Page 118 of Wicked Love

We step onto the boat and I help her sit. I sit across from her and the gentle sway of the water calms me, helping mefocus on what I want to say. For now, we glide out onto the lake, sunlight dancing on the surface. I have a picnic basket filled with her favorite foods—fruit, cheese, her favorite bread, and desserts from Serendipity. We settle in, cushions and blankets softening the seats.

As we drift, my nerves pick up. But Poppy talks about her day at work, and I tell her about the way Becca’s been collecting funny-shaped leaves lately, even finding one that looks like a helicopter. Every moment feels like a step closer to what I need to say. I wait until after we’ve eaten to take her hand in mine.

“Poppy,” I begin, my throat tightening slightly. “These past few months have…changed everything for me. I don’t know if you realize just how opposed I was to a relationship, but you’ve changed all of that. I love spending time with you. I love everything about you. I’m in love with you.”

I hear the hitch in her breath, and the tremulous way her mouth gets when her eyes water.

“I’m in love with you too,” she whispers.

My heart thumps in response to that.

“When I drop you off at night, I’m sad to leave you. When I wake up in the morning, I miss you. I can’t stand to spend another day waking up without you. Would you please move in with me?” My eyes get big and I clasp my hands together. “Please?”

I haven’t forgotten how much she likes it when I sayplease.

Her lips part, a small “oh” escaping. Her eyes shine brighter than the water’s reflection.

“I’m so gone on you, Poppy,” I say, leaning in so we’re close, foreheads touching.

Her hands land on my face and we kiss. It’s the sweetest kiss, as if the whole world is holding its breath. The flowerssway in the breeze, the boat gently rocks, and a bird cries softly overhead.

Then Poppy pulls back and smiles, and her face is mesmerizing, it’s so radiant.

“Yes,” she says simply. “I’ll move in with you.”

“I love you,” I tell her again, relief flooding through me.

“I love you,” she says, and the words have never sounded better.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

HEART RUSH

POPPY

It’s been a few weeks since Bowie told me he loved me. I’ve been floating on cloud nine during that time and have slowly moved out of my condo. It’s taken time to sell some of my furniture and to get everything situated into his place, but we brought the last load over last night. I didn’t want to take over Becca and Bowie’s space the way Bowie’s mom did and yet, Bowie hasn’t seemed to mind anything I’ve broughtinto his house. Our house. It’s going to take a while to get used to saying that.

I’ve slept in his bed every night since his lake declaration though, and I have zero regrets. Morning and night he makes love to me and while that part has always been mind-blowing between us, now it’s next level. Maybe because he trusts me now…or that we know how the other feels, but each day just gets sweeter. Bowie’s heart opens more all the time. I feel like I see more of his guard dropping nearly by the minute.

Becca is so happy I’m living with them, it’s a constant rush of heartwarming butterflies. And Paulina and Mrs. McGregor are never-ending entertainment. It’s a good thing the house is huge though because it’s a lot of opinionated women under one roof.

But I didn’t think I could be this happy, ever.

I’ve tried not to pay too much attention to it, but the news of us has gotten out. I’ve even seen myself in some of the BHOTD posts. And while he didn’t say too much about it, when he was asked by a reporter after a game recently if it was true he had a baby on the way, he confirmed that he and his girlfriend are having a baby.

Girlfriend!That’s me!

Today, we’re standing in the aisle of a massive baby store in Denver, staring blankly at the shelves. I turn to look at him, at a loss…but as usual, I get distracted by staring at him. His hair has grown out some since he first cut it. It’s long enough to tug again, but just barely. I miss his hair, but he looks so delicious with it like this too, I’m not complaining. I will enjoy every look because there are no bad ones when it comes to Bowie Fox.

“What?” he asks, smiling.

“I just like looking at you.”

He leans down and kisses me. “I like looking at you too.”

I cut it short, giving him a slight shove back. “Okay, over there. I’m already horny all the time,” I whisper.

His eyes light up. “Is that because of pregnancy or…”

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