Page 11 of The One Who Saw Her: Boone

Her mom had always handed out advice too, but it came with fine print—warnings disguised as wisdom, cynicism dressed up as experience, the shadow of a bitter divorce she'd never fully let go of. Rea's guidance felt nothing like that. It felt like someone who'd survived the hard things and chosen optimism anyway.

And as the older woman hummed triumphantly while rolling out another batch of biscuits, Vivi thought that with Lady Rea in her corner, maybe—just maybe—there was room for the kind of magic she hadn't thought to hope for.

4

Boone froze in the doorway, hands in his pockets, and instantly regretted every life choice that led him to this moment. Vivi was in his kitchen smiling.

She and his Nan were laughing like they’d known each other forever, soap bubbles floating through the sunlight like the whole thing made perfect sense.

The sight hit him like a fist he hadn't braced for—and didn’t like it. Not one bit. He zeroed in on that showstopper of a body—a body he knew more intimately than he should—that had been under his roof, in his bed, and tangled in his sheets. He could still feel the weight of her tit in his hand.

Fuck, he was in trouble.

He cleared his throat, hoping to announce his presence. Vivi spun around, cheeks pink and eyes sparkling like she'd just been caught doing something scandalous. Rea didn't react at all, only smiled slowly, as if he'd arrived exactly on cue.

Boone wanted to growl, but he settled on a scowl. He also wanted to storm back outside and take a long ride down to the river. But what he wanted above all else? Was to stop noticing the way she looked standing in his kitchen like she'd always been there. Instead, he planted his boots on the floor.

"Why are you still here?" he asked, arms crossed tighter than his patience.

"Maybe I like the smell of hot biscuits and victory in the morning." Her voice was light and he eyes glinting with sass.

“Great. She’s funny too,” he muttered under his breath.

Rea walked to the table and settled into her chair like the queen of all she surveyed. "Don't let him fool you. He's secretly enjoying this far more than he'll ever admit."

He ignored this and instead directed his irritation at Vivi. "You're in my kitchen.”

CHAPTER 5

Rea waved him off like he was a minor inconvenience in her perfectly staged world. "Oh, darling, don't let the domestic bliss blind you."

It wasn't the domestic bliss doing a number on him. It was the woman in the apron. He could still feel the way her silk fine hair felt draped over his body or how her ass nestled up against his dick. Hadn't been able to shake it. Or maybe it was because he hadn’t tried hard enough.

By the flush on her cheeks, she was remembering it too.

Good. Misery loved company.

Vivi stepped forward. "I'm not leaving, so you can save your bellowing for someone else."

“Bellowing? I don't bellow."

"Darling," Rea said pleasantly. "You're bellowing."

"Christ." He dragged a hand down the back of his neck. These two were going to be the death of him. "I came in to say she can stay."

"Don't be rude,” Vivi said. “The she in question is standing right here. Address me."

Boone wanted to scream but he was afraid to be accused of bellowing again. He glowered instead. while stepping fully into the room.

“You can stay.” Then to Rea. “But she’s your responsibility.”

“Old news, Boone,” Rea said, clapping her hands like she’s announcing the weather. “She’s staying in your room. You'll take the guest quarters."

“What?” he barked. “It’s basically a room above the barn.”

“It’s cozy."

The guest quarters above the barn were what realtors might generously describe as rustic charm and Boone called barely standing. The place still smelled of hay and horse, the floorboards groaned like they were auditioning for a haunted house, and the shower only managed warm if it was the thick of the summer.