Out of habit, I glance down the bar to where Brandy stood earlier.“You saw that?”
“I was about five feet away, ready to intervene, when Hope chased her off.She doesn’t get to hassle you.No fucking way.”
I meet his familiar blue gaze.“She said they’re making her pay a fine, and she might go to jail if she can’t.The Fishbowl was closed by the fire marshal indefinitely due to public safety issues.”
“She’s not getting a single bit of sympathy from me.”
“I know.But still ...”
“Look, finish doing your thing, and we’ll talk about this later.”
I turn, ready to do what he says because I can’t wait to get out of here tonight, but I pause and look back at him.
“You didn’t need to babysit me.I talked to Hope.She can give me a ride.”
“I said I’d be here, and I’m a man of my word.First thing I’m gonna make sure you understand is that when I say I’m gonna do something, I do it.”Boone pauses thoughtfully.“There’s a matter of a few orgasms outstanding that I owe you too, and I’ll deliver on those as well.”
I look both ways down the bar, hoping no one else overheard him.
“You can’t say stuff like that to me here.”I lower my voice to a whisper-yell.“I’m at work!”
Boone doesn’t bother to check the surroundings.He rises from his stool and leans over the bar so our faces are only inches apart.“I don’t give a damn who hears me say that I’m taking you home tonight.You’re my girl, and it’s about time I show you exactly what that means.I’m gonna spoil you, Ripley Fischer.It’s about damn time someone did, and I’m privileged to have the opportunity.”
My heart slams into my chest, and I have no idea how to respond.
Boone takes advantage of my momentary speechlessness to wrap a hand around the back of my neck and slide his lips along mine.
“Kiss me, sugar.I’ve missed the taste of you.”
Oh God.I’ve missed the taste of him too.I know I should pull away, but I can’t find the strength.
“Good girl,” Boone mumbles before his tongue dives inside and there’s no talking at all.
I lose myself in the kiss for a few seconds before someone wolf-whistles.
“Get ’er done!”
I jerk back, and Boone releases his hold on me.
“I’ll be waiting out back.”
There’s no question of whether I’m leaving with Boone.That’s done and settled.Now, the only question is what happens next.
Do I use this as my chance to say good-bye?
16
Boone
Iopenthe truck’s door for Ripley, then wrap both hands around her waist and lift her into the cab.It’s not like she can’t do it herself, but I like having my hands on her, and it’s been too damn long.
When I climb into the driver’s seat and start the engine, Ripley says two words that change my plans.
“Your place.”
I look over at her.“You sure?”
She gives me a nod, and I decide that I’m not about to argue with her.