Page 52 of Touch My Shelves

“Exactly my point. And it’s always the woman standing in the man’s shadow. I’ve seen it time after time. First with my grandparents and then my parents. My mom won’t even make a simple decision about what color to paint the kitchen without asking my dad first. Then there are my brothers. Admittedly it took a few years, but I’ve seen their wives slowly disappear. Jordan, my oldest brother’s wife, used to be an incredible professional musician on both piano and guitar. She hasn’t played a note on either in over five years. Ben’s wife, Adelle, was a champion barrel racer, but she stopped soon after they married. Jojo, my youngest brother’s wife, owned a very lucrative dress store in town and she sold it to stay home and raise their children.”

I hear what she’s saying and she does have a lot of evidence, but the concept seems flawed. What do I know? I’ve never seen a successful relationship until I came to Faire Island. I don’t really think that counts because there has to be something in the water here. I have always wondered if any of the happy couples here moved off-island, would they still be together? Doubtful.

In some way, I admire Poppy’s courage, and yet something makes me feel off. It’s almost like she doesn’t really believe what she’s saying.

“What about you?” she asks. “Why have you never married?”

“I’m not a fan of the marriage/relationship train. Statistically, a marriage is doomed from the moment the I do’s are said. I have Freeya and that’s enough. But you know what isn’t enough?” I lean in and kiss her neck. “Kisses.”

Poppy moans when I continue a track down her neck and zero in on her nipple. This conversation is over.

The rest of our private getaway would have been perfect if we didn’t have to go in separate directions the next day. Poppy leaves the yacht, picks up her car, and goes to her shop. I come in through the patio doors and don’t see anyone on my way to shower and change.

At noon, Freeya comes in with the guys and life settles back to normal. Near dinner time, Poppy texts to let me know she and Naudi are spending the night at the apartment above the store. A last minute shipment of books came in and they want to get them put in the system and on the shelves before Buccaneer Days.

I’ve never been a clingy person, but I don’t like not seeing her in my house. I don’t like knowing I won’t have her in my arms, even if only for a short time, after everyone goes to bed.

I need to get myself under control when it comes to Poppy. I don’t want her to think I’m only spending time with her for one thing.

After dinner, we all play a board game with Freeya. Everyone calls it a night, I tucked Freeya in, and I’m in the process of putting the game up when the front door opens.

I look up with a smile on my face to find not the woman I thought was coming home, but her best friend. “Naudi, why are you here? Where’s Poppy?”

Instead of answering, she marches right up to me. “If you hurt my friend, you will have me to answer to. I might be small, but I know where to kick to bring you to your knees.Capiche?”

I bite my lip to keep from laughing at the petite woman’s threats. “I don’t intend to hurt her. Poppy and I are just having fun. We both know that.”

Her eyes pull together as she glares. “Poppy is waiting for you at the apartment. I’ll look out for Freeya.”

I try not to let it bother me that Naudi doesn’t believe me. My priorities have always been the same—Freeya and my writing. Nothing has changed. I don’t have time in my life for anything else. I don’t want anything else. Neither does Poppy.

I’m still worrying about it when I climb the stairs to the apartment and open the door to find Poppy on the sofa sleeper, wearing nothing but a wickedly sinful smile.

Things escalate quickly and I don’t have anything on my mind other than wringing one more orgasm from a woman who says she’s too tired. I prove that she isn’t.

CHAPTER 19

POPPY

“This is so cool!” Freeya exclaims as she places the last pumpkin in the window display. We’ve papered the back wall with a Hogwarts dining hall wallpaper and hung over a hundred solar candles from the ceiling on clear filament string. There’s a life-size cut out of Harry, Hermione, and Ron in their robes with wands at the ready. We painted an old wooden table black and decorated it like you’d find on the movie set. Well, as close as we could get with items from the thrift store. With a little spray paint and ribbon, I think we did a great job. She’s right, it is cool.

The other window, even though it’s located in the store which will become Naudi’s, also has a display of the latest releases. I can’t wait to see her designs gracing the window of her store someday soon.

“Can I go get Naudi to see the finished product?”

“Sure. Knock yourself out, kid. But then you need to finish your math assignment.”

I grin as she runs to get Naudi. She’s a charmer and the thought of not seeing her every day is something I’m pushing to the back of my mind. I’m not ready to deal with that.

Stuffing our supplies back into a clear tub, I pause when my phone chimes with an incoming text. I grin when I see it’s from Brax.

Your new bed will be delivered this afternoon.

I reread the message, curious what bed he’s talking about.New bed?

Yes, it’s a gift to my back and yours.

I giggle—the sofa is perfectly fine as a sofa, but sadly lacking as a bed. I planned to buy a new bed when…well, when my nanny gig is up and I move into the apartment. My stomach drops. The end of my time with Brax and Freeya is drawing near. But wait… does this mean he wants me to move out and into the apartment now? No, that can’t be right.

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