That was a long time ago, and no woman has caught my attention for more than casual hook-ups since then.
Dante’s warning has replayed in my mind over and over. Knowing that she has a family that fucked her over and his blatant disgust with them heightens my protective instincts. He’s used to being her protector.
Now, she has me.
And I’m gone tomorrow.
Shit, a knot coils at the thought.
I didn’t want to leave on Sunday, but I really don’t want to fucking leave tomorrow. Our time hasn’t been enough.
We’ve fallen into a routine. I’ve kept up with work in the early mornings while she sleeps and later when she goes to perform. Our days have been filled with her showing me life in Vegas. Each night, I’m waiting when she’s done with her last show.
All of it is barely a tease into the world of life with Poppy.
A world I’m not ready to be two thousand miles away from.
As if she senses my thoughts, her head pops up. She flashes me a blinding smile, mouthing ‘two minutes’.
Jesus, that smile sends a possessive burn scoring through me.
My phone vibrating in my pocket pulls me from my thoughts.
“What’s up, Jackson?”
“I have updates.”
“Give me a second to get somewhere quiet.”
I gesture to the door to let her know and head outside to the rented SUV.
Monday morning, I arranged for the hotel to rent me a larger vehicle.
This gave me the first glimpse of an irritated Poppy Malone. She protested strongly that it was a ridiculous waste of money, offering to call Dante and borrow his SUV.
I told her it was non-negotiable.
She threw sass until my dick was hard as steel. I ended the argument by silencing her with a kiss. Later, when the valet brought it around, she rolled her eyes but did it grinning.
“Okay, I’m here.”
“Where exactly is here?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“After the curveballs you’ve been throwing me, not much would surprise me.”
“I’m at a dance studio.”
“Dance studio? Like ballroom dancing?”
“No, a youth performing arts academy. Poppy had a workshop scheduled this afternoon.”
His beat of silence tells me I surprised him. “Man, I don’t even know how to respond. Never in a million years would have guessed that. Not exactly your scene.”
I chuckle, picturing his expression. “No, it wasn’t until about two hours ago.”
“I don’t know what’s happened to the man that left Charleston, but I look forward to hearing about it when you get back.”
“I’ll put you on the list behind my parents. Mom is like a dog with a bone.”
“Warned you about the magic of Vegas. I don’t want to piss you off, but I wouldn’t be a friend if I didn’t tell you to be careful, Evin. This woman has caught your eye for a reason. Don’t get seduced by the bright lights of the city. Even the strongest of men find their weakness.”
Our conversation in my office comes back to me. “You don’t need to worry about me being reckless, Jackson. I got this. Now, you said you had updates?”
“Tessa wants the job,” he informs me unnecessarily.
“This is not news, considering I spoke to her yesterday.”
“She’ll transition into your full-time assistant over the next two weeks. The final offer is in your email waiting for approval.”
“Consider it done. What else?”
“Nothing that can’t wait until you’re in the office Friday.”
“That’s all you have for me? You called to confirm something I already knew? We’ve been in touch all week. You could have messaged me.”
“What can I say? I’m thorough.”
“You’re full of shit.”
His loud laugh travels through the line. “I’ll look forward to a cold beer when you get back and hearing all about your trip and Poppy.” The line goes dead before I can respond.
If only Jackson knew the truth about how right he is. I’m not the same man that left Charleston last week.
I’ve found my weakness in the form of a five-foot-four, rainbow-haired, tattooed, bohemian dancer that can bring me to my knees with the slightest of smiles. My strength is no match to her power.
Poppy is getting bolder, our nights of making-out growing hotter, and my restraint is slipping fast. The irony is not lost that a man like me is falling for a woman I’ve never touched intimately.
But until I know what she’s holding back, I won’t allow myself to go further.
She’s openly shared anything and everything, but her history begins seven years ago. There’s no mention of her childhood, her family, or her upbringing.
I don’t only want her to trust me with her body; I want her to trust me with her secrets.
“Fuck!” I openly groan, scrubbing my hands through my hair and thinking again how I need more time here.
She comes out of the building waving behind her, and I swear she floats to the truck.
“You never cease to amaze me.” I meet her at her door.
“They’re an awesome group.”
“Maybe so, but their teacher was the star in that room.”
She blushes, pressing up to kiss me quickly. “Thank you.”
I help her in and go to my side, climbing in as she bursts into giggles.
“What’s so funny?”
“You have a fan club.” She discreetly points to the door where a group of girls and women are openly staring.
“I think that’s for you.”
“No, that’s for the Chris Hemsworth twin that set hearts a fluttering today,” she tells me as we drive away.
“Don’t want to hear it.” Ryanne’s ridiculous comparison has plagued me since Sunday. Don’t see the similarities, but Poppy gets a kick out of it.
“It’s none of my business, but was that a work call? Or was it your family?” There’s a touch of hesitation in her voice and that bothers me.
I clasp her hand and bring it to my mouth, running my lips along her knuckles. “Anything
