59. Chapter Fifty-Nine
We’re heading back to the hotel. Poppy is sitting on one side of me, while the ever-annoying Reg occupies the other. I intentionally made sure there’s a significant distance between him and my princess; she doesn’t deserve any of his unnecessary rants. Across from me, sit my ever loyal brothers. I’ve witnessed countless times how they’ve stood up and told Reg to back off whenever he started targeting Poppy. That’s what I admire about them - their loyalty and their willingness to defend what belongs to us.
“So, have you managed to fix the shitstorm you created?” Ace says to Reg, his voice tinged with annoyance.
“I’m dealing with it,” Reg replies, focusing on his phone, fingers swiftly typing as if drafting an email. His demeanor exudes indifference, downplaying the seriousness of the matter.
Keen to distance myself from the ongoing chaos, as I consider it more of a Reg problem than mine, I contemplate taking a stand against the label. If necessary and if I am once again unfairly accused for something I have not done, I’m willing to give a press interview to address the issue and set the record straight. However, right now, my priority is shifting away from the controversy to focus on something more important - my son.
I turn my head to Poppy, who is peering out the window. I lean in, and she notices right away, turning her attention to me.
“Can I see more photos of Alex?” I ask, eager to see more of my son. I want to learn as much as I can about him.
She retrieves her phone from her bag and unlocks it. Within seconds, a smile spreads across her face as she shows me a photo of Alex.
“There are plenty more in there,” she says, giving me her phone.
I take her phone, eager to immerse myself in every detail and catch a glimpse into my son’s life.
As I gaze at the image of the little boy, my attention becomes captivated. He symbolizes the essence of my newly discovered world, one that revolves around a son whom I am only just beginning to know. Despite the physical distance separating us, there is an emotional bond that constantly pulls me closer to him. His smile, captured in the photograph, resonates with a profound sense of familiarity. The strands of dark hair framing his eyes evoke a growing connection that intensifies with every passing moment.
Inside the cramped vehicle, I am acutely aware of the watchful gazes of those around me. Everyone, except for Reg, is keenly observing my every reaction as I delve into these precious glimpses of my son’s life. I swiftly swipe the screen, eagerly anticipating the next chapter immortalized in these captivating images.
I stare at the moment captured on Poppy’s phone —a photo of Alex sitting on her lap, both of them bursting with laughter. His head is nestled against her chest, while she holds him tightly, their shared happiness emanating from the image. I can’t help but wonder what caused this laughter, the special connection that ties them together in that frozen moment. Curious to get a better view, I zoom in on the screen, fixating on their expressions.
As their expressions become clearer, a rush of emotions engulfs me. My eyes water as I realize the reality of all that I have missed out on through the years. The genuine warmth and connection captured in that photograph serve as an immediate reminder of the irreplaceable moments that have slipped through my fingers.
“So, Poppy, I had no clue you could sing like that,” Ace comments. “Why didn’t you ever perform at school?”
“I don’t know. I guess I was already getting noticed for all the wrong reasons with Jade. I didn’t want to attract any more attention to myself, I suppose,” Poppy responds.
“Who taught you to sing like that?” Nate inquires.
“My dad,” Poppy responds. “He was in a band.”
“Oh yeah, I remember Xander mentioning that when you gave him the guitar,” Ace recalls, bringing up the previous conversation about Poppy’s father being in a band. The mention of the guitar exchange seems to tie everything together in their discussion.
As the car arrives at the hotel, I hand Poppy her phone. Before any of us can even unbuckle our seatbelts, Reg promptly opens the door and steps out. Ace looks at me briefly before shifting his focus to Theo and Nate.
”I bet the mess still isn”t fixed,” says Ace. “The asshole just doesn’t have the balls to tell us.”
“Yeah, but at least he’s not bugging us,” Theo says, trying to find a silver lining and acknowledging the break from that difficult asshole.
I slide across the seat and step out. The rest of the band patiently waits for Poppy to exit. Together, we make our way through the side entrance, where a kind staff member holds the heavy doors open for us. Once inside, we head towards the elevators.
As we walk forward, I notice Poppy fidgeting and tugging on the bottom of her shirt, clearly anxious about the attention we’re receiving. This behavior is familiar to me, as it stems from the many times when Jade used to criticize her appearance, which always made her feel uneasy. I wish she could understand that none of that matters anymore. She is truly beautiful, and I will remind her of that every single day for the rest of our lives.
Jade’s hurtful words, which were nothing but fucking lies, have left a lasting impact on Poppy. I can see how she still gets super nervous when people stare at her, still carrying all those emotional scars.
A groupie, or to be more precise, a cougar who really should know better, approaches us. Neil quickly steps forward, blocking her path. Theo abruptly halts, causing Ace to slam into his back. I can”t help but smirk when I hear him complain in his usual grumpy way.
Partaking in flirtatious encounters with anyone who comes his way is a regular part of Theo’s routine. The rest of us rarely give much thought to the groupies, unless we’re in the mood for a bit of fun. Or in my case, when I sought to escape the thoughts of Poppy and find solace in the haze of alcohol and getting my dick sucked.
“Hey there, sweetheart,” Theo says, approaching the middle-aged woman. “What’s your name?”
Neil stays behind, while the other three security guards come with us as we continue walking to the elevator.
“Does Theo always act like that?” Poppy asks, glancing over her shoulder to see what he’s doing.
“Seriously, every single time,” Nate replies, shaking his head. “He shamelessly flirts with everyone.”
The elevator doors slide open, and we all step inside. Nate holds his arm out, preventing the doors from closing as we wait for Theo.
“Hurry up, asshole,” Ace mutters under his breath.
“Let’s just go,” I add impatiently, tired of always waiting for Theo to catch up.
Nate withdraws his hand, causing the doors to close. However, before they shut completely, we catch a glimpse of Theo turning to join us. Regrettably, it’s too late; the doors are already closing, and no one makes an effort to prevent them from shutting.
“You do realize I’ll never hear the end of it now,” says Nate.
”Just tell the idiot to cut it out with the flirting,” Ace says, casually slipping his hands into his pockets. “We’ll have a band meeting in my room tonight after the show.”
“I already have something planned,” I tell him, taking out my phone.
“Yeah, man. Theo is pretty keen to hook up with a groupie tonight. You know how he is,” Nate says.
“Well, tomorrow, meet me in my room at…” We all wait as he checks his phone. “Noon. We have nothing on then. We have a few things to discuss.”
Quickly, I tap into my contacts and bring up Kit’s number. I type out the following text:
Xander: Hey. Can you sort out a car for me after the show tonight? I need Neil to be there. Can you also see if a burger place can stay open late? I don”t care how much it costs.
I slip my phone back into my pocket, determined to make things right with Poppy. We’ve never really had a proper date; most of our time together was spent at her place. The only exception was that one time at a burger joint in a not-so-great part of town. I knew it wasn’t the best choice, but it was all I could afford back then. While I would love to take Poppy to a fancy restaurant, I know that’s not her style. I remember that she enjoys a good burger and a laid-back atmosphere. That’s exactly what I want too - to share a meal, relax, and have a meaningful conversation, just like we used to. Tonight, my goal is to address any unresolved issues because there’s no way I’m letting her slip away again.
My phone pings and I quickly check the message.
Kit: Sure. I’ll find something. Have a good night.
Kit is truly incredible. Every request I’ve made has been effortlessly fulfilled. It’s a shame Reg can’t adopt Kit’s helpful attitude instead of constantly criticizing me.
Exiting the elevator, I slip my phone into my pocket.
When I notice Poppy rummaging through her bag for her room key, I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close to me. “There’s no need for that. You’ll be staying in my room from now on.”
“Xander,” she says.
Keeping her snug against my chest, I guide her forward. “I’ve been clear about wanting everything, Princess, and I mean it. I want it all.” Placing a tender kiss on the side of her neck, we move towards my room.
As I insert the card into the lock, I effortlessly unlock the door to my hotel room. Holding the door slightly ajar, I signal for Poppy to enter. However, instead of stepping inside, she hesitates in the foyer, eyeing me.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, dumbfounded by her intense gaze. All I desire is for her to come inside so we can explore the naughty thoughts consuming my mind. Yet, it’s clear that she’s preoccupied with her thoughts. “Take your time, Princess,” I say, trying to be patient. “Or you could let me know what’s holding you back.”
She maintains eye contact with me for a brief moment before finally finding the courage to speak. Her voice carries a hint of hesitancy as she addresses me. “So, when you say you want this, it’s not just a tactic to lure me into your bed. And then, after the tour, you’ll disappear like you did before. Because I can’t bear to go through that again. I won’t, Xander.”
Her face reflects the uncertainty she’s feeling, perhaps due to our previous encounters or my tendency to avoid difficult situations. I know I need to tell her that my intentions are real and this isn’t some line to get her into bed. It’s no longer just about sex, it has evolved into something much deeper. Man up asshole and tell her how you feel about her.
Boldly, I reach out and firmly grasp her hand, pulling her into the room. Startled, she lets out a cry of surprise as I swiftly close the door behind us. Pressing her against the door, my hands rest on either side, creating a profound sense of intimacy. Our eyes meet, her blue gaze locking onto mine. “Princess, do you truly believe I said those words just so I could fuck you?”
She gazes up at me and swallows. It’s clear that she’s attempting to maintain a fa?ade, but I can sense from her breathing that all it would take is a kiss and I’d be balls deep in her. But I hold back because I don”t want any more confusion.
“I want everything with you, Princess, and that means having you in my bed every fucking night for as long as I live. Do you want me to prove it?” I lean back, removing my shirt over my head. I observe her gaze shifting towards my chest. Her eyes widen, with shock as she takes in my tattoo. “I believe that says it all.”
I know how crucial it is to tell her those three words, even if it”s tough for me. I want her to know my feelings are real, without judging me for my past. My deepest desire is to bare my soul and lay it all out for her to see.
Struggling to control the lump in my throat, I fight against the feeling of being suffocated by the words left unspoken. Get your shit together, asshole. Just tell her how you feel.
“In the past, I never told you this, but I need to say it now.” Swallowing hard, I can feel the words right there on the tip of my tongue. Yet, for some reason, I hesitate. She won’t laugh in your face, you idiot. She’s different from all those others, like my father who was supposed to love me.
Gathering my courage, I open my mouth and just go for it. “I love you.” I continue, disregarding the shocked look on Poppy’s face. “I’ve always loved you, Princess.”
With a gentle touch, I lift my hand and brush her hair behind her ear, noticing her mouth agape in surprise at my confession. But I can’t stop now. I need her to understand that she means everything to me.
“Before I left, I was in love with you. As the years went by, my love for you has deepened. I”ve learned the hard way in recent years that life just isn”t the same without you.”
Despite her eyes beginning to water, I press on.
“I may have fame and wealth, but they cannot fill the emptiness in my heart that has persisted since the day I fucking walked away from you. Only you, Poppy, have the power to fill that void. I want you. I want Alex. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—I would trade all my accomplishments in an instant to have both of you in my life. No more games, no more hiding my feelings. I am fully committed now. That’s it, Princess—I am laying my heart bare for you.”
She moves towards me, pressing her lips forcefully against mine. The gentle glide of her tongue sparks a surge of intense heat, causing my knees to weaken. I wrap my arm around her waist, guiding us backward across the room until we both tumble onto the bed. With eagerness, I claim her mouth while she wraps her legs around me, longing for closeness. The sensation intensifies as we grind against each other. Breaking away from the kiss, I prop myself up on my arms, ensuring not to crush her. She takes deep, steady breaths as she gazes up at me, her eyes filled with awe.
Her hand reaches up, gently caressing the side of my face. “I love you too,” she declares, and those words, so unexpected, bring tears to my eyes.
As she holds my gaze, her fingers trace down the side of my face, creating a comforting and familiar sensation. I close my eyes, relishing in her touch. When I open them again, Poppy’s lips meet mine in a fiery kiss. My heart races as she alternates between tender kisses and sensual strokes of her tongue. With my calloused fingers, I slip them under her shirt, causing her breath to hitch. Pressing my hard cock against her, she lets out a sexy moan that always ignites my desire.