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Haley and Ma discuss Da’s history while Saoirse comes back with orange juice. “Saoirse, just trickle a little in his mouth,” Haley says as she helps my Da sit up, now conscious, while Ma dotes over him and my sister forces juice down his throat.
Chapter eighteen
“Howareyoufeeling,Mr. Murphy?” I place my hand on his shoulder, helping him steady himself as he continues to become more coherent.
″Oh, Callum! You gave me a heart attack.” Mrs. Murphy sighs with relief, as she wraps her hands around his neck and plants a kiss on his cheek.
″What’s happened?” Senior asks.
″You had a little pass out there,” I say. “Mr. Murphy, when was the last time you’ve been to the doctor for a physical? Had some blood drawn?”
″Not sure. I don’t like doctors.” He grumbles, pushing away from me.
″I think you’re a diabetic,” I say. “You should get it looked at before it causes you worse issues.”
″No more sweets for you, Da.” Callum chuckles, pushing in his father’s chair. He comes back for me, pressing his lips against my temple, then whispers so only I can hear him. “Thanks, Doc.”
″No prob, Gangster.”
His breath against my ear radiates through my spine.Doc. So much better thanlass. The throbbing between my legs is back, as he places a gentle hand against my lower back. It’s as if that orgasm in the shower earlier has sent me to the other side of my affection for him and I’m no longer scared to embrace it.
I want him.
My breathing picks up as I realize what’s happening. Have I been happy the past few days? I’m comfortable around this family, around Callum. I want to kiss him the way I kissed him in my kitchen for the first time. I refrain from gagging as I cross my arms over my chest. I’m not sure if I’m ready for this.
How can a man so hardened be so kind and patient with me? I haven’t seen his dark side, but I know it’s just a matter of time. He sees himself as a dangerous man, and I know he’s been restraining a part of him. Hiding the truth of who he is, maybe because he is too scared I can’t handle it.
And he’s probably right.
How will he respond when I see who he truly is? In my experience, bad men don’t treat the women in their lives well. I can’t stick around for that. If I fall for him, and he turns out to not care for me, it’ll break me.
I can already feel the walls tumbling down, and before I know it, it’ll be too late. No, I can’t let that happen. I have to push him now, know who he is now before I’m in too deep. He doesn’t like when I pay attention to the other Murphy men,
When I laughed at Sean, Callum’s jaw had ticked, and his body tensed beside me. He seemed jealous of the attention given to his brother, even though I’ve only ever wanted him in my life.Callum.
Paddy limps toward a chair. My caretaker instinct kicks in, so I dart over to help him. It doesn’t go unnoticed by Cal, who again tightens his jaw. It’s too easy to fuck with him.
Good. That means it’ll be easy to push that dark side of him to the breaking point. I’m playing with fire, I know, but it doesn’t stop me from lighting the match.
Callum slams the door behind him, following me into my house uninvited. I kick off the heels I’m wearing as I walk in and toss my purse on the table. My cheeks flush from the irritation of our silent car ride.
I’ve definitely fucking pushed him to his limit, that’s for sure.
He refused to talk to me on the way home, leaving me to doubt every action of the last few hours. I knew what I was doing when I flirted with Sean and I got the rise I wanted from Callum.
So why are my insides burning with regret?
It can’t be because I’m already hooked on him. There’s no way after only a few weeks of knowing him and not even remotely liking him until recently.
I knew my actions would push him away, make him angry, make him react. Yet, the outcome is burning me. My head is fuzzy, unable to decide if I’m prepared for the battle between us, or if I’m going to back down and apologize for being an asshole.
″We need to discuss what the fuck happened tonight, Haley.”
His voice penetrates my soul. Gritty goodness that sends me into a quiver. I roll my shoulders, standing taller so that I can attempt to hide the reaction my body has to him.
I guess I’m in this all the way, so I have to remain strong. Push until he breaks. See how he reacts, then leave when he disappoints me. Because hewilldisappoint me. It was naïve to think that leaving my baggage at the door would work.
That shit will always follow me, heavy and unwaning.
