Page 53 of Last Boy

“You’ve got to be joking,” I snarl. “You’re going to, what, force me to stay here? Like Cinderella trapped in her tower?”

The corner of his lips turns up. Clearly, I said something to entertain him.

“Christ, Poppy. Even I know it was Rapunzel in the tower, not Cinderella.” He shakes his head, laughing lightly. “You are literally the least romantic human being on the planet.”

“I’ll be romantic one day,” I sass, “when the right man comes along.”

I watch as his grip on the steering wheel tightens and his eyes narrow.

“Oh, yeah? Maybe I’ll keep you in there forever then.”

“Right. You’re going to tie me to the bed and force me to be your prisoner.” I huff, rolling my eyes. “You don’t scare me, big guy.”

He sucks in a breath, and I watch as he shifts in his seat. And when my eyes float downward, I bite my bottom lip when I notice the growing bulge in his pants.

“Sounds like wishful thinking on your end, babe. Be careful. I’m going shopping for some clothes for you later. I can easily pick up some rope or handcuffs,” he drawls slowly. “It’s obvious that’s where your mind is right now.”

It takes me a few seconds to unclog my brain enough not to act like a pathetic idiot. So what if I’m now having thoughts of him tying me to the bed and devouring my body? Who cares? That doesn’t make me a weak bitch.

Not at all.

“Come on,” he says, sighing when he looks me over. “Everyone in here is about to think I’m a fucking woman beater.”

He has a point. I’m rough-looking, to put it lightly.

“I’ll just wait in the truck until you get the key.”

“Fuck no. We’re too close to Brooks. Those two lowlife thugs could be anywhere. For all I know, they are tracking you.” His eyes widen. “Which reminds me, I’m going to have Hudson look at your phone later to make sure they didn’t put anything in it to track you.”

“They never had my—” I pause before scowling. “Who the hell is Hudson?”

Pushing his door open, he jumps out, and I can sense the hesitation all over his face. “He’s going to be your security guard while I’m not here.”

He closes his door and comes over to my side.

I shove him backward when he tries to help me down. “A guard? Now, you’re not only keeping me here hostage, but I also have to have a babysitter.” I shake my head. “No. This is absolutely absurd.”

“Yeah, see…it’s not a request.” He shrugs. “Besides, don’t get your fucking panties in a bunch. You can order room service all day long. You can use the pool and hot tub once you’re healed enough. Oh, and they have a spa. I know you’re not really into that shit, but you could test out being a chick for once and do girlie stuff. And, oh, I don’t know…enjoy yourself.”

“Fuck you,” I hiss, folding my arms over my chest.

“Such a dirty girl.” He tsks me. “So eager for me to fuck you again.” Sliding his hands onto my waist, he dips his forehead to mine. “Just think, if you have a fit right now and cause a scene, someone could call the cops. And I’m pretty sure we just drove all the way to South Carolina because you didn’t want to get cops involved, right?”

I huff out a deep breath and groan. “Fine. But move and let me get out of this truck alone. I don’t need your help.”

Stepping back, he holds his hands up. “Suit yourself.”

As I step down from the tall truck, my stomach screams in agony, but I force myself to keep it together. I refuse to show him how hurt I am right now.

I don’t need someone to save me. I’ve been saving myself my entire life.

Walker

Such a sassy girl.

Here she is, limping along in front of me on our way to the elevator, acting like a tough guy, not wanting any help. When I got our key cards from the front desk, I saw the receptionist giving Poppy a look of horror. I’m sure she thinks I did that to her, and that makes me sick to my stomach. I’d never hurt her. Hell, I’d fucking jump in front of a bullet just so that it couldn’t get to her first.

Under her eyes, she is black and blue with a purple hue in some spots. Her cheek is the same, but it also has a pretty deep laceration that Beckett put butterfly stitches on.

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