“It worked out. My aunt took me in and we made our own little family.”
“Which is why you couldn’t walk away from this project. Even when I was an ass about it.”
Had he known the entire story he wouldn’t have been such a prick in the beginning. He would have taken things more seriously—like he was now. God, she probably thought he was a dick for all the flirty comments, pushing her buttons, and doing anything to get a rise out of her.
“You were an ass,” she said with a genuine laugh. “But I wasn’t much better with my holier-than-thou attitude.”
He laid a hand on her knee. “I like your prickly side just as much as I like your bossy side. But seeing you like this is tearing me up.”
He thought she was going to play it brave, so she didn’t worry anyone. But instead, she said, “Do you like my messy side? Because I’m a mess.”
He felt her tremble beneath his hands. He reached out and traced her jawline with his thumb and before he knew it, she was in his arms. Her cheek pressed against his chest, her arms around his waist, holding on as if he were her lifeline.
This was what Miles had been talking about. Connecting on a level that went deeper than innuendos and chemistry. He was kicking himself that it took something like this for him to realize the difference. It made him wonder if he’d ever gone deeper than the first few layers with any woman.
“I’m going to feel stupid if this is all over a sprain. It’s just, she’s all I have.”
“Right now, you’ve got me. And I promise I got you,” he whispered, resting his chin on top of her head. She tightened her grip and he let her hold on for as long as she wanted. Time suspended, and it was just the two of them in this crazy mess together.
“I can’t walk away from her. Not if she’s hurt.”
“We’ll work it out.” He held her tighter, and she nuzzled into him. He could feel the wetness of her tears on his shoulder. Moments later, she backed away, her gaze on her feet as he wiped her cheeks. He tilted her chin up and wiped away thefirst of what looked to be many tears that were yet to come with his thumb.
“Board meeting?” he asked.
Her expression was one of confusion. “Okay?”
“You and me are in this together. As a team we’ll find a solution. Got it?”
The tiniest of smiles crossed her face. “Got it.”
He sat on the chair and tugged her down next to him. “I’ve been told I have big shoulders. Why don’t you lay your head here for a few minutes and close your eyes.”
She looked at him suspiciously, as if looking for ulterior motives. Which there were. He wanted to get his hands on her in the worst way. Not just to ease the knot in his chest, but also because she looked adorably rumpled in her overalls, with her ponytail holding on by a hair.
She seemed to be suffering from the same need for touch because instead of arguing with him that she was fine, she rested her head on his shoulder. “Maybe for just a minute or two.”
Before he knew it, a minute had turned to twenty and instead of resting on his shoulder she’d slid down so that her head was on his forearm. Gently moving, so as not to wake her, Decker slid his arm out from beneath and wrapped it around her body, tugging her so that her head was laying on his chest.
She tossed ever so slightly, then slid her arm around his waist and let out a tired sigh. Her eyes were still closed, her breathing was deep and steady, and her warm body melted into his as if she no longer carried an ounce of the weight the world had just thrown at her.
Her scent was all over him and he couldn’t stop thinking about just how soft her body felt against his. The gentle swell of her breast pressed into his side, the feel of her breath skating over his body. The way her body fit his to perfection—as if they were destined to find each other.
Decker had held a lot of women over the years, but none of them had felt quite like this. It only furthered his suspicion that he was sporting more than just a little crush here. And if he wasn’t careful his fall could leave behind more than just a few bruises.
The door opened and out came the doctor, pushing a wheelchair with a very cheerful Opal, who took one look at the two of them bundled up on the couch and quietly clapped with glee.
Decker gently rubbed Poppy’s shoulder. “Angel, the doctor’s here.”
Poppy sprang up so fast he was surprised she didn’t fall off the seat. Wiping the sleep from her eyes, she looked at Opal. “Oh my god, you’re in a wheelchair! Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m more interested to see how you’re doing,” Opal said and looked from Poppy to Decker and back, then waggled a brow.
Decker wanted to know that answer as well, so he was disappointed when Poppy turned to the doctor. “Is anything broken? Does she need surgery?”
“Just some light bruising and swelling. Nothing broken, just a slight sprain. If she stays off it for a few days it should be fine.”
“A few days,” Poppy repeated theatrically. “We can handle a few days away from the set.” Those fathomless green eyes looked up at him. “Right?”
