“You make it sound so permanent,” she whispered. Deep inside she was still stunned at the strength of the desire that flowed between them, but there was still the very important problem that he hadn’t yet declared how he felt for her.
“When you first gave yourself to me we made it permanent. I won’t have it any other way, Poppy. I thought you knew that.”
“You have been nothing but kind and protective since the day we first met in the park. I just don’t want you to feel obliged to continue to look after me. After Clarence, I don’t want to be any man’s burden,” she whispered.
“God, Poppy, how can you think that? I don’t make a habit of sleeping with the women I am supposed to protect.” He dropped a kiss on her lips. “In fact, I can honestly say that you are the very first, and most definitely will be the last. You are mine, Poppy Cleghorne, and don’t you forget it.”
Poppy sighed. “I love you,” she whispered, unable to hold the words back.
“Thank the Lord for that,” he replied huskily. He felt as though she had just handed him the moon and couldn’t prevent the delighted smile that suffused his features.
“Really?”
“Really,” he declared firmly. “I love you too.”
Poppy jerked and leaned back to look at him hopefully. “You do?”
“Of course I do,” he whispered. “Very much. Poppy, marry me,” he burst out.
Poppy opened her mouth to speak but before she could reply was interrupted by a knock on the front door.
Luke groaned and contemplated ignoring it for a moment. Unfortunately, the persistent pounding of the heavy thumps didn’t pause.
“Wait there,” he ordered as he gathered his clothing up. Tugging on his clothes, he stormed out of the room and stomped down the stairs. He was so busy thinking over what he was going to say to Poppy to get her to say yes that he yanked the front door open before he thought to check who was outside. He realised all too late who was on the doorstep and tried to slam the door closed but was too late to prevent the intruder from storming into the house.
The gun pointed at his nose was enough for Luke to comply. He didn’t speak as he took several steps backward and prayed that Poppy would have the good sense to remain upstairs out of sight so he could deal with matters as swiftly and brutally as necessary. He didn’t need an introduction to know exactly who the intruders were.
“I wondered when you were going to turn up,” he growled. He threw the man holding the gun, the accomplice, a dark look before he turned his attention once more to Poppy’s sire.
“Poppy, get out here,” Clarence shouted. “I want a word with you.”
Luke sighed. There was nothing he could do to prevent the forthcoming confrontation so was left with no choice but wait for her to join them.
“Poppy,” he called again when she didn’t appear quickly enough to suit him.
Luke suspected she was busy getting dressed, but made no attempt to hurry her along. When she did appear in the doorway she thankfully moved to stand directly behind Luke, partly shielded from the direct aim of the wicked-looking pistol the accomplice pointed at them.
“Yes, me, darling daughter,” Clarence snarled at her. “I didn’t realise you had a lover,” he added with a nod toward Luke.
“Leave her alone,” Luke growled.
“Protective aren’t we?” Clarence drawled.
Luke nodded to the assailant. “You are relying on this oaf to do your dirty work for you Clarence?” he asked in disbelief. “If you are then you are even more of a fool than I took you for.”
“Oh, I am no fool,” Clarence replied lifting his own gun for Luke to see. “I suppose she has poured her sorry sob story out to you, eh? The wastrel father and the poor, put-upon daughter.” Clarence ran his scornful gaze up and down Poppy as he spoke with every ounce of hatred he felt for her written in his eyes.
“I have merely told the truth,” Poppy snapped. The sight of the guns filled her with absolute horror, especially given what had happened the other night, and one was now pointed at Luke. Determined not to allow him to see just how terrified she was, she bravely tipped her chin up and stared down her nose at the man she least wanted to see.
“State your reason for trespassing in this house. I warn you now that I am not who you think I am, so I suggest your explanation for breaking into this house is a good one,” Luke drawled calmly.
“What do you want, Clarence? Taken to following people now have you? For someone who is so eager to get rid of me as you claim you are certainly reluctant to cut those paternal strings,” Poppy challenged.
Clarence snorted and nodded to Luke. “He can have you because you are of no use to me. You have been a burden to me all of my life and I want rid of you so I can get on with what I want to do. I am not here for you. Just give me the money. It’s mine and I want it.”
“The money is yours is it?” Poppy’s fury burned. She visibly trembled with the force of the rage that began to build within her. It became so strong that she briefly contemplated just snatching the wicked looking gun out of the assailant’s hand and hitting him with it, but she couldn’t run the risk that the trigger would get pulled and Luke would get hurt.
“You know what I am talking about,” Clarence snarled. “I shouldn’t be surprised that you messed everything up. And you claim you are not a burden to me. I should have known better than to trust you to do something as simple as handing over some money at a pre-arranged meeting point. It was a simple thing to do, but it was too difficult for you.”