McKenzie Cousins Box Set 4

His mouth curves into a smirk as he tries to hide a laugh. “Your vocal cords seem to be working just fine with me.” He cocks a brow.

“Why isn’t it easy to get the words out?” I ask quietly.

Michael leans forward. “Because your heart is on the line. Opening yourself up for rejection is never easy. However, she has a brother who is more than willing to care for her and the baby. Which means she didn't need to move in with you to be well taken care of. Her heart is obviously as involved as yours is.” With that said, he stands and moves slowly toward the door, fastening the button on his blazer as he goes. “She’s carrying your baby. I think you should go for it.” At the last minute, he turns, “Good luck.”

As the door clicks shut behind my cousin, my phone rings. I smile when I see Poppy’s name on the screen and the beautiful picture I took of her this morning.

“Are you relaxing?” I ask, accepting the call.

“I’m trying to.”

I frown. “What is it? Are you okay? The baby?” I sit forward, planning on running up a couple of floors to get to her.

“I’m fine.” She chuckles. “I’m sorry I worried you. I was just wondering where my clothing is. David said the courier left a couple of hours ago, but I don’t have anything yet.”

“I’ll find out and let you know. Don’t worry. Relax.”

“Okay. I’ll carry on watching Netflix.”

I hear the smile in her voice, as I add, “I’ll join you soon. I think I need a day off.”

“I’d like that,” she whispers, her voice becoming husky.

Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I say, “See you soon,” as I finish the call.

Where the hell has her things gone?

Picking up the landline phone, I ring down to Reception, and when Sian answers, I’m reasonably sure I know where Poppy’s belongings are. “I’m trying to locate two suitcases, Sian. Do you know where they are?”

“Why yes, Sir!” her words grate on my last nerve as I clench my jaw, so I don’t say something I’

ll regret. Then again, I’m not sure I’ll regret saying anything in a temper to that woman.

“Where the fuck, are they, Sian?”

“Behind the Reception desk, Sir.”

Slamming the phone down, I let a long stream of curse words leave my mouth. That woman needs to fucking go.

Picking my cell up, I head toward the elevators while I shoot a quick text to Alexander. Fire Sian or redeploy her away from this building. PLEASE!

Unfortunately, I don’t have the authority to hire and fire staff, but I hope one of my cousins will do as I ask, or at least shove her somewhere else in the company. That woman is nothing but trouble.

The elevator takes forever to get me to the ground floor, which I think has more to do with my impatience than anything else. As soon as the doors open, I stride toward the Reception desk and watch as Sian perks up. I don’t smile in greeting because I’m too pissed. I place my hands on the desk between us and lean in. “Where are they?” I snarl.

She backs away, and her smile slips. Good. I spot the bags tucked into the corner.

Without another word, I move around the desk, grab the bags, and hiss. “You had instructions to have them delivered to penthouse two as soon as they arrived.” I check the log on her desk and note that it was over an hour and a half ago. “Why are they sitting here?”

“I’ve been busy.”

I bite my tongue before I curse. “Security are the only ones allowed on the private floors, as you well know?” I get in her face and notice she finally backs down. “Do your job, Sian, and we won’t have a problem.”

Stepping on the elevator, I know without turning around that Sian is shooting daggers at my back. I don’t care. What I care about is Poppy and her happiness. The elevator is quicker going upwards than it was going down, so I arrive at our apartment in no time at all.

The moment the door closes behind me, I drop her bags by the door and smile when I find her lying on the sofa, her heated eyes running over me. I smirk as I move toward her, leaving my blazer on the back of a chair. I’ve discovered she likes looking at me, which is a significant turn on.

“I think I should have left your bags downstairs.” I grin, sitting at her hip. “I like you having nothing to wear, but this robe.” I unfasten the knot over her belly and pull the robe open. My breath catches as my eyes run over her nude body. I raise a brow, holding her gaze. “No panties?”