her breasts nearly spilling from the short pink robe she’d pulled on. He sat a little straighter. Was she completely naked under there? How hadn’t he noticed that?
“What’s on your mind?” he asked, dragging his eyes from all that creamy skin.
“I was thinking of that thing you did with your tongue.”
Okay. He liked this game. “I did a lot of things with my tongue, darlin’. You’re going to have to be more specific.”
She moved slightly, a shift of her thighs and butt, and damned if a dusky pink nipple didn’t make an appearance. “Oh, you know, the one where you—”
“There you are, luv. Now I know why you’re not answering your phone.” Link strode onto the deck, a cup of steaming coffee in hand, a wicked grin on his face.
Great. Who the hell did this guy think he was? Boone glared at the man, and if looks could kill, the Brit would be dead on the ground. Unfortunately, Boone didn’t possess those kinds of powers, so Link dropped a kiss on Poppy’s cheek and then sat down between them. He sipped his coffee, placed his mug on the table, and winked.
“You might want to cover up, Pops. Your bits are showing.”
“Jesus, Link.” Cheeks a deep red, Poppy yanked on her robe until that delectable nipple disappeared. “What are you doing here? It’s barely eight on a Sunday morning.”
“Interrupting the two of you, it seems.”
“Besides that,” she replied.
He held up his mug. “I’m out of coffee.”
“It’s a long drive for a coffee.”
“Actually, didn’t drive that far, if I’m being honest.”
Poppy looked surprised at that. Boone settled back to watch the two of them. Their banter spoke of an easy friendship, but something was going on, and he wasn’t exactly sure what it was.
“How far are we talking?” Poppy asked after a few moments.
Link grinned at her and shrugged. “Pops, you know I’m not the type to kiss and tell.” He looked at Boone. “And sorry, mate. Didn’t mean to push in on your morning.”
Boone somehow doubted that.
“Guess you missed my car in the driveway.” His tone was light, but there was a warning there, and Link got it. The man sat a little straighter and slowly nodded.
“Now that you mention it, I was wondering about that. But then…” He held up his mug. “Coffee was calling, and I wanted to remind our girl here about the art show downtown.”
“Shit,” Poppy muttered, glancing up at Boone.
“Art show?” he asked.
“Yes.” She nodded. “I totally forgot.”
“I figured,” Link interrupted, seemingly satisfied with himself.
“Not helping, Link.” Poppy got to her feet. “Boone, I have to shower and go. I’m so sorry. I promised to help set up. I mean, I’m on the committee, for God’s sake. I can’t believe it totally slipped my mind.”
“I can,” Link replied with grin.
She slapped him on the shoulder. “You still good to watch Mabel for me?”
“No can do, mate.”
“What?” Her retort was quick and sharp. “I can’t bring her to the park while I’m setting up. She’ll drive everyone bananas, and her bark collar is broken.”
“I would, luv, you know that, but I’m heading home to shower, and then I’ll be out of town overnight.”
“Oh.”
Boone cleared his throat. “I can take Mabel if you like.”
They both looked at him, Link with that stupid-ass sly look on his face and Poppy thoroughly surprised.
“No, Boone, you don’t… That’s not something you need to do for me,” she quickly replied.
He got up and walked around the table. “Don’t worry about your dog. I’ll bring her home with me. Benji will love it. We’ll keep her for the morning and bring her back for the art show later this afternoon.”
She lowered her eyes and seemed to be mulling that over. “Are you sure? Don’t feel like you have to or anything because we…well, because we…”
“Shagged all night?”
She turned toward Link and glared at him.
He held up his hands as he stood and then grabbed his mug. “I’ll text you tomorrow. And mate?” Gone was the lightness in his face. The man staring at Boone was dead serious.
“Call me Boone.”
“Boone,” he said slowly. “Take care of our girl, yeah?” With that, he disappeared the same way he’d come.
“I don’t like that guy.” Boone unclenched his hands. Our girl? What the hell? Did he think he owned Poppy?
“He means well. He’s just…”
“British?”
“He’s just Link. He says what he feels, but his heart is big. You’d like him if you got to know him.”
Boone somehow doubted it, but said nothing. Obviously, he meant a lot to