“Are these from that Christmas shop we stopped at in London?” At his nod, she grinned. “Did you buy out the entire shop?”
He looked up as he was hanging his coat on the rack by the door. “Almost,” he admitted as he smiled with her. “You did say you couldn’t decide which ones you liked best and well, it is a big tree.”
Before Poppy could respond, they were interrupted by a loud voice.
“Sheikh Samir, I’m so glad you arrived safely. I trust everything is to your specifications,” Emine called as she bustled out from the kitchen. “Oh, hello, Poppy.”
Poppy bit her lip to hide her grin, as she looked at Samir in amusement. When he had told her he wanted to surprise her, she had no idea he would bring her back to the safe house to celebrate Christmas or that the decorations would rival the palace. Giving Emine a covert look, she suspected that the older woman probably popped a few blood vessels when she found out that Samir had fallen for the hired help.
“Everything is fine, Emine, thank you for your assistance. I trust the kitchen is stocked with everything I requested?” Samir asked, his own amusement evident on his face.
“Yes, Sheikh, but you did not indicate any particular menu requests, so if there’s anything specific you’d like this evening, I would be happy to make it…” Emine began.
In two strides, Samir was at the woman’s side, “Oh, that won’t be necessary. You’ve already been most helpful. I’m sure you have family waiting for you at home.” Moving quickly, Samir began to escort the woman toward the kitchen. “How about we get your coat and I’ll have my driver take you home. The roads have grown quite slippery and it won’t do to have you out driving in this weather, come.”
Escorting Emine to the kitchen, Poppy could hear the rustling of clothing as she guessed that Samir was helping in the only way he knew how. Quickly and messily. As they returned to the living room, Emine continued to protest.
“Sheikh Samir, I can’t possibly leave you here, alone,” she protested as Samir tutted her.
“As you can see, I am not alone and if you will recall, Poppy has worked here, so between the two of us, we are more than capable of being in the house without your assistance for Christmas.” Reaching for the front door, Samir opened it and ushered Emine through. “My driver is waiting. Now go. Enjoy your time off. I insist.”
As he spoke, Samir’s voice remained conciliatory but became more firm. Poppy watched the two of them wondering if Emine had ever been spoken to that way before. Shutting the door, Samir turned and leaned against it.
“Alone at last.” He blew out a breath as though he’d overexerted himself and Poppy couldn’t resist giggling. Turning his head to look at her, he narrowed his gaze. Lifting his hand, he crooked one finger. “Come here, habibti.”
Kicking off her wet shoes, Poppy debated about making him come to her but changed her mind and joined him by the door. Opening his arms, she stepped between them as he enveloped her in a hug.
“Have I told you how much I love you, today,” he asked her as she lifted her chin to look at him.
Pursing her lips, she pretended to think about her answer, “Not in at least…” looking at her watch, “two, no, three hours,” she answered him, pouting.
Turning her, he picked her up, as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Kissing her deeply, they both moaned. When they parted, they were breathless.
“Well, since we are finally alone, how about I show you instead,” he told her as he kissed her again, not giving her a chance to respond. Lifting her higher, he shifted her so she suddenly found herself tossed onto his shoulder.
“Hey!” she complained as Poppy ended up upside down. Swatting her on the ass, she yelped. “You have a very strange way to show your love for me, Samir.” He laughed in response as his long strides covered the distance to the stairs.
Deciding that turnabout was fair play, Poppy
lifted the back of his sweater and slid her hands under his waistband, the tips of her fingers rubbing lightly on the top of his ass. Samir faltered as one knee bent a bit too much as though he were falling.
“Be careful, habibti, you don’t want me to drop you, do you?” he admonished.
“Well…if you put me down, then there’s no need to worry about that is there?” she questioned as he reluctantly set her down. Stepping up on the stair above him, she looked him in the eye as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Kissing him, she jumped, wrapping her legs around his waist as he braced himself on the stair rail. Shifting his stance, he wrapped one arm around her back and the other gripped her hip to support her while he kissed her back.
“Besides, I think I prefer this way better,” she murmured against his lips as he began to mount the steps without releasing her.
Depositing her on the bed in the master bedroom, he gave her one last kiss. “Don’t move,” he ordered before giving her a wink and leaving the room.
Poppy fell backwards on the bed and stared up at the ceiling while she waited for him.
Has it only been a year? She wondered as she smiled. She couldn’t believe how quickly things had progressed in their relationship. So much so, that she couldn’t seem to remember what life was like before him.
Lost in thought, she was surprised when Samir had returned to the bedroom wearing nothing but a towel.
He tut-tutted at her. “You are wearing too many clothes. Hurry and undress and then follow me.”