Page 34 of This Time I'm Keeping You
“Out you get, furball.”
Heading back into the kitchen, he then got out the cat’s bowls and filled them with food and water.When this was done, Poppy still hadn’t arrived.
“I can do stubborn as good as the next person,” he muttered.She was safe and couldn’t go anywhere, so he headed upstairs to the spare room.
After putting clean sheets on the bed, he took a shower, which he rushed, even though he told himself not to.The cat was sitting on one of his stools when he walked back into the kitchen.
“Brace yourself, furball.She’s coming,” he said when he heard the car door slam.
“I fell asleep again.”She stood in the doorway to his garage, looking sleepy and pale.
“Thought you might have,” Nick said conversationally.
“I’m ungrateful, and I know you’re going out of your way for me, and I appreciate it, honestly.Sometimes I can be an ugly person, especially when someone takes away my control.”That entire speech was said while frowning.
He moved closer and ran a hand down her hair because he needed to touch her.
“My siblings would tell you I like control, and if you want ugly, check out Em when she’s tired and hungry,” Nick said.Putting his hands on her shoulders, he urged her to the door that led to the living area.“Now I’ll show you your room, and you can wash or crawl into bed.I’ll throw something together for dinner.”
“I can cook.”
“With your arm in a sling?”He placed a soft kiss on her lips.
“You shouldn’t keep doing that,” she whispered.
“I enjoy doing it.”
“I’m trying to remind myself what an asshole you were in college.It’s not working.You’ve been so nice to me, Nick.”
“Am I growing on you, Poppy?”
“Like a fungus, do you mean?”
“Ha-ha.”
“Yes, you are,” she whispered as he started for the door, “and that’s terrifying when I’ve hated you forever.”
Nick didn’t comment on the words, but he’d heard them, and for now that was enough.
Chapter14
Poppy wandered around the room, taking in the large bed covered in a thick navy comforter and enough pillows to promise that one would be just right for her.The walls and curtains were neutral tones.Nice, she thought, stopping before the windows that looked down into the backyard.What she’d seen of the house felt like a home.
Does he live here alone?It was big for one person.
Nick had asked her if he was growing on her, and the answer was yes.Everything she’d always believed she felt about him had turned on its head.He’d been there for her when she needed him, and they barely knew each other now.Not many people would have done that.
When he’d shown interest in her in college, she’d been shocked.Nick was one of the popular students.Poppy wasn’t, but he’d seemed to want to spend time with her.She’d thought they’d become friends.They hadn’t.
She still remembered the day clearly because everything at college had changed after that, and then she’d left.
Poppy had gone to meet Nick at the library.They had an assignment due, and he’d needed her help.On the way, she’d walked by the field where he had football practice, to see if he was ready.She’d overheard him telling teammates Poppy did his assignments, which was a good reason to keep her around.She hadn’t stayed to hear more and gone to the library.When he’d joined her, she’d told him she didn’t want to be his friend anymore, and there’d been no way she’d tell him why.His shock had been genuine.After that, she’d just kept out of his way, and clearly, that hadn’t bothered him because he hadn’t talked to her again.
But he’s not that Nick now.He’s kind and protective of his family, and the boy she’d known was now a gorgeous man who had kissed her.
That was not happening again.This was temporary, and she wasn’t even sure she’d stay in Brook.Plus, if he’d found her again, she would need to be ready to run.
Please don’t let it be Malcolm Davy.
