My Wicked Heart (Wicked Poison 2)

Who is this man? And what on earth has he done with the August I knew?

“You made her a room?” I ask.

“Yeah, just built some things and bought a few things. The rest she can pick.”

I nod. Not entirely sure what to say to that. I follow him in and come face-to-face with a house that has haunted me for a long time.

It looks much the same, but now it’s more welcoming. He’s purchased a new television, and it’s on, not like it ever was before. I stare at it, shocked to see even that small change.

“Yeah, I figured she would like TV, so I went and got one of those Apple TVs everyone talks about,” he says, answering my unasked question. “She likes Disney, right?”

“Yes,” I reply, just as she starts singing a song from Frozen. I smile at her as we walk up the stairs past his bedroom to one a little farther down the hall. The door is open. The walls are painted pink, and there are Disney princess decals on the walls. From the ceiling hangs a few snowflakes and other cute things. There is also a carved chest with toys and some books. But then I see the pièce de resistance and ask, “You made the bed?” Stepping into the room to take a closer look, there are snowflakes carved into the headboard. It is beautiful and perfect for a little girl.

“Yeah, do you like it?” he asks Winter but looks at me. She claps her hands in excitement, and he puts her down.

“Mary didn’t want to come here, but she’s arriving in a week. Just so you know.”

I nod at this new information.

“You plan to introduce them?” I ask.

August reaches up and scratches the back of his head as he looks at me. “Would that be okay with you?”

Uncomfortable—that’s what this conversation makes me—totally uncomfortable.

“I would like to meet her first, before you bring her around Winter,” I reply. Not just because I would like to see who August fell in love with, but because Winter is my most precious thing in this world.

“I would never bring anyone around her who would be bad for her.”

“I know.” And I do. He was the same with Paige. Protective. “I should get going. I have a date I need to get ready for.” I drop to my knees and call Winter. She comes running into my arms and almost knocks me over.

“August said ice cream after dinner, Mom. Ice cream,” she says excitedly.

“Not too much. You know how it makes your tummy sore,” I remind her, standing and kissing her cheek. She runs back to the toys in the chest that has the same carved snowflakes as the bed, checking out the few dolls that wait inside.

I walk out, and I hear August’s soft steps behind me.

“You have a date?” he asks.

My hand is on the railing, ready to walk down to leave, but I turn to look back at him as he stands at the top of the stairs.

“I do.”

“You’ve been seeing him a while?”

“Yes. Well, no. But I have known him for a while. He works with Noah,” I tell him.

“So, he’s a lawyer?”

“Yep.”

“Must make your mother very proud,” he bites back at me.

“I’m not sure. How about you tell me what your wife does?”

“She’s a mother. That’s what she does,” he says, fighting back.

“You have another kid?” I ask, shocked.

Holy fuck! Why didn’t I think to ask that?

I take a step backward and almost miss the step, but regain my footing and shake my head.

“No, she does.”

“Okay.” I spin around and walk out.

He doesn’t follow.

Did he ever?

Holden is, well, Holden. I didn’t have time to visit my sister before the date, and even though I offered to cancel it, she insisted I go and come later, as that’s bub’s sleeping time. She had a healthy, beautiful boy. Noah is over the moon to not be surrounded by so many women.

“Are you sure I can’t persuade you to come back to mine tonight?” he asks, reaching for my hips and bringing me forward so our bodies are touching.

I place my hand on his chest as I look up at him. “I can’t, sorry.”

Holden leans down, his nose rubbing mine. “Such a pity.” His lips touch mine as we stand in front of my car. I drove myself tonight, knowing I wasn’t going to go home with him.

I let him kiss me. His kisses aren’t bad, but they aren’t mind-blowing either. His hands find their way to my ass, and he squeezes it, pushing me against him, and I feel his hardness on my stomach.

My phone starts ringing, and I go to reach for it, breaking our kiss, but he doesn’t stop. His kisses keep coming on either side of my face and down my neck. His body is still glued to mine, making it hard for me to pull my phone out.