“I think we need a bath,” he replied with a deep chuckle.
“Wheaton?”
“Yes?” Settling his head on the pillow next to hers, hemoved his hand to link their fingers.
“Best. Afternoon. Ever,” she deadpanned.
“I agree,” he said back in the same voice.
Poppy and Wheaton started laughing at the same time.
Chapter Thirteen
Poppy’s morning started out with a bang when she awoke to avery aroused Wheaton cuddled against her back. Stretching with her arms overher head made her let out a groan. Maybe she should hit the rec room and workout. If her muscles felt this sore after a night with Wheaton, she must bereally out of shape. Even though he was stiff against her backside, he wasactually sleeping. One little wiggle out from under his arm and she was rollingoff the bed, in the smoothest motion possible, to not wake him.
After taking care of her morning bathroom ritual, she walkedinto the living area to make some tea. Waiting for her cup to cool, she noticeda blinking light at the doorway. She had learned earlier during her stay thatthe light indicated there was a message waiting. Poppy decided to listen to it.She would feel guilty letting him sleep in if he was needed by the Council.
“Wheaton, we must speak immediately.” Poppy recognizedThorne’s voice. Her entire body froze when she heard the next part of themessage. “You were correct earlier regarding the current bridal matches beingwrong. We have found there is a glitch in the programming system on Earth’s endand it is skewing the matches. Thankfully, the concern you have regarding yourown match alerted us to the discrepancies before more of our warriors werematched. The brides that are currently on the squadron ships will betransported back to Earth immediately. The Council has decided to have bridalcontracts dissolved as soon as possible.”
Poppy couldn’t breathe. Feeling what was in her hand slipfrom her numb fingers, she had barely enough time to move her toes before thecup and hot liquid hit the floor with a shatter.
“Poppy?” Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Wheaton standingbare-chested, leaning against the door frame. Concern was evident on hishandsome face.
“What are you doing up so early? I was hoping to share ourmorning kisses.”
Tears filling her eyes, and a tightening in her chest, Poppycleared her throat. “You have a message,” she said as calmly as she couldconsidering her world was crashing around her.
“Thank you. I will listen in a moment. Come and give me mymorning kiss.” He reached out a hand as if to draw her into his embrace.
Poppy held out her hand to stop him from moving closer. “No,you should really listen to it now.” Scooting past him, Poppy walked back intothe bedroom. As soon as the door swished shut, she began to frantically gatherher possessions into her duffel. She was pretty sure she was a mess by now butdidn’t want to take the time to wipe her face.
“Noooooo!”
Poppy jumped, hearing Wheaton yell the tortured sound fromthe living room. Hearing his bare feet run back to the bedroom had her pausingin her packing. She took in the vision of him blocking the opening she wasprepared to walk through.
Wheaton felt as if his heart was being ripped out. He couldnot believe how foolish he had once been. Thinking that the mess with thebridal matching was over, he had brushed off some of the other Council memberswhen they’d approached him about it recently during their meetings. He had notconsidered that they would try to take Poppy away after he had let his ownconcerns go. As she gathered her belongings, dread filled him to the bones andhis mind raced. There had to be a way to fix this.
Wheaton folded his arms across his chest. “You will notleave me! I forbid it!” he said loudly, widening his stance as if to physicallytrap her in the room.
“Wheaton, I can’t talk to you right now. I need to pack.” Poppygritted her teeth so she wouldn’t start sobbing.
“You are not packing. You are going to listen to me.” Hemoved into the room.
“Stop right there, asshole.” Holding up her hand to stop himin his tracks, she said, “I heard that entire fucking message, and from what Iheard it sounded like you doubted our match. Since when, Wheaton? Since thefirst time you met me? When I decided to not have sex with you immediately? Howabout last night, when you finally got to fuck me? Huh? When, Wheaton? When?!”By this time, Poppy was screaming at him. Her voice sounded hoarse to her ownears. She felt the harsh strain from trying to hold back tears.
As she zipped her duffel closed, she saw another pair of herpants on the floor. Bending down to pick them up, she didn’t notice Wheatoncome up behind her until the last moment. He grabbed her from behind and trappedher arms at her side to whisper into her ear, “Calm down, Poppy. Calm down andlisten to me. Please.”
“I will not fucking calm down, Wheaton. This is one giganticclusterfuck. When will they come to get me? I still need to gather up my stufffrom the living room,” she said, standing stiffly in his arms.
“Poppy, you are not going anywhere. Please, you cannot. Letme explain what that message meant. Just listen,” he pleaded, rocking back andforth in an effort to soothe her.
“Fine, you can talk, but don’t expect me to stay once you’redone with your little speech,” she bit out.
Moving slowly as if to not startle her, he bent and slid hisarm under her knees to pick her up. Carrying her into the living room, he sather on the couch and stood beside her with his palm out.
“Please touch me, Poppy. I am addicted to your contact.”Searching her face with sad eyes, he held his hand out.
“Wheaton, just talk. I woke up so happy and then heard thatmessage. I’m trying really hard not to lose my shit right now.” She ran herpalms down her face to wipe away the now cool tears.
“Let me start at the beginning then.” Rubbing his face as
