Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Apprehension ripples over Boone’s face. “Noticed what?”
I struggle to find the right words. “He seems off. Like I know he can be a pistol when he wants, but you know he’s mostly an affable kid, even when he’s sick. But he’s been a little quieter… a little withdrawn. Tired… he’s been sleeping more. At first I thought, maybe Dad coming out of rehab threw things off a bit. Trying to settle back into a new routine. I don’t know. It’s just a feeling.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Boone asks, and there’s no hiding the chastisement in his tone. “This has been going on since Monday and now it’s Wednesday.”
“I didn’t want to bother you. You had a playoff game yesterday. Your family’s visiting. You have another game tomorrow. I want you focused and here you are, carving out some time just for us and I don’t want you to have to worry.”
Boone’s hand comes up to grip my jaw and I can see he’s not happy. “You should worry me, Lilly. I’m part of your life. You’re mine, so you do not hold back on me. Aiden’s mine too, so any concern you have about him is mine as well. Do not take that from me.”
I suck in a harsh breath because those words threaten to steal all the oxygen from my lungs. He’s not being charming or a white knight—he really means it. Aiden and I belong to him and it’s offensive to his sensibilities that I don’t acknowledge that.
My arms go around Boone and I press my face into his neck, his beard prickling at my skin. “I’m sorry. I truly didn’t want to bother you because of the playoffs but I promise I’ll keep you in the loop.”
His hand comes to the back of my head to hold me there. “I’ve got strong shoulders, baby. I’ve got all the capacity in the world to carry my job and care for you and Aiden. It’s not just a want to help you with this stuff—I need to. So give it to me.”
I nod silently, giving him my agreement. I’ll let him be my partner in all these ways because I can tell how much it means to him. Obviously, it’s a life-changing event for me but I can’t find the words to express my gratitude. So instead, I run my lips up the side of his neck, to his jaw, to his mouth. Adjusting on his lap, I kiss him.
Boone groans when I slip my tongue into his mouth and his hands go to my hips where he shifts my body into a straddle on his lap. It’s the perfect position for me to kiss him deeper, my hands slipping into his hair to grip tight. Desire coils low in my belly as I feel Boone’s cock thicken under me.
He takes me by the shoulders and pushes me back to break the kiss. His eyes are hot, fevered. “If we want to make our reservations, we need to leave now. Five more seconds of kissing like that, and I’m going to haul you back to your bedroom to fuck you.”
That wouldn’t be a first. We’ve spent probably the same amount of time here in my apartment as we have his, trying to figure out our crazy schedules and when we can be together around it.
Tonight was supposed to be a date night. He spent time with his family today and he has game two tomorrow. Dad is staying the evening with Aiden. We’ve kept me on day duty since I’m more familiar with his treatment and talking to his doctors. I fully expected Aiden to complain about Dad staying in the evenings since he didn’t like me doing it, but he hasn’t said a word about it all week. It’s another reason I feel like he’s off but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
“I lost you,” Boone says softly, leaning in to press a kiss to my cheek. “Let’s get up and go to dinner, okay?”
“No,” I exclaim, jolting out of my ruminations. I press my forehead against his and whisper, “I want you to haul me back to my bedroom and fuck me.”
“Christ,” Boone mutters as he launches us both off the couch. My legs go around his waist as he strides down the short hallway. “Will your dad be home anytime soon?”
“He shouldn’t,” I reply, my head spinning as he executes a sharp left into my bedroom. “But better lock the door, in case.”
It’s sexy as hell as Boone puts one hand under my ass to hold me to him and locks the door with the other, but it’s another level of panty-melting when he pins me against it to kiss me so thoroughly, my toes curl. His mouth is covetous, devouring and dominant. I submit to it so easily, totally trusting this man to be the one person I can give up complete control to.