Page 41
“Do they not do that in Brazil?” Poppy shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.”
He looked at the empty glass in his hand. “But I do not wish to increase your burdens.”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“How much does it cost? ”
She frowned. “It’s based on usage. So the first…
some amount…is the cheapest rate, and then there are a couple more tiers of pricing.
But unless you’re, like, watering a golf course, it’s not likely the bill will get super expensive.
One more person drinking and showering isn’t going to make a difference.
” When Rai’s face turned stubborn again, she laughed to forestall him.
“Look, just don’t worry about it. Consider it a… business expense.”
He quieted and came back to help with the next bit of stretching-and-stapling.
But once the canvas was all stretched and Rai was back at the sink for his gazillionth glass of water, Poppy started to worry again.
Not about the water bill—Rai had paid her enough to water a hundred golf courses—but about the time.
Was he going to need this many water breaks when she was painting him? That seemed potentially problematic.
Well, they’d burn that bridge when they came to it. She was about to break out the gesso when her phone rang. “That must be the tow truck.”
Rai accompanied her to watch her car being loaded, eyes alight as if it were a blockbuster adventure film. Boys and their toys . She’d never understood the male fascination with heavy machinery.
As the tow truck carted her Kia away, Rai looked at the sky, grinning. “I see the weather app has betrayed us again.”
She followed his gaze. A few scattered clouds were moving across the sky. “Maybe.”
“No, it will rain.” He furrowed his brow as if willing the rain into existence.
“Okay, Nostradamus.” She took his hand and drew him back toward the guest house. “Anyhow, I guess the gesso is going to have to wait until tomorrow.”
He was still gazing upward as they walked. “I must work tomorrow,” he said abruptly. “During the day.”
“O-of course. So you won’t…stay the night?” Poppy tried not to feel disappointed, but she couldn’t help it; it had been just so good to have him to cuddle up to. Had he been grossed out by the drool after all?
“I think it would be unwise.” He stepped before her and stroked her cheek. “Though I will come as soon as I can.”
She swallowed. “Are you going to stay for dinner tonight?”
“I will stay as late as I may,” he said, expression fervent.
Poppy considered the hours until dinner and beyond.
She shouldn’t keep him late, especially with as little sleep as they’d gotten last night.
Sketches had been next on her agenda but…
but fuck her agenda. She’d already spent more than forty hours working this week, and it was only Thursday.
She’d earned a break. “That gives us just enough time.” She dropped her voice down low and walked backward in the direction of the guest house, hoping she sounded seductive.
And maybe she did. Rai’s eyes darkened and his grin turned wicked. “Time for what?” He clutched her hips as he followed her through the doorway.
“Sweet time.” She stepped in close and shoved the door shut behind him, arching her body against his.
He growled and whirled her toward her bedroom. And damn , it was sweet. Sweet and slow and hot and full of laughter, his body smooth and lithe, his hands knowing and naughty, his lips bringing her to life.
They were late for dinner. The rain had come while they were lost in each other; Poppy broke out her umbrella for the walk from her front door to her mom’s back door, though Rai stuck his arm out into the rain as they went.
“That defeats the purpose of the umbrella, you know.” Poppy closed it and set it beside the back door.
“I enjoy the rain.” He had regained the spring in his step, eyes shining as they went into the dining room, where her mother greeted them with wide smiles and only a few subtle I-know-what-you’ve-been-up-to-you-naughty-children remarks.
Poppy had checked in with her a few times during the day, but clearly she’d also been keeping a discreet eye on their comings and goings through the windows.
When dinner was done, though, Rai faced Poppy in the dim Arizona room, face grave. “It is time for me to leave you, sweet Poppy.”
She couldn’t help but pout a little. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yes. And I shall yearn for you all the day.” He cupped her face in his hand, pressing a kiss to her nose. “I shall be certain to hydrate well, to not burden you.”
“You don’t have to worry about—”
He kissed her, deep and open-mouthed, and she forgot her train of thought instantly. His lips were cool now, cool and tasting of rain, and lightning crashed outside like an exclamation point on their day.
Oh god, how could she say goodbye?
But he released her and stepped back, regarding her smugly. “I will see you on the morrow.” He turned to go.
“Wait!” Poppy hurried forward and picked up the umbrella. “Take this. I don’t want you to get soaked. ”
He pressed it back toward her. “I cannot take your protection. You must stay dry and well as you return to your home.”
She laughed. “It’s twenty feet away. How wet am I going to—” But he was out the door, striding away and around the house, face turned up into the torrent.
Poppy watched him through the screened windows until he disappeared.
Well, she’d text him in a bit to make sure he’d returned to his motel safely.
But for Pete’s sake, he needed the umbrella more than her!
Why were men so determined to brave the elements? What could she do to convince him to…
Poppy paused. He hadn’t refused to take an umbrella.
He’d refused to take her umbrella. So maybe if she got him one of his own…
And hell, he’d just paid her five digits of cash.
She could afford to buy him a teensy-tiny gift!
She hurried out the door and to the guest house, settling on the couch with her laptop.
There were lots of umbrellas online, but… She knew what Rai liked by now. Blue. Intricate Asian patterns. And water! He liked water. She started another search and found the perfect umbrella just a few options down. She added it to the cart and went to check out.
Ugh, when did shipping get so expensive? Well, she was practically rich now, ha ha. She could afford…
She stopped herself just before clicking the confirmation button, squinting at the shipping options.
Free two-day shipping if she got her order above forty bucks?
And that was only a few dollars more than her total now with shipping.
Well, she’d jump on that suggestive sell. There was a book her mom had wanted…
Still not enough. What else could she buy?
For several minutes she agonized. There were always things she wanted, sure, but…
Well, she could justify buying a gift for someone else, but the idea of buying herself a treat when she was already treating herself to Rai seemed greedy.
But her mother would surely object to two gifts—she might not know the full extent of their plight, but she did know how hard Poppy was working.
Meanwhile Rai had already said he wanted for nothing.
If she got him a second present, it would have to be something small, maybe silly.
Something that would make him laugh that gorgeous, tummy-tingling laugh of his.
Oh, she knew just the thing! And it would help her out in the studio as well.
She could probably even write it off as a business expense, if the IRS was willing to squint.
She searched until she found the perfect one, added it to her cart, and hurried through the checkout process before she could change her mind .
With a pleased sigh, she sank back into the cushions.
God, it felt good to just… give something for once.
That was one of the worst things about being poor—the constant push and pull between wanting to be generous and needing to conserve funds.
She’d have to be sure to deposit some of her commission before the mortgage came out, but it was worth it.
She couldn’t wait to see the look on Rai’s face.
With sweet anticipation filling her like warm tea, she set her laptop aside and prepared for bed.
Table of Contents
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- Page 41 (Reading here)
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