Page 59 of Sweet Poison

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Madden leans down until his nose is touching the tip of mine, his breath of my face and his lips close— so close I can almost taste them.

He’s going to kiss me.

But then, out of nowhere, a baby shark zips between us, its little body gliding right between our faces, slapping Madden on the face with its fin, successfully crashing the moment.

I shouldn’t. I know I shouldn't but I can’t help it.

I burst into laughter, the sound bubbling up uncontrollably at Madden’s shocked expression then turns to irritation as he glares at the shark.

“I take it back,” he grumbles.

“Take back what?” I try to contain my laughter but it’s futile.

His black eyes move from the shark swimming away happily back to me.

“They’re ugly little fuckers. Ugly and fucking cock blockers.”

That’s it. I laugh. I laugh hard.

He looks adorable when he’s beefing with a fish. That's something I never thought I would say about Madden Hunt.

The big bad millionaire is not only afraid of little cutesy sharks but he’s also their number one hater.

Chapter

Nineteen

THE MERMAID AND THE GRINCH

Madden

“All I want for this fucking holiday is her.”- M

Swimming with damn ugly fish. That’s one thing I thought I’d never do yet I did.

For her.

I’m a man who craves the thrill of speed and danger, but the sea? I don’t fuck with it.

There’s just something downright sinister about it. Never mind that you’re fish bait; it feels like the ocean it’s just waiting to swallow you whole. Maybe it is the fact that I’m entering their habitat, where I’m just a piece of meat to them. Or maybe it's that no one really knows for certain what lurks beneath the surface.

Yet, here I am, gliding through shark-infested waters, surrounded not just by those sharp-teeth fuckers but a riot of colors. Even my asshole self has to admit that the splash of colors around us is one stunning sight. The coral formations sparkle beneath us, and tiny as fuck fish dart like twinklingjewels—bright yellows, deep purples, and sparkling pinks— almost make me forget my annoyance.

Then I spot it. A large yellow starfish nestled between two rocks, its arms splayed wide. Most people would find the creature cute, I find it disgusting. Who thought a blob of gooey arms could be considered adorable? Sure, as fuck not me.

Why did I decide to spend my morning and afternoon doing this shit?

Ah, right.

The object of my fascination swims past me, her long brown hair trailing like strands of silk in the current. Willow. She looks like a mermaid— graceful and free, her laughter echoing through the water like an annoying but beautiful song that makes my chest ache. I can’t help but stop swimming and look at her, completely held hostage by her spell as she dances among the colors and the fish, lost in a perfect harmony of beauty.

Thud.

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