Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Poppy

I wonder if I should paint the walls? Hmmm…

A throat clears, actually, it's more like a growl that Harper produces. Ignoring her is like trying to outrun a cheetah. Not happening.

I just need a few more seconds of escape. That's all I need, then I'll panic about what Julian told me, like how the maintenance man in my apartment was an imposter, a stranger likely in cahoots with the Russians trying to blackmail him. Julian fears that his life will affect mine. I don't want this to make him push me away.

My gaze drifts over my living room. Why does it still not feel right? Something is missing. I've added a few pieces of furniture, yet the space feels alien, missing those unique touches that would make it truly mine. The large, empty wall near the entrance begs for a bold piece of art and a welcoming runner.

While scrolling through Pinterest, inspiration struck me to create my own artwork for the wall, but I'm not sure I can squeeze in the time. That, and it might look like a kindergartener did it.

Is that the vibe I want when entering my home—Hey, a child lives here?

I want to fool people into believing I'm a refined, capable adult. Maybe I should stick to HomeGoods or… give up on this apartment and just crash at Julian's.

"Poppy," Julian's voice, tinged with worry, pulls me back from my thoughts.

Time to focus, Poppy. Pull in the big girl panties that you want Julian to peel off you later.

I can't help but wonder if the intruder took notice of my apartment's details, like the artless wall. My eyes settle on Julian, sitting on the edge of my new couch, leaning forward with his forearms resting on his thighs. He looks like he's ready to spring up and catch me if I collapse. His tanned biceps flex, stirring an urge in me to reach out and touch them. His jaw is clenched tight, and his short, dark hair is perfectly trimmed, enhancing his handsome features. But it's his eyes, stormy grey like an impending storm, that hold me captive. Just hours ago, they were dancing with relaxation and desire, but now they're clouded with concern.

Harper stands suddenly, her hand that was resting on my thigh in comfort now shooting up in the air, as if she's summoning a lightning bolt to strike down her anger, probably aimed at me.

"What the fuck, Poppy! You let someone into your apartment alone. Haven't I taught you anything?" Her voice hisses, her blonde hair whirling around her head like a tempest. Her blue eyes aren't just angry; they're hurt, betraying a sense of disloyalty. She's been my rock, the reason I kept fighting through the darkest times. Her protectiveness is a shield she wields, born from not wanting me or her to suffer another loss.

Swallowing, my throat feels dry, making my eyes water. "I...I didn't let him in, Harper. He was on his way out when I got home," I manage to say, the memory of him locking up my apartment fresh in my mind.

"Didn't you have your wasp spray and yell about the STDs?" Harper retorts, her arms folded in a defensive stance.

"What?" Julian looks completely baffled.

I shake my head and rub my temples, trying to fend off the growing headache. "It's nothing. I don't have STDs," I assure him quickly, then glance at Harper before explaining. "Harper thinks if I'm ever attacked, I should spray the attacker's face with wasp spray and then yell that I have an STD. She believes it'll scare them off. She's just concerned about me taking the bus and walking to the stop," I say, hoping Julian catches on.

I glare at Harper. "Plus, he wasn't attacking me." I declare, throwing my hands up like I'm surrendering.

"Hold up a second," Julian cuts in, leveling an authoritative finger at me. "You're riding the city bus?"

I scoot back in my seat, half-wishing the couch had some sort of magical feature that could just gulp me down and hide me from this conversation. Imagine the sales pitch: 'This couch comes with an emergency vanish feature for those oh-so-awkward moments.'

"Yep," I admit to Julian, suddenly feeling the lack of a car in my life like a missing limb. But then, with a bit of a sheepish grin, I confess, "Navigating the Dallas highways is like being in Mario Cart; I swear someone with a twisted sense of humor dreamed them up. The bus is, you know,"

"No, I don't know, Poppy," Julian snaps back. His protective streak is making an appearance, and it's kind of cute, which only makes me grin wider, earning me a sharper glare from those storm-cloud grey eyes. Totally adorable.

"That's right, Julian," Harper adds. "Lay it on thick. Punish her for her naivety. And you wonder why I've armed her to the teeth with wasp spray and deadbolts."

I narrow my eyes at Harper, wondering how she manages to steer every conversation toward innuendos. "You should add that to your resume, Harper, highly skilled at turning any moment into an embarrassment. I'm sure they'd offer you a raise for that skill."

"You're not riding the bus anymore," Julian declares, sitting up straighter. "I thought you were driving yourself this whole time. I had no idea you were walking to a bus stop alone, especially in the dark after work."

"It's not too far, and I actually find walking kind of relaxing," I try to reassure him. You both should be happy I am taking my cardio seriously." I try to joke, but no one laughs.It's a tough crowd.

"Well, you're going to have to find relaxation in other ways," he growls, a low, resonating sound that sends a thrill through me.

My cheeks flush, but I try to hide it, especially with Harper in the room. She doesn't need any encouragement to steer this conversation into risqué territory.

"The key point is ‘being attacked.' I've never been attacked," I lie, the taste bitter in my mouth. "The maintenance man wasn't attacking me, Harper. He said he was here to fix the recalled sprinklers and even had a paper with the recall and my name on it. Are we sure he wasn't just hired to help with the issue?"

"I don't care," Harper shakes her head, turning to Julian with a mixture of distrust and frustration. "I don't like it, Julian."

"I don't like it either. That's why my uncle is checking into it," he replies as he steeples his fingers.

That look on Harper's face means she still isn't satisfied. "Well, excuse me for not trusting a man to protect a woman. I'll take care of my best friend myself," she declares staunchly. "Pussy protects pussy."

I groan.Here we go...

A knock on my door makes Harper and me jump. I reach for the throw pillow next to me.

Harper raises a groomed brow, "Are you going to pillow fight the intruder next time?"

"Enough, you've proved your point," I sigh.

Julian stifles a laugh, then strides toward the door with an air of command.

"Who's that?" Harper asks, eyeing me, "Where's your wasp spray? It could be the man."

"You know I'm a trained Delta Force, right? I don't need wasp spray to protect my woman," Julian shoots back as he reaches the door.

His woman. Why is that such a turn-on? Julian speaks it with love and respect, while Andrew, my ex, spoke without any. This is what it's like to be respected, cared for, and not used. Unlike last time, when I was violated, now I have two people in my corner fighting for me. I don't have to battle this alone. Julian and Harper are going to stand by me.

We're often told that we should fight our own battles and be our own heroes. Sometimes, we should. Other times, we shouldn't. You can't win a war with one soldier. You need an army, and I'm staring at mine. It makes a tear fall from my eye.

I watch Harper, with a balled fist, speed walk to Julian, who is almost at my front door. She spots the wasp spray on the table next to the door and grabs it as he grabs the door knob. Harper, with the wasp spray in hand, raises its eye level at the person on the other side of the door.

"Oh, for fucks sake, you have got to be kidding me." Harper groans, still holding the wasp spray high.

"Miss me, baby?" Kent greets her with a wide playboy smile. "What's that?" His eyes look at the spray aimed at him.

Julian turns, "Harper." He warns.

"You said you'd keep him away from me." Harper bites, lowering the spray only slightly.

"That was before this turn of events."

Kent places his palm over his heart. "You're trying to keep me at bay after I made you scream my name again and again. I'm hurt, but," Kent's eyes turn devilish, "That means I'll get another opportunity to make you moan my name, baby."

My eyes widen. "You slept with Kent!"

Harper looks over her shoulder at me, "No!"

"You don't have to have sex to have an orgasm, Poppy." Kent pushes his way inside. "Do we need to go over the birds and the bees in more detail?" He jokes as he plops down next to me on the couch. He swings his arm over the back and pulls me into his side.

Julian closes the door and walks past Harper, who now looks embarrassed. She hugs the spray to her chest and side-eyes the door as if she might make a run for it.

"I called Kent to come take Harper."

"Excuse me?" Harper snaps as she takes a step closer.

"I don't want Poppy staying in her place until I check every inch of it. I want her to stay at my place tonight. I thought it was best if you stay with Kent."

"I have no problem sleeping on your couch." Harper snaps.

Julian sighs, "I want to be alone with Poppy. Please, Harper, just one night."

Her eyes narrow, but I sense she understands. "Fine, but I'll get a hotel."

"I'd rather us stay at my place, but," Kent pulls out his phone, "I'll get us a room for tonight."

"I'm not sleeping with you, Kent."

He grins ear to ear, "Who said anything about sleeping, baby."

I elbow Kent. "She doesn't like the term ‘baby'. It means you don't respect her," I tell him.

Harper glares at me like I betrayed her. Maybe I did, but I'm not going to let her run from something that could be the best thing she ever had. Harper has been insistent about me starting over, and I think she needs to as well. I hid for years, but Harper ran. I can see her sprinting away from the chemistry she and Kent have, too.

"That's ridiculous. Harper knows I respect her. She's the most amazing woman I have ever met." Kent replies with such seriousness it makes my heart melt.

"Then come up with a term of endearment that isn't something every man has used on her before," I whisper.

Kent's smile drops, replaced with jealousy. "Noted." He mutters. "I'll make her forget everyone before me." He declares loudly.

Julian comes and sits next to me, then pulls me out of Kent's embrace. "Well, now that that is covered, can we get back to the matter at hand?" he bites.

His fingers curl gently around my shoulder as I sink into his side. He kisses the top of my head, the feeling embracing me like a warm blanket, like a piece of home—a feeling I never thought I'd feel again.