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Acting nonchalant, I asked, “What are you cooking?”
“Tacos.”
“I love tacos. Is there anything I can do to help?”
For the next thirty minutes, we cooked together like a normal couple, and I enjoyed every second of it. After we ate, Hayes jumped in the shower, and I made my way out to the deck by his bedroom. I was sitting on the lounger when he found me, staring up at the stars.
He gestured to the seat in front of me, silently asking if he could sit down. I nodded, pulling my knees to my chest. He was shirtless, wearing only gym shorts and I resisted the urge to tackle his bones.
Damn he looked good.
There was a drink in his hand with amber liquid in it. I could smell the bourbon from his glass, and it dawned on me I’d never seen him drink before.
Calling him out, I stated, “I think this is the first time I’ve seen you drink.”
He took a swig. “I don’t usually.”
“Does that mean I’m driving you to drink?”
“If there’s one thing you need to know about me, Haven. I don’t handle my problems with liquor.”
“I’m a problem now?”
“Sweetheart, you’ve been a problem since day one.”
I hated hearing him say that.
“I’m not trying to hurt you, Peach. Trust me, it’s the last thing I want to do.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
“Yeah, I do.”
He simply nodded, raising the glass to his mouth.
“Can I have some?”
His gaze tapered. I never expected what happened next. Gripping onto the back of my neck, he tugged me toward him.
Once his lips were on mine, he slowly beckoned my mouth to open for him. The second I did—whiskey filled my mouth from his. It immediately burned in a fiery delight all the way down my chest and into my stomach.
He pecked me one last time before pulling away, I slightly whimpered at the loss.
A little shaken, I coaxed, “That was smooth. If you’re trying to make me less upset with you, I’m still mad.”
“Feeling’s mutual, sweetheart.”
“But I’m a nice girl,” I playfully joked, trying to lighten the mood. “You’re lucky to have met me.”
“Nice girls need to stay away from the likes of me.”
“I know what you do is dangerous. I know there’s a reason why you’re like this. But I also know you… I see through you. You’re a man with a huge heart and I’m living proof of that. You’re not bad for me. You just think you are.”
“Peach—”
“I know what it feels like to be alone, to feel like you have no one on your side, but you have me. I’m here for you, Hayes. No matter what. So please stop pushing me away. I’m tired of hearing you say we don’t have a future together when all I want is a future with you. As much as you want to deny it, I know you want that too. You’re just fighting it.”
“Me wanting a future with you is the least of our problems, Haven.”
“What’s it going to take for you to realize I’m good for you? You need me. We’re a team now.”
“Haven…”
“Why won’t you just let me in? I can help… We can help each other. Why do you insist on fighting this? I understand you’ve done some shady shit, but you don’t have to keep doing it. You could stop at any time and make a different life for yourself. One that involves me and us being together.”
He shook his head. “I’ll never forget the look on your face the other day. You were scared of me.”
“I was in shock. A lot happened at once. And yes, I was momentarily scared of you, but after thinking about it these last few days. I’m beyond grateful you showed up when you did. If you hadn’t, who knows what could have happened to me. You saved me, again.”
“You’re only in trouble because of me.”
“It’s your dad’s fault not yours. What’s it going to take for you to understand that?”
I could see his mind spinning. He didn’t try to hide his emotions from me like he usually did. However, the torment he was showcasing was hard to witness. I was wreaking havoc on this man’s life, but I couldn’t give him up.
He was mine.
“I’m tired of everyone treating me like I’m a little girl.” Listening to Cove’s advice, I stood confidently.
He watched my every move as I lifted my dress off my body, tossing it to the side. Before he could object, I grabbed the glass out of his hand and poured the whiskey down my chest.
“You want to lose yourself.” Nothing could have stopped me from speaking with conviction…
“Then do it inside me.”
Twenty-Two
Haven
It was as clear as day. His eyes glazed over like a possessed man while his appearance hardened in a way that would forever be embedded in my mind. I wasn’t wearing a bra, standing there topless in just my panties.
