Doc holds out her fist and I bump it with mine, leading to a loud, disgruntled sigh from Hayden.
“I can’t believe you’re jumping ship like this,” she says. “We’re sisters. You’re supposed to back me up on everything.”
“I am backing you up, Hay Bales. We didn’t grow up calling Millsville ‘Shittsville’ for nothing. The town is a dead end for you. You hate the city, like small towns, crave stability, and you can have it all here. Why do you think I sent you the address to this place?”
“Because I would’ve hunted you down like a dog if you hadn’t.”
“That and because I want you to be with me and if it takes you falling for a guy like King, then so be it.” She looks up over Hayden’s head and fixes a serious gaze on me. “But if you hurt my sister, I will come into your room at night with my scalpel and cut off your mistletoe and holly.”
I wince and pull Hayden closer. “I promise on all the holiday ornaments that Cyn put away last week I will not hurt Hayden.” I jerk my chin. “Why don’t you go on ahead? The stew’s getting cold.”
“I’m hungry, too,” Hayden complains as she watches her sister walk out the door. The minute the door shuts, I spin Hayden around.
“You have five seconds,” I inform her.
“For what?”
“To lodge any objections you might have to spending the night in my bed with my cock between your legs.”
Her cheeks turn red, but she doesn’t back down. “I’m not going anywhere tonight but this cabin with my sister.”
“I mean, okay, if you want your sister to watch, I don’t care. It’s a little odd, but even your father standing here with a shotgun isn’t going to keep me away from you. Not tonight or any night after.”
fourteen
HAYDEN
I stareup at King and his all too handsome face. “Fine. I’ll stay in your bed while I’m here.” I’d show both my sister and King that I can have random sex if I want to. They have no idea what they are talking about. I don’t relate sex and love. Wait. If King is saying that he relates, wouldn’t that mean; I stop that thought dead in its tracks. King can not be in love with me. Can he? His words imply that he is but he’s only known me for a minute.
“Glad we have come to an agreement.” He steps to the side, opening the cabin door for me. He wraps an arm around me as we exit. I let him because he’s big and warm and it’s freezing outside. I’m just stealing his warmth that’s why I nestle into him. For that reason and that reason only. “You do know you’re staying here indefinitely. I don’t think you’re grasping that fact, Slick.”
“I can’t leave right now.” I motion towards the snow that is once again falling. It never really stops around here. It’s beautiful. This whole place really is. No wonder my sister so easily agreed to take a job here. This place is kind of perfect. What all of these folks are doing here for these women warms my heart. King may have a smart mouth but he has a big ole kind heart.
“Whatever you want to tell yourself, Slick.” He pulls me more into his body. I find myself melting more into him.
“So you been in love before then?” I ask King, hoping for some reason he denies it. If he’s into this whole love equals sex thing then that must mean he has relationships with the women he sleeps with. That must be why he said he likes stability. He probably meant that he only gets it on with girls he really likes or loves. Why does that sound worse than one night stands? At least with one night stands there aren't any feelings involved. It is all pleasure and lust. With stability comes love and for some reason that doesn’t sit well with me.
“I love Cyn.” He offers.
“That doesn't count. She’s your cousin.” I elbow him in his side because I don’t know if he’s trying to sidestep my question or if he can see that I might be a little jealous so he’s teasing me.
“Can’t say I ever loved someone I wasn't related to.” His confession makes me feel a little better. I probably shouldn't enjoy someone not experiencing love in their life but I find I might be a little selfish when it comes to this. Oh god. I’m the jealous type.
“Me either.” I admit. “Boys are gross.” I look up at him with a teasing smile.
“That they are.” He reaches for the back door to his place pulling it open for me. “Good thing I’m all man.” I can’t even argue with that. Not that I’m given a chance to even if I wanted. His mouth lands on mine before I can say a word. He kisses me deeply. I let out a small sigh into his mouth. My hands reach up to his chest so I can dig my fingers into his coat. There I go, clinging to him again. How am I ever going to leave here if every time I’m near King I can't seem to let him go? My mouth smarts off one thing but my body does a whole other and I’m pretty sure he knows it.
“Eat then bed.” King says pulling his mouth from mine looking pissed about it. I can already smell the stew. My stomach grumbles at the scent but I’m hungry for more than food. I can totally do this. Prove them wrong. I can have a fling.
“You’re letting all the cold air in.” I hear Cyn yell from inside the house. I let go of King stepping in from the doorway so he can close the door. She pops her head around the corner to look at us. “Are you two always going to be like this?” She teases but I catch a wishful look in her eyes. I don’t think it’s really for us but a longing of her own. I don’t know her too well but hopefully one day she’ll confide in me. Wait a second. I shake my head at that thought. When did I decide I was staying long enough to form bonds?
“Jake here?” I ask, being a smartass or maybe it’s that I want to see what’s going on there. Cyn’s eyebrows furrow at my question before she heads back into the kitchen.
“Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes.” She tosses over her shoulder as I watch her leave the room. Guess she doesn’t want to talk about it. I instantly feel bad for poking at her.
“If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.” King yells to her back. I watch as she raises her arm and her middle finger at him. I smile, immediately feeling a sense of relief at her response.
King takes my hand guiding me through the house and back into the kitchen area where I see my sister and Jake talking. Cyn keeps peeking over at them while she stirs the soup. I let go of King’s hand to go over to Cyn to pretend I want to see what’s in the pot.