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CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

HEAVY BOXES

BOWIE

As soon as I leave Poppy, I pull out my phone and start texting.

Remember how I mentioned before I went out of town that I needed your help? I’d like to move forward with our plan.

Sadie

Say less. When and where?

Tru

I’m in.

Elle

Me too.

Half an hour later, we’re assembled in Treasure Trove, the local jewelry store. The guys might give me shit when they hear about this, but I trust the girls to keep this secret a helluva lot more than I do the guys. And I need the help desperately.

On my right, Tru is tapping her chin thoughtfully, and on my left, Elle and Sadie stifle laughs when I so much as glance at a ring that’s not Poppy’s style.

When I hover near a giant, princess-cut rock that I figure looks nice, they shake their heads.

“Poppy’s not a princess-cut kind of girl,” Tru says. “Think oval or round.”

“It really matters that much?” I ask, sweating under my collar. I’ve faced down crucial playoff games with far more confidence than I have right now.

“This ring will be on her hand every day. People will study it on social media. It represents your eternal love. It’s good that you have us here,” Sadie says.

“People will study it?” I echo.

Elle pats my arm. “Don’t worry, Bowie. We’ve got you.” She directs my attention to a stunner.

Ed, the owner, perks up when he sees our interest.

“This is a 3-carat Art Deco piece. See the filigree flowers and scrolls?” he says, holding the diamond up. There’s a large round diamond in the center and the way it sparkles is out of this world. “The diamond lies flush so it doesn’t catch on things. ”

“Perfect for Poppy when she’s at work,” Sadie says, sounding giddy next to me.

“It’s beautiful,” I agree. I nod, staring at the ring. “That’s the one.”

The girls squeal and squeeze my arm, hugging me as I pay for the ring.

“Thanks for the help,” I say when we’re standing outside the store.

“Anytime,” Tru says.

“Let us know what else we can do to help,” Sadie says.

“I’m so proud of you, Bowie,” Elle says sincerely. “You picked a good one.” She pauses. “And I’m proud of you for having the sense to realize it.” She smirks and I laugh sheepishly.

“I don’t know if she’ll say yes, but I have to let her know that I hope with all my heart that she will.”

They all Awwww, and I head home, eager to get things ready.

I gave Mrs. McGregor the night off and asked Mom to take Becca out for a while. I know they’ll be eager to celebrate with us later, but for this, I want it to just be the two of us.

I prepared an easy meal that I know Poppy likes. I rarely cook with the ladies around, but I’m capable, and I just needed to do this for her.

When Poppy steps through the door, I almost forget the little speech I rehearsed. She looks tired but happy to be home, and when she sees me, she gives me a warm smile.

“Hey,” she says softly, leaning in for a kiss. I linger there, inhaling the scent of her hair, memorizing this moment. “You okay? You look…intense.”

“I’m good,” I smile, trying to chill the fuck out. The last thing I want to do is scare her. “I made dinner for us. Do you want to get comfortable and meet me on the deck?”

Her smile lights up the room. “That sounds perfect. I’ll be right back.”

When she comes back a few minutes later, I’m waiting for her at the small round table lit with candles and a vase of hydrangeas and roses from the yard. We sit and I pass her the pasta dish.

“This looks so good, Bowie. Thank you. It’s just us tonight?”

“Just us.”

She grins and I try to relax and ease into conversation, but I’m nervous. And she notices.

“You’re okay?” she asks when there’s a lull in conversation.

“I’m so good,” I say, wanting to snap myself out of the nerves but failing. “And you?”

“Still good,” she says, starting to look concerned.

I hop up and return with a small platter of chocolate-dipped strawberries. Her eyes widen.

“You’re spoiling me,” she says. She reaches for one, and I watch her savor it, my own mouth watering.

And then I remember the music. “Shit,” I say under my breath, hopping up again and rushing to turn on the music. My playlist, with everyone from James Arthur to Rihanna, is primed to set the mood.

When Calum Scott starts singing, “You are the Reason,” the timing is perfect.

She looks concerned when I sit back down. I lace my fingers with hers and inhale deeply, trying to gather courage.

“I know it’s been a whirlwind, you and me,” I say. “When I look at you, I see the woman who holds my heart. You have taken the empty spaces inside of me and filled them with light. I was living before you came into my life, but I wasn’t truly alive .”

Her eyes shimmer, her lips parting. When I rise from the chair and kneel in front of her, her breath catches. I reach into my pocket, pulling out the small velvet box, and open it to reveal the ring.

“I started putting this in motion before the weekend,” I tell her, wanting her to know this proposal has nothing to do with proving myself but everything to do with wanting her to be my wife. “I love you. I want to spend every day making you feel as cherished as you make me feel. You don’t have to say yes now,” I say, voice slightly unsteady, “but I’d marry you today if I could. I want you to know that my heart belongs to you, and I want our forever to start as soon as you say the word. Will you marry me, Poppy?”

“Bowie,” she whispers, her hand flying to cover her heart.

Her lips tremble and tears slip down her cheeks. She’s quiet for a moment, and I realize I’m holding my breath.

She reaches out, taking my face in her hands. “You’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted,” she says. “I love you so much. I knew the moment I saw you with Becca that I was in trouble.” She smiles and heat thrums through me. “I want to be your wife more than anything.”

“You do?” I rasp.

She doesn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

I slip the ring onto her finger, my hands shaking slightly. Then I stand and gather her against me. I kiss her forehead, her cheeks, and her lips, as we laugh.

“How long do we have before everyone gets home?” she asks.

“Not long enough,” I say, grinning against her skin .

She takes my hand and leads me upstairs to our room. “I can’t wait to tell Becca, but first I need to show you how much I missed you.”

We peel away our clothing as fast as we can. When we reach the edge of the bed, she gives me a soft shove and laughs when I pretend like she’s knocked me out.

“Wow, I didn’t realize my strength,” she says, laughing.

I lean up and put my hands on her stomach, leaning in to kiss it. “Hey there, little coconut,” I say softly.

I kiss her belly, my hands going up to her tits. They’re so sensitive lately that sometimes she comes from me playing with her nipples alone.

I swirl my tongue around them one at a time, and her legs buckle. I steady her and lean back, guiding her over me. She looks like a goddess with her hair falling over her breasts and grazing her baby bump. I tug her forward.

“I need you up here, Wicked Stella.” I tilt my head back. “On my face.”

She gasps. “I’ll suffocate you.”

“Please suffocate me.” I point to the headboard. “You can hold on there or here.” I point to my hair. “Growing it out just because I miss you pulling it,” I say roughly. “And that bet I lost was with Rhodes. He bet that I’d be married within six months—not that you have to marry me that soon,” I hurry to add, “but I conceded when I realized how much I hoped that would come true.”

Her eyes get all melty and I grin.

She shifts so her tits are at eye level and I lavish them. I can feel how wet she is on my chest and when she starts rubbing against me, I lift her so she’s on my mouth. Her head falls back with her moan and I savagely suck on her clit until her thighs are shaking. Her pussy is greedy and I give her everything she wants. When I twist her nipple as she’s starting to flutter against my tongue, she screams my name. Her hands fist my hair as she bucks against me, riding it out until she’s limp.

Then I lower her and her head falls into the crook of my neck. I let her catch her breath for a second, my tip bumping her impatiently, as I try to tell my lower half to behave and have some manners.

“Yes, please,” she says when my cock bobs again, and that’s all the invitation I need.

I glide into her and she’s so ready, so eager. She lifts off of me and then slams back into me, pulling a hoarse cry out of me.

“So good, Poppy,” I rumble. “Do whatever you want with me. I’m yours.”

She goes faster, her breath rasping as she chases her pleasure, and I fucking love it. I love seeing her wild and hungry for me. It’s the best feeling in the whole fucking world. I pump up into her and her head falls back. I take a fist full of her hair and hold on for dear life as I fill her as deep as I can go. Her orgasm creates a call and response. She calls and I follow, spasms shooting through me as I spill into her. My lips find hers and we kiss and kiss and kiss as I keep pulsing inside of her.

“Daddy, Poppy! You wrestle now?” Becca says, sticking her head in the door.

Poppy squeaks and I yank the comforter over us faster than lightning.

“I’m giving your dad a massage,” Poppy says under the covers.

“I…pulled a muscle…lifting boxes for the nursery. We’ll be right out, Becca. Go get a snack and Poppy and I will come out soon. My massage is almost done,” I finish weakly .

“Okay,” Becca says happily, closing the door.

Poppy’s head pops out of the comforter and she looks mortified.

“What just happened ?” she whispers.

I press my lips together. “I’m glad if she saw an ass at all that it was yours and not mine. But hopefully she didn’t see anything.” My fingers rub my eyes and I try to scrub the image away of my daughter walking in on us. “She didn’t, right?”

My lips twitch.

“You pulled a muscle?” Poppy says, voice cracking. And then her shoulders shake in silent laughter. “I am so embarrassed,” she wheezes. “God, please give her temporary amnesia over anything she might’ve seen,” she prays, and then I’m laughing too.

We clutch each other as I laugh into her shoulder. As soon as I think I’m past it, I get hit with another round of hysteria.

“Definitely got to lock the door next time,” I barely manage to get out.

When we finally get our bearings and put our clothes back on, we go downstairs. I half expect to be chewed out by my mom, but she acts like nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Mrs. McGregor is here despite having the night off, and for a second, I wonder if she’ll scold me too. Becca is eating a banana and holds out one for me and Poppy.

Poppy looks at me tentatively and I lift my shoulder. Maybe we’re in the clear.

And then Becca puts her hand on her chest and says, “When we wrestle, I wear clothes!”

I can’t look at Poppy. I can’t. My eyes are round with the effort to not burst out laughing again. When I do look at Poppy, her face burns as she presses her lips together .

“Clothes, got it,” I manage, voice strangled, while Poppy coughs to cover a snort.

Becca smiles, pleased with her suggestion.

“Oh!” Poppy yelps. “We have news.”

“Oh my God, only being caught giving massages could sidetrack me from the news,” I say under my breath, sending Poppy into another round of giggles.

She elbows my side and I put my arms around her, pulling her back against my chest.

I hold up her hand and wave it, ring out, to Becca and my mom and Mrs. McGregor. It takes a minute for them to all notice and when they do, they rush toward us.

“Poppy’s going to be my wife,” I say, feeling elated all over again. “She said yes.”

“You get married like Tru and Henley and Elle and Rhodes and Sadie and Weston!” Becca yells. “I wear a pretty pink dress!”

“We might actually beat Henley and Tru down the aisle, who knows?” I say, lifting my shoulder. “But yes. We’re getting married and you’ll wear a pretty pink dress.”

“Yay!” Becca says, pumping her fist in the air.

I lean in and kiss Poppy’s head and then we all hug each other.

I think maybe all I’ve gone through in my life, the pain, the feeling of rejection…all of it has been worth it to know how to appreciate this now. It’s why I’d marry her today if I could. Now that I know what it’s like to feel this complete, I want to bask in it forever and never let it go.

Poppy and I celebrate again when we get to our room, this time with the door locked. And then I text the guys before we fall asleep.

Poppy Keane said she’ll marry me .

“Watch this,” I tell Poppy, holding up my phone. Her eyes widen when it goes crazy with notifications.

Penn

WHAT THE FUCK. WHAT IS HAPPENING? WE ARE THE SINGLE DAD PLAYERS.

Rhodes

Holy shit, I am the happiest motherfucker who ever lived. And Penn, let’s not start, okay? We all know how you’ve hassled us over that name from the beginning. Get with the times, man. We are growing up.

Penn

Anyone who says get with the times has a foot in the grave.

Weston

LMAO. Ahhh, this is the best news. Sadie just came to see why I was yelling in the kitchen and I told her. She said she helped you pick out the ring with Elle and Tru. What the hell? If I weren’t so happy for you, I’d be offended.

Ask the professionals or ask you dumb asses, you do the math.

Rhodes

Whatever. I’ll have you know Elle is obsessed with what I picked out for her.

Henley

Bowie, this is the BEST! I am so fucking happy and proud of us right now. You’ll get there, Penn.

Penn

How many times do I have to say I DON’T WANT TO GET THERE. But I love you guys. Happy for you, Bow.

We laugh about Penn and I close my eyes, feeling happier than I can ever remember feeling.