Page 80 of Rumor Has It

The bed shifts, freezing us. My eyes wide, I grimace knowing what’s coming next. Rumor stretches, reaching for me. “Momma?”

Boone’s face drains of color. He points to the floor, signaling me with his mouth. “Move.” It takes a hot minute for it to dawn on me what he’s trying to tell me. I jump, just in time for him to slip from the bed and into the floor.

He bear crawls across the bedroom floor, grabbing his phone on the way out the door. I’m on his heels, covering my mouth as I’m hit by a fit of giggles. I shut it behind us with the lightest touch.

“What in the world, Kenzie? Were you trying to get us caught?” He catches me in his arms as laughter cripples me.

“Oh my gracious! You did some military maneuvers in there!” I can’t catch my breath I’m laughing so hard.

His eyes widen, and he can’t stop chuckling. “I’m happy to be of help or your entertainment at any time.”

“How did we even end up like that?” My belly flips thinking about his arms wrapped around me.

He lowers his head, bashfully. “You fell asleep, so I carried you to bed. Girl, you were layin’ there, hair everywhere, and I promised myself I’d get up before you, sneak out while you were still asleep, knowing there was no way I was gonna be able to do it.”

“You stayed on purpose?” I chew my lip, countering the heat in his eyes.

He rubs his stubble. “I sure as hell did, and I’d do it again. Maybe with a different outcome, though.”

“Different how?” A frenzied need for him races through my body. I want him.

His gaze burns me. “Neither of us would’ve ever had the energy to move that fast this morning… Well, at least not in that way.”

“Boone…” I push against his chest. He surprises me, wrapping my wrist with his hand and yanking me closer.

I watch as his teeth sink into his bottom lip. He leans in, running his nose along my jaw, grazing my earlobe. “You should’ve kissed me. I would’ve taken over and kissed you the way a woman like you deserves to be kissed.”

“What’s stopping you now?” My chest heaves, leaving me tingling all over.

His mouth brushes mine, leaving me trembling and in need. “You have to mean it.”

“I do. I mean it, Boone.” I fist his shirt, holding him to me.

He inches closer, and my lips quiver of their own accord. “Always?”

“Yes.” My body beseeches him, my mouth supplicating. “I beg you to take me. If you’ve ever loved me, take me. Always.”

His hand lays on the small of back, clutching me to his body as we melt from our own heat. A need for one another like nothing we have ever felt before. His free hand slides over my ass, groping me until I moan.

Boone owns me, there’s no denying it. My body would betray me if my heart didn’t. His chest crashes into mine, our hearts beating the same rhythm they have for so many years, and it’s a beat all its own.

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop, Kenzie.” His body tightens with need, sending chills rambling over me.

“I’ve waited for you, needing you, wanting you to take me, and remind me that you marked me years ago. I need to feel you, Boone.” I tremble in his grasp, my body riding him against the door.

He leans away, searching my eyes. “Not yet I need for you to need me as much as you want me.” He loosens his grip, holding me up when my knees go weak. I rest my forehead against his chest, breathing hard from my need of him.

“That was so dirty.” I slap at him.

He tucks his finger under my chin, working my lip free from my teeth. “Don’t worry—I not only play dirty, but I can get real dirty girl.”

“Fuck me.” I gape to his delight. “When?”

He leans in, pressing his lips to my jaw. “Soon.”

“When will you be back?” I hold him, refusing to let him go.

He runs his nose over mine. “When do you want me back?”