Page 151 of Pretty Poisoned

"Why's that?"

"River says I shouldn't piss you off anymore."

He laughs. "So, you think you can't talk to me without pissing me off?"

I shrug. "It's the safest bet."

"Well, that pisses me off," he says.

Shit."Um—"

"I'm kidding, Teagan," he says. He laces his fingers through my own and, with his other hand, traces the 'D' on my chest. "I know you miss me. I miss you, too. I miss the way you smell; I miss the way you taste. I miss seeing you look up at me with those big blue eyes and your pretty lips parted. I miss your voice and the way you fit in this space under my chin…" He pauses, pointing to his collarbone. "Right here."

"Declan, please don't."

"Why not?" he asks. He removes his sunglasses and then pushes mine onto my head. As much as I want to look away, I know I can't. His intense gaze holds me in place, and I know my eyes are what he wants. "Really…tell me why you won't let me be good to you. I know you, Teagan."

And in case I forgot exactly what he means, he runs his finger along the tulip tattooed on my forearm.

"And I know you love me, even if you won't say it. I won't leave you alone."

I swallow hard. "How many girls are buried in the woods?"

"More than one," he says. "Less than five. But it won't happen to you, Teagan."

"Here you go, angel," Luca says.

Grateful for the interruption, I quickly turn toward him and take the drink from his hand.

"Thank you," I say.

I down half of the mostly rum concoction before I set the glass on the table. It doesn't ease the tension or make the weight of what Declan just said any less heavy.

"So, what time do we have to leave?" Luca asks Declan.

"We're signing beforehand, so around four, probably," Declan replies.

He isn't wrong, though. I knew as soon as he said it—and if I'm more honest with myself, I've known for a while. If he wants to know why I don't like it when he's sweet to me, that's why. It's because I love him, and I don't want to.

But it's too late for that now, isn't it?

And since that's the case, I pull my knees into my body and then turn and rest my head on Declan's collarbone, settling into that space right under his chin where I fit so well. Strong arms wrap around me and hold me against him.

"Are you okay, Teag?" Luca asks.

"Yeah," Declan answers. "She's okay."

He kisses the top of my head, and I close my eyes. I breathe deeply and try to steady my heart rate so that it matches his own.

Strong, calm. Unbothered.

But I can't. I'll never be like him.

I stay like that for quite a while—an hour maybe—until his phone rings, and he walks away to take the call. He doesn't ever come back; he leaves without saying a word.

It hurts my fucking feelings.

"We should go soon, too," Luca says. "I'm hungry. Let's go to lunch."

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