Page 44 of This Time I'm Keeping You
Nick woke with Poppy in his arms.At some stage during the night, she’d rolled, and her injured wrist was now resting on his chest, her head using his shoulder as a pillow.Nick thought he could get used to being Poppy’s pillow.She was still out.Eyes shut, mouth open, hair everywhere.
Cute.
His body woke as he’d expect it to with a sexy woman pressed to his side, and the memory of his hands on her last night didn’t help.But, much as he wanted to wake her with his mouth and hands, he knew she needed sleep to heal.Plus, sleep meant she wasn’t thinking about her life and that asshole who’d sent her into hiding.
Poppy had avoided people to keep them safe.Her aunt was one of those, and that wasn’t right.It had to stop.
Anger burned inside him that Poppy thought Davy had given up tormenting her, but had just been watching her and waiting to strike again.
Nick felt something heavy settle in his chest watching her sleep.He did have a hero complex, and maybe this feeling was because she needed him.Or maybe it’s more.
He leaned closer and inhaled her hair.Soft and citrusy.As his body was enjoying this way too much, he kissed her nose softly and then eased his arm from beneath her.
Nick did several maneuvers to get off the bed quietly.Pulling up the covers to her chin, he then picked up the cat and left the room.It was early, this he knew, as Nick always woke with the sun.He’d usually be heading out for a run or to the gym, but right now, he had a call to make.
After turning on the coffee maker and feeding the cat, Nick showered and dressed.He stopped to listen at Poppy’s door, but there were no sounds coming from inside, so he headed back down the stairs.
Stepping out the back door into the cool morning air, he held his mug in one hand and called Billy from his cell phone with the other.
“I’m trying to sleep,” the groggy voice said down the phone.
“Can you believe this shit?”Nick said.“I mean who gets away with stalking someone for as long as Davy has Poppy.
“Plenty of people, now can I go back to sleep.”
“I’m worried about her, Billy.”
“I know, but, Nick, it’s not only her that concerns me.Davy may already know she’s staying with you.You need to watch your back.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“No one can dodge a bullet, bud.”
“I’ll be careful and watch over Poppy too.”
“I know you will because you care about her,” Billy said.
“As I would any friend,” Nick added.
“Sure, if you want to see it that way.Stay safe.”Billy ended the call.
Nick then took a walk around his yard while he drank his coffee.He usually felt peace here, but not this morning.Worry for Poppy gnawed at his gut.It hadn’t eased when he finally headed back to the house.
To keep her safe, he had to keep her close or have his family watch her when he was working.Nick just knew she’d love that idea about as much as a dose of the flu.
“Hey.”
She was standing in the doorway when he returned.Hair tousled, eyes sleepy, she’d pulled on a long cardigan over her pj’s.
“Hey.How are you feeling this morning?”
She retreated the nearer he got, backing into the house and putting distance between them.Nick saw the walls that he’d broken through last night were once again in place.
She wasn’t like him.Used to touching and being hugged.Used to being cared for.It would take time to make her accept that from him.Do I want her to accept it?
Yes.
“I’m good, thank you.Ready to head home and clean up the mess.”Her smile was forced.
