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It was hard to take her hands with their gloves on, but he still kept his arm anchored around her as they moved deeper into the woods. “Is this safe? Have you heard if the incident at the palace was an accident?”
“I’m not worried,” he said airily.
She bit her lower lip. “Your bodyguard doesn’t like me very much. Are you sure he’s going to be okay with this?”
“With me walking in the woods?” he asked teasingly. “No, he definitely had a problem with it. He’s probably following us.”
Poppy chuckled. “I meant with last night. You don’t take anything seriously!” Suddenly, her smile fell. “Unless you didn’t tell him because last night was all there’s going to be. Which is fine. I don’t expect any more than one night.”
“Poppy,” he interrupted her. “If you thought that I’d be satisfied with only one night with you, you haven’t figured me out yet. I crave you.”
“God,” she managed and quickly looked away. It was obvious that she wasn’t used to his candidness, and he was tempted to be even more colorful to keep her thoughts occupied.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, and he enjoyed being with her. Normally, this close to Christmas, he’d be drunk and out prowling for another woman to warm him. Surprisingly, he was enjoying his sobriety. He actually liked Poppy’s company, even when they weren’t flirting.
“Samir,” she said suddenly. “I think we’ve gone far enough. We should head back.”
He followed her nervous gaze into the woods and frowned. She seemed agitated. “It’s okay, Poppy. We’re not in any danger. Just a little farther.”
“I don’t think…” she protested, but he’d already plunged ahead. After a few more feet, there was a clearing in the woods, and he stopped short at a small cabin.
“I didn’t realize there were other homes nearby,” he said cautiously. There were no lights on in the cabin and no cars nearby.
Poppy shook her head. “I’ve never been this far in, but it’s a big space. Does your family own the whole property?”
Shrugging, Samir turned back. “I don’t really know. I gu
ess not. This isn’t where the groundskeeper lives, is it?”
“Taj? No, he lives a few miles down the hill, but I think he rents. Come on, Samir. We might be trespassing.”
He let her pull him away and almost suggested that they explore in another direction when he saw her shudder. She was cold.
“Come,” he said, as he pulled her in his embrace. “We’ll head back, and I’ll see if I can find a way to warm you up.”
They were both a little out of breath by the time they returned to the cabin. Samir was surprised to see that Melka was nowhere to be seen when they got inside. “I’m going to make you lunch,” Samir said with a smile as he jerked off his jacket.
“More chicken tenders?” she teased.
He gave her a mock look of annoyance as he walked into the kitchen. Melka was at the table looking at his computer. He frowned when he looked up. “I guess you made your goal to bed the woman by Christmas? Nicely done,” he grunted. “Now, what will you do with your time?”
“Excuse me?”
Samir whirled around at Poppy’s growl. She’d obviously heard everything that Melka said. His guard muttered an apology as he slipped from the kitchen and Poppy looked horrified.
“You told him that you were going to fuck me by Christmas? Was I something on your to-do list? Something to help you pass the time?”
Despair settled in the pit of his stomach. He was going to lose her before he even had a chance to know her. “Poppy, wait. It’s not like that.”
“No, I’m sure it’s not. Please, excuse me. I find that I’m not hungry anymore,” she said coldly as she stomped out of the kitchen. The door to her bedroom slammed shut, and Samir blew out his breath.
It wasn’t the first time a woman had yelled at him, but it was the first time he’d felt the panic of losing someone that he cared for.
11
Samir leaned his forehead against the door and closed his eyes. His heart pounded in his chest, and he pressed the palm of his against the grain of the wood. “Poppy,” he cried out hoarsely. “Please, let me in to explain.”
“Explain what?” she snapped. “I think I understand all too well. Don’t worry, though. I’ll go back to being your servant, and we’ll be fine.”
