Page 21 of Dumping the Puck (Men of Havoc #4)

We’re sitting eating our reheated Chinese food, and rewatching the Bachelor episode that we missed. And I’m still trying to squeeze my thighs together from thinking about what just happened.

Since my confession he hasn’t let go of me. He’s been finding any small way to have his body touching mine.

“I can’t believe you got me hooked on this show,” he says through a mouthful of food.

“Hey, I told you that you could change the channel. You’re the one who got cozy and snuggled in under my blanket and got hooked.” I take another piece of chicken from his plate and he steals another one of my crab rangoons.

I blush at the sight of the crab rangoons that started everything earlier. Who knew crab would be an aphrodisiac?

When we finish, he clears all the plates and cleans up the food while I pick up the living room and shut off the TV. It’s late but I don’t want the night to end with him.

He sees me standing awkwardly in the kitchen by the stairs.

“What would you say to a sleepover in my bed? I’ve been sleeping like shit without you. I don’t have anyone’s ice cold toes to cool me down in the middle of the night.” He slides up next to me, pulling my body to his.

He took the words right out of my mind. “I think that sounds like an excellent plan.” I smirk up at him.

He scoops me up and throws me over his shoulder. Squealing, I slap at his back. “I didn’t realize that this meant I got all the caveman treatment.”

“Oh darlin’, what I have in mind is all caveman for tonight.”

The timbre of his voice has my thighs squeezing together with his promises.

I can’t fucking wait.

It feels so good to be waking up again with Kayce’s body sprawled over mine. I learned pretty quickly in Italy that no matter how he falls asleep, he will end up with his limbs across me. And missing the weight since we got home has been wreaking havoc on my sleep.

“Mmmm, why are you awake?” he mumbles through the haze of sleep.

“It’s like ten in the morning, Johnny.” He pulls me tighter to him.

“But it’s so comfortable.”

His alarm system goes off in the room, forcing him to get up and look at his phone.

“Who the fuck is that?” He scrutinizes his phone.

I freeze. I hope it’s not his mother or Cameron. “Is it—”

“No. I don’t know who it is. But security let them in. Maybe it’s just the new lawn guy.”

We both roll out of the bed and throw clothes on. I trudge down to the coffee maker, while he goes to open the front door before they can get there.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m looking for Kayce Bicknelle and Wren Kaydell.” I walk over to the front door upon hearing my name.

“I’m Kayce.”

“And you’re Ms. Kaydell?”

I nod.

“You’ve been served.” He sticks two envelopes out to each of us, and we take them.

“The fuck?” Kayce slams the door in the guy’s face and rips into his envelope, taking out the papers.

I’m standing frozen to my spot. I knew I should have left here. I knew I shouldn’t have put Kayce in the middle of all this. I know these papers are from Mrs. Bicknelle and Cameron. Who else would be suing the both of us?

“That fucking asshole. I can’t believe he’s doing this shit.” He’s already pulling out his phone, and calling someone.

“Charley. I need my lawyer at my house. Now.” A pause. “Goddammit, Charley it’s not the fucking time. My lawyer. Now.” He hangs up.

“It’s not Charley’s fault.” I say meekly.

“Jesus, I fucking know. I’m sorry. I’ll apologize to her later. Right now we need to tackle this. What does yours say?”

I hand him my unopened envelope. He rips into it the same as he did his. Only this time he throws his head back in laughter.

“A fucking defamation lawsuit. And destruction of property. Like you’d ever be destructive. And it isn’t defamation if it’s true, and came from his own fucking mouth.” He slams down the papers and looks at me.

But my face is probably as white as the paper those lawsuits are written on. Because I did destroy his property. Three very expensive suits to be exact.

“Wren.” He’s scrutinizing my face now with raised brows. “What did you do?”

“Well. Charley did all the packing. And when you went back to work she came over to help me unpack. And right before she got here, your mom had called me. And I was real pissed. So when she handed me a box of his suits with a lighter on top, I just agreed. And then she played Burn by Usher on the speakers and…”

“Wren. You didn’t.”

“I did. I’m so fucking sorry.” The dam on my tears breaks and I sob into my hands right here in the kitchen.

He pulls out his phone again.

“Charley.” A pause. “I know, I’m sorry. But listen, when you went to Cameron’s…” Another pause. “Yes this is precisely what that’s about.” Pause. “Are you absolutely fucking sure?” Pause. “No. I’m not doubting your crazy. Trust me I fucking know firsthand how insane you can be.” Pause. “Yes. I also know you’ve never been caught.” Pause. “Fine. If you’re sure. Lawyer?” Pause. “Great. Are you coming too?” Pause. “See you soon.”

He looks at me, pulling me to him, letting my tears soak through his shirt. “Charley and the lawyer are on their way. She said he has no cameras inside, and he wasn’t home so he has no proof of the suits being taken. It’s a he said, she said. I’ll offer him the money just to make him shut up. The rest of it, he has no leg to stand on. It’ll be fine.”

“I’m so sorry. I never should have listened to Charley.”

He laughs, “Well, that is definitely true. I don’t think that girl ever has a good idea. And her latest bad choice is that fucking rookie taking my spot.”

I let out a wail. “Something else I fucked up!”

“That is not what I meant! Come on now, you know I don’t take any shit. If I thought any of this was your fault you know damn well I’d have told you, and I wouldn’t have done it.” He hugs me tightly, squeezing the sadness out of me.

He moves us to the couch where he pulls me onto his lap and just lets me cry on his chest until Charley and the lawyer show up.

I’m numb. I don’t want to deal with this.

But I have to.