Free Trust by J. C. Valentine Page A

is.”
    Poppy frowned as she tried to decipher his meaning. Never breaking eye contact, Felix called softly over his shoulder and Bo came trotting into the room wearing a big, dopey grin and a wide black ribbon tied around his neck. Et tu, Bo-Bo?
    “He’s been practicing .” Felix smiled nervously as Bo came to stand at his side and plopped his butt down on the floor. Tugging on one side of the ribbon, Felix held his hand out as it unraveled. Poppy gasped into her hands, as a glittering diamond ring tumbled into his palm.
    “My presentation is a little off since I had to rush it a bit, but this is what I have been working on. This is the reason I have been putting in extra hours at work, leaving early and coming home late…lying to you.” His voice dropped off and Poppy found herself looking deep into the vast ocean of love swimming in his dark eyes. “Poppy, Gianna is my jeweler.” And suddenly, everything became so clear, Poppy felt the urge to laugh. “Will you forgive me?” He held the ring out to her and Poppy choked on fresh tears.
    Looking at Bo, she realized why he was smiling. He was just as happy as she was at that moment. “How did you get inside without h im killing you?” she asked. Bo panted happily, as she patted the top of his head.
    “I bought him off with a giant barbeque bone.”
    “Men. So easily swayed.” Poppy shook her head at the both of them. Her gaze landed on the ring that Felix continued to hold up between them. “So this is what you were doing the whole time?”
    “This was what I was doing.”
    “And you weren’t sleeping with that woman?”
    “No, never. She’s an old friend, and she’s the best in the business, so I called in a favor. Nothing more.” Rising, Felix eased down beside her and caressed the side of her face. “You’re the only woman I want.”
    Her heart soared with his words. She knew without a doubt that he was telling her the truth, but there were still so many things they needed to work out. “What about the condo?”
    “I don’t care about the condo. I care about you. If you want to live in the country, then I’m on board with that. As long as we’re together, it doesn’t matter where we live.”
    He was saying all the right things, everything she wanted to hear, which gave her pangs of guilt. “I’m sorry I didn’t give you a chance to explain.”
    Sliding his hand behind her neck, Felix pulled her closer and pressed her head against his chest. She could feel his heart pounding beneath her cheek and knew he was feeling as mixed up as she was. “You don’t need to be sorry about anything. I’m the one who screwed up. I should have told you the truth from the beginning. We could have avoided all of this.”
    They sat in silence, holding each other, finding strength in each other’s arms until both their hearts calmed and the danger had passed. Poppy drew back just enough to maintain contact but to still be able to look into his eyes. “Thank you for telling me the truth, even though it took you forever.”
    Felix grinned. “Thank you for not calling the cops on me. I’ve never been to jail before, but I hear it kind of sucks.”
    “Thank you for loving me.”
    “No problem. You make it pretty easy to do.”
    Poppy pinched his side lightly. “That’s not the answer I was looking for.”
    Bending his head, Felix dropped a quick kiss to her lips. “I know.” Releasing her, he slid off the bed and dropped down onto one knee. “I love you, Poppy Montgomery. I love you to heaven and back again, with all of my heart and soul. I swear never to lie to you again. If you look fat in a dress, I promise to tell you.” She slapped his arm playfully and they both laughed. “So what do you say? Will you put me out of my misery and be my wife?”
    Poppy was smiling so widely, it felt like her face would crack apart. “Well, if it will help you out…sure.”
    Felix pounced on her, throwing her back on the bed and covering her with his body. Poppy