again, Nathan’s eyes were still locked on me, his jaw tight, his expression unreadable except for the heat burning in his gaze.

"Perfect," he said finally, his voice husky. "Now... come here."

I padded across the room toward him, the hem of his shirt swaying against my bare thighs. Nathan’s eyes followed every step until I reached the edge of the bed.

The moment I was close enough, his hand shot out, catching me by the wrist and gently tugging me forward. I stumbled slightly, landing with my knees sinking into the mattress.

Nathan shifted, pulling me fully into the bed until I was pressed against him. His arm slid around my waist, his hand splayed across my lower back, fingers warm against my skin through the thin fabric.

"You look better in my shirt than I ever have," he murmured, his voice low and deep in my ear.

A small smile tugged at my lips, but it faltered when his other hand came up to cup the back of my neck, tilting my face toward his. Our eyes locked, and for a long, electric moment, neither of us moved.

At first, it was soft—barely a kiss—but then it deepened. I melted into him, fingers slipping into his hair as he held me tighter.

When we finally pulled apart, my breath was uneven. Nathan’s thumb traced my jaw slowly, almost tenderly.

"You will be the death of me," he said, his voice husky. "What have you done to me?"

There wasn’t even a pause before I whispered, "Love."

A faint smile touched his lips, the kind that made my chest feel warm. He kissed my forehead, lingering there for a moment like he needed to memorize me. Then he guided me down beside him, his arm curling around me possessively.

"I’m not letting you go tonight," he murmured against my hair.

I tucked myself closer, breathing him in. "Good... because I’m not going anywhere."

His grip tightened slightly, like he didn’t quite believe me but wanted to. In the quiet, I could feel his heartbeat, steady and comforting, yet faster than it should be.

"You scare me sometimes," he admitted quietly, his voice almost lost in the dark.

I tilted my head to look at him. "Why?"

His gaze met mine, raw and unguarded. "Because I’ve never needed anyone like I need you."

The words sank into me, wrapping around my heart. My chest ached, but this time it wasn’t guilt.

I pressed a soft kiss to his jaw. "Then I guess we’re both scared."

He let out a slow breath, his hand sliding into my hair, holding me close. "As long as you’re here... I’ll take the fear."

And in that moment, wrapped in his arms, I realized I wasn’t just staying for the night. I was exactly where I wanted to be.