Page 49 of This Time I'm Keeping You
Every member of the Atherton family had dropped by at different times to meet her and check up on their brother, and Poppy liked all of them.
Seeing Nick and his siblings highlighted what she didn’t have.She’d never looked to the future because of Davy, but maybe if this really ended, she could.
“I can hear you thinking from here,” Nick said.
“Writing with one good hand and a bad one is difficult.It takes lots of brainpower,” Poppy said.No way in hell was she telling him what she was really thinking.
He put his laptop on the coffee table and then looked at her.
“Where is your mother now, Poppy?”
“I don’t know.We lost touch.”
He got to his feet and took her laptop before she could stop him, placing it beside his.
“I was working.The books don’t write themselves, you know, and seeing as I’m slower now, I need to work longer hours.”
“You’ve been at it for hours already.Give your brain a break,” Nick said.
“You’re bossy.”
He smiled.“We’ve already established that and why.Lots of siblings.My life is an open book, so tell me about your mother.I want to know more about you, Poppy.”
“I don’t want to talk about her, Nick.But I do want to talk about me still being in your house.”
His sigh was loud, as it had been every time she’d brought this up.
“I can’t work out if you’re saying that to annoy me or it’s how you stop me from asking personal questions,” Nick said.“I mean, you’re not unintelligent.You know you can’t go back to your place until assface is caught, and I’m not letting you.”
“I’m an adult and make my own decisions, Nick.”
“You’re really ungrateful is what you are.”
“I’m not ungrateful,” she gritted out.“I can’t just cohabitate with you, Nick.You said there was no significant other, but I’m sure you date.”
“Actually, I have this little black book, and it has pages titled Tuesday through Sunday.Each day has three or four names, and I rotate the women.Monday is my day off.”
“Hilarious,” Poppy said.
“Look.”He moved closer.“We’re okay cohabitating like this.You’re not like Em, and a messy pig.You don’t play loud music like Sam.I can handle having you here.”
“Hercules misses his home.”
They both looked to where the cat sat in the large armchair on the blanket Nick’s mom had brought over for him.He was currently purring loud enough to reach all corners of the room.
“Yeah, I can see it’s tough on him.What’s the real problem here, Poppy?”He moved fast.His large body was over hers in seconds, knees on either side of her, arms braced behind her, effectively caging her in.
“N-no problem.”She stared into his eyes, now inches from hers.“I just don’t want to be in your way.”She hated the breathlessness in her voice.“What are you doing?”
“The only time you stop fighting me is when I put my hands and mouth on you.”He brushed his lips over hers.“Where is your mom?”
She sighed.“I really don’t know.”
“That has to be tough.”He kissed her again.
“Not everyone lives like your favorite family sitcom, Nick.”
“I know, and sorry you didn’t.”
