The timeline hits her. “That was before…” she pauses, sadness flashing in her eyes, “before my accident. I intended to work until my contract was up. You did not know any of this would happen.”
“You’re right, but it didn’t matter because it would be here waiting when you were ready.”
She drops her chin to her chest and exhales loudly. “Let me get this straight. By a random twist of fate, we meet. Less than twenty-four hours later, you’re staying in Vegas and I’m wearing a diamond ring that you pass off as a birthday present. But in reality, it’s your version of a promise ring. Less than a month later, we’re married and your parents meet me for the first time. I go back to Vegas, you shop buildings, and three weeks later own one.”
“Seems like you have it straight.”
Her head whips up. The emotional Poppy from a few minutes ago is gone. My cock stirs, ready for what’s coming. “We’d known each other seven weeks! In that time, we’d spent eighteen days together! Eighteen!”
“Best fucking eighteen days of my life.”
“Are you CRAZY?” she blasts, throwing her hands in the air. “Never mind, the answer is yes. You’re crazy, but this tops everything.”
“You told me your retirement plans and I made it happen. Doesn’t seem crazy to me,” I reply casually, which fires her up more.
“Most people start by leasing. It allows time to grow the business and build clientele. Then they graduate to buying space.”
“We’re not most people. You should know that when I find something I want, I go after it.”
“What if I hated it?”
“Seven buyers are lined up with offers that want me to sell.”
“Seven?”
“Yes, like I mentioned yesterday, my real estate attorney is fielding the interest. My anonymity as the owner is about to end, though. Then I suspect interested parties will contact me directly trying to make a deal.”
“Tough for them, they can’t have it.”
“I didn’t think so.”
She gives me a half-eye roll. “Don’t be smug.”
“Keep up the sass.”
“You’re ridiculous. There’s nothing sexy about a wailing, snotty, emotional basket case.”
“Depends on who it is.”
Her face softens and she wraps her hand around my neck. “Thank you.”
“Nothing to thank me for. I’m serious, there’s no rush. If you go back to Cirque, this will wait.”
“I don’t want to wait. Those drawings are everything Dante and I have talked about through the years. We expected to start a small studio and go from there.”
“You can start small, no pressure.”
“We thought we had to in case we couldn’t make it work. But this… this is you,” she draws in a deep breath, “this is you believing in me and us.”
“Always.”
“You believe in me, even with the unknowns. And you trust in Dante.”
“I do, but more importantly, I want to know you are happy.”
“Happy? That doesn’t cut it. You’re making my dreams come true.”
“Fuck me, Poppy. The night I laid eyes on you, my dreams came true.”
She holds my stare, the color fading into a shade that tells all. She licks her lips, grinning wickedly. “You know, maybe you should tell me more about this tenant’s husband. How needy is he?”
Her thighs tighten at my waist, helping her slide forward. My dick is hard instantly at the contact. “Needy doesn’t explain this man. He’s a possessive brute, completely obsessed with his wife to the point of madness. Craves her. If he had his way, he would live his life worshipping her in every way possible.”
She grips my neck, urging me to her. “Worshipping her in every way? How would that work?” The throaty rasp sends a surge of heat through me.
“Begin each day with the taste of her on his tongue.”
“Ummm, sounds fun.” She outlines my mouth with the tip of her tongue before nipping at my bottom lip.
“The fun starts after she screams his name the first time. He moves up her body. By the time he reaches her chest…” I trail my hand up her stomach and swipe my thumb over her nipple, “… she’s ready for more.”
“More is always better.”
“He pays special attention to this area because his wife has the sexiest fucking tattoos. Every day, he traces the ink with his tongue, knowing he’s the only man on earth to get the privilege. When he’s done, he takes turns sucking her nipples, leaving his mark everywhere.”
“That’s vaguely familiar. I bet she acts annoyed but secretly loves it.”
My other hand skims slowly up her thigh, dragging her dress with it. Her clutch loosens and I slip my thumb inside the satin material, finding her already wet. “You’re soaked.”
“This man is hot.”
The tip of my thumb presses into her and glides up, playing with her clit. Her breath catches as her hips rock forward. I repeat this over and over until her eyes are burning with need.
“He’s addicted to her.”
“I bet she feels the same.”
“Impossible.” My lips crash down, my tongue swirling around hers.
She grinds into my hand impatiently. I slide another finger inside, and the low moan vibrating from her throat sets my blood on fire. The slow game of seduction will have to wait because I need to get inside her.
I kiss her greedily, twirling and circling my fingers. She breaks away, panting lightly, and clamping down. “Evin… right there… oh, God…” I strum her clit, playing with the spot that drives her wild. Her body tenses, eyes squeezing as a wave of pleasure washes over her.
“One of my favorite sights in the world is watching you come apart for me.” I kiss my way down her throat, pressing my lips to her racing pulse.
“Apparently, I’m the needy one.”
“You didn’t freeze me out for two days and that wouldn’t be an issue.”
“Word of advice, if you decide to keep things from me again, this is the type of surprise that doesn’t get the ice queen treatment.”
I smile against her neck. “Am I completely forgiven?”
“Maybe after we properly make up.” She pulls away, ripping her dress off and revealing her naked body except for the skimpy panties with my fingers still under the fabric.
In no time, they are shredded and I’m working to get my dick free. She bends, unlatching the Velcro of her boot, kicking it to the floor, and reaching for my shirt.
I reach behind, pulling it over my head and tossing it to the side. Her breath hitches loudly and her eyes lock on the skin below my left pec. She runs her finger over the protective film softly.
“Is this... a poppy?”
“Look closely inside the leaves.”
She studies it. “The date we met and our wedding?”
“Thought it was appropriate.”
“Over your heart. This is where you were this morning?”
I nod.
“It’s remarkable.” She fixates back on the tattoo, and this time when her eyes meet mine, they are blazing with heat. She slides to the edge of the counter.