A Brother's Love

Greek God

Usually, I also opened the shop on Saturdays. This Saturday I found myself on the comfy living room couch of Easton Dehn. He had three living areas. I chose the one which was almost like a sunroom. Lots of big windows and beautiful summer light shining through. The room was bathed in gold lighting. It warms me up, making me settle down completely. I flipped through the book I took with me to read, I found it in one of the floor to ceiling bookcases which Easton owned. It was a thriller, an exciting book for a lazy Saturday late morning. I glanced over my shoulder, observing Easton’s staff. They had so much to do, always on the move. It was a big house they needed to take care of so it wasn’t odd that they were always busy. It was interesting to watch. I slapped my book shut and approached the lady I nearly ran into the other day.

“Miss Miller.” She greeted politely.

“Did Easton leave this morning?” I asked.

She smiled at me, “Mr. Dehn is in his gym.” She informed, “His personal gym is in the basement.”

“I see.” I nodded, “Well, I’m going to say hi then.”

I walked away from the smiling woman, walking down the stairs to find Easton’s gym. It was easy to find, the basement was an open planned space. The man himself was lifting weights. Not something I expected him to do. He looked more like the type of man who ran an hour on a treadmill. As I observed him I came to realize that Easton filled his suits so well because he had the body of a Greek God.

“Miss Miller.” He drawled, “Not going to work today?” He asked, sounding a bit out of breath.

I enjoyed watching him, admiring the muscles which he put to great use.

“Miss Miller.” He called, the smile clear in his voice.

Her cheeks heating up she cleared her throat and tore her gaze away from him, “I usually do open shop on Saturdays but I have an employee now who works two jobs. I don’t want to overwork him.”

Easton's lips curled up to a rather sinister smile, "How caring of you." He put the weights down and walked to his awaiting water bottle, "That kind of behavior is what got you into this whole mess. You need to think of yourself first, Poppy. Always think of yourself first."

“So I should have left you out there to die?” I asked.

He nodded, “Yes, you should have done that.” He gestured around us, “Now you’re in this mess.”

I knew damn well how I got into this damn mess. But honestly, it wasn’t so bad. I mean I did get drugged that one time but I can overlook it. He did it to keep me safe. I know it was f****d up of me to be able to forgive him for something like that but my life was not exactly normal anymore. I moved into a criminal’s house. His men kept me safe, keeping an eye on me all the time. He also happened to be the big brother of my ex-boyfriend who suddenly decided he regretted breaking up with me. He never said it, but his actions said it all. I didn’t want Alex anymore though. My eyes raked over the body of the man I lusted for. I wanted this man before me. I wanted to be wrapped up in his strong arms, his lips pressed against mine while he took me.

“I don’t mind this mess that much.” I breathed.

He tilted his head to the side, “Is that so?”

My eyes wandered to the scar which was peeking through the collar of his tee. It was the gunshot wound, the scar only showing whenever he moved. I wanted to step to him and ran my fingers across the angry looking skin. My God, was I that easy? I needed to fight this feeling.

“So you lift weights on your days off?”

He reached for the awaiting towel and started wiping the sweat on his neck and forehead. Everything this man did made me want to jump him. I needed to get out of there.

“It’s not my day off.” He let the towel rest around his shoulders, “I just never miss a work-out.” He let me know, “If you want to go out just let Jake know. He’ll accompany you.”

“Okay.” I watched him walk to the stairs and quietly followed him.

“As for dinner, we’ll have it at home today. People are being damn nosy about my private life right now. “

That woke me up pretty fast, “What?”

He glanced over his shoulder, “It will pass.”

Easton not once stopped to have an actual conversation with me, he was always on the move. It was freaking annoying. All I wanted to do was grab his wrist and make him stop and look at me while we discussed it more in details. Easton was heading to his bedroom and I could tell the staff members we passed were sharing looks. Confused as to why the blonde was following the man who was on a mission to shower and get dressed. Once in his bedroom and the door closed behind me while I was leaning against it he turned to look at me, a sharp eyebrow raised in question. It was like he was asking me why I was there.

I folded my arms across my chest, “Explain.” I told him firmly, “Now.”

He raised his eyes to the ceiling, looking exasperated with me, “We’ve been seen together in public.” He said, thinking that said it all, but it didn’t.

“I’ve also been seen in public with Jake and Serena.” I rolled my eyes at that, “That doesn’t change anything. Why does this change everything?” I demanded to know.

He smiled at me, “Because I’m Easton Dehn.” He couldn’t sound more arrogant even if he tried.

“And I’m Poppy Miller.”

He chuckled, his eyes soft while he had a genuine smile spread across his face. He tossed his towel on the bed and approached me. I pressed myself up against the door. We’ve been through this before. I held my breath when he cupped my face in his big hands. He leaned in, brushing his nose against mine.

"Well, Poppy Miller, the public is interested in the woman they assume I am dating." Without warning, he pressed his lips against mine, "Maybe I am dating her." He whispered when he pulled away from me, "Who knows at this point." He pushed away from the door and turned his back to me, "I'm taking a shower and then I'll be heading to the office." He gestured to the door to his ensuite, “You joining me?” He asked, “If not then I suggest you decide what you’re going to do today.”

He knew damn well I wasn’t going to take up his offer, it was him more or less saying to me he needed space. Not wanting to cramp his style I left his room and made my way to my own bedroom. I was not sure what Easton was saying. He didn’t confirm anything but he didn’t deny it either. It was like he left it up to me to decide what we were. I didn’t want to hurt my brain by overthinking things so I focused on doing my hair and makeup. I wasn’t going to stay at his place like a good little housewife, waiting for him to return. I wanted to head into the city, wander around on my day off. I hadn’t done that in a while and it sounded more or more appealing to me as I thought of doing a little shopping. Jake would be there too, he could carry my bags.