“Surprise,” he said, looking quite pleased with himself.
“When did you get this?”she asked, mystified.
“One of the guys did me a favor.I texted Coop when we went back to the office last night.He left it with your doorman.He also says I owe him a favor,” Boone added with a chuckle.“Can’t wait until he calls that one in.I’ll probably be delivering him emergency condoms or something.”
Radley laughed.“That sounds about right.You should’ve woken me up,” she said, noting he was already dressed.Then again, he didn’t have any other clothes or pajamas.Boone wore the same outfit he’d had on yesterday.
“You needed your sleep,” he countered.
She reached for a coffee cup then stiffened, her hand going to her side.
Boone cursed, moving toward her.He untied the sash of her robe, letting it fall open, and inspected her skin.The bruising on her side was even darker than it had been the night before—an ugly, bluish-purple that had grown in size.It hurt more, too.
“Hell, Radley,” he murmured.
“It looks much worse than it feels,” she said.
Boone scoffed.“You just winced in pain reaching for a damn coffee cup.I should’ve been more gentle with you last night,” he said, looking chagrined.
“You shouldn’t have,” she countered.
“But—”
“No buts.I’m a big girl, Boone,” she said, retying her robe.“I told you to make love to me because that’s what I wanted—needed.And,” she added, trying to soothe him.“It hurts a lot more today.I promise you weren’t hurting me last night—far from it.”
“I still hate that asshole for even touching you.And to attack you in your own building?He’s a fucking dead man.”Still muttering a curse, Boone turned, handing her the coffee cup she’d been reaching for.Radley took a sip, smiling.“Please tell me you’re going to start making me coffee every morning.I’m more of a night owl.”
“So I gathered.And anytime you want me here, that’s where I’ll be.”He glanced down at what he was wearing.“I’ll have to swing by my place later to grab some more clothes.I’ve got a duffle bag in my truck with some clean gym clothes, so I can wear those in the meantime.”
“Yeah, no sense doing the walk of shame heading into the office,” she teased.
Boone chuckled, the sound a low rumble that made her insides do a funny little flip.Even now, just out of bed, Boone was sexy as hell.Dark stubble coated his jaw, and he looked deliciously rumpled from sleep.“The guys know I spent the night here.I’m also damn sure I don’t give a shit.”
“You did warn them to leave me alone,” she said agreeably.Radley flashed him a sly look.“Xaden’s never going to let us hear the end of this.”
“Don’t I know it,” he said.
“Any word from Holt?”she asked.
Boone nodded, growing more serious again.“The local police went to Mike Cameron’s place in Virginia.No surprise—he was gone.I’m guessing he’s still around the Seattle area,” Boone added darkly.
“So, I have a roommate for the time being?”she joked.
“Oh, we’re definitely going to be more than roommates,” he said huskily.“And if you weren’t hurt, I’d be carrying you back to bed right about now.”
“Such a shame that I’ll have to shower and dress myself then,” she said coyly.“I was hoping you’d help.You know, since I’m injured and all,” she said, her hands going to the sash on her satin robe.
Boone’s eyes heated, and he moved toward her, kissing her slow and sweet.“You’re a tease, Radley.”
“That’s what you love about me.Not love,” she hastily corrected herself.
“You sure about that?”he questioned.
Radley gaped at him in surprise, but then Boone was moving down the hallway, a man on a mission, leaving her heart racing as she stood barefoot in the kitchen.“I’m starting the shower!”he called out.“Better hurry if you want to see me naked, Rad.”
Radley stood there dazed a moment, wondering what had just happened.Boone never did what she expected.Never.
And that was something she was learning to love about him, too.