Run Poppy Run

Thrill Seeker

Poppy

Oh, my god, I remember that dream like it actually happened. I woke up in a sweat. My chest rapidly rose and fell as my face was flushed. I slowly moved my hand towards my soaking wet groin. Oh, my GOD! I literally had a wet dream about our handyman! I covered my face with my hands as I screamed into them.

My muffled voice made my eardrums ring. Flopping my arms down as I took in ragged breaths, I rolled my way out of my bed. My throbbing lower region and my burning core made me start to pant. I tried to take care of myself, but that didn’t help in the slightest. It just made everything more sensitive. I’ll take a cold shower, that’ll help! I stood there shivering after shutting the water off...That... did not help. It just made me feel like a frost-burned popsicle. Why is the house so cold?

I threw my head back, letting out a long sigh as I wrapped myself up in my towel. I headed to my closet, pulling out a sweater and jeans, then turned to grab my underwear off my chair. I shifted through the pile, grumbling as I realized I put my last pair on yesterday. I threw all my clothes on, struggled to get into my jeans because of my knee and the fact my body was still damp. I fell over onto my bed as I huffed, wiggling my hips into this god forsaken death trap. It didn’t help I had to go commando. The friction against my crotch was making me CRAZY!

I quickly stood, groaning as I picked up the pile of underwear and clothing on the floor. I slowly made my way to the stop of the stairs, stretching a foot out to find the stair. I tapped my toe a few times to make sure I had a good footing before I started my descent to the living room.

“Good morning, Poppy!” Jess was wrapped up in a blanket. The cool morning air was nipping at her cheeks, turning them pink as I walked up to her.

“It’s cold in here! Did you turn the heater on?” I peeked over my laundry pile at her. She stood up, walking to the thermostat. As I opened the door, a gust of wind blew through, causing my legs to shake.

“It says it’s 46 degrees in here and the heater is on,” Jess said through chattering teeth. Oh...no. My eyes widened as my heart started to race at the thought that Damian was the man we call for these things.

“Let’s go into the main house. I’m sure there’s heat there. We can have some breakfast as well while I do some laundry.” I took a step outside in my socks. Hitting the cold ground had me suck in a breath. I hobbled my way quickly over to the back door; Jess was on my heels as our breath was leaving streaks of steam behind us.

I flung open the back door, stumbling inside as Jess followed me, closing it. We stood there, shaking and struggling to catch our breaths as the warmth of the house hit us.

“Morning girls!” My mother greeted us as she sipped on her coffee at the counter.

“Morning, Mrs. McNair!” Jess chattered through her teeth. I limped my way to the laundry room, pausing at the door as yesterday’s events slithered their way through my head. I let out a breath, stepping forward to start my laundry.

“What’s up with her?” I heard my mother whisper to Jess, who started giggling. Don’t you dare Jess! I screamed in my head as I loaded the washer.

“Oh, Mrs. McNair! How was your date?” Jess slyly changed the subject, causing the stress in my chest to release some.

“Oh, you know...” I heard her place the cup on the counter as she sighed. I closed the washer’s lid and hitting the start button. I limped out and took a seat next to her.

“He was very rude. He expected me to pay for him!” She rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms. “Then he had the nerve to ask for free books for his girls because he forgot to do Christmas shopping and thought I’d help him out.”

“Ugh, men,” Jess responded as she leaned on the counter.

“What about you Poppy? Jake isn’t hiding out in the guest house, is he?” My mom turned to face me. I sat there stiffly as I stared blankly ahead.

“Na, Jake was taken to the trash where he belongs...” Jess smirked at me, “By Mr. Locke.” She said the name all lovey dovey as she puckered her lips at me. I hid my face, embarrassed, as my mother gasped.

“No!? What happened!” My mother placed her hand on my shoulder. Before I could speak, Jess jumped in.

“Oh, my god Mrs. McNair! It was so... HOT! Like right out of a movie!” Jess threw her arms out as she explained. She added the sound effects of Jake being thrown out and skidding across the floor, how Damian wouldn’t let him back in, and how Jake gave up and just walked off.

“Mmm, I knew that man was something special when I first saw him.” My mom giggled. I sighed, pushing away from the counter and heading to the cabinet for some cereal. I raised a brow at Jess, silently asking if she wanted any, to which she nodded in agreement.

“Speaking of...” I halted my sentence as his name stuck in my throat. “Ahem... We need him to come out today to check our heater... it’s not working right.” I mumbled out as I prepared our bowls. My mother clapped her hands happily as she whipped her phone out to shoot him a text. I slid Jess’s bowl towards her, the milk sloshing out of it, leaving a trail behind it.

I leaned on the counter, taking a bite of my Captain Crunch as my mom finished her text, placing her phone down like a giddy child. I rolled my eyes as I stuffed the spoon back into my mouth.

“Oh, you know we’re having a Christmas Eve party at the bookstore! You should invite him!” Mother ever so giddily said. I call her mother when I’m upset with her. Ugh! I rolled my eyes at her. I was trying to play it off that I didn’t want him around. I don’t think I can tell that man, no, even if I wanted to. He has some kind of hypnotic power... I was snapped out of my thought as my mom’s phone went off, vibrating across the counter.

“And YES SIR!” she shouted as she typed away. Wait... Yes, sir... what?

“W-What do you mean...” She put her hand up, cutting me off.

“He doesn’t live far, he’s not busy this morning, so he’s heading over here... Right now.” She slyly grinned ear to ear as my face boiled into a red. I’m sure I’ve never seen.

“OH MY GOD! LOOK AT HOW RED SHE IS!” Jess pointed, laughing with a mouthful of cereal.

“Shut up!” I hollered as I tried to make my escape through the back door. I limped down the two steps outside, folding my arms across my chest as my breath hit the cool air. The winter temperature did little to cool my face off. I stood there, letting the cold run up my sock-covered toes as I slowly made my way back to my heat-deprived house.

I made my way under my covers in my room, wrapping myself up as I unlocked my phone. My heart felt a slight tug when I didn’t see any messages from that unknown number. Did my stalker see Jake or Damian and is finally leaving me alone? A slight sting in my chest made me chew on my lip. Do I miss the attention? Ugh! What is wrong with me!?

First, riding on a motorcycle was amazing. I never knew the thrill could feel so great. Second, Damian shoving me against a wall and... touching me in ways Jake never did. The fact every nerve was on fire since then felt...divine. Third, the fact that Damian, my god Damian, was hotter than Jake and took matters in his own hands when Jake tried to force himself on me.

I tightened the covers around me as I chewed on my fingernail. The downside with Damian is I barely know the guy, and he gives off a dangerous vibe. And- I love it! I smacked my cheeks with my hands. How in the world? I’m terrified of horror movies, rollercoasters and countless other things. Why am I feeling a pull towards them now?

I quickly opened YouTube on my phone, pulling up scary stories to listen to. I sat there intently; the fear boiling inside of me. But instead of wanting to shut it off, I wanted more. My body ached; my middle burned as I continued forward. My eyes widened as the realization of why I stayed with Jake dawned on me. I liked his authority; I liked how he scared me back to be with him. I liked the fear he instilled in me.