I closed my eyes and rested my face against his forehead. I could never be close enough to him.
“I love you, Poppy,” I murmured.
He whimpered, his voice thick with emotion. “I love you, too.”
Together in my dark bedroom, the rest of the world didn’t exist. It was only the two of us snuggled up beneath the warmcovers, breathing each other’s air as we tangled in each other’s embrace.
14
Poppy
The next morning,I felt completely at ease.
A long-held tension in my chest had evaporated overnight. Waking up in Viol’s arms filled me with serenity I didn’t know was possible for someone as anxious as me. But even my anxiety seemed quieter than normal, like Viol’s presence kept it in check.
As we slowly roused, bathed in soft morning light, we smiled at each other. Viol kissed my forehead. I giggled, overcome with joy first thing in the morning. Heck, I would’ve assumed I was still in a dream if I didn’t have to pee so badly.
“Screw breakfast,” Viol said, carding his fingers through my bedhead. “Let’s stay here all day. You and me.” He pressed a series of kisses to my forehead and temple. “Just the two of us.”
I smiled. “We can’t do that.”
“Why?”
“Because your family and my friends are all nosy,” I reminded him. “They’ll wonder where we are, then barge in.”
Viol groaned. “Shit, you’re right. There’s no privacy with these people. Guess we need to make a public appearance to stave ‘em off, huh?”
“There seems to be no choice,” I agreed, trying not to burst into another laughing fit.
Viol grinned as he peeled back the blankets and rolled out of bed. “What’s with you this morning? You’re so giggly.”
I remained sprawled in bed. I stretched out my arms and legs, then shuddered at the pleasant feeling that followed.
“I’m just happy,” I said.
Viol looked glad to hear it. He gave me a fond look, then helped me out of bed. “C’mon. Let’s get you dressed. Although, uh, I guess you’re wearing more of my clothes today.”
I perked up. I was suddenly grateful all my belongings were back at the hotel, because I loved wearing Viol’s clothes.
But then I remembered theotherimportant thing I’d left behind.
“Ah,” I said, turning to Viol. “My suitcase.”
“Oh, right. Let me check on it.”
As he opened the bedroom door, my suitcase—which had been leaning against it—fell on the floor. He picked it up with one hand and carried it inside the room.
“Huh. Somebody at the hotel must’ve delivered it to our room overnight.” He blushed. “My room? Our room.”
I giggled, then sank to the floor beside the suitcase, eager to open it up. “Come here, Viol. There’s something I want to show you.”
Raising a curious brow, Viol stood next to me and watched as I undid the zipper.
I pulled out an old stuffed bear. Then a beanbag-style plushie in the shape of a cat.
Viol’s eyes slowly widened as I unloaded my suitcase, filling the space around me with plush toys.
“Poppy, are these all yours?” he murmured. I heard the fascination and intrigue in his voice—as a plushie hoarder, he couldn’t help but be interested.
