Chapter 5

Natasha

When I walk outside of the restaurant, I catch Hayden talking with a group of girls. He is speaking animatedly, yet it does nothing to calm down the girls, who appear terrified of him. Their faces are pale, and I notice their legs are shaking.

It's with no surprise that I watch the girls disappear into the restaurant, causing Hayden to mutter after them.

"Suit yourself..."

I step forward, forcing out my voice. "What was that about?"

I'm unstable after Hayden threatened to eat everyone inside the restaurant. And Hayden narrows his eyes in delight as if he savors how rattled I must still appear from our earlier argument. I can see his lips curling by the corners, like my state of fright is his source of satisfaction.

His expression bothers me because I would like to believe that the smiling guy I got to see a glimpse of on the beach is real.

I genuinely hope Hayden doesn't like it when people are afraid of him. But what do I know? As Hayden mentioned earlier, I've only known him for a couple of hours. Perhaps he feels on top of the world when people fear and look up at him.

Without bothering to appear friendly or happy to see me, Hayden explains the situation. "I need people willing to work for me at my hotel. In a chaotic world, it's necessary to keep a busy mind, and I survive by taking care of my guests at the hotel."

A small, laughing smile takes my lips. "Let me guess: those girls were too shaken up by your earlier commotion inside the restaurant that they refused to come working for you?"

Hayden glares at me. "They were afraid of me, yes."

By now, I'm laughing hysterically. Hayden gives me this sullen face, and I shake my head at him with my lips twitching. It amuses me that the powerful man didn't get what he wanted.

And the fact that Hayden is shirtless makes this even funnier.

The guy is hot enough to melt chocolate over his abs, yet his little fan club followed their fear rather than the lust embedded into their gazes. I could see those girls eyeing Hayden like prey, but it seems no one wants to risk working for the giant merman—they might get eaten.

"Karma strikes again." I grin like the Cheshire Cat and nod at the tiny thing next to him. It's an old rowing boat. "Is that my new ride?"

Noticing my concern, Hayden gives me a deep sigh. "It's the only boat available that isn't broken..."

I lift an eyebrow. "Uh... Did you call that thing a boat? Sorry, but I will not get into that thing—one big wave, and I'm a goner."

Hayden rubs his eyelids with his digits, probably tired of my spoiled antics already. "You have a better idea?"

"Yes, actually I do," I tell him, smiling widely. "I want to come working for you at your hotel, and..." I'm crazy for even suggesting this. "Perhaps you could fetch me a better boat from another island?"

Hayden looks at me as if I've grown two heads. "You want to have me as your boss when you're terrified of me? You can't even look straight into my eyes—how will you be useful?"

"I'm not that afraid of you anymore."

I'm lying like Pinocchio. But I need the money, so I wouldn't mind working for a man-eating monster who sometimes throws childish tantrums.

Hayden narrows his eyes. "Really?"

"Absolutely!" Another lie.

His eyes take on that magical glow again, and he part his lips. "So, you not afraid of me at all?"

Without meaning them to, the words tumble out through my lips, and I can't do anything about it. "No, I'm terrified of you, but I'm desperate for money, and you seem rich enough."

Wait.

Why did I say that?

Hayden glares at me as I've insulted him. "No, you won't do..."

"What?" I stare up at him, still confused about why I told him the truth. I'm guessing the merman has some superpower because I didn't mean to tell him anything! Ugh, this is so annoying. "I'm the only one willing to work for you—you scared off the rest!"

For a moment, Hayden looks ready to strangle me, but then he slumps his shoulders in defeat. "I suppose you're right..."

I blink.

Was it that easy to convince him?

A hesitant smile curls my lips. "Does that mean the job is mine?!"

Another sigh. "Sure..."

"Yay!"

I bounce in joy before running up to hug the big man, who turns into a brick of ice as I rub my cheek against his toned chest. My arms can't quite reach around my new friend, and it's not until Hayden mechanically looks down at me with his pulse ticking against his neck that I realize I'm being way too intimate.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

"Oh, shit!" I immediately let go of the tall man and smile sheepishly, hoping he won't hurt me. His eyes are burning, and his stance conveys a willingness to commit murder. "I didn't mean to do that-..."

Hayden laughs mockingly. "You didn't mean it?"

He is towering over me, and I lift my head in raw amazement. He narrows his eyes and step right in front of me, breathing slow and steady breaths while glaring at me—making my heart race uncontrollably.

"No... Uh..."

His hand lands on my shoulder, and I feel an electrical spark I've never felt with anyone else, a lustful jolt that takes hold of me and won't let go.

"Why did you hug me?" His face is twisted like he wants to rip me to pieces and slap me into another world.

I struggle to talk, stammering the words. "I-I don't know!"

He slides his hand underneath my borrowed suit, finding my breast while keeping eye contact—running his hands across my chest. My heart is pounding.

"Hayden—"

His eyes are glowing again, his husky voice interrupting me. "Are you aroused right now, Natasha?"

I can't lie. "Yes."

He removes my suit. "Do you like me touching you?"

My mouth is dry. "Yes..."

With a low grunt, Hayden pushes me into the nearest tree. His face is twisted in rage, and my fear bubbles up to the surface. I would be stupid not to be afraid. He is towering over me with his hulking form, and I lift my chin, expecting him to beat me black and blue.

Hayden glares down at me. "You're so annoying…"

His left arm rests above my head, and his bulging muscles are on full display as he leans in closer. The scent of his sweat is impossible not to breathe in. He is so close I'm experiencing a mini heart attack. His eyes are caught in mine, and I'm boxed further into the tree trunk by his swollen chest.

My lips quiver. "I'm sorry-..."

The man dips his head and kisses me hard against my lips. I mewl into his mouth, shocked by his tongue meeting mine. Hayden tastes like sin. I can't get enough of him, and sparks fly across my skin when his large hand travel to my waist.

Much too soon, Hayden breaks our kiss and effortlessly lifts me from the ground. My legs instinctively wrap around his sexy, powerful body, and the man leans in closer. His cold nose touches my neck before he whispers into my ear.

"I'm going to fuck you, Natasha."

Every word, every rumble coming from his chest, makes the chemicals inside my brain go frantic. Hayden screams alpha, and the authority in his voice is making me wet. I've never had a man before, and those looking like Hayden usually never give me a fraction of their attention.

"You're only mine..."

Hayden's tongue tasting my skin makes me moan, speeding up my pulse. His hands are exploring my body, traveling between my legs.

A sound of pleasure escapes me, pleasing Hayden.

With a thug, he has removed the cloth covering my ass, and his hand ventures further. A finger slides over my pussy, and I shudder in response, making his lips curl higher.

"And you're so wet for me already."

I inhale deeply, feeling my toes curl. Hayden tastes me from his fingers, and then he comes closer, breathing in my scent; it feels too good to be true—perhaps this is a repayment for all those years I spent convincing myself that I didn't need any man.

Loneliness became a part of me, but Hayden is uncharted territory; he awakens something within me I've never felt before with his presence alone, something I've waited for my entire life: love.

No-no-no! Hayden is married. I shouldn't want him! It's wrong, yet warmth is flooding my senses and pooling between my legs. I crave him more than oxygen.

I study his solid arms wrapping themselves around me and grow more nervous, noticing the burning passion within his eyes. Hayden is so big. Large. And I'm a total goner for him.

I want him.

I need him.

And yet, I'm so shy I can barely talk. I've never had a man look at me like he wants to ravage me and make me into his slave—it's making my heart pound. Adrenaline is sloshing in my veins, and my voice comes out as a pathetic whimper.

"I've never had sex before..."

Hayden widens his eyes, and his lips turn feral. I can see the monster I've unleashed, sense the need within his blood to claim me and make me his, and there is nothing I can do to stop him.

"I don't make love, princess," he whispers into my ear, biting the tip before breathing a laugh at my helpless shudders. The bulge in his pants is impossible to ignore. "I fuck, and I take, and you're going to enjoy it."