AllFreeNovel
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She clears her throat. “So, you have a person in mind?”
I take another sip of tequila. Fuck I hate this shit. “I’m vetting someone. She’s pretty great, but there are always obstacles.”
“Sounds special. Do I know her?”
What the hell are we doing? If Adam was right, and Poppy does like me, not telling her that she’s the girl I like would hurt her, and that’s the last thing I want to do. Also, telling her will change the course of our relationship forever and I can’t have that.
I hop from the counter and grab the box of Christmas cookies she brought. Perfect golden snowflakes with white icing and glittery sprinkles.
“You make these?”
“Today. They’re your favorite, with the—”
“Lemon cream cheese icing. You make the best sugar cookies, Pop.” I sink into one, groaning as the sweetness hits my tongue.
“I figured I had to do something for you once I found out you’d be here.”
I nod and grab a small box wrapped in blue paper from my coat that’s hanging by the garage entry. “I grabbed this for you. It’s just a little something but—”
She bumps me with her shoulder and grins. “You got me something? Why?”
“It’s something you’ll like. Just open it.”
She takes the small box in her hand and unwraps it quickly as I finish off the sugar cookie.
With the small, velvet box opened in her hand she looks toward me and bites her bottom lip. “What is this? Is this my mom’s prayer angel?”
I nod. “Yeah, I found it a couple of days ago when we were cleaning. Wayne said I could take it down to the jeweler and have it set for you. I hope you like it on the chain. I just thought it would be a good way to keep track of—”
Her jaw drops. “Bodie! I… this is the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me! I—”
“It’s no big deal.” I look away and grab a carton of milk from the fridge. Tequila isn’t going to pair with sugar cookies the way milk does. “Don’t make a thing about it.”
When I turn around, she’s there. Her sweet little frame, her light blonde hair, a tear on her cheek. “Thank you.” She reaches up and wraps her arms around me, laying her head against my chest. I don’t think we’ve ever been this close. Sure, she’s hugged me before, but we didn’t hold on for so long.
My hands wrap around her waist, and I hold her close against me, drinking in the moment, her breath, her touch, her everything.
I drag air into my lungs and let it out slowly, but it arrives as an unintentionally low growl in her ear.
“Are you okay?” She leans up and her gaze meets mine. Every inch of me knows I should hold it together. I should stand tall, strong, and unwavering against this tiny emotional gesture. I should nod and walk away. I should go back to the living room and help Wayne entertain the guests.
I don’t do any of that.
Instead, I lean into Poppy’s lips and crash against her frame, kissing her slowly. My hand on her face, the other on her hip. The last bits of thought I have spread somewhere on the kitchen floor.
I’m not sure what I expect. I’m too busy tasting her lips, feeling her body, listening to her soft moans as she embraces every second of what’s happening.
Fuck, this is wrong… really fucking wrong.
My heart races, my palms are sweaty, and I know any second, Wayne can come bursting through the door. Still, I can’t stop. I can’t let go of her.
Her small hand wraps around my back and I feel her struggling to tip up high enough on her toes to reach me. I scoop her up in my arms, and settle her on the kitchen counter, running my fingers through her hair, landing my lips on her neck, kissing my way across the delicate bones of her shoulder and back again.
“What are we doing?” She pants against my neck as I kiss her harder, licking my way up toward her ear.
“Do you want me to stop?”
“No! Never!”
