Page 190 of Toxic Kiss

I grab her arm and pull her into me so she can’t escape.

“Okay, smart ass, so we are cottagers. The rest of the question remains. What’s going on?”

“I want coffee first.”

“Fine.” I let her go.

“You want one?”

“Sure. Thanks.”

Leaning against the counter, I realize that this is exactly what I want. I desire nothing more than to watch Haven make coffee every day for the rest of my life. What I once loathed, I now crave. She has fucked with my head and heart, and I’ll never get them back.

Haven hands me a cup and then takes a sip of her own before leading me into the living room. Large windows overlook a body of water. The moon is shining so brightly on the surface that it looks like it’s dancing.

As we sit on the brown leather couch, I cup her cheek and run my thumb over her skin.

“Before you say anything…I just need to tell you that I was really scared they weren’t going to let me out.”

“We wouldn’t let that happen,” she says calmly. But I see the flames in her eyes. “I’ve already landed in jail once this week, what’s a second time for breaking you out?”

“That’s a great headline.”

Haven sits back, and my hand falls away.

“Look before we get into anything else. I need to tell you that I’m pissed off. No, I’m more than pissed, I’m livid. I’m set you on fire and laugh kind of angry.”

“Well, that’s certainly an image. So, I really do need to be wary of sharp objects.”

Haven stands and walks over to the electric fireplace, turning it on as if to emphasize her point. She glares at me, arms crossed, daring me to say something stupid. Of course, that only makes me want to mouth off more, but I behave.

“I’m serious, Cy. No fucking games, no laughing at me. I’m….” Haven runs her hand through her hair. “I’m really fucking hurt.”

I slowly stand and set my mug down.

“Okay…why?”

“You don’t know this because your mother is a cartoon loon of destruction and locked you up because she wasn’t getting enough attention. But…our little sexcapade in the jail was leaked.”

Before I can even contemplate if it’s a dumb idea, I smirk at Haven.

Her eyes harden as she grabs a decorative duck off the mantle.

“Whoa…sorry. I’ll be good.”

“You better, or I’ll grab a poker and stab you instead.”

I glance at the glass-enclosed fire.

“There is no poker.”

With a roar, Haven whips the carving at me. I barely manage to catch it before it hits me square in the chest.

“Ow…you have an arm. Death by duck, not how I want to go out.”

Haven balls her hands, and I slowly set down the projectile.

“You know me, I can’t help but be a smartass.”