I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 45

Hayden's body went completely rigid.

He ground his jaw so hard his teeth nearly cracked.

Hunter Keating again.

He scoffed.

When Mrs. Gable saw the car pull into the estate, she assumed it was Zoe returning alone.

She never expected to see Hayden step out, let alone—

Zoe being carried out of the car.

"Sir, Ms. Lynd—I mean, Madam, what happened?"

Seeing her mistress dressed up and heading out in the middle of the night, she had immediately called Hayden in a panic.

She hadn't expected the madam to return reeking of alcohol, clearly wasted.

And dressed so scandalously.

"Brew some hangover tea."

Hayden's expression was furious.

Mrs. Gable shuddered involuntarily.

"Bring it up to the master bedroom."

Hayden carried Zoe upstairs, his back ramrod straight.

Mrs. Gable could feel the radiating anger. The boss was livid.

Could it be...

A chill ran through Mrs. Gable's mind.

Did the madam have an affair?

Hayden tossed Zoe onto the bed. The jostling made her head spin, and in a moment of semi-lucidity, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face into his collarbone.

"Gentler..."

The rest of her words faded into silence, but to Hayden's ears, it sounded entirely like an invitation.

Hayden lowered his head and claimed her lips.

The name *Hunter* had nearly driven him out of his mind.

Their kiss tasted of alcohol and intense arousal.

When Mrs. Gable brought the hangover tea upstairs, she heard the noises coming from the master bedroom.

In the past, if she had infuriated him like this, he would have ruthlessly taken her and then tossed her aside, refusing to speak a single word to her for weeks, even months, outside the bedroom.

With her calling another man's name, Hayden felt a suffocating tightness in his chest. He ripped off his tie, threw it aside, and unbuttoned his shirt.

Staring at her injuries, he grabbed some ointment and carefully applied it.

Feeling the soothing coolness, Zoe relaxed slightly, letting out soft, ambiguous murmurs.

Anyone listening would think they were in the middle of passion.

Once he finished, Hayden pulled the covers up, hiding her body from view.

He turned and stepped into the bathroom, letting the freezing water cascade over his body, piercing his skin.

The biting chill cleared his chaotic thoughts, and the burning heat in his veins slowly subsided.

After three freezing showers, Hayden finally suppressed his raging desire.

Wearing only a bathrobe, he headed downstairs, instructing Mrs. Gable to bring the tea up again and feed it to Zoe herself.

He sat on the living room sofa, lighting a cigarette.

When Mrs. Gable came back down, Hayden was shrouded in smoke.

His prominent Adam's apple shifted as he exhaled. His robe was half-open, exposing a broad expanse of his muscular chest.