Hailey descends the stairs and walks into the living area, where she finds Blake crawling on the floor, his attention focused on his own tiny toes. He looks up at her with a wide-eyed grin and babbles something gibberish.

Hailey chuckles, her heart warming at the sight. "Well, hey there, Little Man," she says, kneeling down next to him. "Looks like you're having fun with those toes, huh?"

Blake giggles in response, reaching out tiny hands towards her. He lets out a cheerful babble, his eyes crinkling with delight at the sound of her voice.

Hailey can't help but smile, her exhaustion from the previous day momentarily forgotten. She scoops him up, lifting him into her arms. He immediately snuggles into her chest, nuzzling his face into the crook of her neck.

Hailey rocks Blake in her arms, her fingers gently playing with his soft black curls. She looks around, realizing that there's no sign of Mackenzie.

"Hey, buddy," she says to Blake. "Where's your big sister?"

Blake looks at her with wide, innocent eyes and babbles something that sounds suspiciously like "Mack-Mack."

Hailey raises an eyebrow at that. "Did you say 'Mack-Mack'?" she asks, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Blake gives a vigorous nod, his little body wriggling with excitement. He repeats the word again, this time a little more clearly. "Mack-Mack!"

Hailey can't help but laugh at Blake's attempt to pronounce his sister's name. "That's right, buddy. 'Mack-Mack.' You're getting the hang of it."

Just then, she hears the front door open and Mackenzie appears in the doorway, her backpack hitched over one shoulder.

"Hey, Mom," she says, glancing over and noticing her mom holding Blake.

"Hey, sweetie," Hailey replies, her smile widening at the sight of her daughter. "How was your sleepover with Aunt Kim and Uncle Adam?"

"It was awesome," Mackenzie says, her face lighting up. "We watched a scary movie, and Uncle Adam let us eat ice cream before bed. It was the best!"

Hailey chuckles, shaking her head slightly at the thought of Adam letting them eat ice cream for dinner. "I'm glad you had a good time, but I think your Uncle Adam got a little carried away."

Mackenzie grins, not looking contrite in the slightest. "Yeah, but it was totally worth it."

She glances at Blake, who is still contentedly snuggled in Hailey's arms. "Hey, Blakey," she says, ruffling her little brother's hair. "Did you miss me?"

Blake lets out a happy squeal, reaching out for his sister. His little hands grasp her fingers, and he babbles something unintelligible.

Mackenzie laughs, her eyes sparkling with affection. "Looks like he did miss me," she says, gently untangling her hand from his grasp. "Which makes me the favorite sibling, by the way."

Hailey rolls her eyes, but there's a hint of amusement in her voice. "Of course you are, Princess. You're always the favorite."

Mackenzie grins triumphantly, her confidence growing. "Damn right I am. Don't you forget it."

She turns towards the kitchen, her stomach growling loudly. "Now, can I have some breakfast? I'm starving."

"Sure thing," Hailey replies, getting up from the floor and carrying Blake with her to the kitchen. "We've got bagels and cereal, so take your pick."

Mackenzie makes a beeline for the bagels, pulling a blueberry one out of the bag. She grabs a knife from the drawer and spreads some cream cheese across the top, taking a huge bite.

"Mmm, these are so good," she mumbles through a mouthful of food.

Hailey watches her daughter devour the bagel with amusement. "Slow down, kiddo. You're going to choke if you keep eating like that."

Mackenzie grins sheepishly, slowing down her pace slightly. "Sorry, Mom. I'm just really hungry."

She glances over at her mom and brother, taking in Hailey's tired and slightly disheveled appearance. "How's Dad doing?" she asks, concern lacing her voice.

Hailey's smile falters slightly at the mention of her husband. "He's not great," she admits, placing Blake in his high chair. "The stomach bug is really kicking his butt."

"Poor Dad," Mackenzie says empathetically, her young face etched with concern.

She watches as Hailey cuts up some banana for Blake, who babbles happily while shoveling the fruit into his mouth.

Hailey nods, her expression weary. "Yeah, he's had a rough few days. But he's tough, so I'm sure he'll be back on his feet soon enough."

She turns her attention to Blake, who has banana all over his face and hands. "Looks like someone's enjoying his breakfast," she chuckles, grabbing a napkin to clean him up.

Just as Hailey is about to respond to Mackenzie's comment about calling Will, they're interrupted by a loud voice from upstairs.

"Hailey, do not phone my brother!"

Hailey glances up, recognizing the hoarse voice of her sick husband.

"Oh, great. He's awake," she mutters, shooting a wry look at Mackenzie, who looks amused.

"I mean it, Hailey!" Jay calls out again, his voice slightly muffled. "Don't call him!"

Hailey rolls her eyes, unable to suppress a small sigh. "No chance of that, babe," she hollers back, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

There's a momentary silence from upstairs, probably Jay grumbling to himself.

Mackenzie looks back and forth between her mom and the ceiling, her curiosity piqued. "Why doesn't Dad want you to call Uncle Will?" she asks, her brow furrowing in confusion.

Hailey sighs again, leaning against the counter. "Your dad has a bit of a stubborn streak," she explains. "He doesn't like accepting help from anyone, even his own brother."

Mackenzie nods, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah, Dad can be pretty hard-headed."

She bites her lip, contemplating for a moment. "But if Dad's really sick, maybe we should call Uncle Will anyway. He could probably help, right?"

Hailey hesitates, torn between respecting her husband's wishes and wanting to do what's best for him. She glances upat the ceiling, silently debating whether to ignore Jay's protests.

Finally, she turns back to Mackenzie, her expression weary. "You might be right, kiddo," she says quietly. "But your dad would kill me if I called Will without asking him first."

Mackenzie nods again, her young eyes filled with understanding. "Yeah, he'd be really mad if you did that."

Hailey rubs her temples, feeling a headache starting to form. "Exactly. So, for now, let's just keep this conversation to ourselves, okay? I'll talk to your dad and see if I can convince him to let me call Will. Deal?"

Mackenzie grins, clearly pleased to be a part of the secret. "Okay, deal," she says in a hushed whisper "But can you promise me something?"

Hailey quirks an eyebrow at her daughter. "What's that?"

"Can you promise that you'll actually talk to Dad about it, and not just let him boss you around?" Mackenzie asks, her voice serious.

Hailey's expression softens, and she nods. "I promise, sweetie," she says sincerely. "I'll do my best to convince your dad to accept Will's help. But it might not be easy."

"That's okay," Mackenzie says, her confidence unwavering. "If anyone can get through to Dad, it's you, Mom."

Hailey laughs, amused by her daughter's faith in her. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, kiddo."

She glances at the clock above the kitchen sink, her eyes widening at the time. "Speaking of your dad, I should go check on him. You mind watching Blake for a bit?"

Mackenzie shakes her head, already rolling up her sleeves. "No problem, Mom. Go take care of Dad. We've got this."

Hailey smiles gratefully at her daughter, appreciating her maturity and willingness to step up. She gives her a quick kiss on the head before making her way upstairs.

She gently pushes open the bedroom door and finds Jay lying in bed, propped up by pillows. He looks exhausted and frustrated, his forehead beaded with sweat.

"Hey, babe," Hailey says softly, approaching the bed. "How you feeling?"

At the mention of food, Jay's face crumples, tears welling up in his eyes. "I don't think I could stomach anything right now," he whispers, his voice breaking.

Hailey's heart aches at the sight of her strong, stoic husband reduced to tears. She swallows the lump in her throat and eases into the bed, pulling him against her.

She positions him so his head is resting on her chest, her arms encircling him protectively. "It's okay," she murmurs, her voice soothing. "Just let it out, babe."

Jay lets out a strangled sob and buries his face in the crook of her neck. His body trembles against hers, his emotions unleashed.

Hailey continues to hold him, her whisper soft and gentle. "Shh... It's okay. Just let it out."

She rubs her hand up and down his back, trying to soothe his shaking shoulders. "It's okay to be vulnerable sometimes, baby. You don't have to be strong all the time."

Jay nods against her breast, his tears still flowing freely. He clings to her, his grip desperate and unyielding. His breath comes in ragged gasps, his body racked with sobs.

"Ssssh," Hailey murmurs again, pressing her lips to the top of his head. "I'm here, sweetheart. Let it all out."

She continues to hold him, her body cradling him gently.

Later in the evening, Jay is in the kitchen, cooking dinner. He's still a bit pale and drawn from his illness, but his color has improved slightly. He's decided to attempt something simple, like grilled chicken and vegetables.

Hailey enters the kitchen, her gaze immediately flickering to him. "You sure you're up to cooking?" she asks, her tone slightly concerned.

Jay shoots her a glare, his usual stubbornness returning. "I'm not an invalid," he retorts, his voice firmer than it's been all day. "I can cook a simple dinner, Hailey."

He turns back to the stove, vigorously stirring the vegetables in the pan.

Just then, Mackenzie comes down the stairs, the sound of her footsteps breaking the tension in the room. She pauses in the doorway, her gaze shifting from her mother to her father.

"Hey, Dad," she says, her eyes drifting to the stove. "Whatcha cooking?"

Jay glances over his shoulder, his expression softening at the sight of his daughter. "Chicken and veggies," he replies, his voice hoarse but gruff. "I figured I could manage something simple."

Mackenzie nods, her expression shifting to worry. "You sure you're feeling up to cooking, Dad? You still look a little pale."

Jay waves off her concern with a dismissive gesture. "I'm fine," he insists, his voice gruff. "Just a little dizzy, that's all."

Hailey's brow furrows at his words, her worry increasing. "Dizzy?" she asks, stepping closer to him. "Have you been feeling dizzy all day?"

Jay sighs, admitting the truth with a reluctant nod. "Yeah, a bit," he mutters, avoiding her gaze. "Mostly when I stand up too fast or turn my head too quickly."

"And you didn't think to mention this to me?" Hailey asks, her voice a mixture of frustration and concern.

Jay bristles at her tone, his hackles rising. "I didn't want to worry you, okay?" he retorts, his jaw clenching. "I can handle a little dizziness, Hailey."

Just as the tension between Hailey and Jay escalates, Blake waddles into the kitchen, his tiny feet slapping against the floor. He looks up at his parents with wide, innocent eyes, totally unaware of the argument.

"Da!" he squeals, reaching up his arms towards Jay.

The sight of his younger child immediately diffuses the tension, and Jay's stern expression softens. He scoops Blake up into his arms, nuzzling his nose against his son's chubby cheek.

"There's my little man," he says, his voice gruff but affectionate. "How's my favorite boy doing?"

Blake giggles, his chubby hands reaching up to tug on Jay's hair.

Jay chuckles, gently swatting his hands away. "You gotta stop pulling my hair, buddy," he teases. "Or I'm gonna be even more bald than I already am."

Blake just continues to giggle, completely unrepentant. He babbles incomprehensibly, his little fist wrapping tightly around a handful of Jay's shirt.

Hailey can't help but smile at the scene, her frustration from moments ago melting away. "Looks like someone missed Daddy," she says, her voice affectionate.

"Yeah, he's attached to me like glue," Jay replies, nuzzling Blake's hair. "Can't blame him. I am the cooler parent, after all."

Hailey rolls her eyes, her lips twitching in a smirk. "Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that, babe."

Jay grins, his expression smug. "Hey, it's the truth."

Just then, the smoke detector suddenly blares shrilly, causing everyone to jump. The vegetables in the pan are now smoking furiously, black tendrils coiling towards the ceiling.

"Oh fuck!" Jay mutters, quickly turning off the stove and fanning the air around the smoke detector.

Blake starts to wail, his small body tense with fright at the sudden noise.

Hailey quickly steps in, scooping the baby out of Jay's arms. "I've got him," she says, swaying gently in an attempt to soothe the frightened toddler.

Jay, meanwhile, is trying to get the smoky situation under control. He grabs a tea towel and waves it vigorously under the smoke detector, hoping to silence the ear-piercing noise.

Mackenzie, who had stepped out of the room for a moment, chooses that exact time to walk back in. She takes in the scene - Jay frantically fanning the smoke detector, the smoke-filled kitchen, and Blake's wailing - and can't help but snort in laughter.

"Nice job, Dad," she teases. "Looks like you almost burned the place down."

Jay shoots her a glare, his temper flaring momentarily. "Yeah, yeah, very funny," he mutters, his voice sharp. "I don't need the commentary, smarty pants."

"Sorry," Mackenzie says, not looking at all sorry. "It's just... You're supposed to cook the food, not set fire to the kitchen."

"Yeah, thanks for the reminder," Jay mutters, his expression grumpy.

The smoke detector finally goes silent, and he lowers the tea towel, sighing in relief. "There. Smoke stopped."

Hailey, who has managed to soothe a now-quiet Blake, raises an eyebrow. "Well, the vegetables aren't salvageable," she remarks wryly, gesturing to the blackened pan.

Jay grimaces, eyeing the ruined food. "Yeah, I see that," he mutters, his mood souring even more.

He turns to Hailey, his expression dejected. "I guess we're ordering takeout tonight."

Hailey pats his arm gently, her touch conciliatory. "Hey, it's okay," she reassures him. "No harm done, right? We'll just order pizza or something. No big deal."

Jay sighs, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he mutters.

Mackenzie pipes up from her spot by the counter, a smirk on her face. "Can we get extra pepperoni?" she asks, her voice hopeful.

"Sure," Jay replies gruffly, his expression still somewhat grumpy. "Extra pepperoni for the smartass in the room."

Hailey shakes her head, a fond smile on her lips.

"Oh, and can we get that garlic dip stuff?" Mackenzie adds, her eyes sparkling with hope. "The one that's like, ninety percent garlic and ten percent actual dip?"

Jay rolls his eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, sure, whatever," he mutters, reaching for his phone. "I'll just order the whole damn menu while I'm at it."

Hailey laughs, amused by their banter. "Just don't spend too much money, okay?" she teases.

Jay shoots her a sarcastic glance. "Oh, now you're worried about the cost. Nice timing, babe."

She grins, unperturbed. "Hey, I'm just saying. Order the whole menu if you want, but don't come complaining to me when the credit card bill arrives."

"Yeah yeah," Jay mutters, already punching in the number for their favorite pizza place. "You're a real comedian, you know that?"

"Hey, somebody's gotta keep the mood light around here," Hailey retorts, her eyes sparkling.

She steps closer to him, her hand resting on his back. She rubs gentle circles between his shoulder blades, feeling the tension there.

Jay lets out a long breath, his shoulders relaxing under her touch. He finishes the call and sets his phone down, turning to her.

"Pizza's on its way," he says, his voice gruff but affectionate. "Thirty minutes, give or take."

Great," Hailey says, her hand still trailing over his back. "Now all we have to do is wait."

Just then, the front door slams open, and Will rushes in, his expression harried.

"Hey," Will gasps, his breath coming in short pants. "Sorry I'm late. I got held up at the ER."

He strides into the kitchen, his gaze taking in the scene. "What happened here? It smells like a campfire in here."

Jay shrugs, his expression sheepish. "Let's just say the chicken didn't turn out as planned."

Hailey shoots him a knowing look, her mouth twitching in a smile. "Yeah, Jay decided to burn dinner."

Will snickers, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Seriously, man? You can't even cook a simple meal?"

Jay rolls his eyes, his irritation flaring. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. I'm sure you're a regular Gordon Ramsay in the kitchen, aren't you, doc?"

Will grins, not denying it. "Hey, I can at least manage to boil water without setting the house on fire."

He strides over to the stove and peers at the blackened pan, wincing. "Yikes. How'd you manage to burn it that bad?"

"Skill and talent," Jay mutters darkly, his expression brooding.

Hailey pokes him gently in the ribs. "More like lack of skill and talent," she teases, her tone affectionate.

Jay glares at her, but there's no real heat behind it. "Watch it, missy," he warns, although there's a hint of a smile playing at his lips.

Hailey grins back at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Or what, tough guy?" she retorts, her own smile growing.

"Oh, you'd better watch your step," Jay responds, his voice taking on a low, menacing tone.

Behind him, Mackenzie and Will are watching the flirty banter, both trying to suppress their grins.

"Oh please," Hailey replies, her voice dripping with a faux sultriness. "You're all bark and no bite, Halstead."

Jay steps closer to her, his eyes darkening. "I wouldn't be so sure, Upton," he says lowly, his voice holding an edge of warning.

Will and Mackenzie share an amused glance, both knowing where this is headed. Will clears his throat loudly. "Hey, maybe we should leave these lovebirds alone before things get too... heated in here."

Jay and Hailey pull apart, their faces slightly flushed. They had apparently forgotten they had an audience.

Jay rolls his eyes, muttering, "Remind me to lock the damn door next time."

"Oh, shut up," Hailey retorts, poking him in the chest. "Like you actually mind having an audience."

Just then, there's a knock at the door, announcing the arrival of the pizza. Will grins. "Saved by the bell, eh, kids?"

Jay shoots him a dark look. "You're awfully chipper today. Must have had a good shift at work."

Will shrugs. "Eh, it was busy, but I can't complain. Met a cute nurse today. She's a redhead, and I've always had a thing for redheads."

Mackenzie raises an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? And did you get her number, or are you still planning on being single forever?"

Will shoots her a mock glare. "Hey, I'm not that hopeless, you know. I got her number. We're going out next week."

Jay scoffs. "Yeah, I'll believe that when I see it. You're a terrible flirt."

"Hey, I am not," Will argues, looking slightly offended. "I'll have you know, I'm quite the charmer. Women find me irresistible."

Hailey snickers, clearly not buying his act. "Right. That's why you've been single for the past year."

Will pouts. "I've been focusing on my career. Plus, I'm picky. I want someone who appreciates all of this," he gestures at his body, "Not just the pretty face."

Mackenzie rolls her eyes. "Yeah, okay, Casanova. Whatever you say."

Will grins, shrugging off their comments. "You guys just wait. I'll prove you wrong. Soon, I'll have a date every night of the week."

Jay snorts. "Sure, buddy. Sure. I, on the other hand, have the sexiest wife in Chicago. So I think I'm the real winner here."

Hailey chuckles, smacking him on the arm. "You're just biased."

Will mock gasps. "Hey, what about me? Am I chopped liver?"

Mackenzie grins, clearly enjoying the banter. "Sorry, Uncle Will, but Dad's right. Mom is definitely hotter."

Will splutters, feigning offense. "Whose side are you on, pipsqueak? I'm the cool uncle, remember?"

But before a full-on argument can break out between uncle and niece, there's another knock on the door. This time, it's the pizza delivery guy.

"Saved by the pizza," Will quips. "Again."

Jay mutters, "More like saved by the bell."

Hailey rolls her eyes again, already reaching for her wallet. "I'll get this. You two can argue over who's hotter all you want."

Will grins. "Ha! See? She doesn't think you're that hot, Jay."

Jay rolls his eyes again, his expression disgruntled. "Whatever. I know she thinks I'm hot. She tells me every night."

Mackenzie makes a face, her eyes going wide. "TMI, Dad. We don't need to hear about that."

Hailey laughs, shaking her head as she hands the pizza guy a few bills. "You're all hopeless. Every single one of you."

Jay winks at him, his other arm coming around to pinch Mackenzie's cheek. "And we're not gonna stop anytime soon, right, babe?"

Hailey chuckles, her head resting against his shoulder. "Right."

Will grimaces, pretending to shield his eyes. "You guys make me sick with all this lovey-dovey stuff."

Mackenzie pretends to retch. "Gross. Why do you guys have to be so... so... couple-y?"

Jay laughs, ruffling her hair. "Because we're in love, pipsqueak. You'll understand when you grow up."

"Ugh, not if it means being all... mushy like you two," Mackenzie says with a shudder.

Hailey laughs. "Trust me, kiddo, when you find the right person, being mushy is the best part.

Will laughs. "Listen to your mom, kiddo. She knows what she's talking about."

Jay grins, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of Hailey's head. "Yeah, she does."

Mackenzie makes a retching sound again, her face screwing up in disgust. "You two are so embarrassing. You realize that, right?"

Jay laughs again, ruffling her hair again. "We know. But we can't help it. Your mom's just that irresistible."

Hailey smacks his arm playfully. "Oh please, you're the one who can't keep his hands off me."

"Hey, can you blame me?" he retorts. "You're hot, smart, and sexy as hell. It's hard to resist."

Will rolls his eyes. "And now I'm just gonna listen to you two flirt all night. Great."

Mackenzie groans. "Oh god, not again. Can you guys please not do this in front of me?"

Hailey grins, her hand absently tracing a pattern on Jay's chest. "Sorry, kiddo. But this is just how we are."

Jay nods, his arm looping around her waist again. "Yeah, it comes with the territory of being deeply and madly in love."

"Yeah, yeah," Mackenzie mutters, still pretending to gag. "You guys are so cheesy."

Will laughs, shaking his head. "You don't know the half of it, pipsqueak."

Jay chuckles, his eyes sparkling. "Oh, we can be so much cheesier than this. But we'll wait until you're asleep, don't worry."

"Ugh, spare me," Mackenzie groans, throwing her hands over her ears. "I do not need those images in my head."

Will laughs. "Yeah, please stop. I don't mind watching you two be nauseatingly in love, but I draw the line at anything more explicit than that."

As the evening wears on, Will gathers his belongings, getting ready to say his goodbyes. Mackenzie, who has been sticking close to her favorite uncle all night, tugs on his shirt.

"Uncle Will, can't you stay longer? I don't want you to go yet."

Will grins, reaching down to ruffle her hair. "Sorry, pipsqueak. I've got an early shift tomorrow, so I need to get some sleep."

Mackenzie pouts, her expression dejected. "But I don't want you to go. Can't you just stay a little longer?"

Will laughs, touched by her insistence. "Believe me, I'd love to stay. But you don't want your old uncle to be a walking zombie in the morning, do you?"

Mackenzie considers this for a moment, her bottom lip jutting out in a pout. "No," she mumbles begrudgingly.

Will grins, patting her head. "That's what I thought. But I'll be back soon, I promise. And I'll bring some of those little gummy dinosaurs you like, okay?"

Her eyes light up at the mention of the gummy dinosaurs, her pout disappearing. "Really? You promise?"

Will nods earnestly. "I promise. And maybe next time I'll bring some of those cotton candy flavored ones too."

As Will prepares to leave, Mackenzie's eyes remain focused on her parents, who are standing close together by the kitchen counter. She notices her mother's hands resting on her father's chest, underneath his shirt.

"Mom," she comments, her voice loud and innocent. "Why are your hands under Dad's shirt?"

All three adults freeze, realizing that they've been caught. Hailey's hands still against Jay's chest, her face flushing with mild embarrassment. Jay, on the other hand, seems more amused than embarrassed.

"Er..." Hailey starts, her mind scrambling for a response.

"I was just... uh..." she trails off, unsure of what to say.

But Jay cuts in, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Your mom was just giving me some extra attention, kiddo," he says, his voice light and teasing.

Mackenzie looks skeptical, her eyes narrowing. "Extra attention? What kind of extra attention?"

Jay's smirk widens as he glances down at Hailey, who is now looking more flustered than ever.

"The adult kind," he replies, his voice dropping to a low, suggestive tone.

Hailey smacks his chest lightly, though her own lips twist into a knowing smile.

Meanwhile, Mackenzie wrinkles her nose. "Ew, gross. I don't want to hear about the 'adult kind' of attention."

Jay laughs at her reaction, his arms wrapping around Hailey's waist. "Trust me, kiddo, you don't want to hear about it now. But in a few years, you'll understand."

Mackenzie makes a face and sticks out her tongue. "I doubt it. I don't think I ever want to understand."

Will laughs, clearly enjoying the exchange. "Don't worry, pipsqueak. You'll understand when you're older. And then you'll realize how cringe-worthy your parents really are."

It's late now, and Hailey and Jay are preparing for bed. The house is quiet, with only the soft sounds of the city outside their windows.

Hailey stands in the bathroom, her makeup removed and her nightly skincare routine just beginning. She hears Jay's footsteps approaching and turns around to see him leaning in the doorway.

Jay's gaze drifts over her, taking in her soft pajama shorts and oversized t-shirt. His voice is deep when he speaks, his eyes dark.

"Hey, you."

Hailey smiles at his tone, a shiver of excitement running through her. "Hey," she replies, her own eyes appraising him as he stands there in his boxer briefs and a thin t-shirt.

Jay takes a few steps into the bathroom, moving to stand behind her. His arms slide around her waist, drawing her back against his chest. "You smell nice," he murmurs, his lips brushing against her neck.

A soft sigh escapes Hailey's lips, her head tilting to give him better access. "Mmm, I just used my new body lotion."

Jay's hands slide up her sides, his touch sending tingles through her body. "I like it," he says, his lips now against the sensitive skin of her ear. "It makes me want to touch you all over."

Hailey's breath hitches, her body reacting to his words and his touches. "Do you now?" she teases, arching her back against him.

"Is that so," Hailey laughs softly, but the sound quickly turns into a gasp as one of his hands moves downward, his fingers pressing against her inner thigh.

"Mmhmm," he hums, his mouth moving down to her shoulder, his lips trailing kisses across her skin. "Can you blame me? You just look so damn sexy in these shorts... and these legs..."

His hand caresses her inner thigh, his touch both soothing and arousing at the same time.

"You're such a horn dog," Hailey breathes, her body reacting to his touch. "Can't keep your hands off me for five minutes."

Jay chuckles against her skin, his hand now moving back up her side, under her shirt. "I can't help it. You're too damn irresistible."

His palm flattens against her stomach, his fingers splaying across her skin. "And besides... you don't want me to keep my hands off you, do you?"

He punctuates his question with a light bite to her earlobe, his lips curving into a smirk against her neck.

"No," Hailey gasps, her eyes fluttering shut. "No, I don't."

Her body arches back against him, her hips grinding into his as she feels his hardness press against her backside. "I... I was just about to start my skincare routine..."

Jay's smile turns devilish as he feels her push against him. "Your skin already looks perfect," he murmurs, his fingers slowly moving upwards, tracing an invisible line along her ribcage. "You don't need any fancy lotions or creams."

"Oh, so you're an expert now, are you?" Hailey teases, her head falling back against his shoulder. Her breath hitches as his fingertips brush against the underside of her breast.

"More of an admirer, really," he replies, his voice low and gravelly. His lips find that sensitive spot near her collarbone, his teeth gently scraping across it. "I could spend all day admiring your skin... and everything else."

Hailey's breath comes out in a shaky exhale, her hands reaching back to cling to his hips. "You're such a smooth talker," she says, her words coming out in a half-moan.

"Is it working?" he asks, his fingers now tracing a lazy pattern up and down her sides. His mouth is against her neck, his breath hot and heavy, his teeth nipping at her skin.

"Mmm... yes," she murmurs, her body responding to his touch like a live wire. "It's definitely working."

She turns in his arms, shifting so that she's facing him. Her hands slide up his bare chest, her fingers tracing the muscles of his abdomen. "But then again, everything you do works on me..."

His lips curve into a slow grin, her touch sending shivers down his spine. "Is that so?" he murmurs, his hands coming up to grasp her hips, his thumbs rubbing small circles on her skin. "I guess I'll have to make sure I keep things interesting, then."

He takes a step forward, pinning her against the bathroom counter. His hands slide down to the backs of her thighs, lifting her up and settling her on edge.

Hailey gasps as he effortlessly lifts her up, her legs splaying to either side of his hips. Her hands tighten on his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin as he presses himself against her. "Jay," she whispers, her voice a mix of desire and pleading.

"Yeah, baby?" he replies, his voice rough as he grinds himself against her. "You want something?"

His mouth finds her neck again, his lips and teeth working against her skin as his hands slide under her shirt, his touch both possessive and tender.

"You, I want you," she moans, her hips arching against his, seeking out more friction. Her hands reach up to bury themselves in his hair, her blunt nails scraping against his scalp. "I always want you."

His mouth moves to her ear, his stubble scraping against her sensitive skin. "And you have me," he whispers, his voice hoarse with desire. "All of me."

He pulls her body closer, his hands gripping her hips so tightly that he's sure he'll leave bruises. "You want me to take you right here, baby? On the bathroom counter?"

"Yes," she gasps, her breath coming out in sharp little pants. Her legs tighten around his hips, pulling him closer. "Yes, please."

She leans back, her hands resting on the counter for support as she looks up at him, her eyes dark with desire. "I need you, Jay. Now."

His eyes rake over her, taking in the sight of her spread out before him, her shirt riding up, her hair a mess, her lips parted in invitation. He groans, his self-control slipping away with his restraint. "God, you're so beautiful," he murmurs, his hands sliding down to the waistband of her shorts, his fingers slipping under the material.

"Jay," she whispers, her breath catching as his hands move lower, his fingers tracing the elastic of her panties. The feel of his touch sets her on fire, every nerve ending in her body tingling with anticipation. "Please..."

His eyes lock onto hers, his expression predatory, almost primal. "You're wearing my favorite ones," he says, his fingers hooking into the material and tugging gently. "The lace ones..."

"I know," she admits, her voice low and sultry. "I wore them just for you."

Her legs tighten around him, drawing him even closer. "Are you going to do something about it, or are you just going to tease me all night?"

He grins, his teeth nipping at her bottom lip. "Who's teasing who?" he murmurs, his lips moving down to her neck. "I think you're the one doing the teasing, wearing these damn shorts and these damn panties, looking so damn good..."

"Guilty as charged," she gasps, her head falling back as his mouth works against her skin. Her hands clutch at his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh. "But you love it. You love it when I tease you, when I drive you wild."

"Damn right, I do," he growls, his hands slipping out of her shorts and moving up to the buttons on her shirt. He makes quick work of them, his gaze fixed on the exposed skin of her chest. "And you love driving me wild, don't you?"

"Like you wouldn't believe," she says, her voice breathy and laced with desire. "There's nothing I love more than seeing you lose control."

He pulls the shirt off her shoulders, tossing it aside and baring her to his gaze. He takes a step back, his eyes rake over her body, taking in every curve and contour. "God, you're perfect."

"And I'm all yours," she whispers, her hands reaching out to pull him closer. "Now stop looking and start touching."

He doesn't need any further encouragement. His hands are on her in an instant, his touch rough and desperate, as if he can't get enough of her skin.

After a night full of passion, Hailey and Jay are finally ready to rest. Their bodies are intertwined, their breathing synchronized as they lie in the dim light of their bedroom.

Jay's arms are wrapped protectively around her, his chest rising and falling with each breath. He presses a soft kiss to the top of her head, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Sweet dreams, baby."