I fixed my pants and walked over to my desk, grabbed a slip of paper, and wrote an address down. I wanted her at my place, wanted her close, and I wasn’t taking no for an answer. I felt her arousal as if it were my own, knew she wanted me, and I was aware this had nothing to do with our past or the fact she needed my help. We were both adults, she was consenting, and she trusted me enough to come to me, above all others, for help. I’d take care of her— in all ways. She was safe with me, and anyone that fucked with her would meet my wrath.
“Come here, Poppy.” She was by my side a second later, and I cupped her cheek, looking into eyes that were filled with so much trust. There was plenty of time to show her she was mine.
“This is my apartment in the city. I want you to go there, wait for me, and know that everything will be okay.” I handed her the paper and watched her look down at it. “I’ll have someone drive you over there.”
“But my car.”
“It’ll be taken over there and put in the garage.”
She looked up at me. “I can drive myself, Alexei. I can do a lot for myself.”
I couldn’t help but smile. She was the only person that could crack the hard exterior I put around myself. “I know, but please, let me take care of you.”
She was silent for a second, but then nodded. I’d make sure everything was okay, even if knees had to be broken and blood shed.
Poppy
Before I’d left his office, Alexei had asked for more details and I’d given them to him. I knew enough about Alexei and had been able to tell that he did not intend to leave my ex alone. But I also knew the asshole had it coming. He’d fucked me over, made me feel like shit, and if he got the shit kicked out of him maybe it would stop him from doing that to another woman.
Now, here I was, entering Alexei’s penthouse apartment in the city center, feeling like I’d dropped into some alternate universe. The sexual chemistry that I’d felt with Alexei, the things I’d wanted from him, wanted him to do to me, made me feel like I was going to combust from the inside out. He was masculine, powerful, and despite our past, the type of figure he’d been to me all those years ago, I only saw him as the man that made my palms sweat and my heart beat faster.
My mother wouldn’t care; at least, I didn’t think she would if I told her what I wanted with Alexei. Truth was I wasn’t close with my mother, and only when it was a special occasion did she grace me with a phone call. Living abroad with her new husband put me down on her list of priorities.
That was fine; she lived her life and I lived mine, and if I wasn’t important enough for her to pay attention to, so be it.
I walked around the living room, with floor and ceilings windows on one entire wall on my right side and the massive, stainless steel kitchen and granite on my left. Alexei lived in style, minimally, but still in style, and I couldn’t help but be appreciative of the surroundings. I certainly wasn’t living this lavish kind of life, but my life, poor or not, had been happy for the most part.
Not now, though. You were desperate enough to come to Alexei and clearly not hiding your feelings for him.
The chauffeur’s words played through my head once I stopped right in front of one of the bedrooms.
“Mr. Mackovich said to make yourself at home. Clothing and necessities were sent over before your arrival and are in the spare bedroom.”
But I didn’t plan on staying here with him. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself. I needed his help, but what cost was I willing to pay for it?
Obviously, pretty damn high given the fact you said you’re his and you’re in his home.
I went into the room, sat on the bed, and stared at the open door. Yeah, I was getting myself into something deep, something that didn’t feel temporary.
Was I ready for this?
6
Alexei
Even if Poppy hadn’t given me the little fucker’s address, I would have found him. It was easy enough, especially since he didn’t try to hide who he was. I looked down at my watch, saw the prick would be getting off work in twenty minutes, and felt my blood pump hard and fast through my veins. I had no backup tonight… wouldn’t need any. This was all me, and I’d get to enjoy the thrill of making this asshole realize he’d messed with the wrong woman.