I nod.
“Alright.”
“Your parents?” I watch her with a keen eye.Tell me more about you, eun beag.
“My phone.” She gestures to her empty jean pockets. “In this day and age, who knows anyone’s phone number.”
“I know my mam’s number. Still call it to listen to her away greeting.”To hear her voice filled with happiness instead of regret.
“Your dad?” she tests.
“Ya know I stopped giving afeckabout the lad a long time ago, Ava. What’s your parents’ number? Address . . . surely, you know where they live.”
Ava stalks over to the champagne-colored velvet curtains, plucking the silk cord. She shoves the material aside. The side of her fists raps firmly on the window. “I want out of this place!”
My eyes smolder in annoyance.
“I’m not bound to you, Kieran. Stop the madness!”
“Stop the madness? If it hasn’t gotten through your skull, Ava, you and I are in a relationship.” I jerk a shoulder. “Ask me a question.”
Ava’s meatyarseleans against the windowsill. Arms folding over, she asks, “Why can’t Kiera live with you?”
“You already have the answer tothat.”I claim a seat at the edge of the bed and brush off more sticky sand from my damp jeans.
“Nope, I’m stumbling in the dark concerning all things Kieran thecabrónMcFarland!”
“The grocery store scenario should suffice for an answer, don’t you think?”
“The Ma-MacKenzies, the clan your family created a liaison with years ago. What about them?”
“As you can see, Ava, I’m not forgiving when it pertains to mistakes.”
For a moment, she seems to contemplate my answer, fingertips curling under the windowsill at the sides of her hips. “So, you pull out your gun,bang, bang.”
“Aye, most cases. Except when it comes to you.”
“You’ve thought of killing me.”
“Not as much as I thought offeckingyou. Had a good time this morning.” My eyelids lower. I target her mouth. I calculate Ava’s attempt to flee before her brain even registers to move. She’s got afeckingknack for running; it’s innate. But that doesn’t hurt any less. I recall all the lassies I’ve taken to bed, how they were reluctant to leave. How brilliant! I can’t get Ava to stay. I’ve traded in the life of a king forthis.A woman who can’t stand the likes of me. I’m out of myfeckingmind. I crave Ava more for her disdain.
I catch Ava, arms looping around her waist. I back her up against the wall so hard her teeth grit, and a watercolor painting rattles in its frame.
“At-at-at, little birdie.” My hand adorns her neck, and I kiss the protest from her lips.
Moaning, Ava starts, eyes widening, but her body responds. “If I give you an address to drop me off, you’ll let me go, Kieran?”
“Oh, we’ve returned to the topic of who’s mourning your disappearance.” I stroke the sensual slope of her breast and lazily add, “Aye. Give me an address.”
“How can I be sure you won’t go postal and kill anyone,” she massages her throat, “I love or who loves me? You seem like a man who falls prey to jealousy.”
My fingertip draws a cross over the center of my chest. “You’ve my word.”
“The word of a man of corrupt character. I’mforeverin your debt.” She offers a sickly, sweet smile.
“Then tell me something about you, lass.” The side of my fist pops against the wall.
“Alright.” Ava’s arms fold over, and the smile vanishes. “I detest men whothinkthey’ve a God-given right to rule over women.”