Page 52 of Broken Rivalry

Yes, Poppy Lockwood might not have been for me, but Poppy Donovan… definitely is.

“It’s quite a big house,” she murmurs, her eyes scanning the structure in front of us.

I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant. The house, with its red brick and modern touches like bold windows and a sleek balcony, is a blend of classic and contemporary. Inside, cozy hardwood floors mesh with high-tech amenities, creating a vibe that respects the old while flirting with the new. It’s one of the reasons I had my father buy it for me and why the boys wanted to move in.

“Trust me, when you share it with Cole Westbrook and his larger-than-life personality, it doesn’t feel that big at all,” I say, trying to lighten the mood, wanting to erase any unease from her face.

I want her to be comfortable here, in my space, in my home… in my life. Because I’m already suspecting that letting her go won’t be an option for me.

We step inside, and I watch her take in the surroundings, her eyes flickering with an unreadable emotion. I’m suddenly acutely aware of every detail of the place, wondering what she thinks, hoping she finds it… acceptable?

But as she turns to me, her smile tender and genuine, I realize that all the worry, all the insecurity, is unfounded. Because Poppy isn’t here for the house, or the lifestyle, or any of the superficial things.

She’s here for me. And I’m here for her. And that’s all that really matters.

I take her coat and hang it on the rack as she steps out of her shoes, padding lightly on the freshly cleaned hardwood floor. A glimpse of her cute toes, painted pink through her sheer tights, sends an unexpected jolt through me, making my cock twitch.

Get a grip, idiot, or you’ll come in your fucking pants before you even get her to the bedroom. Cole’s voice echoes mockingly in my head, oddly grounding me.

I clear my throat, moving behind the kitchen counter. “Do you want something to drink?”

She shakes her head, her eyes still exploring the living space. “Where’s your bedroom?” Her voice is soft, not flirtatious, but genuine, even though I’m hoping that once we step into the bedroom, we won’t be leaving until morning.

My cock twitches again, I am already losing control of my body.

“My bedroom is upstairs, Cole’s too,” I manage to say, pointing upward. “Liam is there,” I add, gesturing down the hall beside the wall, which has the gigantic TV mounted on it and the electric fireplace below.

She nods, moving toward the stairs with an ease that pleases me.

“First door on the right,” I call after her. “Trust me, you don’t want to go into Cole’s room.”

Her giggle, though somehow breathless, tightens something in my chest. Despite her bravado, she’s as nervous as I am.

“I’ll be right there!” I call after her, quickly texting the guys, threatening them with various bodily injuries if they dare disrupt my night with Poppy. Then, grabbing two bottles of water—anticipating that we will need lots of hydration if the night goes as I’ve fantasized—I follow her upstairs.

I find her in the middle of my room, with her back to me as she is looking at some of the trophies I have received.

“It looks a lot like your bedroom at home,” she says as she takes a step to the side, keeping her back to me.

I frown. “How do you know how my bedroom looks at home?”

She turns her head to the side. “How do you think your science project mysteriously failed?”

I laugh and go stand behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing the back of her neck, making her shiver.

Her skin is warm under my lips, an irresistible sensation that sends a shiver down my spine. “You were always a troublemaker, weren’t you?” I whisper, my breath caressing her neck, eliciting a wanting sigh from her.

She leans back into me, her body melding into mine, and there’s a playful lilt to her voice when she responds, “Only where you were concerned, Ethan.”

My hands glide up from her hips, tracing the curve of her waist, and she shudders at my touch. “Is that so?” My voice is a low murmur, heavy with the unspoken desire between us.

She turns in my arms, her eyes meeting mine with a vulnerability that takes me aback. “Yes,” she whispers, her fingers lightly tracing the line of my jaw.

I lean down, capturing her lips with mine, and the world falls away. It’s only us, Poppy and Ethan, finding each other again after all these years. The kiss deepens, becoming more urgent, more desperate, as if we’re trying to make up for lost time.

Finally pulling apart, breathless and dazed, she rests her forehead against mine. “Ethan,” she whispers, “This is… I’ve never done that before.”

My heart swells at her words, and I cup her face in my hands. “We don’t have to do anything you’re not sure you want to do.”

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