Page 63 of Poppy Kisses
“It’d be close. She had to put in a lot of years to get there, but Dad never doubted her. He carries her business cards, not his.”
She picked at the label on the bottle, her focus too intense for a lifted corner. “It’s the way he looks at her. Pure obsession. Sometimes she’ll just be typing away and he’ll have this adoring look. Then she’ll see, roll her eyes, he’ll smirk, and they go back to what they’re doing.” She gave up on her peeling efforts. “I guess I’ve been surrounded by guys giving those adoring looks to their women, and I want it for myself. Dad with Mom. Alder with Daisy. You with Hassie.”
The name was a cold splash and unwelcome on this warm night with a beautiful woman. “Jesus, that was a long time ago. I wouldn’t put me and Hassie anywhere near your ideal relationship.”
“You used to stare at her all lovelorn.” She sounded only half teasing.
“Did not.” I so did. If I could go back, I’d give myself a reality check.
“Did too.” She put her beer down and gave me a starry-eyed look, then added heart hands.
I fought a smile. “Exaggerating isn’t cool, Poppy. You should watch yourself.”
She barked out her laughter. “‘I can get that for you, Hassie. What do you need? Do you want half my sandwich?’”
Not a lie was told, but I refused to let her win. “I clearly recall giving you my pudding cup.”
“Because she’s lactose intolerant.”
I spread my hands. “You still got it. Every time. And the ice cream cup.”
She put her hands in a heart shape in front of her sternum and batted her eyes. “I didn’t get this.”
I start to push myself out of my chair. “Oh, I’ll give it to you.”
“You’ll spill my beer!” She held up her hand. “Fine, fine. You win. You weren’t all heart eyes because I got the pudding cup.” She returned to rocking the swing with her toes. “You don’t like being reminded of how you were as a kid.”
My humor vanished. “No. I was over the top.” Not only had it been pointless, but I had hurt Poppy and hadn’t known it.
“We all were. I thought I was a super soccer stud.”
“You were. And you still are. Next week, you’re going to show the town what those legs can do.”
“And what can they do?” She dropped her voice, making it sound more like an invitation.
Heat sunk down low in my gut and my cock stirred. “It’s up to you to show me. Remember?”
ChapterFifteen
Poppy
My back hit the cushions of the couch. I yanked Jensen down on top of me. My mouth was fused with his, but we had to come up for air so he could take my top off.
He’d thrown out the challenge, and the sex-starved goddess inside me had reared up to snatch it.
“I need you naked this time,” he growled against my lips.
My shirt came off. I wrestled with my bra while he grabbed the back of his shirt and dragged it over his head.
“Wait.”
He paused, and I flattened my hands on his chest.
“You’re so hard.” I felt up his pecs and scraped my palms down his abdomen to bump over his abs. His stomach muscles tensed and his breaths were shallow.
“You have no idea.”
“Oh, I do.” I unbuttoned his jeans. He was holding himself over me, with one hand on the back of the couch and one gripping the edge. His arms shook, but I continued, wrapping my hand around his hot length and pulling him out.
