He wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. "You're too good to me, Poppy."
She knelt down and sat on his lap, her arms wrapping around his neck in a deep embrace. Her frame was light on his knee, and the slight curve of her waist fit perfectly with his arms. "I'm too good to you?" she murmured, a hint of incredulousness in her voice. "Francis, you chose me over V..." She hesitated, and although her tone was originally joking, there was a level of insecurity to it. She cleared her throat. "You chose me. There's no way I can repay that."
"Of course I chose you," he said, kissing the side of her neck. "And you don't have to repay me. There's no debt owed. I would choose you over everyone else any day."
She turned her head to face his, her lips brushing his skin. "Well," she said quietly. "You say that now, but I know there would have been a time where that would be a difficult decision. I guess I'm just saying thank you." She kissed him again, more deeply this time. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me," he said easily, brushing her cheek with his hand. "You don't need to. You saved me."
She squinted at him for a moment, and he would be able to feel her heartbeat under her skin. Unable to find the right words, she kissed him again, her lips soft and insistent. "I love you," she murmured against his mouth between kisses.
"I love you too," he replied quietly, his hands slipping over her shoulders. His actions with smooth and languid, but thought out at the same time. "More than anything else."
Her hands played with his hair as they embraced, and she rested her head on his shoulder, her face turned into his neck. "Oh really?" she murmured, and he would be able to feel the smile on her lips as she kissed him. "More than chocolate?"
"Okay," she said, "that's crazy. I know how much you love coffee. I don't think you have enough love in you to love another thing that much."
"I have enough love to give. You're more important than coffee. Trust me." He chuckled, his hand lightly rubbing her back as he held her.
"Good. Coffee comes second. You'll always come first, no matter what," he said softly. "Even though coffee is ready good. You're better."
She laughed against his neck, her skin warm and a slight flush on her cheeks. "That's the highest compliment I will ever receive from you."
"Is that what you think?" he asked, a smile on his face. "So you think coffee is that important in my life? I'm offended."
"Not any one that is that personal," she said seriously, kissing his nose. "This is a big deal to me."
"Is it?" he asked, gently kissing her neck. "I'll take note. Now I know how to compliment you perfectly."
"You know how to make my heart flutter, I must admit," she said coyly, sighing slightly as he kissed her.
