Page 38 of His Ruthless Obsession

Ava kicks me under the table.

“He’s not going to do that to your brother.”

Nella sighs. “Can I at least see Etta?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“But she doesn’t even know where I am! And she has nothing to do with my family, she’s just my friend. What could I possibly tell her?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t care. It’s not happening.”

I push back from the table and stand. I gather my half-empty mug and take it over to the sink, dumping out the rest of it before setting it inside of the dishwasher.

Nella turns around in her chair. “You won’t even consider it?”

“Nope. I’ve got to head out. Behave while I’m gone.”

She opens her mouth to argue with me more, but I cut her off by cupping her jaw and pulling her into a kiss. She lets out a small noise—it’s one of surprise, from what I can guess. I shove my way into her mouth and run my tongue over hers, tasting her all over.

I part from her and let out a small laugh at the dazed expression on her face. I squeeze her cheeks together.

“Be good.”

She nods softly, not looking like she comprehends my words exactly. I give her a wink and let go of her, letting her slump back into her chair with rosy cheeks.

I head out of the dining room and through the rest of the house, but the sound of a chair pushing back from the table abruptly follows. Then comes a pair of footsteps heading quickly after me. I don’t bother waiting for her to catch up, opening the front door and stepping into the bright sun.

When my shoes hit the first set of steps down to the driveway, I hear Ava pull the front door closed.

“Where are you going?”

I turn to look at her over my shoulder. “Nowhere. Why?”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Why don’t I believe you…?”

“Distrusting me so early, cousin?”

“You falling for her?”

The question comes so out of leftfield that it almost makes me stumble. I turn and hit the button on my key fob, the headlights of my car flashing at me.

“Where the hell did that come from?”

“Answer the question.”

I roll my eyes and give her a look over my shoulder.

“You’re being ridiculous. She’s just fun to play with.”

“Yeah, right. That kiss back there looked prettynot-fun-but-mostly-realto me.”

I shake my head. “What of it? She’s hot. Sue me.”

There is a weird pressure in my chest when I say that, and it makes me feel strange. I dig the bridge of my hand into my sternum, rubbing at the spot hard enough to bruise my skin.

“Well, if you are falling for her… I’m happy for you. You just need to be careful.”

“Like I said.” I drop my hand. “It’s—”

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