9. Poppy
CHAPTER 9
POPPY
H e’s held my hand through the whole dinner. It was interesting when I tried to cut my steak, but luckily, it was so tender I was able to cut it one-handed with a fork.
We laughed. We talked. And when our waitress sets a dessert between us, an overwhelming sadness comes over me.
He points at me. “What’s that look?”
I shrug, a little embarrassed that I’m feeling this attached after one date. I know I need to take things slowly, but I’ve never felt this way about someone, and it’s a little much for me to deal with.
He puts a piece of the chocolate cake on his spoon and brings it to my lips. He watches me as I take the bite, and his eyes never leave my mouth the whole time.
He groans and sits back, adjusting himself in his seat. “You’re so fuckin’ beautiful, Poppy.”
I roll my eyes and wave my hand in front of me. “Stop.”
He doesn’t smile, doesn’t do anything but look at me with a sincere expression. “I’m just telling you the truth. Every man in here wishes he was in my spot right now. Thank you for coming to dinner with me.”
I lift my chin and decide it’s time I show him some vulnerability of my own. “When you asked me what that look was, I was thinking of something.”
He patiently waits for my answer.
”I was thinking about how dinner was almost done, and I’m not ready for tonight to be over.” I suck in a deep breath. “I’m having a really good time with you.”
He smiles and leans across the table before pressing his lips to mine. I can hear the soft murmurs around us, and I know that tomorrow, most of Whiskey Run will have heard we went on a date tonight, but for the first time in a long time, I don’t care what people are saying about me.
When he ends the kiss and sits down in his seat, his eyes are almost black instead of brown. We eat the rest of the cake, and when we’re finished, he walks me back to his truck.
Silence fills the truck, and when he pulls back into the parking lot of my apartment building, I look out the window instead of at him. I can’t hide my disappointment. Will he ask me out again? I hope so.
Instead of getting out of the truck, he turns to me and grabs the hand closest to him and holds it between both of his. “I want you, Poppy.”
I’m about to invite him in, but he continues. “There’s no denying the chemistry between us, and even though all I want is to take you inside and show you exactly how much I want you, I think we should wait.”
”Wait?” I ask, surprised.
He points toward my apartment. “Wait before you invite me inside.”
Trying to be funny, I smile. “I’m sorry, what kind of woman do you think I am? I do not put out on the first date.”
He rears back embarrassed. “I wasn’t… I didn’t mean?—”
I smack him playfully on the chest. “I’m just playing. Truth is, I was thinking of inviting you in because I want you too, Colter.”
”Fuck.” He groans.
I want to laugh, but I don’t. Instead, I ask him what’s been on my mind. “So I guess you’d like to go out again?”
He nods. “Yes.”
I reach for him at the same time he reaches for me. Our kiss gets hot and heavy, and I’m whimpering at the masterful way he kisses me. My whole body ignites just from his kiss, and I can just imagine how good it would be if we did more. A guttural groan leaves me before I can stop it, and he jerks away worriedly. “Are you okay?”
I’m too much in awe to play it cool. I smack him on the chest. “You’re too good at this.”
We’re both panting, and his hands are cupping my face while he searches my eyes. “I could say the same to you, honey.”
I shake my head. “Uh-uh. No way. Those lips are lethal, Colter.”
He releases me, and that’s the last thing I wanted him to do. He grips the console. “Raise up, honey.”
I’m practically lying on the console between us, and when I move back, he lifts it, opening the space between us. “Come over here.”
His voice is deep and thick with emotion. I look around the parking lot. Anyone can see us, but I don’t care because there’s no way I’m saying no to him.
I lean toward him to get closer, but he has something else in mind. He pulls me to his side of the truck and maneuvers me until I’m straddling him.
I gasp as I lean against him.
His hands go to my hips, and he pulls me snug against his body. Even with jeans on, I can feel the bulge between his thighs pressed against my core.
“This okay?” he asks.
“Yes.”
As soon as I say the word, his mouth is on me. He ravages my lips, and our tongues meet in a dueling battle that makes me want to completely submit to him.
He moans and leans his head back on the seat. His fingers are digging into my hips, and it’s then I realize that I’ve been grinding into him.
Embarrassed, I try to pull away, but he holds me to him. “Don’t,” he demands.
I press my forehead to his neck, trying to hide my embarrassment. “I’m sorry.”
His hands go from my waist to my back, and then he’s cupping my ass, pulling me closer against him. “Argh!” he mutters, and I feel his whole body tremble.
“We can just go inside,” I plead with him.
My whole body is on fire, and I should be ashamed at how much I want him.
He’s quiet now, and I bring my hands up to touch him, but he’s quicker than me and grabs both my hands in his. “I’m barely hanging on here, Poppy, and if you touch me, I’m going to embarrass myself.”
I groan. “I want you too. Can we just go inside?”
I lift my head to look at him, and it’s obvious he’s tempted. He wants to say yes, but something is holding him back. He looks almost tortured. “I won’t rush you.”
I’m about to argue with him, but he stops me. “I want you to think about this, Poppy. If the next time we go out, you still want me?—”
I cut him off. “Of course I’m still going to want you.”
He wants to believe me, but I can see the doubt reflected on his face. He brings one hand up and cups my chin. “I’m not looking for a one-night stand, Poppy. I want more.”
When I don’t say anything, he rushes to add, “I don’t want to rush you, but I need you to know where I’m coming from before we go any further.”
I lean into him and tell him honestly, “You seem a little too good to be true, Colter. Most men say what they think you want to hear so they get what they want.”
He strokes my chin and then lets his hand trail down to the side of my neck. He holds me firmly, and I can feel in his touch that he’s really feeling this. “I have a lot of baggage, and no one would blame you if you decided I’m not the type of guy you wanted.”
I smile and shake my head. Does he not have any idea how wonderful he is? “You mean the type that is smart, caring, protective, handsome, and knows how to kiss?”
The corners of his lips lift. “Just think about it, Poppy. I want you to be sure.”
“When?” I ask.
He shakes his head, confused. “When what?”
“When are we going out again?”
His hands move to my back, and as he pulls me against him, his hands caress firmly up and down my back. “Are you free tomorrow?”
Maybe I should be playing hard to get, but I don’t want to. Even if I did have something planned for tomorrow night, I would make myself free for him. “I’m free.”
He lifts his hips, and it’s my turn to groan. How is this man wreaking so much havoc on my body when I’m fully clothed?
He chuckles because he knows exactly what he’s doing. “I’ll pick you up at six.”
He opens his truck door, and reluctantly, I climb off him. When my feet hit the pavement, he follows me out. I giggle, watching him adjust himself. There’s no hiding his erection, and he points at me. “You’re awfully proud of yourself, aren’t you?”
I lean up to kiss him. I make it quick and pull back before whispering, “I would be if I’d actually made you come.”
I start to twirl away from him, but he grabs my hand to stop me. “Tomorrow,” he promises. “Unless you change your mind.”
I pat his chest. “I’m not changing my mind.”
He grabs my hand that is on his chest and threads our fingers together. He walks me to my apartment door, and I have to restrain myself from begging him to come inside.
He kisses me until I’m breathless and then practically pushes me inside. “Tomorrow,” he promises before pulling my door shut.
I turn and lean my back against the door and feel as if I’m going to melt into a puddle on the floor. There’s no way I’ll be changing my mind about this. I’ll be counting down the hours until our next date.