inside me doesn’t want to take the risk of losing her again, even if only for a few days. I finally have her where I want her. I have to move slowly and cautiously as if I were hunting an animal. Any sudden movements could scare her off and cause her to race away from me in the opposite direction. That’s exactly what I don’t want her to do. When she runs, I want her running toward me. Fuck, I’ve never had to work so hard in my life to get the girl before. But I guess that’s why I’m so attracted to her. She’s not easy. She doesn’t just fall at my feet. She fights every step of the way, and I like the fight she has in her.
“Well, good night. I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”
She nods her head with a smile in place but doesn’t reply. She stands in the same spot, watching me as I walk across the floor to my room. I step inside and turn around to close the door. I look up and she’s still standing there, eyes locked on mine. Our eye contact remains until I shut the door between us. Now that I’m alone, I let out a long breath and find myself relaxing more than I have all night. Why am I wound so tightly when it comes to her? That’s probably half the problem. I’m too uptight and she can feel it.
Tomorrow I’ll work on controlling myself better. I’ll teach myself how to be calm around her—how to relax and have fun. I’ve been uptight for too many years. In my world, you kind of have to be. Any sign of weakness is just another way to be torn down. Maybe I can trust Poppy enough to let my guard down.
I pull out my phone and call Foster. We haven’t gone out for that drink yet, but I just need to clear my head and see what’s going on in his world. We talk about work and I eventually fill him in on Poppy—just that she’s my assistant and we’ve started something up. I can hear a tinge of disappointment in his voice when I ask him how things are going with his father and the Bianca situation. He never talks about how it’s not the life he wants, but I know him. He doesn’t want an arranged marriage or the life his family has set up for him. A few months back, we got a little too drunk at poker night and he let it slip that he wants to be able to find love on his terms—to date a woman knowing there’s potential for a real future and that he’s not wasting her time until he has to marry Bianca.
After our call, I take a shower and go to bed, staying in my room for the rest of the evening. When I wake in the morning, I feel ready to start the day. I’m well-rested and excited to see what she has in store for us. I dress as she advised in jeans and a T-shirt, and leave my room to find her already at the breakfast table. She’s wearing a pair of tight skinny jeans. They’re dark-washed and hug every curve. She’s wearing a pair of combat boots, laced tight. Her hair is in a ponytail and she’s wearing a black tank top that ends just above her belly button, showing me a small sliver of her tight and toned stomach.
“Good morning,” I say, walking into the room. “You look like you’re going to war,” I joke.
She smiles and looks at me from beneath her long, dark lashes. “I am. Eat up. You’ll need your strength.”
I laugh but take my seat, preparing to fix my plate. She sits down beside me and picks up a slice of bacon, putting it in her mouth and chewing slowly.
This is a first. I haven’t seen her eat bacon since she started her gym regimen. She’s been sticking to fruit, yogurt, and oatmeal.
She shrugs at my expression. “I need the protein if I’m going to take you to my old stomping grounds.”
I laugh. “Where are we going? The Hunger Games?” I joke, wondering if I need to break out a bulletproof vest.
She rolls her eyes. “No, but this could be considered just as dangerous.”
“You said I wouldn’t die,” I remind her.
She laughs. “You’ll be with me. You’ll be fine,” she promises.
Thirteen
Poppy
Matthew has no idea what I have in