Page 88 of Little Fury

“So, no movie night then?”He deadpans.

“I mean, this one's time is up, so I’d be open to a movie.”

“Need help with anything, Ava?”Matt asks me.

“No, I got this. Jake, or should I say, Declan Campbell, was just leaving.”I catch Matt's look of surprise at the name.

“I’m not done talking to you, Ava,”Jake says with gritted teeth as he starts to get to his feet.

“You’re done here, Jake. I mean Declan. We’re done.”I click the safety back on and stand.“Just go. There’s nothing here for you.”I feel exhausted.

“Matt, can you start the BBQ? I made some burgers earlier.”I turn my back on Declan and head towards the kitchen. He grabs my wrist to pull me back, but I’m on edge, so I’m ready for it. I get an elbow up as he pulls me back and nail him in the cheek. He sucks in a breath at the impact. I get my hands on his arm, twist it behind his back, place my other hand on the back of his head, grab his hair, and push his head forward, forcing him to bend.

“Need any help there, Boss?”Matt asks, concern in his voice.

“Nah, I’m good; the younger Campbell is leaving anyway.”

“I’m not done talking to you, Ava,”Declan hisses at me.

“You are, though.”I start moving us towards the door. I let go of his head to open it, but Declan twists in my grasp, forcing himself into my body and breaking the hold on his arm. He shoves me against the door.

“Ava,” I hear Matt say tensely.

“It’s fine, Matt. He isn’t going to hurt me. It turns out the doc has a few moves I didn't know about.”

“Ava lass, please, I need you to listen to me.”That Irish lilt in his voice is sexier than I want to admit. It’s also distracting because I find myself staring at his lips and remembering how good they feel.

“And I need you to let me go and get out of my house.”

He pushes me into the door harder.“Little Fury, please listen to me.”

I freeze at that name and hear Matt stop doing whateverhe is doing in the kitchen.“How the fuck do you know that name?”

“Because Liam went to see Harry. He’s how I found you. “

“Harry would never have given me up. What the fuck did you do to him.”I seethe, but I’m done with this shit now.“Matt, call him right fucking now.” Declan has me pinned between his body and the door; my arms are between us, his hands on my wrists. I only have two options here: headbutt him or option number two. I go with number two, and I crash my mouth to his.

Declan is startled by my kiss and freezes for a moment. I hear him growl and return my kiss. I open my mouth and allow his tongue to invade. His hands let go of my wrists and instantly go to my ass, and that’s all I needed. Once my hands are free, I place them on his chest, sinking my nails into his muscles, and he rocks his body against me in response. I bend one knee, getting my foot flat on the door, and push off as hard as possible.

The force and surprise are enough to make Declan step back, allowing me to clock him. He grunts at the contact, but I don’t stop. I kick him in the chest, sending him sprawling to the floor. He has no time to catch his breath before I’m straddling him. I get my knees on his fingers beside his hips and rise, putting as much force as I can on them.“Matt! Give me my fucking gun.” Matt is already in the room, phone to his ear, passing my gun to me.

Looking down at Declan, I cock my head to the side. He’s watching me intently, trying to figure out a way to make me listen to him. None of this was going the way he hoped it would. His eyes go wide as he watches me. He sees the change, whether he knows what it is, is a different question. But it’s not fear. I see it in his eyes; it's wonder and awe.

“Mr. Campbell, you and I are going to have a chat now,”Isay. Matt stiffens in my peripheral vision when he hears that tone. He turns and starts walking toward me.

“Ava, maybe you need to take a step back. You don’t want to do something you’ll regret when you are more, ah... you again.”I turn my head to look at him, letting“her”look at him. Matt puts his hands up in surrender. He glances down at Declan.“Sorry, man. It's your bed, apparently.”

“I know it is, and I’ll take it.”Matt nods and takes a few steps back.

I turn back to Declan.“Did you speak to Harry, Matt?”

“I spoke to Beth. Liam went to see Harry two weeks ago. She isn’t sure how they found you, but Liam was there. Harry is out fixing a fence. Buck got out. Parker and Wes are figuring out how Liam found you, and she will call me back.”

“I’m having a hard time reasoning out why I don’t just put a bullet in your head,”I tell him, exasperated with myself.

“You can put a bullet in me, Ava; I’ll understand. Liam may be annoyed, but I’ll understand.”

Still looking at him, I roll my eyes.“Mr. Campbell, do you know who I am? Do you know what I do?”

---