Page 122 of I'll Keep Her Safe

“It’s not too much?”

She shakes her head, stroking my cheek as she gazes up at me. “I thought the kitchen was my favorite room,” she whispers. “But it might be this one.”

Oh, God. Warmth pours through me at the smile on her face. This woman is everything I could ever want. Everything I could ever need. I don’t know how I’ve gotten so lucky, but I won’t do a single thing to mess it up. I won’t let a day go by without telling her how much she means to me.

Without giving it another thought, I drop to one knee in front of the crib. Poppy’s lips part in surprise as I reach into my pocket to retrieve the tiny box, popping it open.

“I never imagined I could feel as happy as I do with you, Poppy.” My voice is raw as I say the words I’ve rehearsed a thousand times in my head during the past few weeks. “I want to spend the rest of my life making you smile like that.”

“Wyatt,” she breathes, her eyes filling again. “What are you doing?”

The question makes me chuckle. “I’m asking you to marry me, baby. Will you be my wife? Will you live here with me, have a family here with me? I know it doesn’t have a white picket fence, but…”

She falls to her knees and presses her lips to mine, tears spilling down her cheeks. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect. I love you so much.”

I search her face as my own eyes fill. “Is that a yes?”

“That’s a fuck yes.”

A warm laugh rushes through me, and I blink the emotion from my eyes as I reach into the box with shaking hands. The ring I chose is a large, emerald-cut ruby flanked by teardrop diamonds, set in a rose gold band. I chose it because everything about it reminded me of Poppy—her red lips, her name, her strong, passionate nature. I slide the ring onto her finger, and she holds her hand up to examine it, her mouth open in awe.

“This is the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Youare the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen,” I tell her, and she laughs, pulling me tight against her. Before I can say anything more, her lips are on mine again, hands moving over my shirt hungrily.

“I love you,” she whispers, her lips moving along my jaw. “I need you.” She reaches for my belt buckle, and I don’t fight her. I’ve never felt happier, more sure of my future, and I need to be as close to her as humanly possible.

We make love on the floor of the nursery, our movements colored by urgency and passion, and it reminds me of the first night we slept together in Napa. The night I knew, in my heart of hearts, that she was the woman I needed.

Forever.

Once we’re satisfied (for now) and dressed again, I show Poppy the top floors of the house, where Bailey will stay when she visits, along with the other rooms I haven’t filled yet but plan to. Soon.

Then we return to the kitchen, where I text Bailey to join us, and pull a bottle of champagne from the fridge. Poppy leans against the counter, alternating between cooing over her ring and cooing over the new fridge, glowing with happiness. Just knowing I made her feel that way is enough to get me high.

“Wyatt,” she says, as I hand her a glass of champagne and press a kiss to her scarlet-red lips. Her eyes are full of love as she gazes up at me. “You need to know, about what you said… I feel the same. I never dreamed I could feel as happy as I do, and I want to spend my life making you smile, too. I can’t imagine anything better.”

Shit.

Emotion sweeps through me, and I have to press my eyes shut to stop it from overwhelming me.

“I can’t believe I am this lucky,” I say hoarsely, setting my champagne aside to cradle her face and take her mouth in a passionate kiss. And even though we’ve just made love, desire rushes through me again, and I press my hips into hers against the counter.

“Not to spoil the mood or anything…” Bailey’s voice drifts from the doorway, and Poppy and I part with a laugh.

“Sorry,” I mumble, twisting away, my face hot. Probably best I don’t take Poppy on our new counter with Bailey right there.

But I know exactly what we’ll be doing later.

I push the thought from my mind for now and take a deep breath to center myself, then turn to my daughter, smiling. She’s holding Sugar in her arms, and the cat jumps down to sniff the floor and inspect her new home.

“Don’t be sorry, Dad. I’m glad you’re happy.” She looks at Poppy, whose cheeks are equally red, and squeezes her arm. “You too.” Her gaze falls to the ruby on Poppy’s finger, and she grins. “I take it you said yes?”

Poppy looks down at the ring dreamily. “Of course I said yes. How could I not?”

Bailey accepts the glass of champagne from my outstretched hand. “This is really great, you guys. I mean it.” She hesitates, then adds, “And as soon as I can get over the weirdness of it, I want a little sister.”

Poppy looks at me, her cheeks red, mouth wide in a massive grin. A grin I all too happily return. I was worried the nursery might be too much, but as usual, Poppy is right there with me. She wants what I want.

---