AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Thebalcony stood on two large stone columns decorated with intricate carvings and vines.Tossingmy bomber jacket over my shoulder, my fingers curled around the cold iron bars of the trellis on one of the columns.Itmust be what the gardener used to upkeep the plants.Igrabbed the stone railing whenIreached the top.Pullingmyself up,Ilanded on the expansive terrace.Itwas encased in a wrought iron balustrade.Thewalls were painted black and covered in more ivy.Severalfabric benches and café tables with matching chairs were scattered across.Inone corner was a hot tub.Onthe other side, a spiral stone staircase led to the tiled roof, topped with a windowed cupola overlooking the ocean at a distance.
TheGothicbalcony, better identified as a terrace due to its size, was an extension.Itdiffered from the rest of the modern house.Someonepoured love into designing this veranda toPoppy’smorbid old-fashioned taste so she could enjoy a spectacular view.
Nonetheless, the best view in the house was currently mine.Myeyes devouredPoppy.Hertypically braided hair was loose in gentle waves, framing her shoulders and black tank top.Herflawless skin shimmered in the soft light, her wide brown eyes expressionless.Itwas taking all my self-restraint not to kiss her pink pillow-like lips off.
Foryears,Isaw her around campus from a distance.Beingthis close to her should come with a warning sign.Itwas downright dangerous becauseImay never get my fill.
Poppypushed off the railing, dissecting me with similar intensity.Iwas suffering from the insatiable need to know what she was thinking.Shewas shocked upon discovering my identity last night.Butdid the disappointment stem from my last name or a lack of attraction?Astonishing.Asmall personIcould pick up with one hand provoked a crippling self-doubtI’dnever otherwise experienced.
Ifrowned once we were a couple of feet apart. “Whereis your coat?”
“Thisbalcony is heated.”
“Sowhat?It’sthe dead of winter.You’regoing to catch a cold.”
“Menin glass houses.”Shepointedly stared at my sweater, my jacket slung over my shoulder.
“It’sdifferent for me.”
“Why?”
“BecauseI’mhotter than you.”
Oneside of her mouth tipped upward.Anoverwhelming possessiveness coursed through me at the hint of her smile.Poppywasn’t known to smile, andIwas dying for another.
Pullingthe jacket off my shoulder,Iextended it to her. “Here.”
Hergaze drifted from the bomber jacket to me.Oncemore,Iexpected her to protest.WhatIdidn’t expect wasPoppyto shrug on the coat.Itfell heavily over her, reaching her thighs.Ourheight difference was significant and reflective when she wore my gear.
“Whydid you set off the fire alarm?” she asked abruptly. “Moreimportantly, how did you get past security?”
Thisplace had better security lockdown than most prisons.Accesswas impossible unless someone from the inside opened the main gate.Breakingin was difficult, butIonly had to do it once.Ihad guaranteed entry into these grounds from now on sinceIstole one of the staff’s key fobs.
Ididn’t regret it.Extrememeasures had to be taken afterIfound out aboutPoppy’sdate.Thegirl meant to be the bane of my existence had evoked something unparalleled.Ireplayed last night in my head over and over.WatchingPoppyimpaled on my cock, her efforts to stifle the moans of pleasure, her inability to hold it in, all the stolen moments were ripped away too soon.WhenPoppylooked back at the hospital hallway,Ialmost marched over.Icomposed the madness she inspired because her mind was onRose.Thelast thingPoppywanted was to fight the world for a new, undefined connection with her archnemesis.Withthe news of her cousin’s gradual recovery, walking away for a second time was impossible.
“Iwaited until the main gate opened for a car and snuck in before it could close,”Itold her.
“Andthe fire alarm?”
Ishrugged. “Thoughtyou could use some assistance getting out of an unfavorable situation.You’rewelcome.”
Ibraced myself forPoppy’sreaction to the display of several borderline stalkerish behaviors.ButPoppyappeared amused. “That’squite the gallant effort for someone you barely know.”
“Afterour night together…”Myeyes dawdled onPoppy’slips. “Whatman wouldn’t put in a gallant effort?”
Browneyes stared back. “Sexis hardly a cause worth dying over.Orperhaps it’s the thrill of getting caught you like.”Shegestured at my body with a wave. “Sexis freely available to someone in your position, possibly even with a person whose family doesn’t threaten your mortality.”
“I’mnot interested in celebrity chasers.”
“Thenyou shouldn’t have pickedNewYorkas your residence.”
Ahumorless laugh tumbled out, recallingSophie’sreproach. “I’vefound exactly whatI’mlooking for here inNewYork.”
Poppystudied me quietly. “Youwould’ve been exonerated from attempted murder if you told my family we were together whenRosefell.”
“Careful,Ambani.It’sstarting to sound like you’re worried about me,”Imused.
Hergaze lowered. “Whydidn’t you tell them?”
