Page 16 of The Billionaire's Bride

He frowns at me. "Like you?"

I smirk. "Yeah, I misspoke. Make yourself comfortable,” I pause for effect, “but not too comfortable." I walk to the kitchen, top off the coffee maker with water and coffee grounds, then switch it on. I turn to find Edward leaning a shoulder against the doorway.

I tilt my head, "I’ve been staying here."

He stiffens. "You stayed here?"

"Yep." The coffee maker begins to bubble and I move away to grab two mugs, place them on the counter.

"You moved in with her?" he growls.

I allow my lips to curve and his expression darkens. "Don’t fuck with me, Masters." His jaw tics.

I snatch up the coffee pot, top off both cups, then grab both off the counter. I walk over, hand one to him, then brush past him to sit in the chair in the living room.

Edward follows me. He sinks into the couch, then glares at me. "Well?" he growls. "You sleeping in this house with her?"

"I am sleeping in this house."

A nerve pops at his temple and my grin widens.

"Chillax," I drawl. "I slept there," I point to the couch where he is sitting, "until I didn’t."

He curls his fingers into fists. "You just had to rub that in, didn’t you?"

"Sorry, ol’ chap." I raise my shoulders. "You’d prefer I lie? Truth is, \your loss was my gain."

"So, this is how it’s going to be?" he says in a hard voice. "The two of us always baiting each other, always at loggerheads, and never able to see eye to eye?"

"Guess nothing much has changed, huh?"

"Damn right." He scowls down at his cup of coffee, then stares at me, "You need to fuck off, Masters. You're not needed anymore."

"Didn't hear you say that when you called and asked me to step in."

"I changed my mind."

"I cleared up the mess you left behind at the church, by the way," I lower my chin, "and you are welcome."

"Considering how you fucked up everything else, you’ll have to excuse me if I can’t muster a thank-you."

"The man you thought you strangled," I tip up my chin, "he's alive, by the way."

Edward stiffens. "Too bad," he mutters, "he deserved to die."

I take in his features. "You didn't used to be this bloodthirsty."

"And you used to be my friend."

I wince, then drag my fingers through my hair. "Guess I deserve that."

"And much more." He takes a sip of his coffee, places his cup back on the table, "If you think you can come between me and Ava, you are mistaken."

"Correction." I set my jaw. "I didn't come between anyone. You left, remember?"

"And now I am back."

"I guess you’re entitled to your opinion." I scowl.