Seven
Poppy
“Ican sleep on thecouch,” I said for what felt like the thousandth time as Patrick narrowed his eyes at me and cocked his head to the side as he leaned against the wall.We got back to his cabin a while ago and were now fighting over where I would sleep.He was just as stubborn as I had remembered.
“And I’ve already said no.Several times.”
“I give up,” I muttered, tossing my head back and groaning.“I wouldn’t have taken you up on your offer to stay here if I knew that you were going to try to give up your bedroom for me.”
“It’s seriously not that big of a deal.I sleep on the couch all the time.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“Okay, so I don’t sleep on the couch.But I am more than fine with it and am happy to start tonight.”
“Have you seen that storm outside?”I asked, extending my hand to the living room window, which didn’t have any curtains and looked like it needed to be replaced.It was old and thin, which meant it would absolutely get freezing cold in here tonight if the power went out.
The wind howled outside as a shiver ran through me.
“What are you going to do when the power goes out?”I continued.“You’re going to freeze your balls off.”
“My balls and I will be just fine.That’s what blankets are for.”
I arched an eyebrow and stared at him, ignoring the comment about his balls because those were thelastthing I needed to think about right now.
“You’re not sleeping on the couch,” I said bluntly, putting my hands on my hips so he knew I meant business.
His eyes slowly trailed down my body, making note of the gesture as he chewed his lower lip, and his eyes sparkled with mischief.
He pushed off the wall and took a few strides until he was standing right in front of me, violating my space as the light scent of his cologne lingered in the air.
“I think it’s cute that you think you can come in here and boss me around,” he said, his voice low and deep as butterflies swarmed my stomach.“Make no mistake, Poppy, I decide how things go around here.If I say you’re not sleeping on the couch tonight, you’re notfucking sleeping on the couch tonight.”
“But yet you can?”
He shrugged his shoulders as he shoved his hands into his pockets.
“You should sleep in your bed, Pat.It’s more comfortable and I already feel bad enough that I’m crashing here.Please don’t make me feel worse that I’m making things hard for you.”
“Does it mean that much to you?”
His voice softened as his eyes searched mine.
“Yes,” I whispered, my voice struggling to come out.“It would mean a lot to me if you slept in your own bed tonight.”
“Fine.”
I pulled my head back, trying to hide my confusion but failing.It seemedwaytoo easy when he was so adamant about sleeping on the couch a few minutes ago.
“Why are you s—” I started, but stopped when he leaned in and tossed me over his shoulder.
All I could see was his ass as I squealed and tried to see where he was going.It was weird that I didn’t immediately flinch or pull away from his touch—instead, I found myself craving more of it.Maybe it was because I had known him for so long and trusted him, or maybe it was because I could tell that he genuinely cared about me and would never hurt me.
“Patrick!What are you doing?”
