He wants me to spoon him,I realized as my heart took off in another rapid-fire sprint.
With trembling hands, I lifted the covers and crawled beneath them. Immediately I was greeted by the cozy, snug warmth of Poppy’s body. I closed the space between us until my chest was flush against his back. I couldn’t even take a breath without drawing in a lungful of Poppy’s scent. Comfort and bliss washed over me. I was instantly intoxicated.
He’s so warm. And he smells so good...
Pressing against Poppy was like a salve that erased all my balled-up anxiety and nerves. The twisted knots in my chest unraveled and floated away.
Yet as my stress disappeared, a different tension built within me. A low, throbbing hum at the base of my spine. One that I couldn’t contain for very long in this intimate position...
“Viol,” Poppy said softly. “Will you put your arms around me?”
I clenched my eyes shut.
He’s killing me...
“Yeah. I can,” I replied.
I reached one arm around Poppy’s shoulder and tucked the other beneath his neck so they crossed against his chest. He sighed peacefully, resting his hands on my arms.
“It feels safe like this,” he murmured.
I closed my eyes, nodding. I shared that feeling, but I was too focused on preventing my arousal to chime in. I didn’t want Poppy to think I was some horny asshole who assumed cuddling in bed automatically led to something more...
Think wholesome thoughts,I ordered myself.Think about... little bunnies. Cute kittens. Shit, I don’t fucking know!
When I opened my eyes, Poppy was staring at me over his shoulder. Expectantly. Almost impatiently.
Poppy wasneverimpatient.
“Wh-what?” I asked.
“Are you... oh, what’s that word... are youtrollingme?”
My brows scrunched up in confusion. “Huh?”
Poppy blew out a frustrated breath, almost pouting. “I want to be touched. By you. Only you.”
My eyes widened as his statement washed over me.
I wasn’t imagining things. Poppy wanted this.
The heat seeping through my body rose to a low simmer. I angled my face forward so our cheeks brushed together, and we both felt the sparks from that simple touch. Poppy exhaled a small, shaky breath, while I felt it as an electric shock in my core.
I kissed his cheek. Just like in our youth, his skin was unbearably soft, as if my mouth were sinking into a cloud.
“Viol,” he murmured.
A shiver rolled down my back. My skin felt sensitive, charged; every word and touch ready to ignite me.
“I’m here, Poppy,” I promised, kissing his cheek again.
He let out a content sound and leaned into me, open and willing for whatever I had to give. My heart clenched.
How long had he wanted this? And how long had I been too stupid to see it?
I danced my hand below his collarbone, playing with the fabric of my shirt. Poppy sighed. I didn’t need to hear him speak to know he enjoyed it.
My heart raced as I cautiously raised my fingers towards the shirt collar, then dipped below it to the bare plane of Poppy’s chest. He let out another small sound as he arched against me in silent encouragement.
