Chapter 10
She’d thought the kiss would be hot and hard; instead, it was soft. He took her lips on a sensual journey that soon had her biting back a moan. One of his hands moved to Poppy’s waist, and the other slid under her hair to stroke the skin above the sling.
Their bodies weren’t touching. He kept his distance because of her arm—Poppy knew that. But she was sure she was going to melt into a puddle right there in her kitchen. The man can kiss.
“I said I’d take you home because you told me there was no one else to pick you up.” He whispered the words against her lips.
“I-I’m not your responsibility, Nick.” She should pull back, but the hand on her neck was kneading her muscles now, and it felt so good.
“I don’t do things I don’t want to.” His lips took hers again. This kiss was harder, more insistent.
“We shouldn’t be doing this, Nick,” she said when he eased back an inch.
“We should and will—” His lips brushed hers again. “—but not until you’ve stopped hurting.” His hand slid slowly down her spine and briefly squeezed her ass, but then he pulled away. She felt like he’d branded her. Poppy’s entire body ached, but not from her fall. No, this was the need for more.
“We won’t,” Poppy managed to get out. “Ever.”
He just gave her that small smile she remembered from college.
“Coffee?” Emma, Nick’s sister, said, coming back into the room. Her eyes went from her brother to Poppy.
“I’ll make it,” Poppy said.
“How? You have your arm in a sling,” Nick said. “Let Em do it. She’s the lazy Atherton. It’ll be a change watching her do something.”
“Ha, funny.” Emma punched her brother in the arm as she passed him on her way to the coffee machine. “Did you tell her off about leaving the hospital?”
“Sure. Not convinced she listened, though,” Nick said, prowling around the room, which wasn’t big anyway but was now tiny with him in it.
“Do you have siblings, Poppy?” Emma asked.
“Em—”
“It’s okay, Nick. I had a brother. He died when I was younger,” Poppy said.
“I’m sorry.” This time Emma moved into her space, hugging her gently. “That must have really sucked.”
“Yeah, it did.” Poppy dropped into a seat after she was released.
These Athertons were overpowering. Open and emotional—something she’d never been. Poppy kept everything inside. She could only imagine what their family gatherings were like.
Her eyes found Nick again when Emma went back to making coffee.
Unshaved, he wore another faded T-shirt, but this time shorts that stopped a few inches above his knees. The man could throw on a sack and look hot, and he’d been the same in college.
Emma put a mug in front of both of them, and then sat.
“I’m sorry I left the hospital without letting you know,” Poppy said when the silence settled around them.
“Okay, you’re forgiven,” Nick said.
“Yeah, it’s not like we don’t mess up constantly,” Emma said.
Nick raised his mug to that.
“So is there any chance I can get more of your books signed, Poppy? I lost those copies you did for me yesterday when I was saving you.”
Poppy rolled her eyes. “You did not save me, but you did look after me—I’ll give you that much.”
“Heartless woman,” Nick said.
“I’ve got some copies upstairs. I’ll get them now.”
“I can get them. You’re injured. Just tell me where they are,” Em said.
She tried to get out of her chair, but Nick held her down. “Let Em get them. You’re hurting and tired.”
“I don’t take orders from you,” Poppy said.
“Not sure why you’d be different when we all have to,” Emma said, getting out of her seat. “Where are they?”
“The copies are on my desk upstairs in my room.”
She opened her mouth to tell him what she thought about his bossy attitude after Emma had gone, but he kissed her again.
“Stop that.” She pushed him away.
“I enjoy kissing you.”
“Look, Nick. This?—”
“Is new, and something, but neither of us know what yet,” he said, cutting her off. “Stop overthinking it.”
“I overthink everything. It’s how I’ve survived.”
“Survived what?” He frowned.
“Nothing. Just a figure of speech,” Poppy said quickly.
“Found them.” Emma thankfully returned, and Poppy got a pen and signed the books.
“Got plans for the weekend, Poppy?” Nick asked when she was finished.
“Not much. I’m going to rest and write.”
“How are you writing with that?” Nick pointed to her sling.
“My fingers are not broken.”
“Just take it easy.”
“I’m not one of your siblings, Nick. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“He worries about everyone. Eldest child,” Emma said. “He takes the position seriously.”
“I’ve saved your neck a few times.” Nick shot his sister a pissed-off look.
Poppy then listened to the Atherton siblings argue. She had to admit it was entertaining, but she felt that pang she always got when Poppy wondered what her life would have been like if her brother had lived.
“I need to get to work now,” Nick said when he’d finished his coffee. Getting to his feet, he pulled out a card from his wallet and handed it to her. “This is my number if you need anything.”
“Thank you.” Poppy took it and knew she’d never call him.
They headed to the door, and Nick turned on the step while his sister kept walking to his pickup.
“Take it easy, Poppy, and I’ll be in touch.”
“I don’t have a phone yet.”
“Then I’ll call by and see you.”
“Nick, it’s okay. I’ll be fine. Really.”
“I will call by and see you,” he said slowly.
“I—” He kissed her and then walked away. Poppy watched until they’d disappeared and wondered why him checking up on her made her feel so good. Possibly because no one but her aunt had done that for years.