Page 45 of This Time I'm Keeping You
“You can’t go back there yet, Poppy.It’s not safe.”
“I’ll go to a hotel.”
“Are we going to run through this entire argument again?”He walked around her and got down another mug.“Sit.You still look tired and pale.”He poured her a coffee.
“I’m okay, and I need to go to a hotel, Nick.”She sat, and Hercules leaped into her lap.
“Why?I have the room, and you’re safe here.You’re staying.”
Her chin rose.“Don’t tell me what to do.”
Patience, Nick.She wasn’t used to having him throw orders at her like his family.Not that they listened, but with so many of them, it was often the easiest way to get things done.
He placed the coffee in front of her, then went to get out the fixings for breakfast.
“I’m worried about you being alone, Poppy.”
“I can look after myself.”
“Stop running, Poppy.You can’t do this alone anymore, and especially not now with that wrist.”
“Nick—”
He faced her.She was cuddling the cat, eyes wary.
“I understand pride, and that you’ve handled this alone for years.I even understand independence and the need for control.But you are not thinking about this rationally.”
“I’m entirely rational!”
He moved to stand before her.Bracing his hands on the table, he leaned closer, locking eyes with hers.
“You don’t want my help because you don’t trust me or want to put your trust in me,” he amended.
“No.”She shook her head.“I don’t want your help because you have too many people in your life who could be hurt, including you, Nick.”
“I told you last night that he probably already knows we’re connected.First, I was at the hospital, then your house.”
“Well, we have to put distance between us, so he disconnects you.”Her voice had risen.“We can’t be seen together anymore.”
“Not happening.”
“This is my life.You have no say in it!I can go into hibernation somewhere.”She was talking fast now, words tumbling out of her mouth.“Yes.Maybe I’ll go to England, or… or France.Maybe New Zealand.”
“And what happens when he finds you again, which he will?”Nick said.“You can’t keep running.Besides, this time I’m not letting you.”He moved closer.Lifting the cat out of her arms, he lowered the pissed-off feline to the floor.
“What are you doing?Put me down, Nick.”
“I thought we’d turned a corner last night.”He sat with her on his lap.“When I kissed you and touched your perfect?—”
“Stop,” she whispered.“You know this is dangerous, Nick.If he’s not caught, then I need to?—”
“You are not running again.We’re dealing with this.”
She tried to get away.Nick tightened his grip.
“You’re not alone anymore, Poppy.”
“I don’t know how to handle this any other way,” she whispered.
