Spoiler alert, she never did.
A lump forms in my throat and I push away the thought as I press my hands against Callum’s chest to sit up. I climb off him, crawling toward the patch.
″What are you doing?” Callum asks to my right.
″Looking for a four-leaf clover.”
″That’ll take a good hour, Doc.”
I keep searching. “I’ve never found one before. Have you?”
″Aye. When I was a lad.”
I continue running my fingers through the patch of clovers.
″Here.” Callum stands up. “You have to tousle it around a bit.” He uses his foot to shift the plants around then settles beside me.
We spend a good twenty minutes combing through the grass when finally, a promising one catches my eye. I pluck it from the ground and count the leaves. “Got one!”
Callum grabs my hand that’s holding the tiny clover, pulling it to his face to inspect. “Look at that. They say that’s a one in ten thousand chance.”
“I guess I was due then since it’s been about twelve thousand, four-hundred days on earth, give or take. Not including leap years.” I hand the flower over to him and he sets it in his pocket. A wolfish grin tugs at my lips. “Hey, does it make me extra lucky that a leprechaun helped me find it?”
It takes him a moment to realize what I’ve said. “Now you’ve really done it,” he grins, lightly pinching my ribcage. “You better run.”
I let out a shriek, pulling away. Callum lunges forward, his arms out and ready to grab me, so I gasp and take off toward the other end of the park.
His footsteps pound behind me. My smile widens as my heartrate increases. The thrill of being chased shouldn’t be so arousing. Especially for someone like me. Someone so damaged that the touch of another makes me want to fall into a hole and die. Yet, I want him to catch me, to pin me down and kiss me until my lips are sore.
And I never want him to stop chasing me, no matter how much I may try to get away.
Chapter twenty-five
IgripHaley’shandas we enter the restaurant. The shamrock she found is tucked safely in the pocket of my suit as we’re seated in my usual spot toward the back.
It’s been a while since I’ve felt so carefree. Haley’s joy is a great stress reliever. Prowling through the grass to catch her a four leaf clover, and chasing her brought me back to my days as a lad. Back before the responsibilities of our family business were so heavily placed on my shoulders.
Jody’s is a popular breakfast spot for our business meetings, but they also serve the best French toast in the area, so I come here whenever I’m nearby. It’s not a small diner, but it’s also not a five-star place with a dress code either.
Haley had been worried about her jeans and t-shirt against the contrast of my suit, but she doesn’t have to be. I could stare at her tight ass all day, though I would rather be squeezing and slapping it as I pound into her.
Soon.
I suck in a breath, sliding into the far end of the booth that faces the exit. Haley moves to sit across from me, but I don’t let go of her hand and pull her in close, making her blush. I have to remind myself that she isn’t used to dating, or being so affectionate with someone else.
A sly grin tugs at the corner of my mouth as I think back to her stepfather, and I know my eyes darken as I remember his pleas for mercy. I’d only spent a few hours with him when we were in Washington. It wasn’t enough. I wanted to play, but we had been on a time crunch.
My cousin, Darragh had sent me a photo this morning of the fucker. Maggots had done a good job eating away at his wounds. Soon, I’ll return and finish him off.
I still have a few logistics to sort out with the children’s hospital we are working to build in Sarah Savino’s name as a surprise for Haley. But once that’s settled, I’ll be able to bring Haley out to show her.
Burying Jason’s body in the ground and covering him with the cement of my property will be the perfect circle of life. Ending him and hiding him underneath the foundation of my relationship with Haley. Building a clinic in Sarah’s name and starting a new life with him gone.
I just hope Haley understands and appreciates it. That she doesn’t see it as sadistic or creepy, even if I’m both of those things.
The waitress arrives with a pitcher of water and fills the glasses on the table. She offers a smile, placing her hand on her hip. “Good morning, Mr. Murphy. How are you?”
I’m not surprised she knows who I am. Most of the staff here do. I’m not sure of her name, so read her nametag. “I’m fine, Jessica. How are you?”