Kane puts out his smoke by stepping on it. “Can you leave it with me, and I’ll strip it down?”
“Sure. I wouldn’t trust her with anyone but you, Kane.” I pat his back, then untie the tow rope. He’s my oldest friend and one I’d trust with my life.
“Nice to meet you.” Letty walks back to the house, still hugging her curvy frame. “Come, Bella, let’s go inside.” She waves a hand before entering the house. The dog follows.
I hand Kane the keys. “She’s all yours. Just call me when you know what’s what. She’s more trouble than she’s worth, but Poppy won’t part with her.”
“I know the feeling.” Kane glances at Letty through the kitchen window. I get a sense of some sort of connection between them. I was talking about the car. Though I can’t part with Poppy either. No matter how much disruption she brings into my life, these last few weeks protecting poppy have given me a sense of purpose and I’ve never felt more alive than I do when I’m in her presence.
10
POPPY
By the time we get back to Dan’s place, the day’s almost over. I’m exhausted, even though I haven’t done much physically.
Dom empties a drawer in his room, making space for my stuff like this is going to be a permanent arrangement. I unpack a few of my things from the flat, including the broken jewellery box filled with photos. The only thing I have from my childhood. A long sigh leaves my lungs as my shoulders slump.
Dom slides his clothes to one side of his wardrobe. “You want me to help you put your stuff away?”
“And have you perv over my underwear again? No thanks.”
Dom chuckles. “I’ll sort us some dinner, then.”
“I think I’m going to have a bath, if that’s all right.”
“Sure it is. Make yourself at home. Shall we order Chinese food?”
“I’d love that, but I don’t have any money.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“I can’t just live here rent free and expect you guys to keep me. You’re already sorting my car out for free.” My breath halts. “It is for free, right? I mean, I’ll pay your friend back when I earn some money. Sorry. I just assumed—”
Dom’s hands rest on my shoulders from behind. “Shhhh. Don’t worry about it. I’m not loaded, but I can take care of my woman.”
I’ve had possessive men call me their woman before. It usually grates on me. I’m not an object to possess. But when the word rolls off Dom’s tongue laced with honey, it sounds like I’m a goddess that he wants to cherish. He massages my shoulders, and I roll my neck back, loving his hands on me.
Dom continues to knead my shoulders. His rough hands are somehow felt between my thighs, making my core ache for him. A moan escapes me, lost in the moment, then his lips caress my neck like an angel’s kiss.
The cracked mirror from the broken jewellery box is in front of us. With his lips on my neck, his eyes flick to the glass to meet my reflected gaze as if he can read me through the reflection. His heated stare burns into me like the sun’s rays bouncing off a mirror.
My heart throbs in my throat. Predatory eyes hold me captive. Both of us frozen as he calculates his next move.
Another organ in my body pulses, but I refuse to let myself get involved with him. I’m going to lie low for a while, save up some money, and move on. My usual routine since I ran away from home. If you can call a tin can on wheels a home.
There’s always been someone after me. My mother, ex boyfriends, Malcolm, and now the police. I can only imagine what it’s like to be free. Go where you please, be who you want to be, and live how you want to live.
Snapping out of the spell he put on me, I set my lotions and potions on the top of his drawers where he made some room, ignoring his lips inches away from the delicate spot below my ear.
He picks up a small bottle of bubble bath. “I’ll run you a bath.” When he steps away, I let out a long breath as if I’m an inflatable that’s just popped.
I walk down the hall clutching my pyjama shorts and t-shirt. The lavender bubble bath fills the air, relaxing my muscles already.
Dom leans over the tub, swirling the water with his tattooed hand. The black ink against the bubbles are a stark contrast. This man with all his hard edges can be so gentle and caring. If only he was more of a bastard, at least I could have an excuse to stay away.
When I hang my clean pyjamas on the back of the door, Dom doesn’t move as if waiting for the striptease I’m about to give him.
“Are you going to watch while I take a bath? Or can I get a little privacy here?” A smile plays on my lips. He’s probably got cameras up in here anyhow. The truth is, I wouldn’t mind if he did. I’d be flattered.
