Obsession Falls (The Haven Brothers, #1)

by Claire Kingsley

She was wrong about one thing. I did understand. She wasn’t the first woman to make that choice where I was concerned. But she was sure as hell going to be the last. I wouldn’t give someone else that chance again.

She also had like a million kids, so working from home suited her. Okay, she had four. But still.

“This place looks…” She paused and glanced around. “I want to say it looks better but you’d know I’m lying. Stinks too.” “A coat of Kilz on the wall should take care of the smell. And it has to get worse before it can get better.” “Kind of like life sometimes.” I put my safety goggles back on. “I wasn’t trying to be deep.” “Maybe not, but it’s true.”

A squirrel ran across the road, making a guy in a red pickup truck slam on his brakes. The truck skidded to a halt, the front tire coming within inches of squishing the animal. It ran on, bushy tail bouncing along behind it, apparently oblivious to the fact that it was almost roadkill. The squirrels around here thought they owned the place.

Dad had me, Luke, and Garrett with his first wife. Mom—she was the only mom any of us had ever known—had Reese, Theo, and Zachary. Dad had adopted them after they got married and no one questioned the fact that they were Havens. Then they’d had Annika together.

Lonely? Aunt Louise didn’t know what she was talking about. Sure, I was alone, but I wasn’t lonely. I liked being able to put my feet on the table right next to my food. Sitting on an old couch in a half-finished house. I worked on my own schedule, did what I wanted the rest of the time. The last thing I wanted was someone else I had to worry about.

Alone, not lonely. Just the way I liked it.

“Audrey, sweetheart.” Colin’s tone was placating, like he was talking to an upset child. “Don’t do that.” “You shouldn’t call her that.” My eyes widened at the growly voice behind me. I didn’t know when Josiah had gotten up from his place at the bar but I could feel his presence behind me now, dark and menacing. Colin looked up at him. “Excuse me?” “I don’t think she likes you calling her ‘sweetheart.’ So how about you go find your own table and leave these ladies alone.” “How about you mind your own business.” “I would love to but you keep bothering them and I don’t like it.”

“Okay, well, I’ll quit bugging you. I probably talk too much when I’m nervous, and right now I feel about as calm as a rabbit running through a field full of foxes.” That almost made me crack a smile. “Nice alliteration.” She laughed softly. “I’m going to go before I make this worse. Thanks again, Josiah. I’ll see you around.”

“Half the time I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic. You have the ability to deadpan everything.” “Assume sarcasm.”

That made me laugh a little. “Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today… Um, I don’t actually know how that’s supposed to go. Let me start over.” I took a deep breath. “The life of a wild animal, even a little Tilikum squirrel, is hard and fraught with danger. Although this small creature met its end, we appreciate its role in nature. May it rest in a land of abundant nuts.”

“This is the problem with men. Especially Haven men. Not the best communicators.” Mom set her teakettle on the stove with a laugh. “Isn’t that the truth.” “Hey,” Dad said. “We both know you speak half English, half caveman.” Mom moved closer and gave him a quick kiss. “Fortunately, I speak both.”

Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around her and drew her in tight. Fuck me, that felt good. She was soft and warm and her hair smelled good. Her body pressed against mine, stirring up all kinds of things I wasn’t prepared for. She moved back and, almost reluctantly, I let go. “Good night, Josiah.” “Night.” And with that, she disappeared inside her house, leaving me with an ache in my chest.

“Josiah, I’m confused. I don’t know what’s happening here.” He stared at me, his gaze so intense I felt like I might melt. “I’ve been trying really hard to not like you.” “If that’s supposed to make me feel better, it’s not working.” “It’s just the truth. I didn’t want any of this. I didn’t want to care about you or worry about you. I liked my life the way it was before you showed up in my town.” I had no idea what to say to that, so I just waited for him to continue. He leaned in. “But it’s impossible to resist you.”

I kissed along her jaw toward her ear, then spoke, my voice low. “Bedroom?” “Oh yes,” she breathed. That was all I needed to hear. I picked her up and tossed her over my shoulder. A bit caveman—or maybe mountain man—of me, but let’s be honest, I’m not exactly a refined gentleman.

“That will be pretty,” Marlene said. “What if we used that in our master bathroom?” “Are we putting new tile in our bathroom?” Paul asked. She smiled at him. “It doesn’t have to be right away but it would be nice.” He leaned over and gave her a light kiss. “Anything for my bride.” Oh my gosh, they were so adorable, I could have died.

He really had followed me out here to keep me safe. And in that moment, I fell a little bit more in love with Josiah Haven.

I didn’t say anything as I got up from the chair and turned for the door. But then something sparked inside me and I did a very un-Audrey thing. I fought back. “Lou, this isn’t right. And it’s not fair. I’m going to go home and you do what you need to do while I’m gone. But I’m just going on record by saying I disagree with how you’re handling this and I think it’s wrong.”

I put a hand on the small of Audrey’s back as we walked in. A light touch, but it held a message for every man in the bar. Don’t even think about it. She’s mine.

“Then what’s wrong?” I yelled back. “I don’t want you to leave.” His reply was so unexpected, I just stared at him, my lips parted. “My life was fine,” he said. “I didn’t have to answer to anyone. I did what I wanted, when I wanted, and I liked it that way. Then you showed up.” I wasn’t sure what to say to that. “Sorry?” “I’m not good with people, Audrey. I don’t know how to do this.” “Keep trying because I’m not sure I understand what you’re trying to say.” He hesitated, his eyes stormy. “I didn’t think I wanted this. But I do. Every morning when your stupid dog wakes me up with his wet nose in my face, I look at you sleeping next to me and I can’t imagine losing you.”

“What are you doing?” he asked. “Sticking to you like Velcro.” I squeezed him and felt him start to relax. “I’m not leaving you unless you make me.” His arms tightened around me. For a long moment, neither of us said a word. We just breathed together, existing in the same space, holding each other.

Finally, I pulled back and trailed my hands down his chest. I figured I’d be the one to keep going but he surprised me by speaking first. “I want you to stay.” His voice was low and soft. “Stay for me.” As if I could have refused him anything. “Of course I’ll stay. I don’t want anything else. I just want you.” “Really?” “Yes, really.” The vulnerability in his face was so disarming. “I know I didn’t move to Tilikum because I wanted to be here. But I do now. Because this is where you are. I can’t imagine my life without you, either. I already turned down an interview on the East Coast because I didn’t want to leave.” “Why didn’t you tell me?” “About the job I turned down or that I want to stay with you?” “Both.” I laughed. “What was I supposed to say? Hey, Josiah, we haven’t been together very long, but I’m thinking about rearranging my life so I can stay here with you. Are you up for that kind of commitment?” “Yes, that’s exactly what you should have said.” His tone was vehement. “Then I’d know. You have to be straight with me. I don’t get subtlety.”

“So total honesty, no hiding anything?” “Yes.” I met his eyes, and with a deep breath, I said it. “I’m in love with you.” All at once, he picked me up off the floor and kissed me. Hard. I held on, my arms around his shoulders, and let him devour me. He could have it all, every bit of me. He set me down, ...

“I love you,” he murmured. “I love you, too. So much.” He held me tight, and he didn’t have to say anything else. My man of few words had said the only ones I’d really wanted to hear.

“Thank you for saving me,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Always.”

“Yeah, I get it. But that’s the thing. Sometimes it’s up to us to be hard so they can stay soft.”

That resonated deep inside me. I was hard, always had been. I had no idea how my sharp edges didn’t constantly bruise Audrey’s tender heart. But maybe that was the reason. She wouldn’t always need me to protect her from being murdered—hopefully that had been a one-time deal—but she would need me to protect her softness. Her sweet nature that made her who she was. I could do that. I could stand in the gap for her. Protect her from the world. Obviously I couldn’t protect her from every hurt that might come her way, but I could do my best to keep her safe—not just her body, but her heart.

I dropped the card on the counter and was about to throw myself into his arms out of pure joy, but he held up a hand. “Hang on.” “What?” “There’s one more thing.” “You said that already and it was a house.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Before he opened it, I knew what it was. If I’d sputtered nonsense before, I was completely speechless now. While my eyes filled with tears, he approached. I watched in awe as he slowly lowered himself to one knee. He looked up at me, his stormy blue-gray eyes intent on mine, and in true Josiah Haven fashion, he kept it simple. “Marry me?” “Oh, yes. Oh yes, yes, yes.” My body was vibrating with excitement like my dog when he was about to get a treat. Tears of happiness streamed from the corners of my eyes while Josiah took the ring out of the box and gently placed it on my finger.

“You really did save my life, and now you’re giving me everything I’ve ever wanted. Better than everything I’ve ever wanted. How can I ever repay you?” His brow furrowed, like I’d asked a silly question. “That’s easy.” “What do you mean?” “I’m a simple man, Audrey. I just need one thing from you.” “What’s that?” “Just love me.” I placed my hands alongside his face and looked into his eyes. “I will always love you.” He pulled me close and kissed me again, slow and deep. I would always love him. There was no question. I’d wondered if I’d ever meet the love of my life. If things like marriage and a home and one day a family were in my future, or if I’d missed the boat. I certainly hadn’t imagined I’d find everything I’d been looking for in a little town in the mountains. But here he was, kissing me, loving me. Ready to start a life with me. My life hadn’t followed the path I’d expected. But I’d landed exactly where I was meant to be. With him. Forever.

But let’s be real. There are a few extra bedrooms in our house. We have room for some kids, too. Yeah, that’s happening. I was going to marry that bubbly, dog-loving girl. And she was going to have my babies. That was not the life I’d planned—not the life I’d convinced myself I wanted. I’d been all about solitude. Doing what I wanted, when I wanted. Thankfully, a ray of sunshine had burst into my life. And nothing would ever be the same. Audrey wasn’t just my problem now. She was my everything. And she was going to be mine forever.