Chapter 20 Poppy
TWENTY
Poppy
Despite loving being naked and fucked at every opportunity, I slip on the red silk dress that Tristan bought me to wear.
According to Vance, Tristan has never celebrated Christmas before now, so I am going to wear the hell out of this dress and dazzle them with the stunning jewelry they bought for me.
I fluff my curls, apply a shine of red gloss to my lips, then pair my dress with black stilettos because both my men love heels.
When I leave the bedroom, joy unfolds inside my stomach, contentment practically vibrating through me.
When I left here to go back to Josh’s to collect my things, I had no real plan. At the time, the crashing reality that I might’ve had to return to my mother’s and would never see Tristan or Vance again was like being held under water, the possibility suffocating.
“Wow.” Tristan whistles as I do a little turn to give him the full effect.
“Wow yourself.” I sigh, taking in his suit. He embodies everything I’ve ever wanted. It still doesn’t feel real, him wanting me the way I want him.
Embracing me in his arms, he burrows into my neck, inhaling my scent like it’s the air he needs to fill his lungs. Releasing me, he tugs me to the couch and picks up the stocking with Good Girl emblazoned across it, warming my insides. It’s my favorite name that they use for me.
“You forgot one of your gifts.” Tristan takes my hand in his, turning it palm up while tipping the stocking until a little box hits my hand.
My heart rate skyrockets. No way is this a ring.
What would I say if it were?
No. That’s ridiculous. I bite my lip to stop from snorting at my own stupid thoughts.
“Open it.” He winks at me, but there’s an anxious energy in his posture, his jaw tightening and his fingers drumming against his thigh.
Nerves dance in my tummy as I pull off the ribbon and tear through the paper. Inside is a black box that I creak open hesitantly. Heart slamming against my rib cage, my fingers brush over the key, lying on a black silk pillow. When I look up, I find Tristan smiling.
“I’ve never wanted to give this to any woman before you.
” He takes it from the pillow and places it in my palm, urging me to close my fingers around it.
“I know it’s soon and fucking crazy, but I’ve never been surer of anything than I am of us.
Of you, me, and Vance. Call this your home, let us be your home. ”
Tears burn the back of my eyes as I throw my arms around him, not wanting to ever let him go.
“Is that a yes?” He chuckles.
“Yes.” I sniffle, his arms tightening around me.
I’m home.
Vance’s voice sounds bored as he moves closer to us, looking at his FaceTime call. “No, Mother, we’re having dinner at home.”
Tristan releases me then uses the pads of his thumbs to wipe the tears from my cheeks.
Vance rolls his eyes at something his mother says. Last night, while we took a bath together, he told me how his family wants to pick out his wife and run his life. He warned me that this call was coming—they’d informed him they had news.
“I’m not alone mother, I’m with Tristan.” He turns the screen toward us.
“Hello, Mrs. Emerson.” Tristan waves.
“Oh, Tristan! How often have I told you to call me Val?” She lifts her chin, causing the wrinkles around her furrowed brow to pinch. Aside from that, all I can see on the screen is that she has shoulder-length brown hair and wears a pearl necklace. “Who is this?” She asks, her gaze slipping to me.
“Hello, Val.” I tentatively raise a hand, flashing her my biggest grin until her face drops at me using her first name.
“This is my girlfriend,” Tristan announces, causing my heart to leap in my chest. I can’t help my megawatt smile as I turn to him, nodding my head when he seems to tilt his in question. I just agreed to live here, so being called girlfriend shouldn’t feel as fantastic as it does.
“How wonderful. I’ve never seen you with a girlfriend before, Tristan. Perhaps you two can join Vance and Rebecca for dinner. I just informed him of the news, that Rebecca is coming to visit friends in the city.”
“Mother, I told you, I’m not interested in having dinner with Rebecca.” Vance brushes a hand through his hair, his teeth grinding causing a muscle to jump in his jawline.
“She’s coming to the city. It would be awful if you didn’t at least show her around, Vance.”
“No,” he states firmly, flitting his gaze to me. Jealousy, green and putrid, begins churning in my stomach. Vance is mine.
“Tristan and his girlfriend will attend with you,” Val proclaims like she has authority over all of us.
“She’s not only Tristan’s girlfriend, Mother,” Vance informs her, and Tristan freezes beside my solidified form. The burning jealousy ebbs away, replaced by butterflies.
Taking my hand, Tristan drags me over to where Vance has the screen pointed at himself. Tristan claps him on the shoulder, in a show of support. He’s proud of Vance.
“Apologies, sweetheart. I thought Tristan said she was his girlfriend. Is she just a friend of his?”
“No, Mother. She’s both of ours. She’s our girlfriend.” A full garden of elation blooms inside me, every corner of my soul warming like it’s beneath beams of sunlight.
There’s a beat of tense silence and then a grumbled, “Well, does this girlfriend have a name?”
“Angel,” Vance replies as Tristan says, “Poppy.”
I turn the phone to face me, hovering my finger over the end call button.
“Actually, it’s Good Girl.”
Call ended.
Thanks for reading!!
I hope you enjoyed this little holiday treat.
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