Sweet Haven (The Sweet Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

her teeth grinding.
    I collect a breath, not wanting this to end the way it did the other night. “Look. My friend paid him a visit and warned him to stay away from you. Hopefully, he listens, but if not, Sam, if you need help or even change your mind about reporting him, you can trust Denver. He’s one of the good guys. He won’t turn his back on you.” I hold out his card to her. “Just think about it.”
    She takes it, her eyes finally meeting mine again. “Why are you doing this?” she asks softly. “Why do you care? It’s no secret you hate me.”
    I step forward, backing her against the wall. My hands pin on either side of her head, the sweet scent of peaches invading my senses and wreaking havoc on my self-control.
    Her eyes are wide as she stares up at me.
    “We love to hate each other, Sam.” Actually, I don’t hate her at all but it’s better for the both of us if I don’t shred that façade. “Believe it or not, despite what your brother has filled your head with about me, I’m not a complete asshole.”
    I dip my head in closer, trailing my nose along her satin cheek. She inhales sharply as I torture us both, bringing my lips to her ear. Why do I do this? I have no idea. Maybe because I know it will be the last time I’m ever this close to her.
    “I’d never hurt you,” I whisper, my lips grazing her earlobe. “But if someone ever does again and I hear about it…I’ll fucking kill them.”
    Feeling her quick breaths skim across my jaw, I push from the wall and walk away before I end up doing something stupid, like taste those tempting lips of her.
    I’ve spoken my piece. Said what I had to say, the rest is up to her. Now I can move on and not give her a second thought.
    At least I’m going to damn well try.

CHAPTER 5
    Sam
    A few days later, I pull up to the fire station with a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies and a thank you card my class made for the station. My heart beats erratically in my chest, knowing whom I will encounter on this visit. I don’t know if I’m excited at the prospect of seeing Jase again or terrified.
    Probably both.
    After a lot of thought, I decided to take a leap of faith and call Sheriff Cunningham, hoping I could trust him. Turns out I could. Not only did I file a report on Grant but I also put a restraining order on him.
    Sheriff Cunningham was as nice as Jase said he would be. He never judged me and kept everything quiet like I wanted. He also said he would investigate the officer who turned me away the one time I did try reporting Grant. I had found out after he and Grant were friends.
    I feel good about the decision I made. I just hope everything remains private. The last thing I want is for this to get back to my family or friends. I’d hate for them to know just how weak I once was.
    Austin is in the front lobby, carrying a large box, when I walk in. “Hey, Sam,” he greets me with a handsome smile.
    “Hi. I hope it’s okay I stopped by unannounced like this.”
    “Of course it is. We’re always open to the public,” he says, easing some of my worry.
    “Good, because I wanted to bring you guys these.” I hold up the plate of cookies with the piece of construction paper taped to the saran wrap. “My way of saying thank you for having us the other day. We had such a great time. My kids haven’t stopped talking about it.”
    “Glad to hear. We enjoyed having you guys,” he says. “Come on, everyone is in the back.”
    I follow him into the kitchen to see Cam, Jake, and a few guys I don’t know. Disappointment pings in my chest when I see there’s no sign of Jase, but I quickly shove it aside, refusing to acknowledge it.
    “Little Evans, miss us already?” Cam belts out as he stands from the table and strides over to greet me.
    “I sure did,” I tell him, feeding his ego. “I also came by to bring you guys these.” I hand him the plate of cookies and handmade card. “Thanks for being so amazing to my kids and me the other