Page 109 of Catching Sparks

“I don’t mind being feared. Every Swift Edge Records employee knows they have to work hard to impress me. Their fear gives me power, and I need power in my line of work.”

“Be powerful, then. I’m not intimidated by you,” she says.

“You haven’t seen who I am back in Toronto.”

“And you think if I did, I’d what? Run?”

I swallow the rock-sized lump in my throat. “Do you know what I did to Brody last year?”

Poppy lifts her head from my chest and uses her arm to prop herself up enough to stare at me, expression stern.

“Yes, I do know what happened.”

“And? You’re not spitting mad at me? It’s my fault he nearly lost his voice. My inability to find compassion for those I’m responsible for. He put his trust in me, and I nearly cost him everything because I wanted to hit deadlines that I should have known wouldn’t work,” I spit, angry with myself, old wounds reopened and seeping blood.

“I’m not going to be mad at you just because you want me to. I’ve had this conversation with Anna too, by the way. Yes, you made a mistake. Everyone does—big, fancy CEOs are no exception. It’s how you go about it afterward that counts. Of course I’m upset with you for what happened in solidarity with my best friend. That’s her man we’re talking about. But I’m not going to hold a grudge against you for it. Do it again and we’ll be having a different conversation. Right now, though, you don’t need my forgiveness.”

“What if I want it anyway?” I croak, my eyes darting back and forth between hers. “What if I need to hear you say that you forgive me for it?”

She reaches up and takes my jaw in her hand, holding me turned to face her. It’s unnecessary. The last thing I want to do is look away.

“Then I forgive you,” she whispers. “You’re far more incredible than you give yourself credit for. I wouldn’t mind spending years showing you just how much.”

“Years with you sounds like a dream, Poppy.”

Her smile is beautifully fragile. “I see you. All of you, and I love it all. Every piece, smooth and jagged. Cruel and sweet.”

I press my cheek into her hand and shut my eyes, reeling at the mess of emotions pounding within the confines of my chest. I’ve never been in love with someone before, but it doesn’t matter.

There’s no mistaking it for anything else.

I love Poppy, and I don’t know what that means for us going forward.

Water drips from the ends of Poppy’s hair down her spine and into the thin material of her bikini bottoms. From there, it cascades down her thighs and calves before hitting the white sand, soaking deep within it. It’s hard to walk in a straight line behind her when I keep looking at her ass.

Bryce packed the fucking worst swimsuits. It was her way of getting payback. She’s probably drinking a beer with Johnny at this very moment, cackling about how I must be losing my mind. And they’d be completely right.

Poppy’s ass is something else. Completely out of this world with thick round cheeks that bounce and shake with every step she takes. The thin strip of fabric she calls a bikini bottom has been tucked between those cheeks, only a small triangle left to be seen at the top. Neon green against her deep brown tan. I tip my head back and groan.

She glances at me over her shoulder and smirks. “Something wrong?”

“Clench for me, honey,” I say, smirking right back.

Her glare is immediate, but I don’t miss the slight shiver that works through her as she quickens her steps.

“Feeling a bit stuffed?” I call.

“I think you’ve forgotten about the other toy you bought me. Don’t be getting too cocky.”

Chuckling, I follow her into the bungalow, wet feet padding along the wood floors. She grabs the thick beach towel from the back of one of the dining chairs and starts drying her hair.

The sun has begun to set along the horizon behind us, and after an afternoon spent in the water with snorkelling gear, I’m exhausted. A good tired that speaks of long days in the sun and a mind full of new memories. The slight burn on my shoulders is a welcome pain as I find my towel and pat myself dry.

“You’re the only one getting fucked in the ass tonight, gorgeous.”

Her freckles are dark on her cheeks despite her blush. “Keep teasing me and it won’t be happening.”

“You don’t want to have worn a plug all afternoon for nothing, do you? What a waste that would be,” I say coyly.

---