Page 173 of Toxic Kiss

Dropping my lips to hers, I kiss her hard, demanding every inch of her sweet mouth. Haven finally opens and lets me in, I pull her close and devour her, not giving a fuck who is around to see us.

Haven’s lips are swollen, and her eyes still hold a trace of uncertainty when I pull back.

“For you to understand that you can call us whatever you want, but at the end of the day…you’re mine.”

Winking, I release her hand and wait for her to move away. It takes a second, like she hasn’t noticed she’s no longer trapped. Then, she slips inside the dark interior and disappears.

I take a deep breath.

Wife.

I fucking like the sound of that.

chapter

forty-three

“I’m not past it. I’m just stronger than I was yesterday, and sometimes…that has to be enough.” – Cyrus

CYRUS

Stepping out of my room, I look at Haven’s closed door and shake my head. The girl is a fucking mystery. She knows me better than anyone, but when I tell her I love her, she’s all, Yeah, sure you do.

What the fuck do I have to do to make her believe me?

I hitch my duffel onto my shoulder and wince as the throbbing I’ve managed to ignore for a few hours comes screaming back. No one else is up, despite it being almost noon, but I can hear Declan on the phone as I head toward the kitchen.

He waves as I walk in and go straight to the fridge. Empty. This is another reason why I hate being on the road. We are never in one place long enough to have basic shit like milk and cereal. That needs to be added to my next contract. I shut the door and cross my arms, waiting for Declan to finish his call.

“Yes, that is correct. Run with that,” Declan says, and then hangs up and looks at me. “I think I have the perfect cover story set.”

“That’s great, I don’t care what you say as long as we are married.”

He steps close enough that I can smell the expensive cologne he wears. He may as well buy stock in the brand.

“You sure this is what you want to do? I mean, this feels…rash and your mother will hate it. Besides, if you cheat⁠—.”

“I won’t,” I growl, cutting him off as I glare at him. “Yes, I’m sure.”

Declan still looks confused, but he doesn’t push when I don’t elaborate further. The last fucking person I want to have a heart-to-heart with is Declan.

“Alright. We have one more thing to discuss. That guy Charles is pressing charges,” he says and shakes his head. “He is from some fancy firm out of NYC. He won’t go away quietly and he has no interest in being bought off.”

I smirk, and Declan glares at me.

“This isn’t funny.”

“Yes, it is.”

Declan throws his hands up in frustration.

“Can you explain why?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. I am betting all charges will be dropped.” I turn to leave and stop. “Oh, I’m heading out for a bit.”

“Where are you going? Do you need the car or security?”

“No.”