"Sure you did. Just took you a minute to figure it out."
"Maybe so."
I heard soone yell for him in the background and my stomach dropped.
"Gotta go, baby."
I sighed. "I heard."
"You okay?"
"I’d be better if you were here... you know, shoving your face in my pussy."
Devon let out a quiet hiss. "You wanna keep that talk to a minimum for ? Can’t walk back into the great room with a raging hard-on."
"If it makes you feel any better, my nipples could cut glass, and I have a very hidden, but very serious lady boner, so you’re not alone."
"Fuck , Poppy, are you serious right now?"
I giggled. "Go, honey. I’m gonna take a minute with my inadequate vibrator. I think I’ll call it Sparky Two Point Oh... Oh... Oh."
"Goddammit," he snapped. "I’m coming over."
"If only." I sighed. "Call later when you’re alone and we can have phone sex."
"No. If we’re havin’ any kinda sex it’ll be in person."
"Speak for yourself. I’m planning to ruin my vibrator this week. Maybe you should pick up a new one on your way here."
"I’m going now, Poppy. Hanging up."
"Okay, honey. I’ll just finger—"
"Poppy, I swear to Christ, stop."
"What?" I said, as innocently as I could. "I was just going to say I’ll just finger the exact one I want."
"Hanging up now."
"Okay, honey. I love you."
His voice got soft as he said, "I love you, too, baby."
Then he was gone.
The doorbell pealed and Grace rushed past to the door, checking the peephole before opening it.
Pizza. My stomach suddenly rumbled and I checked my watch. I hadn’t realized I’d been talking that long, but apparently ti flies when you’re making your man squirm.
After scarfing down our dinner, I dragged my bag to my room and sorted laundry, then took a shower before heading back into the family room to watch a movie with Grace. Sparky was bored by it all, so he stayed put on the sofa unless he needed to be let out.
By the ti I called Devon to say goodnight, and then finally hauled my ass to bed, I could barely keep my eyes open. I had a feeling tomorrow was going to be an exercise in how much coffee I could consu.
I flew out of bed not entirely sure where I was, having been awakened by a blood-curdling scream. Another scream woke enough to realize it was Grace and she was obviously in the middle of one of her night terrors, so I made a run for her room.
Pushing her door open, the light from the hallway casting a yellow hue over her bed, Grace was sitting up in bed, her face filled with fright, but I could tell she was awake. "Hey, honey. You okay?" I asked.
She shook her head, so I made my way to her and sat on the bed, pulling her in for a hug. "Bad one, huh?"
She nodded into my shoulder. "What if I’m like her, Poppy?"
Grace’s mom, Alison, had been my mom’s best friend, and she’d suffered with so pretty severe ntal illness issues. Grace and her brother rrick were as close to as my own brothers were, and I had loved Alison like a mother. She had shot herself in front of Grace (after threatening to shoot her first), and Grace had been dealing with the trauma for far too long.
She was a total rock star, in my opinion, because talking to her, you’d never know she’d gone through anything. She was down to earth, friendly, and super funny. She never played the victim card, even though she would have been justified to do so. But she was subjected to nightmares. More than I probably knew about, and I hated that for her.
I cupped her face. "There is no evidence, dical or otherwise, that you’re bi-polar or schizophrenic, honey. Don’t go there. I promise, if or Mum see anything we feel concerned about, we’ll let you know."
"I really don’t want to be like her, Poppy," she whispered. "I just want to crawl into a hole and hide sotis."
"I know you do, Gracie. But you can’t." I smiled, squeezing her hand. "Because there’s nothing to be ashad of, and if you hide, the world won’t get to see how amazing you are."
"God, I hate her sotis."
"I know." I hugged her again. "I’m sorry, honey."
She took a deep breath and pulled out of my hug, smiling as she wiped her tears. "I’m good now."
"You want to sleep in here?"
"No. I’m good."
I nodded. "Okay, sweet-cheeks, I’ll see you in the morning."
"Night, Poppy. Thank you."
I smiled and pulled her door closed before making my way back to my room. Hedging my bets that Devon wouldn’t get woken up by a text, I sent him one just because I needed him to know I loved him.
I was wrong.
He was awake and called imdiately. "Hey, you okay?"
"I’m so sorry if I woke you," I whispered.
"You didn’t. I just got in."
I glanced at my clock. "It’s three a.m."
"I’m aware. So, again, you okay?"
"Yes. Grace had a nightmare."
"She’s still dealin’ with those?"
Devon had been in the bunkhouse at the club one night when Grace had had a nasty one. He’d said nothing about it, just took care of Sparky without being asked, so I could focus on Grace.
"Yes. Not as often or as bad... I don’t think, anyway." I climbed back into bed. "But a few tis a month for sure."
"That’s gotta fuckin’ suck for her."
"Seriously." I flopped onto my pillows and sighed. "I wish I could wave a magic wand and make it all go away for her."
"I know you do."
"Why are you up so late?" I asked.
"Just had shit to do... it went long."
I frowned. "Does your ’shit to do’ go long a lot?"
"Can’t talk about that, baby."
"Yay," I deadpanned. "I love that answer... said never."
Devon chuckled. "I’m aware."
"Are you doing anything dangerous?"
"Refer to previous comnt."
I let out a frustrated growl. "You can’t tell if you’re being safe?"
"That’s not what you asked," he countered. "I’m always safe."
"Semantics."
"Sure, we’ll go with that."
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."
"What ti do you want there Friday?"
"Um..." I rolled onto my side and burrowed under the covers. "Class gets out at two, so any ti after that is good. If you co around three, I’ll have ti to shower and then you can get dirty again."
He chuckled. "Can’t wait, baby. You sure Grace is okay with that?"
"Grace adores you. I’ve tried for years to get her on my side, but she refused. She was convinced you were in love with ."
"She was right."
"Huh-uh, no," I countered. "She is my best friend, you two do not get to gang up on . Mutual Appreciation Society for Poppy Kenna Wallace should be your only goal."
"Oh, I appreciate you, Poppy. And I’ll show you just how much on Friday."
I bit my lip. "I can’t wait."
"Stop it."
"Stop what?"
"That breathy thing you do with your voice when you’re horny," he said.
I channeled Marilyn Monroe and asked, "What breathy—?"
"No, Poppy."
"Killjoy." I sighed. "I want you to play with ."
"And I will," he said. "On Friday."
"Fine, but you better give twelve orgasms."
"I can do that," he promised. "I’m gonna hit the hay... you good?"
"No."
"No?"
"I’m horny now and you won’t play with ."
"Holy shit, baby, you’re like a dog with a bone."
"A lady bone, yes I am," I confird.
He groaned, but he couldn’t hide his laugh. "I’m gonna take care of that on Friday."
"Can’t wait."
"Love you."
I smiled. "Love you too."
He hung up and I went about trying to sleep.
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