Kayden's POV

I quickly averted my gaze, coughing to mask my embarrassment, and rubbed the back of my neck nervously.

"I'm sorry for deceiving you, but when I said I love you, I meant it sincerely. I truly do love you," I confessed earnestly, meeting her gaze as I closed the distance between us.

"What exactly was the plan here? Were you planning to marry me instead of your brother, or what?" she asked, her tone dry as desert sand, her eyes drilling into mine with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

I chewed on my lower lip nervously, my hand instinctively reaching up to rub the back of my neck, searching for the right words.

"Kayden! I need to know!" she demanded, her frustration evident in the sharp edge of her voice.

With a heavy sigh, I finally confessed, my words stumbling out uneasily. "I was going to make you break up with... I mean, Jayden."

"How?" Hazel's confusion was evident in her tone. I chewed on my lower lip, letting out a heavy sigh. "How?" she pressed, her voice firm when I hesitated to respond.

With a loud exhale, I began to explain. But as soon as the words left my lips and our plan was revealed, she gritted her teeth and delivered a stinging slap across my face.

"You two are bastards. I hate you," she spat out angrily, her fists clenched with rage.

Sorrow washed over me, and I sighed sadly. "Please forgive me," I pleaded, my desperation clear in my voice.

"Is this your next scheme? What are you two up to now?" Hazel's tone dripped with mockery as she shook her head in disbelief.

"Nothing, Haze. I swear," I responded earnestly, closing the gap between us. "I've fallen for you. Head over heels," I confessed, gently cradling her cheeks.

"If you truly cared for me, you'd be honest. And if lying weren't bad enough, you practically delivered me to your brother on a silver platter," she remarked with a hint of sadness, casting me an incredulous glance.

"It wasn't easy for me, Hazel," I confessed, my touch gentle against her cheek as I pressed my forehead to hers. "Every moment felt like I was dying inside, resisting the urge to sweep you away and proclaim you as mine," I lamented softly. "That dinner... it was a nightmare, watching you with my brother. You can't even imagine the pain," I continued, my touch tender against her skin, conveying the depth of my pain.

"If your brother hadn't ended things with me, would you have let him marry me?" Hazel inquired curiously, taking a step back to meet my gaze directly.

"I don't know," I murmured, feeling a wave of sadness wash over me. "I don't think I could just stay quiet if..." I let out a heavy sigh. "Do you know why Jayden ended things with you?"

"Because he didn't have feelings for me," she replied, her tone devoid of emotion.

"But he was going to marry you anyway," I admitted. She furrowed her brow in confusion. Confusion clouded her features as she looked at me, prompting me to offer a sad smile and reveal why my brother had a change of heart.

"You..." she trailed off, running her fingers through her slightly damp hair.

"I love you, Haze," I whispered earnestly, gently cupping her cheek. "Every 'I love you' I've said, every kiss we've shared, every moment of intimacy — they've all been genuine," I confessed earnestly, gently caressing her cheek. "You mean the world to me, my doll." Leaning in, I brushed my lips against hers, my voice husky with emotion.

After a brief resistance, she succumbed to the moment, returning my kiss. I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer to me, lost in the depth of our embrace.

"You drive me crazy," I murmured, breathless, as I caressed her cheek tenderly.

"Kayden," she murmured in return, her voice filled with emotion.

I offered her a warm smile. "I've been longing to hear you say my name, my Haze," I admitted openly.

"So... that's why you never let me utter your name—your brother's name—when we made love?"

"Yes, I couldn't bear the thought of hearing Jayden's name when I pleased you. I wanted you to only think of the man you loved when we were intimate," I confessed huskily, tracing my finger along her lower lip. "You're the one I cherish, the love of my life. My feelings for you run deep. And I'll keep proving my love to you, erasing any doubts you may have," I vowed confidently before capturing her lips in a passionate kiss, sealing my commitment to her.

Finally, she is in my arms.

And I swear I won't give up on us again.

I will spend the rest of my life with this woman.

"Kayden!" Hazel's breath caught as I swept her off her feet with effortless grace.

"I want you," I whispered, my voice husky with desire, as I claimed her lips with a fervent kiss, guiding her towards the bed.

As our lips met in a fervent embrace, a surge of longing coursed through me, igniting a fire that seemed to consume us both. With each tender caress, the world around us faded into oblivion, leaving only the intoxicating rhythm of our hearts pounding in unison. I whispered those three words, heavy with desire and longing, knowing that in this moment, nothing else mattered but her and I.

Lost in the heat of the moment, our bodies melded together as if they were made for each other, igniting a primal hunger that only intensified with each passing second. Her soft moans mingled with my own as we surrendered to the ecstasy of our shared desire.

As we succumbed to the sweet surrender of the night, I knew that I had found my home in her embrace, forever entwined in the endless dance of desire.

As the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, I stirred from my slumber, the warmth of the sheets cocooning me. I glanced sideways, my gaze softening as I beheld the sleeping form of my beautiful goddess beside me. Her chest rose and fell rhythmically, a peaceful expression gracing her features.

My beautiful Hazel.

Careful not to disturb her slumber, I slid out of bed, my heart weighed down by the necessity of leaving before her parents awoke. I couldn't bear to contemplate the consequences if her parents—or worse, her brother—discovered me here.

Grabbing a nearby notepad, I hastily penned a message, pouring out my love and explaining my departure before she stirred. Placing the note where she couldn't miss it on the bedside table, I pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, tenderly smoothing her hair.

With a wistful glance back, I eased open the sliding door and crept out of the room, leaving behind the memory of our passionate night and the dream of a future together.

The chill breeze brushed against my face, and I scanned the surroundings anxiously, my heart racing at the thought of being caught. Thankfully, the coast was clear.

Relief washed over me as I reached my car. I breathed deeply, humming a tune with joy as I started the engine and drove to my penthouse.

After a refreshing shower, I headed to the company, still basking in the euphoria of reconciling with her and sharing an intensely passionate night together.

As I navigated the bustling streets, my phone buzzed with a notification, drawing my attention away from the road for a brief moment. Glancing down, I couldn't help but smile at the sight of her name lighting up the screen. With a quick tap, I opened the message:

"I love you too."

My heart swelled with joy at her words. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I could finally breathe freely. No more lies, no more secrets. Just pure, unfiltered love between us.

A grin plastered itself on my face, refusing to fade as I navigated through the busy streets. The thought of being with the love of my life, free from the burden of deception, filled me with an overwhelming sense of contentment.

With each passing moment, the realization sank in deeper: I was truly blessed to have her by my side. And as I pulled into the office parking lot, I couldn't help but feel like the luckiest person alive. Today was the start of something beautiful – a future filled with love, trust, and endless possibilities.

***

Grinning sheepishly, I glanced down at the paper box clutched in my hand as I exited the jewelry store. Inside lay a diamond ring for Hazel—I planned to propose to her tomorrow, on Christmas Eve. Excitement and nerves swirled within me; I prayed Hazel wouldn't consider it too soon.

As I walked through the bustling city streets, the festive decorations overhead casting a warm glow, I couldn't shake the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I had poured my heart into choosing the perfect ring, hoping it would convey all the love and devotion I felt for her.

With each step, I replayed our moments together, from our first meeting to the countless memories we had created since. Hazel's laughter echoed in my mind, her smile lighting up even the darkest of days. She was my light, my anchor, and I couldn't imagine a future without her by my side.