Eligible Billionaires: Running From Love Part 9

Whatever. She turned and continued down the hallway. She was p.i.s.sing everyone off today. Making them all disappointed with her show of emotion and her insistence on telling them all how she really felt, which was absolutely just fine. Poppy slammed into the elevator.

Who did she need? No one. Okay. She could be by herself and be a-okay. Hadnt she managed to be alone for years? Hadnt she made her way in the world?

Tears streamed down her face and she slammed her hand into the b.u.t.tons, unable to see which one she pressed. Poppy leaned against the metal wall. The door slid closed and finally, finally, she was exactly where she wanted to be-completely and utterly alone.

Chapter 13.

Trevor let Poppy rush out of the hospital. He hadnt even tried to follow. He did, however, meet Mimi. They had coffee together in the cafeteria before he headed to his mothers house. Hours later and he still hadnt heard from Poppy.

Anxiety quivered in his belly. He wasnt going to call her. Hed already decided, after she blew by him at the hospital with her harsh words, he wasnt going to chase her today. Hed made his intentions clear. He loved Poppy. He loved her with his heart, his body, his soul ... he loved her with everything he had, and if that wasnt enough for her to feel safe and to want to communicate and work through her fears ... well, then his love simply wasnt enough. He slipped out of his shoes and moved toward Robert, who was already standing on the mats in the giant home gym.

Trevor was ready to get his a.s.s kicked. He craved the pain. He slammed his knuckles against his palm. He wanted to get some licks in as well. To quell this heat deep in his belly. Anger. Rage. Confusion.

Robert rolled his head on his neck. He appeared loose. He smiled at Trevor. A wicked sharks smile. Trevor never ever made the mistake of thinking that Roberts smile meant hed take it easy on Trevor. No, the more he cared for Trevor, the harder hed tried to kick Trevors a.s.s, because as Robert had said a million times before tonight, "Me kicking your a.s.s here in the gym means that some a.s.shole out there wont be able to."

Trevor bounced on the b.a.l.l.s of his bare feet and shook his shoulders. Loose and focused. Loose and focused. His gaze lasered in on Robert. Theyd fight until submission. One man down and saying give. Their sparring had started just after Trevors father died. Trevor had been lean and gangly and undisciplined, and full of pain over the loss of a dad hed barely known. Then hed trained with Robert every d.a.m.n day. In some capacity, whether it was an early morning run, weightlifting, or fighting. Robert had something planned for his physical well-being every day since the day after his fathers funeral.

"Youre looking a little angry tonight, Trev."

Trevor c.o.c.ked an eyebrow. Who the f.u.c.k knew? With Roberts connections and spy techniques, he might have heard the entire episode with Poppy earlier that day.

Robert wove in close and took a quick jab at Trevors waist. Not painful, but enough to grab Trevors attention. Trevor stepped out with his foot and twisted. He grabbed Robert under the arms, and nearly took him down. Quick and fast, Robert escaped Trevors grasp.

"Nice." Robert bounced away from Trevor, realigning himself. If Trevor hadnt spent a decade fighting Robert, he wouldnt have known just how rattled he was by that aggressive move.

Robert was rattled because he only bounced backward and shook his chin like that when he was. A tell. A simple tell that Trevor had noticed and now knew about his opponent.

A tell that also told Trevor Roberts next move, because Roberts mantra when fighting was always to go on the offensive when you nearly lost, and Robert had nearly been taken to the mat. Trevor was determined to strike before Robert could take his own advice.

Trevor bounded forward and with a grab, grasped Robert. He started to twist again, but this time Trevor stuck out his leg and took Robert to the floor. Robert rolled and tried to gain purchase with his hips and legs, but Trevor leaned his weight to the side and placed a forearm over Roberts neck. Robert squinted and anger flashed through his eyes, but then a fast smile soon followed.

"Give?" Trevor asked.

"Give," Robert said and nodded. Trevor immediately fell back and jumped to standing. He waited for Robert to climb to his feet. They faced one another and bowed. A gesture of respect and admission of the worthiness of the opponent. For years, all the way to twenty, Trevor never won these bouts. Then for a long while he and Robert been nearly evenly matched, with Robert usually taking more wins. But recently, when Trevor returned from college and grad school and now Mesquale, hed noticed he was now winning more matches than he lost. Though strong and smart, with reflexes still way faster than average, Robert was slower than hed once been, and his balance was not nearly as keen.

"Now." Robert grabbed for his metal water bottle and a towel. "Tell me whats got you so angry."

Trevor took a long swallow of water from his own water bottle. "Not angry." Sweat dripped down his face. "Not even worried. Just ..." He shook his head. "Just you may be right. She may always run."

Robert nodded. Trevor turned toward the front of the gym and walked out into the main hallway that led to the front of the house and kitchen. Robert followed. There was a note on the kitchen island. "I guess were eating at eight," Trevor said.

"Ah. I wont keep you. I have dinner plans with Steph. Your mother actually gave her an evening off."

"I dont think Moms the problem. From what I gathered the other night, Steph would work all day every day. Shes just exactly like Mom."

"And you?" Robert leaned his forearm on the counter. "What about you? Are you going back to Up Side to work morning, noon, and night?"

Trevor took a long pull of air. "I go back and forth." An honest answer, though not the same as the one hed given Poppy in Malibu. "I understand why Dad chose the business. I get it ... kind of. Writing is my love and I can always do that, but being able to give my family everything they could ever want?" He swung out his arms in a gesture encompa.s.sing the house. "All this? I mean this is like a friggin fairytale, right?" Trevor set his water bottle on the counter. "Id work every minute of every day if it would make Poppy happy and make her stay. "

"d.a.m.n, Im sorry Trevor." Robert patted Trevors arm. "Youre seriously in love with this girl." Robert shook his head. "They drive you nuts when youve got it that bad."

"Right." Trevor picked up his phone and scrolled. No new messages.

Robert had never remarried after Stephs mom died. Mom and Roberts sister had helped raise Steph and Robert had helped get Trevor through adolescence. Theyd been their own pieced-together family.

"You ready for the big party your mom has planned?"

Trevor looked up from his phone. Surprise in his face.

"Oh come on, you know she makes a big deal about birthdays. You didnt think youd get away without having some party? Especially for this one."

"That day will either be the happiest day of her life or the saddest."

"Naw." Robert shook his head. "Your birthday will always be her happiest day. You know that, right? She adores you." Robert patted Trevors arm. "Okay. Got to go. Need a shower and a quick change to take the daughter to dinner. Youre welcome to join us, if you want."

"No thanks. Im here tonight with Mom. Maybe if Stephanie is leaving early, Mom will actually be here for dinner at eight."

"Maybe."

Trevor walked Robert to the front door. He looked out. "Wow, it is really coming down." He opened the door and there, standing on the front steps, was a woman who looked like a drowned rat. Beside her stood one of the Brice familys security guards.

"Mr. Brice, I was just escorting Miss Martin to your home. She says she knows you, but her phone isnt working." The guard cleared his throat. "And she isnt on the pre-approved entrance list."

Poppy tilted her head to the side. Even looking as though shed spent the last three hours in a dunk tank, she still wore a half-amused, half-irritated look on her face. "Could we rectify that, Mr. Brice?" she asked. "Do you think I might have a spot on the pre-approved list?"

Trevor fought the urge to laugh. She was so cheeky. He absolutely adored her sense of humor. d.a.m.n. Wet, cold, and in custody, and she was making wisecracks.

"Please do put Miss Martin on the list. She is welcome here anytime she chooses."

"Yes, sir." The security guard turned and trotted down the stairs.

"Seriously?" Poppy c.o.c.ked an eyebrow. "You have enough guys down there to invade a third-world country."

"Not quite that many, but it is changeover for the guards."

Poppys eyes slid from Trevor toward Robert. Her face burst into a smile.

"Youre the infamous Poppy," Robert said.

"And maybe I should guess by the clothing and the rosy complexion that youre the security guard whos been kicking Trevors a.s.s since he was only fourteen?"

"Smart girl, this one." Robert smiled. "Sure shes not CIA, or maybe working covert ops for another country?"

"Thats right. Were after the recipe of Up Sides secret sauce. Figure its worth something." Poppy cupped her hand next to her mouth. "Theres a rumor it can be used as rocket fuel."

"Ha! That wouldnt surprise me, knowing your mom, Trev." Robert walked out the front door. "Still raining." He flipped up his jacket hood and walked down the stairs to his car. "Nice to meet you, Poppy. Hope to see you again."

Robert slipped into his car. Trevor grasped Poppys arm. He pulled her into the house, shut the door, and pressed his lips to hers. Her mouth opened and her body melded to his. He grabbed her waist and pulled her close to his hard maleness. Her tongue trailed the seam of his lips and he opened his mouth to her. He wanted to devour her, to force her to stay, to quell the fear and the sadness that he knew she masked with her wicked sense of humor. They slowly pulled apart. His gaze remained on her eyes. She glanced away from him and surveyed the grand foyer.

"So this is where one of the worlds wealthiest men grew up."

Trevor fought the urge to scold Poppy for not calling, and for making him worry, but he didnt. "Leave your shoes here and Ill make you some coffee. You need to get out of those wet clothes and into a shower."

"That sounds lovely. Youre this good to me, even after the way I behaved earlier today?" She s.h.i.+vered and crossed her arms over her chest.

Any anger or irritation that remained drained from Trevors body. "I wont say that I wasnt angry, but I am pleased that youre here now." He took her hand and wove his fingers through hers. "Come on. Youll get sick. Youre wet and youre cold and I wont stand for that." He pulled her close and walked her up the staircase, down the long hall to his childhood bedroom.

Poppys eyes widened. "Fit for a prince." She spun around his room.

"A time capsule of my youth." The room was huge, containing everything hed ever wanted as a teenaged boy and then a college student. Lakers and Dodgers paraphernalia adorned the walls. If he actually stayed here more than a few nights a year, he might have changed the decor.

Poppy drifted along his dresser and looked at the wall. Family photos of him with his grandparents and parents opening new stores and traveling around the world. His prep school and college and M.B.A. diplomas all fantastically framed and hung on the wall.

"Very impressive." She stopped and picked up a picture from his dresser. "This you with your dad?"

Trevor nodded. He knew the picture, as it was one of his favorites. The only time theyd taken a long family vacation away from California. Over Christmas, he and his had gone to Maui during Trevors freshman year of high school, just months before his father had died.

"You two look a lot alike." Poppys eyes met his. "Except for the blond hair."

"Thats from Mom," Trevor said. "Hers is grey now, but she was a blonde."

"So shes the knockout in the evening gown?" Poppy pointed to another picture.

"Inauguration."

"Of course," Poppy joked. "I hear everyone is going."

"Enough with the smart mouth, lets get you out of those clothes and warmed up." He pulled her close and her body pressed to his. "I wish youd stop this running away thing that you do." He walked toward his en-suite with his arm around her.

"I know." She s.h.i.+vered.

Of course she was cold, her clothes were soaked all the way through. He flipped a switch on the wall to warm the tile floors.

"Whoa." Poppys eyes widened. "This is a bathroom."

Trevor smiled. This looked more like the spa at Mesquale than one persons bathroom. The giant steam shower with gla.s.s walls and multiple showerheads was large enough for five people.

"You wont be cold long." He walked to the shower and turned the faucets to get the water nice and warm. He glanced into the mirror. Poppys wet clothes clung to her curves. She would soon be naked, and wet, and very much in his arms. His s.e.x hardened. He turned back to her reflection. "Let me help you with those clothes."

He lifted her s.h.i.+rt and raised it over her head. Her flesh pebbled with cold. He tossed the damp s.h.i.+rt into the hamper. He reached around and unsnapped her bra. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s sprang free. Her nipples pert and tight. He bent forward and pulled her nipple between his lips. Like sugar. Spun sugar, sweet and lovely. Her hand clasped the back of his head and pulled him even closer.

"Oh Trevor," she moaned.

His hands tugged at her skirt. He released her nipple and pulled her wet skirt over her hips. It dropped from her body. He hooked his thumbs through the sides of her panties and pulled them down. Her flesh was sweet and silken. She lifted his s.h.i.+rt above his head and he quickly pulled his workout shorts off. Poppys hands opened across his chest and her full lips moved to his nipple. She pulled the flesh into her mouth and his c.o.c.k, his already-hard c.o.c.k, could barely stand not being in her body.

He pulled her mouth away from his chest and pressed his lips to her lips. A hard wanting kiss, a kiss that said I need you, I want you now. d.a.m.n. She was every right thing. Velvet skin, smart mouth, strong woman. He pulled away from her and looked into her toffee-colored eyes.

He opened the shower door and steam rolled out. Warm and caressing, just like Poppys touch. He entered the shower, which was as big as his entire bathroom at Mesquale. Warm water ran over him. He pulled Poppy in behind him. His lips were on hers as they stood under the warm rain shower. Water ran over both of them and made her silken flesh even smoother.

Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressed to his chest and his desire was hard and thick. His fingertip trailed down her throat and over her shoulder and the side of her body. A tremble raced through her.

Her hand reached out and grabbed his s.e.x. She stroked down to the base and back up to the tip. His muscles tightened.

d.a.m.n.

"I want you," she said.

He spun her around and faced her toward the tile wall. He wanted her, too. With a burning, furious heat. Her hands spread on the tile surface. He spread her legs at her heels. His hands clamped over her fingers, holding her hands together against the wall. Her a.s.s pressed back toward him, toward his s.e.x.

"Dont leave me anymore." His hand drifted around her waist and found the front of her belly. He rubbed his finger against her c.l.i.t. Her a.s.s thrust back and a low moan escaped her throat.

"Oh my G.o.d, Trevor, please I want you." Her a.s.s tilting, seeking, wanting him to plunge deep into her.

He circled her c.l.i.t with his finger. His lips pressed to her neck. His s.e.x hard against the seam of her a.s.s. "Do you hear me, Poppy? Dont leave me again." He continued circling her c.l.i.t. Her hips became more insistent and her breathing shallow.

"Youre mine." He slid one finger into her tight p.u.s.s.y, still teasing her c.l.i.t.

"Please, Trevor, please."

"Say it." He could barely contain his desire. Heat throbbed through him. His b.a.l.l.s drew up tight to his body. Soon hed explode all over her back if he didnt fulfill his need to plunge his c.o.c.k deep into her p.u.s.s.y.

"Say, that youre mine." His voice husky with want. He sucked her shoulder while her hips pressed back and forward. He kept her hands pinned above her with one hand. Her entire body writhed, as though she could barely contain the pressure of her own desire.

"Im yours," she wailed, and with one swift motion, Trevor hitched his hips back and plunged hard and deep into her s.e.x.

"Oh my G.o.d, Trevor, Im yours!" she wailed again. He pulled out and then slowly plunged forward again. He wouldnt last. He stroked her c.l.i.t with his finger and her p.u.s.s.y tightened around him. He pulled his hand from her hand and wrapped it around her waist holding her tight against his powerful thrusts.

"Im going to ... oh my G.o.d, Trevor ... Im going to ..."

"Come for me, baby, come for me now." He pushed his c.o.c.k deep into her and the come shot through him and pulsed out. Tight rings of muscles clenched around his c.o.c.k over and over again, draining him of every ounce.

His head rested on her back and then he turned her around. His hands caressed her cheeks, his kiss deep and languorous on her lips. He looked into Poppys eyes.

"Dont run from my love anymore, Poppy. Dont run from us."

Fear cascaded through her eyes, followed by surrender. "I dont want to. Trevor, Im sorry. I just get ... I get so scared. Today with Therese in the hospital room, everything was closing in around me. I couldnt breathe."

The hot water streamed over them. He pulled her into his arms. "I know, baby, but when you run you scare the h.e.l.l out of me. There has to be a way you can have your s.p.a.ce and I still know youre coming back." He looked into her eyes. "Youre everything I want, everything I need. I want you. I want us. Lets find a way to make that work."

Poppy nodded. He took a long breath, grabbed the soap, and proceeded to wash the most beautiful woman that hed ever seen.