One Penny Surprise (Saved By Desire 1)

Satisfied that he had done everything he could for now, Luke made his way back to the safe house.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Luke’s earlier determination to keep his mind on his work for the Star Elite and off the delectable temptation of Poppy was a brilliant idea, and something he was confident he could manage to do with ease. Right up until the moment he stepped through the kitchen door of the safe house and saw her sitting at the table laughing and chatting amiably with Marcus.

The surge of jealousy that swept through him made him slam the kitchen door with more force than necessary, and glare at them darkly. He slapped the broadsheet down on the table without saying a word.

“Bad morning?” Marcus asked. He leaned back in his chair, amused by his colleague’s blatant jealousy.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen, he mused as he watched the somewhat avid way his friend studied the beautiful young woman opposite. He had known Luke for a long time now and had never seen him this smitten with a woman before. He would have made light of the situation too if it wasn’t for Luke’s apparent ill-temper. Deciding not to take a punch on the nose, he smiled at Poppy and winked.

Feeling decidedly surly now, Luke contemplated kicking his friend’s chair back but turned his back and yanked his jacket off instead. His anger vanished in an instant when he turned back around and found Poppy watching him with something akin to adoration in her eyes.

“Good morning,” he murmured. He picked her hand up and pressed a tender kiss into the palm. Their eyes met and held.

“Good morning.”

“I hope my colleague here hasn’t been making a pest of himself?” His voice was husky with emotion.

Poppy threw a beaming smile at Marcus which made him smile in delight, and Luke’s frown darken.

“No, we have just been chatting,” she assured him, oblivious to his jealousy. “He has been a delightful companion.”

Marcus studied his colleague questioningly. From the look on Luke’s face he began to wonder if his friend and colleague had recently been bitten by the romantic bug.

“I have been regaling her with some of your more questionable exploits,” Marcus smirked.

“Oh?” Luke helped himself to a mug of ale and sat at the table. He threw a curious look at Marcus and waited for him to explain. “Nothing about yourself then?”

“No.” Marcus shook his head and winked at Poppy. “My exploits aren’t anywhere near as hilarious as yours.”

Poppy coughed and shifted in her seat. She rather suspected that Marcus was baiting Luke for some reason but she couldn’t think why.

“What exploits are those then?” Luke drawled. He helped himself to a mug of ale.

“Like the time you were chasing that pick-pocket down an alley and were beaten up by an elderly lady for running into her washing line. You came out black and blue after that one,” Marcus drawled on a sigh. “Then again, it wasn’t half as funny as the time you were chasing someone across a farmyard, skidded on some silage and landed face-first in the middle of the manure pile.”

“Yes, well, at least I don’t get drunk on an investigation, and in a dimly lit tavern make a pass at a man dressed as a woman,” Luke challenged. “And a colleague at that.”

The mention of what he knew was one of Marcus’ most embarrassing moments was enough to make the man lose some of his mirth. On the night it had happened, Marcus’ yelling could be heard up to a half a mile away. Jacob had only managed to get half-way down the street before Marcus had caught up with him. Nobody had told Marcus that Jacob had been forced to dress as a woman out alone in an attempt to lure a mugger to attack him. He had been so appealing to Marcus, who was albeit in his cups at the time, that he had vowed never to disguise himself as anyone ever again. Both men had been in for significant teasing for quite some time afterwards.

“Look, I made a mistake, alright?” Marcus protested. “It was dark.”

“You need to get yourself some spectacles,” Luke challenged wryly.

Now that he knew why Poppy had been laughing, he didn’t feel half as surly as he had a few moments ago. Maybe it was the way Poppy’s eyes sparkled when she laughed, or the sheer joy that lit up her porcelain features that made him want to say, or do, something else to make her laugh. For the first time since he had met her, the shadows had gone from her eyes, and she was relaxed. She looked almost carefree as she laughed helplessly as she listened to Marcus detailing numerous rather humiliating exploits all the Star Elite had gotten themselves into over the course of time.

Nearly an hour had passed when they were interrupted by the arrival of another member of the Star Elite; Jeb. Poppy watched him stalk into the kitchen just as angrily as Luke had. Jeb, however, had a somewhat more sinister appearance. He was tall, although not as tall as Luke, with powerful shoulders and a commanding presence that was just as captivating as Luke’s. However, Jeb had more nondescript features that warned her he could melt into any crowd and never be remembered. She rather suspected from the coldness on his somewhat stern features that he could be harsh when crossed. She was suddenly glad that Luke seemed more amenable, just like Marcus was.

“What do you know?” Luke asked, pushing a mug of ale at his friend when he had taken a seat.

“There was another burglary last night.” Jeb took a long swig of his drink.

Poppy wondered if she should leave. This was, after all, Star Elite business, but Luke had a hold on her hand and she didn’t want him to let go, so she sat and listened, pleased that the men were happy to include her in their conversation.

“What was taken?” Marcus growled with a sigh.

“Jewellery. Not all of it, mind. Just one or two of the most expensive items that were worn a couple of nights ago at someone’s ball somewhere. I dunno.” Jeb shook his head. “The victim was an acquaintance of Balgravia.”