Chapter 7
Gibson
I’m a fucking idiot.
There are no other words for it. That kiss. The way her lips melted against mine, her soft, little moan. I go instantly hard at the memory of it.
She might have been picturing me in my underwear, but I spent the entire morning imagining her lush curves under that shirt, my mouth watering every time she moved, and the buttons pulled tight across her generous tits.
Even in the barn this morning, with Stevie cuddled in her lap, I had to busy myself with chores I’d already done earlier that morning to stop myself from going down on my knees and begging her to let me touch her.
Jesus. What kind of monster am I? She was abandoned, injured, and I offered her a safe place to stay and now I’m molesting her at the kitchen island.
She was so eager to get away from me she stood up and reinjured herself.
After awkwardly grabbing her, I had to help her over to the couch, where is where I left her, icing her ankle.
After assuring myself she wasn’t badly injured or terrified of being in this house with me, I ran upstairs like a coward.
I tip my head back letting the shower pound down on my face wishing I could go back and erase what I’d done.
For the first time in forever I was enjoying just being around someone. Talking, laughing, sharing a meal. And I had to go and ruin it because I was thinking with my cock instead of my brain.
When I asked her that question and she responded, her voice husky, something in me snapped. Instead of simply flirting back, making sure she knew I wasn’t going to fall on her like some sex-starved recluse, I did exactly the opposite. I didn’t even ask if I could touch her.
I just did what I wanted.
And the way she responded. Fuck. My hand drifts down and wraps around my cock, stroking slowly, the ache building as I imagine what would have happened if I didn’t force myself to step away from her and give her space.
Her nipples tight under the thin material of her shirt, the way she shivered as my fingers brushed over the tips.
I picture undoing those damn tiny buttons and undoing her bra, my hand moving faster under the warm water.
Would she moan again if I licked them? Pinch them while I slide myself between her thighs?
My cock jerks, release hitting me hard and fast as guilt and pleasure war together in my chest.
I finish my shower, wishing my dirty little fantasy had quelled my need for the woman in my home.
But all it did was make me wonder how much better it would be if it had been real.
I scrub a hand over my face and pause at the top of the stairs. I can’t avoid Poppy. For starters, I don’t want to. Second, she shouldn’t be hobbling around until I’m certain she’s okay, which means I need to make sure she eats and is comfortable.
I can spend time with her like a normal human being.
I start down the stairs, stopping when I hear it. A sniffle. Soft, followed by another one. My heart jolts into overdrive and I run down and into the living room, halting when Poppy hastily wipes her eyes and turns away from me, looking out the window.
“Poppy?” My voice is hoarse. “Are you okay?”
A tiny nod. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Is it your ankle?” I ask, slowly approaching the couch.
“No. It’s fine.”
“Are you…” I swallow, not certain what to say. “Hungry?” I finish, wincing at my own stupidity.
“I’m fine.” Her hair falls over her shoulder, looking like black silk under the lights. She hugs herself and I can’t force myself to walk away even though it’s clear my company isn’t wanted.
“You’re not fine.” I move around the couch, my heart stinging when I see her red-rimmed eyes. Was she down here crying the whole time?
“I’m fine.” Anger simmers under her words. “Are the roads open yet?”
She wants to leave. Of course she does.
“I’ll check, but Colorado Springs is a couple of hours from here. Where are you going to go?”
Her eyes close and she takes a deep breath like I’m trying her patience. “There must be a hotel or something in town. I’ll go there until I can rent a car.”
Something possessive bubbles up inside of me. I don’t want her to go to a hotel or rent a car. I want her to stay here where I can watch her snuggle the goats and laugh at my stupid stories.
“You can just stay here.”
“No, I can’t.” She refuses to look at me and it wrenches my chest. If only I had waited, let her get more comfortable, not come on so strong.
“Poppy, I’m so sorry.” I shove my hands in my pockets. “I never should have touched you. I promise you’re safe here.”
Her nose wrinkles and she frowns over at me. “I know I’m safe here.”
“Then you’ll stay until your ankle is healed?” That buys me some time at least. Time to show her I can respect what she needs.
She shakes her head. “No. If you wouldn’t mind driving me into town, I won’t bother you anymore.”
The way she says it, the underlying tone makes my heart sink. “You’re not bothering me.”
Her laugh contains none of the lighthearted joy I heard earlier. “The last thing you need is some delusional woman mooning over you. I should be apologizing to you.”
It’s my turn to frown. What is she even talking about? “I kissed you, Poppy. While you’re injured and a guest in my home. You have nothing to apologize for. I touched you without asking.”
She bites her lip. “It’s fine.”
“Stop saying it’s fine. I took advantage—”
“I wanted you to.”
Her words penetrate the cloud of frustration in my head. I stare at her. “What?”
“I wanted the kiss.” Her throat moves as she swallows, dropping her gaze to her hands. “It was the best kiss of my life.”
Shock and desire rocket through my body. “Then why do you want to leave?”
Her lower lip quivers before she sinks her top teeth into it, stilling the motion. “You said it was a mistake.” Her voice trails off to a whisper.
“That’s not—”
She holds up her hand. “I’ve always thought things are going one way and they go another.
You’re a rock star and I’m . . . well, I’m just Poppy.
No one special. I didn’t really think that you might…
” She trails off, before squaring her shoulders.
“Look, I’m sure this happens to you all the time, and it’s okay. You’re gorgeous.
“Poppy,” I say.
She ignores me. “And it was an amazing kiss, but you don’t need to apologize or pity me. I kissed Gibson Hart.” She blinks. “Not that I’ll tell anyone. I don’t have a podcast or anything.”
“Poppy, stop.” I grind out and she blinks, her eyes widening as I stalk to the side of the couch and go down on my knees. “You wanted me to kiss you?”
Her head bobs slowly. “Well, yes. But because you wanted to, not a pity kiss.”
“It wasn’t a pity kiss.”
“Then why did you say it was a mistake?”
I slide my hands on either side of her hips. “Because I didn’t want you to feel like you had to thank me or something, for rescuing you. You staying here really doesn’t have any strings attached. I just want you to feel safe.”
Her blue eyes search mine. “I do feel safe with you. Which is crazy because we just met.” A pretty blush tints her cheeks. “I’m sure you hear this all the time, but I’ve never felt this way before, this instant attraction.”
“Poppy, I want you to forget about what you think you know about me. That life gave me lots of things, but peace of mind and knowing when someone is being honest with you weren’t included.”
“But you could have anyone you want.”
“Not really. Not in the ways that really count. The women who wanted me really only wanted to say they’d been with a rock star or wanted me for what I could do for them.
That’s different from wanting just me.” I lean in, cupping her jaw.
Her pupils dilate and her breath catches as I slide my fingers into her hair. “Tell me what you want, Poppy,” I say.
“I want you to kiss me.”
I feather my lips along her delicate collarbone, loving the way she tilts her neck to give me better access. “Not because you think you have to?” I ask, licking the tender indent at her shoulder.
“No,” she murmurs, “because you make me feel beautiful.” She pulls back slightly. “Wait, Gibb.”
I immediately stop, backing up slightly so I can see her face. “What?”
“Why do you want to kiss me?”
“Because I haven’t been able to think of anything else from the minute I held you in my arms.” My admission hangs in the small space charged with a current of desire vibrating between us.
Her eyes go hazy, the dark fringe of lashes sweeping down and her lips part.
I can’t wait a second longer to connect my mouth to hers.
It’s even better than the first kiss and I press forward, angling her head to give me better access, and this time it’s me who moans when her tongue glides against mine.
Sensation overwhelms me. The scent of her, warm and soapy, and the silk of her hair as I grip her head, holding her in place so I can devour her.
The way she arches against me makes me wish I’d somehow managed this where I’m not grinding my hips against the couch.
The kiss goes on as we learn each other, hot and hungry until I release her lips, panting, and rest my forehead against hers.
Her small hands curl into my shirt, like she’s loathe to let me go and if I had to stay here on my knees for hours to prove to her I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, I would do so gladly.