“I have never, not one day, hated you.” For the first time since I left her in California desert, I realize it’s the truth. I never hated Poppy, I hated how lost I felt without her. How addicted I was to every facet of her.
Her eyes glaze as she turns back to the task at hand. “That’s nice to know.”
I pull some cider from the bag, along with cinnamon sticks and oranges. That means one thing. “Ah, your famous mulled cider.”
“Yep. This is the virgin version. I’ll throw in the rum at home.”
“I loved that stuff.”
“I have some from yesterday. Want a mug?”
I lean against the counter, allowing myself to really bask in her beauty. Take her all in. After all, the woman always was my sunshine. “Sure.”
“Let me warm it up. Make yourself comfortable.”
She disappears into the kitchen area while I peruse the store. Everything is still in a state of disarray, likely because of my stubborn inability to let the women proceed in peace. Instead, like a chump, I add fuel to the fire. “Did you and Troy have a nice dinner?”
Poppy reappears, a scowl crossing her features. “You drove down here to inquire about my dinner?”
“No.” I shove my hands in my pockets, feeling like a schoolboy in front of his first crush. Come to think of it, that’s not so far off. “I come bearing good news.”
“Really? That’s a change for you.”
Okay, I deserve that biting remark. “We have approved you to open the clinic.”
A wide grin crosses Poppy’s face as she claps her hands in glee. “Oh, that’s fabulous! Thank you!” She raises her arms up, but thinks better of it, dropping them back to her sides.
Poppy is a hugger. She gives love to everyone. Apparently, I’m too prickly for her to consider anymore. Yet another fact I’m going to have to rectify.
I grasp one side of a rickety wooden ladder, leaning against the wall. “Please tell me this is for decoration only.”
She glances up, shrugging off the statement. “I’ll tell you that, but it isn’t the truth.”
“Poppy, you could hurt yourself.”
“I’ve been up on it several times. It’s fine. Sturdier than it looks.”
“You are so stubborn.” I turn and walk out without saying a word. Jumping into my Jeep, I head for my workshop and within thirty minutes, I’m back in front of her store, unloading tools that don’t look like they were used in the colonial days.
As soon as I cross the vestibule, I release an exasperated sigh. There, perched on the ladder I told her to avoid using at all costs, is Poppy. “Get down. You’re going to get hurt.”
Her eyes widen at the sound of my voice. “Wow. You came back this time.”
I ignore the pointed barb. “Had to get some tools.”
“Finishing me off, Dylan?”
My dick twitches at her unintended innuendo. “There’s so many ways to take that statement.”
“Not how I meant it.” Maybe not, but I see her flush, nonetheless.
“You sure?”
“Why would I waste my time flirting with a man who loathes everything about me—” Poppy doesn’t get to finish her diatribe as her foot slips and she tumbles off the ladder and right into my arms.
Nothing in the world feels as good as her body against mine, as I tighten my fingers around her ass, pressing her ever closer to my chest. “Now aren’t you glad I was here?”
“I suppose there was some merit to your presence.”
“Is that the best you can do?”
Those hazel eyes flash fire at me, but I grasp her tighter, hearing her huffed sigh. “All things considered, that’s being generous.”
“Let me tell me a few things that I don’t loathe about you.”
“There’s actually a few?” Her lips purse in a pout. She isn’t giving me an inch.
Time to start reclaiming what’s mine.
“I’ll start with a few and we’ll go from there.”
“Ride on, cowboy. What don’t you loathe about me?”
“The way you smell. The first time I hugged you, after all those years, I had to bury my face against your skin because you’ve always smelled delicious.”
She bites her lip, but I see her holding back the smile. “I use the same oils that I did then.”
“Don’t ever stop. What else? The way you bite your lip when you’re thinking really hard or trying not to smile.” I shoot her a pointed glance, smirking as she releases her lower lip from its grasp between her teeth. “Definitely your laugh—the real one, not the polite one.”
“You mean the one where I snort?”
“That’s the one,” I smile. I’m still holding her, but Poppy hasn’t asked to be put down and until she does, I’m sure as hell not letting her go. I inch my mouth closer to hers, catching another whiff of her as my dick hardens in response. “The way your mouth feels against mine.”
Her pupils dilate, but she maintains a calm exterior. “I don’t kiss men with beards, remember?”
“I remember. I also think you’re lying.” I duck my head, nipping gently at her neck, smiling when she tilts her head, granting me access. “See? I knew it was a lie,” I murmur, sucking the soft skin into my mouth and earning a low moan in response.
“Think what you want.” She nudges my face up, her lips seeking mine.
“What I want, is you,” I murmur against her lips, my heart threatening to beat out of its chest at the flood of feelings rushing through every cell.
The bells above her door jangle, but I’m too lost in Poppy for it to register.
“Is this a new sales display?”
We jerk apart, and I turn to see my mother standing there, an amused smile on her face.
“She fell,” I retort, setting Poppy to the ground and trying to adjust myself without cramming my hands down my pants.
“Right into your arms, I see. Don’t let me disturb you. I just wanted to drop off this invitation for Poppy. The ladies’ auxiliary would love for you to attend their luncheon.”
Poppy’s cheeks flame as she accepts the envelope. “Thank you. That would be lovely.”
“Well, it’s not kissing your first love lovely, but it’ll do. Toodle-oo, lovebirds.”
And just like that, my mother struts out the door, a triumphant smile on her face.
The headache, forgotten in those moments I was lost in Poppy, comes searing back and I wince under the lighting. Damn, but this pain is getting worse by the minute, and it seems Poppy is the only cure.
“Are you okay?” Poppy moves her fingers to my temples, dancing gently along the skin. Without warning, she grasps my hand. “Come with me.”
“Where are we going?” I inquire, as I follow her to the back of the store. Hell, I’d follow the woman to the gates of hell if she asked me.
Poppy leads me to a treatment room. “Strip off your shirt and pants and lie down. I’ll do some acupuncture and massage. Hey, I’m legally licensed and approved to practice. Straight from the mouth of the mayor.”
“You just want to get me naked, don’t you?” I tease.
“Found me out. I have to see if you’re still as skinny as you were a decade ago.” Instead of granting me privacy, she leans against the counter, her gaze zeroed in on me.