𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | 𝟏𝟖+

30. secrets

GABRIEL DALTON

✥

It should be illegal for Poppy to look this damn good. She doesn't even know what she's doing to me right now. When I asked for someone to run and grab her some clothes before we left home, I wasn't expecting them to pull out a navy blue silk dress that hugs each and everyone of her stunning curves.

Safe to say that I almost choked when she stepped out of the bathroom. Her long, red hair isn't like it usually is. Instead it's wild and curly but not an organised curly, it's like a mane of natural beauty.

Poppy's hair at the club is usually straight or uniformed curls. But this... this is something spectacular. I can't take my eyes off her, as if I'm seeing her as her true self. There isn't a single splash of make-up on her fair complexion and I adore this version of her. Stripped back, raw.

I like every version of Poppy. That's a given. But it's rare of me to see this side of her and I'm really taking in every second.

My chest heaves at the sight and now I get to have this woman in my presence all night.

I watch her carefully as she lifts her glass of white wine to her lips, taking a soft sip. My gaze follows the liquid as she swallows and her throat constricts. The sight shouldn't excite me but it does.

Those cautious green eyes flick up to meet mine as she places down her wine glass. "Your stare is very intense." She comments with a tiny laugh.

My back straightens and I adjust myself in my chair. "I'm sorry," I apologise, even though I'm not. "You're just a sight to look at right now."

Another reason I'm so pleased she's not wearing make-up as I can see when her face floods with a deep blush. It's pink and the sweetest thing ever. Even her hair can't hide her glowing cheeks right now.

"Trust me, I don't feel it."

I frown at her words. How can she not look in the mirror and see how gorgeous she is?

Instead of pushing her on the subject, I change it altogether. "How is your ankle?"

She hums and glances past the table. "It's better than I thought. I'm kind of glad Samantha didn't pack a pair of heels in the bag she gave me. I might have truly broken it then."

"I would have been there to catch you, Red." I say deeply, the corners of my mouth lifting.

Poppy's cheeks practically bloom like roses. "Hey, so..." she clears her throat. "I need to be back by the morning tomorrow. Is that okay?"

"Of course," I lean into the table to take a swig of my own drink. The flavoursome fruit and sharpness bursts across my tongue. This is certainly worth the hefty price. "Any particular reason why?"

Her eyes widen before she recovers. "No," the word sounds strangled. "I just need to get home for things."

One eye creases in her direction as I watch her carefully. When I don't say anything she peeks those green eyes up at me and it's obvious that she's hiding something there. I've always known that she's a secretive person but I'm working on opening her up because I want to know what goes on in that head of hers.

A damn mystery that I still haven't solved.

"Poppy," I stretch my hand across the table to reach for hers. "I know you live a very private life but you can trust me."

She gnaws on her lip like she's about to break the skin and coat her teeth in blood.

"Is that what it is?" I tilt my head to catch her eyesight. "You don't trust me?"