Trust by J. C. Valentine Read Free Book Online Page B

and sanity in her life, so she prayed it did the same for him. Felix worked so hard to make everyone happy. He deserved to have something in his life that would make him happy, too.
    Everyone should have that.
    Golf though? She didn’t understand that one, but to each their own.
    For her part, Poppy made her specialty: filet mignon with roasted baby potatoes and steamed green beans. With the food plated up and ready to serve, she went through the living room and bedroom, lighting the dozens upon dozens of candles she picked up at the craft store that afternoon.
    She was going for a soft, seductive atmosphere. Not to mention, she looked damn good in candlelight.
    After all the candles were lit, Poppy took a look around at her handiwork. The condo glowed with warm, flickering lights. The tables and floors gleamed like water in the moonlight. The air smelled of spices with undertones of gardenia from the candles. She smiled to herself, deeming her efforts a success.
    Glancing at the clock, she noted the time: just after five. Felix promised he would be home by six, but that he had to swing by the condo to pick up some business papers first. She planned to be waiting for him. With an hour commute, he was cutting it close, but little did he know he wouldn’t be making that drive tonight.
    Checking on Bo, she found him curled up on the bed in the guest room, his head propped on one of the pillows. Since moving in, he’d claimed the room as his. His ears perked and he cracked one eye open to look at her. With a huff, he went back to sleep. Quietly, Poppy closed the door, leaving a small crack in case he wanted out later, then walked into the master bedroom to change.
    She had picked out a sassy, sexy schoolgirl outfit for tonight. The woman at the lingerie store had assured her it was one of their top sellers, and she could see why. The red and black plaid skirt barely covered her, and the black boy shorts underneath more than exposed the bottom half of her cheeks. The top was black with cap sleeves and instead of buttons, it tied between her breasts. After dressing and making sure all her bits and pieces her plumped and perfect, Poppy studied her figure in the floor length mirror mounted to the back of the door. Pigtails or leave her hair down?
    She fussed with her hair for an inordinate amount of time, unable to decide which style to go with. That’s when she heard the keys in the lock. Rushing to grab her robe, Poppy slipped her arms inside the sleeves as she sped down the hall. It looked like she was leaving her hair down tonight.
    In the living room, her eyes darted frantically. She should have planned this better, given herself more time. As the locks clicked, she threw herself across the couch, flipped onto her side, and propped her head in her hand. She was breathing heavily, her skin felt a little clammy from the burst of adrenalin, but she had a smile in place and was ready for anything.
    Anything but that.
    The door swung open at the same time Poppy heard the woman’s sharp laugh. Her smile melted as she watched Felix step inside. The smile on his face fell as confusion set in. He took a look around, seeing all the candles she’d laid out. He noted every one of them, and when his gaze finally landed on her, she witnessed the exact moment his brain shouted Oh, shit!
    The woman was still laughing and yapping away, but Poppy didn’t hear a word. She was too busy dying. He’d brought a woman home. To their home. No, to his home. To his condo. So this was why he didn’t want to sell it.
    “Poppy.”
    The sound of her name snapped her out of her daze. Poppy threw her legs over the side of the couch and popped to her feet. “You’re a fucking bastard.”
    Sick to her stomach, her eyes burning with unshed tears, Poppy flew toward the bedroom. Felix shouted as he ran after her. His commands were briefly shut out when she slammed the bedroom door behind her, but he refused to leave her alone.
    Throwing open the door,