I Only Have Pies for You (Pumpkin Spice Life 1)

She scoffed and brushed past him into the hallway. “No, you’re worse.”

“I’ve been punished enough, Ros. I know what I did won’t be tolerated again.”

“Is that what you think I’m doing?” She marveled at his ignorance. He was so smart he was stupid as her grandmother would say.

“Isn’t it? We both know that hayseed woodworker isn’t your type.”

“And I suppose you are?” she asked, exasperated, as her blood boiled.

He smirked. “We know I am.”

“Alaric is everything I need.”

“Please don’t insult me.” Stepping forward, he pressed her back against the wall. He struck like a snake, pressing his mouth to hers.

“Ugh.” Disgusted, she moved her face to the side and shoved him backward. “This is not a game. I don’t want you. I’m happy with Alaric. He’s everything I didn’t realize I wanted. He’s kind, considerate, and good with his hands. I love him.” Holy hell, I love him.

Ryan blinked, jaw flapping open and shut like a marine creature dying on land. “You’re kidding, right? Haha. Way to make the ex jealous.”

“I’m not, and I want you to leave,” she said firmly.

“I spent ten-grand—”

“And no one asked you to do that,” she countered, refusing to be guilted.

“You must have had a great time laughing at me. You and your new boy toy,” he sneered, morphing his fair face into something monstrous. Anger flashed in his eyes and fear slithered into her belly.

“It wasn’t like that. You know me.”

“You’ve shown me how little I know this new Rosaleen. Did it make you feel good? Getting your revenge?”

“Stop this,” she commanded.

“Do you know how foolish I’m going to look returning home with my tail tucked between my legs, still single.”

“Of course.” She threw her arms up into the air. “This is about appearances, not love.”

“You leave everything you’ve worked for to run to the middle of nowhere, and you think you’re better than me?” he seethed. “You used to be on board with everything you pretend to scorn.”

“All I ever wanted was your love, Ryan. You were the one who needed the perfect persona.” He opened his mouth, and she held up her hand. “Uh-uh. None of this matters because that was the past. Move forward and don’t come back or I’ll be forced to report you to the authorities.”

His eyes narrowed into slits. “You think you can threaten me now?”

Swallowing hard, she mentally measured the distance to the front entrance. Is he truly capable of hurting me? She didn’t want to hang around and find out. Drawing up to his full height, he loomed over her, tense and tightly coiled. She moved a split second before he exploded into action. Racing for the front, she cried out when his long-legged stride caught up with her. Grabbing her arm, he spun her around, nearly jerking her arm from its socket as he forced her to face him. The violent jingle of bells rooted them both to the spot like trees.

“Take your hands off my women.”

She’d never been so grateful to hear Alaric’s voice. Taking advantage of the interruption, she stomped on Ryan’s foot.

When he released her with a cry, he bent over, and she kneed him in the crotch. Gasping, he fell to the tiled floor, clutching himself. A knee came up in a blur. Blood exploded from Ryan’s nose. Placing a work booted foot against his chest, Alaric toppled the man four inches his height, and pressed his weight down on Ryan’s rapidly rising and falling chest.

Alaric snarled, “If I ever catch wind of you even fifty miles from here, this will be a love tap. You say a damn word about her defending herself, and we’ll smear your good name through the mud. You’ll be ruined. We’ll sit back and roast marshmallows on the dumpster fire your career becomes. You understand me, city boy?”

“You can keep the whore.”

Alaric pressed down harder, and Ryan cried out.