SWNOVELS Deflected Hearts: Chapter 11
I run a hand through my damp hair after hanging up my phone. After the game, I undressed from my gear and slipped into the shower in the locker room without even checking my phone. Poppy and Isla were together after we got off the ice, so I was hoping that maybe they would still be together after the game and Poppy would want to hang out.
When I saw her message after the shower, I instantly felt regret for expecting her to want to hang out after the game. The game wasn’t over until close to ten at night and I know how tired she’s been lately. I was an asshole for not thinking about her being tired afterward.
I drove over here without thinking, without warning her, hoping she would still be awake. I didn’t want to disturb her if she were asleep, but thankfully she sounded like she hadn’t been to sleep yet when she answered the phone. I took a chance, driving here just so I could see her for a few minutes because I didn’t get to earlier.
And much to my surprise, she willingly agreed to come out and see me.
The things this girl does to me… I may never admit them out loud to her because I don’t think we’re in a place for that, but for now I will keep it to myself. It was hard to even acknowledge myself, especially when I’ve been so closed off to the idea of being with someone and having someone come between me and hockey.
But Poppy was different. I couldn’t imagine her being with anyone but me. And I might kill any motherfucker I see her with after all of this. She’s mine, whether she knows it or not yet. I’ll make her see over time, but I need her to come to the realization herself. If there’s one thing Poppy needs, it’s for her to not feel pressured.
She’s too independent to ever rely on someone else and it’s almost as if she needs to prove it to herself that she doesn’t need me. And to be honest, I like her not needing me. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want her to want me.
I kill the headlights, leaving the engine running as I sit toward the end of Poppy’s driveway. The house is dark except for the light that shines from her bedroom window. I see a shadow pass by it, but no other lights turn on in the house. Watching the house, I wait to see some other sign of life and my heart pounds erratically in my chest at the thought of her not actually coming out.
The anxiety is for no reason, because just as I begin to inhale deeply in an effort to calm myself, the front door opens and Poppy slips out into the darkness of the night. She walks down the driveway, the light above the garage flickering on from her movement, and she picks up the pace as she jogs toward my car.
Unlocking the doors, I lean over the center console and grab the handle for the passenger-side door before pushing it open for her. Poppy is out of breath, rubbing her cold hands together as she drops down into the seat. I reach forward, cranking up the heat, feeling its warmth as it pumps hot air out through the vents.
“Shit, it’s cold as hell tonight,” she murmurs, pulling her hood up over her head. She turns sideways in her seat, disapproval on her face as she scans my body. “Where is your coat, August Whitley? And you really went out into the arctic temperatures with a wet head?”
“Chill out, Mom,” I chuckle, shaking my head at her. “I’m a big boy, I can take care of myself.”
Her face softens as she rolls her eyes with a smirk playing on her lips. “That’s debatable.”
We fall into a comfortable silence for a few moments, her eyes nervously bouncing back and forth between mine as she rubs her hands together in front of the vent that continues to blow out hot air. Her face is free of any makeup and she looks so innocent and young. I can’t fight the smile that tugs at the corners of my lips as I lose myself in her beauty.
“Why are you here, August?” She asks softly, nothing menacing behind her tone, only pure curiosity.
My tongue darts out, nervously wetting my lips. “I just wanted to see you since I didn’t get to after the game.”
A frown forms on her plump lips and regret fills her eyes. “I’m sorry. I had a great time at the game and hanging out with your sister. I was just really tired after such a long day and honestly, I just wanted to come home and relax.”
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me, baby,” I tell her, the word falling from my lips before I can stop it from happening. Her eyes widen slightly, a pink tint spreading across her cheeks, but I don’t falter even though I fucked up. “I only want you to worry about taking care of yourself and the baby. I want you healthy and feeling good. If you’re too tired to do something or just want to relax, then you deserve that.”
Her eyes stare directly through mine, straight through my fucking soul. “When did you turn into such a sweet person, August Whitley?” Her voice is quiet, as if she’s actually taken aback by my words. “I’m not saying that you were an asshole before, but you’ve changed—and it’s not a bad thing.”
“Or maybe it’s because you’re finally getting to know me.”
Poppy’s face softens, a ghost of a smile on her lips as she tilts her head to the side. “I’m not finished getting to know you. We’re just getting started.”
Her words hit me directly in the core and I can feel her under my skin, spreading through my system like a slow-killing poison. She’s fatal to my fucking soul and if she continues to situate herself in my bone marrow, in every fiber of my being, I would die happy.
Taking a chance, I inch closer to her, reaching out for the side of her face as I bring her closer to me. Poppy doesn’t object, meeting me halfway as her lips softly press against mine. She tastes like mint and her lips feel like silk, gliding against mine as I move my mouth against hers. Her hands slide across my shoulders and she’s pushing me back against my seat as she climbs over the center console, settling on my lap.
Her nails dig into my shoulders as she clings to me. Pushing down her hood, my hands slide around the back of her head and my fingertips slip between her long locks of hair, holding her close to me as I consume her with my mouth, stealing the air from her lungs. My tongue swipes along the seam of her lips and she instantly parts them, letting me in as we melt together.
Our tongues tangle together and she feels like coming home, her in my lap with her nails biting into my shoulders. Releasing her head with one hand, I slide it down her torso, reaching for the bottom hem of her sweatshirt. Slowly lifting it up, I slip my hand under her shirt, feeling her soft, supple skin beneath my palm.
Poppy moans into my mouth, her hips shifting as she grinds herself against me and I continue to stroke her skin, moving my hand farther up her torso. My cock is hard underneath her, straining against my sweatpants as she moves on top of me. My balls constrict, a warmth spreading through the pit of my stomach as I lose myself in her.
Our movements are faster, fueled by lust as our mouths move together, my lips bruising hers. It becomes more urgent, no longer gentle as I need to feel closer to her. I fucking need her more than words could ever describe and we’re too caught up in the moment to come to our senses.
Her hands travel down my chest, reaching for the bottom of my sweatshirt. She slides her hands underneath, pushing my shirt up my stomach as she runs her fingertips across my body with featherlight touches. She breaks away for a moment, her hooded gaze searching mine as she reaches for her own shirt.
I press the button along the side of my seat, lowering the back down as my eyes meet hers, watching her as she peels off her sweatshirt and t-shirt in one swift movement. She lifts them over her head, tossing her shirts onto the other seat. My gaze drops down to her body, my hands running over her swollen stomach, pausing for a moment as my eyes desperately search hers.
“You look so fucking sexy right now, baby…” My voice is hoarse, filled with need as my cock pulsates in my pants. “Sitting here in my lap, my baby growing in your stomach. Fuck…”
My fingertips slide under the wire of her bra as I look to her for permission. Her lips part slightly, a soft breath slipping from them as she reaches behind her back and unhooks the clasp of her bra. Reaching for her, I grab the straps from her shoulders and slowly slide them down her arms before releasing her breasts.
I slide my hands underneath them, cupping them in my palms. They’re swollen and full, her nipples erect from the need that is driving both of us.
Poppy tugs on my arms, pulling me forward as she reaches for my shirt. “Your turn.”
A soft chuckle falls from my lips and I follow her command, stripping my shirt off before discarding it with hers on the other seat. She runs her hands over the planes of my stomach and chest, feeling the muscles between her palms. My cock is painfully hard and I need to be inside her right now. I don’t want to push her, though. This is already a step past friendship, the lines blurring the closer we get.
Grabbing the back of her neck, I pull her flush against me, her breasts crushing against my chest as I claim her mouth with mine again. Poppy continues to touch me, her fingertips lightly caressing my skin as she slides her hands across my chest and shoulders. I can’t get enough of this fucking girl and she knows it.
She runs her hands down my torso, reaching for the waistband of my pants as her tongue slides against mine, tasting me. I slide my palms along her back, resting along her lower back as I press her against me, craving the friction of feeling her grinding against my cock. She rolls her hips, a moan falling from her mouth, and I swallow her sounds as she continues to move against me.
“Fuck, baby,” I breathe against her lips as she breaks away for a moment. “I want you so fucking badly.”
She slides her fingertips underneath the waistband of my pants, slowly stroking my skin with her featherlike touches. I pull her face back to mine, our mouths colliding as I feel the warmth spreading through my entire body. I can’t take this, having her so close, yet I don’t know if this is what she really wants.
Poppy would have stopped me if she didn’t want this, but at the same time, we’re so driven by our emotions and the tension between us that has been building. I told her I would be the best friend she’s ever had, but I can’t help but feel like maybe I’m taking advantage of the situation.
“Is this what you want, baby?” I ask her as I pull away, my eyes searching hers. “You want me to fuck you in my car right now? Because all you have to say is yes and I will.”
It’s almost as if reality slaps her in the face and I watch the color drain from her cheeks. “Oh my god,” she whispers, her eyes widening as she quickly covers her chest. “I am so sorry. I don’t know what came over me. We can’t be doing this.”
“Says who?”
She narrows her eyes at me, grabbing her bra from the seat as she quickly puts it back on and grabs her shirt. “We’re supposed to just be friends, August. Friends don’t do this kind of shit.”
“Fuck the friendship.”
Poppy shakes her head, pulling her shirts over her head as she abruptly climbs off my lap and into the passenger seat. “I’m sorry, August. I don’t know what came over me, but I’m sorry for that happening.”
“Don’t apologize, Poppy. It’s fine, seriously. It was my fault, not yours. I shouldn’t have come here and bothered you.”
She wrings her hands together before reaching for the handle as she opens the door. “I’ll call you, okay? I’m sorry, but we can’t do this.”
My face falls, but I quickly recover, offering her a soft smile. “Don’t apologize, please. And I’ll be waiting for your call.” I pause for a second, watching her as she climbs out of my car. “Get some sleep, Poppy. And if you dream of me, don’t be afraid to touch yourself.”
A pink tint spreads across her cheeks. “Goodnight, August.”
A chuckle falls from my lips and I wait until she’s in the house before backing out of the driveway. I don’t turn on my headlights until I’m on the street, and my cock is still hard in my pants as thoughts of her in my lap play over my head.
Goddamn this girl and the things she does to me…
I’m ready to fuck up our friendship and take things to the next level.
I just need to figure out how I can make her mine…