“All right.” I move closer, needing to hold her and reassure her it’s me saying the word and not whoever she fears. “What is it?”
“Nothing, I just hate the name. Someone used to call me that.”
“All right, I prefer calling you Red, anyway.” My lip lifts in the corner as I slip my hands over her generous hips. “My little red fox.” I whisper in her ear, brushing my lips against her shell.
She bats me away using the spatula in her hand, then goes back to stir the eggs. “You want toast?”
“Sure.” I pop four slices into the toaster. It’s nice spending our mornings together, although I prefer waking up with her in my arms. “How are you this morning?” I nod to her stomach. “You need any more relief?” My lips curl in the corner again, remembering last night.
A red hue paints her cheeks just like a field of poppy’s in full bloom. “No, thank you. I’m good. If I need your services again, I’ll let you know.” She glares at me, holding the spatula between us, then her eyes track over my shirt, then down to my trousers. “You look smart. You going out?”
I pull the tie from my pocket and slide the silk under the collar of my shirt. “Just got some business to deal with.” My lips curve, tracking her every move and the way her lips part when I fix my black tie. Poppy likes the suit.
She settles at the breakfast bar sitting opposite me, her tits resting on the counter as she bites into her toast. “Can I come out with you? If you're with me, you can protect me, can’t you?”
I’d love to take her out with me, but not while there’s a prowler on the loose. I’m the only predator for her, and I’ll not settle until that’s the case. “Not today, Red.”
“Then when? You can’t keep me locked up forever.” She shovels a forkful of scramble egg into her mouth. I don’t intend to keep her hidden. I want everyone to know she’s mine. A rare ruby, secure behind a glass casing under my protection.
“Soon. When we have things under control.”
“I’ve taken care of myself this far. I’ll be fine at the club. Joe and the rest of the bouncers will keep an eye out for me. I don’t want to lose this job, Dom.”
“Don’t worry about your job. I’ve been in touch with your boss. He knows you’re indisposed.” Her eyes flash in indignation, so I quickly place the knife and fork on the plate and wipe my mouth. “Thanks, Red.” I lean over and kiss her nose, but she just glares.
“You ready to go?” Dan fixes his tie, always the businessman. He came home during the night like he always does. “Have I missed breakfast?”
“I can whip you something up.”
“She’s a keeper, brother. Maybe next time. We have to go.”
Poppy lifts the plate from the worktop and drops it in the sink with a splash. “Don’t get used to it. I’m not a fifty’s housewife that’s going to be chained to the kitchen. Or chained in this apartment, for that matter.” She lets out a long sigh and wipes her brow with her sleeve.
I place my hands on her hips from behind as she stares into the sink. “I’m sorry. It won’t always be like this. Trust me, Poppy.”
She takes in another deep breath and sags against the counter. “Okay.”
“Okay. I’ll see you later. Is there anything you need?”
“More of that rope to strangle you with.” She grins.
“That could be fun.” I can’t help but lean in to peck her cheek. Her face turns, meeting my lips. She sucks in a sharp breath at the contact, but doesn’t move away. My eyes search hers for a hint of anything that tells me she wants this.
I know what we did last night was much more invasive, but kissing seems more personal. Sex is sex, but kissing has meaning and fuck I want her, but I want her to want me too on an emotional level.
Her eyes burn with desire like the emerald city is on fire, and I would let it burn all night to have her look at me like this. My lips brush against hers and her eyelids flicker. It’s the only hint I need to know she’s under my spell, but I’m under hers, too. Drawn to her fire like a moth to a flame, only I’m a hound drawn to her scent.
With my mouth, I engulf her lips, swallowing her moan as my tongue dominates hers. My hands grip her face like a vise, holding her in place while I feed on her, taking what’s mine.
Her small hands cling to my forearms, trying to prise my grip from her face, but I can’t let her go now. Not when I have her right where I want her. And fuck, she’s kissing me back. She wants me too. Her tongue swirls against mine, duelling for dominance, but this is my territory.
A moan vibrates into my mouth, and I swallow it down until it reaches my dick. I come up for air, but only for a second, before biting her plump bottom lip, then I lick her tongue with long, rough strokes.
She gasps when my growing dick presses into her stomach. I could easily get off just grinding against her with my tongue down her throat. That hasn’t happened since I was a teenager, but the tension with her in my bed has been building since I got her here. I’m ready to explode with just a few more thrusts into her soft stomach.
“Eh helm.” Dan clears his throat, reminding me he’s still in the fucking room. I tear myself away from her lips for a second as I glance at Dan, tapping his watch. I flick my head to the door, signalling for him to wait outside.
He rolls his eyes, but lifts his bag and opens the door, stepping into the stairwell.
