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“I have done since I went home. Yes.” She frowns. “Why?”
"No reason." Changing the subject, I ask, "Where are you staying?"
“Hotel in town.”
I shake my head. "I want you to move in with me." I'm not sure who's more startled at my words, Poppy or me. "I don't want you staying in a hotel when you can be more comfortable at my home." Running my fingers through my hair while I'm thinking up a plan, it hits me that moving in with me isn't going to be as straightforward as it could be. "I still live at home." I wince. “It’s not ideal, but Mom wanted me close after being away at school for the last few years.” I shrug. “I’ve been preoccupied, so the last thing on my mind was finding my own place.”
Smiling softly, she says, “I’m fine at the hotel.”
"No. I want you with me. I want to look after you and the baby. Please, Poppy." Standing in front of her, she raises her face so she can look at me. "You came to tell me about the baby. Well, now I know, and you are not in this alone. I want to be part of everything from this point forward."
Standing, she ends up brushing against me. On instinct, I reach out and place my hands on her hips. Poppy gasps at my touch and quickly meets my gaze. I smile, knowing she wants me just as much as I want her.
“I’m nervous about what you’re asking, Jaxon. Your parents?”
"Leave them to me. But I need you to know that you're welcome. Mom will be excited to have another grandchild on the way. Trust me on this." I squeeze her hips, and add, “Plus, my brother, who you’ve already met, will love nothing more than to tease me about knocking you up.”
Raising a brow, I get the first real smile out of her. "Ryan is quite the charmer."
I frown.
Poppy isn’t looking at my brother, is she?
“Tonight, I’ll go back to the hotel and speak with my brother.”
"I'll drive you there, and then I'll pick you up in the morning." I step away and take her hand into mine, kissing her knuckles, my eyes on her. "Don't worry about anything, okay? I'll make sure you are taken care of. I promise Poppy."
“I believe you.” She chews her lip. “I’m not sure my brother will be as easily persuaded.” Shrugging her shoulders, she moves further away. “I didn’t come here expecting you to ask me to move in with you. You had the right to know about the baby. That’s why I’m here.”
Shaking my head, I tell her, “I want you close to me, so let’s make no mistake about that. I’m not willing to let you walk away again. Your brother will have to deal with it.” I grin. “Perhaps I should come and talk to him.”
“God, no!” Poppy gives an awkward laugh. “Trust me. I need to be the one to talk to him.” She pauses. “No matter what. I will be ready for you in the morning.” Inhaling, she adds, “Are you sure about your parents’ though?”
I grin. “My parents’ are embarrassing, but they will be happy to meet you and baby bump. They’ll also start getting on Ryan’s ass to settle down with one girl. I can’t wait for that.”
“I have a feeling I might get free entertainment.”
“Oh! You will that.” I take her elbow and lead her away from the office and out through the backdoor. “Don’t worry about anything.”
My hand flexes with an itch to cover her bump. I want to press against our baby and tell the bean that I’ll protect him or her. My head is dizzy with everything running through my mind. Relief runs through my blood with how easily she agreed to move in with me, though. I am surprised. How long will she stay? Until the baby is born or forever?
One way or another, I’m going to make sure she has every reason to stay in Lexington with me.
20
Poppy
Furious is the only word to describe David this morning. He’d been in his room when I’d gotten back to the hotel last night, and I'd been glad.
After talking with Jaxon and having his hands touching me, his mouth making love with mine, I’d felt tingly and hot. I’d needed my space to think about what I had agreed too. I'm a grown woman and shouldn't need to move in with Jaxon and his family. I do have money put away, not to mention my apartment. If I'd been thinking correctly, I'd have gone there instead of to my brother’s house. I should have known better. I’d been upset and confused and gone to my only family.
While he steams and paces outside of my room, I pack a bag so that I'm ready when Jaxon arrives. I will come back for my other belongings. I don't want to prolong his contact with David because I'm worried about what my brother will say. He doesn't know my feelings for Jaxon, or maybe he does. However, he thinks Jaxon saw an opportunity with me and took it.
Sighing, I zip the bag and glance at the door. I need to go out there and face David before I leave. Casting a glance toward the window, I can’t help wishing I was already away from here and the disappointment I’ll see on David’s face.
“Better get this over with,” I mutter to myself, leaving the sanctuary of my bedroom.
David stops pacing and faces me, albeit warily. "Why?" he says. "Why won't you let me look after you and the baby?"
