End of Night, page 16
“Open it,” he said.
Smiling excitedly, she pulled the knot open and unwrapped the ribbon. She handed it to Boone, who stuffed it into his pocket. She plucked the lid from the box, staring at the silver and diamond tennis bracelet. “Oh my God, Boone.”
“Do you like it?” He sounded uncharacteristically shy.
She stared at him before cupping his face and softly kissing him. “I love it. It’s stunning. Will you help me put it on?”
“You want to wear it right now?” he asked.
“Yes, unless you don’t want me wearing it in front of your friends?” she said. She kept her disappointment hidden deep. Just because Boone bought her a very expensive gift didn’t mean he wanted a relationship with her.
When did you become so damn stupid, girl?
“They’re your friends, too,” he said, “and I want you to wear it. I just wasn’t sure if…”
They studied each other silently for a moment before Boone slid the bracelet around her wrist and latched it securely. He shoved the box back into his pocket as Hedra held her wrist up and studied how the diamonds caught the light.
“I love it, Boone. Thank you. Truly.”
“You’re welcome, little lamb.”
She kissed him again, and he purred softly before saying, “Why didn’t you come to my room last night?”
“It was late,” she said. “You had to work today.”
“I was still awake,” he said. “Hedra, if what we did before upset you, or if you’ve changed your mind about being with me, you can say so. I don’t want you to feel trapped or -”
She rested her forehead against his. “I don’t feel trapped, and believe me, I want to have sex with you. But I don’t… I don’t want your grandmother to hear us.”
He didn’t reply, and she said, “I know you’re a grown man, and it’s your house, but I’m her nurse, and I’m supposed to be taking care of her, not fucking you.”
“It’s not like we’d have sex during the day when you’re supposed to be working,” he said. “The evenings are your own, and you should be allowed to do whatever or whomever you want.”
“I know,” she said, “but it feels weird to me, and it’ll be awkward to face Althea when she not only can smell that we’ve had sex but can probably hear it too.”
“Her hearing isn’t that good anymore,” Boone said.
She smiled a little. “You get what I’m trying to say, don’t you, Boone?”
“I do,” he said. “I don’t like it, but I get it.”
“Maybe once I’m finished this job, we could…” It was her turn to feel shy and uncertain. What if Boone only wanted sex? She was about to make things supremely awkward between them if that was all he wanted.
“We could what?” Boone asked.
She took a deep breath but was too cowardly to tell him what she really wanted. “Maybe I could come by after your nan moves out, and we could have sex then?”
He smoothed her hair back from her face. “I’d like that.”
“Good.” She tried to smile at him and mostly succeeded. It was madness to think Boone would want to date when they’d barely been intimate, so why was she feeling such disappointment over her cowardice in asking for what she really wanted?
“We should get back,” she said. “I don’t want to be accused of ditching my own party.”
She tried to slip by him, pausing when Boone slid his arm around her waist and pulled her firmly against him again. “Hedra?”
“Yeah?” She was mesmerized by the soft sound of his purring and the brush of his warm hand up and down her spine.
“I want more than just sex,” Boone said.
Fierce joy washed over her. “You do?”
“Yes,” he said. “Do you?”
“Fuck yes,” she said.
A gorgeous grin crossed his face before he hugged her hard. “Thank Christ.”
She let herself sink into his hard warmth, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and burying her face into his throat. She peppered his warm skin with kisses as he rested his hands against the small of her back.
“I like you very much, Boone Jameson,” she said.
He purred and nuzzled her throat. “I like you too, Hedra Miller.”
“So, does this mean we’re officially dating?”
“Yes,” he said.
“I’ve never officially dated someone I haven’t had sex with,” Hedra said.
“We’ve had sex,” he said.
“One glorious thrust is not sex, and if you think it is, we need to have a serious discussion,” Hedra said.
He laughed and squeezed her ass cheek. “Glorious, huh?”
She peeked over his shoulder at the patio door. “We’re alone right now.”
“You want our first time to be outside the mansion of a millionaire celebrity?” he asked.
“You make it sound like a bad thing,” she said.
“I’m more concerned about one of my coworkers walking outside to get some fresh air and being accosted by the vision of my naked ass humping away,” he said.
She laughed so hard that she had to lean against Boone for support. “Oh my God, Boone.”
“What? It’s true,” he said.
He nuzzled her neck again. “In all seriousness, I desperately want to be with you, but I also understand your hesitancy, so I’m happy to wait until Nan is better and living in her own house again.”
“Are you sure?” she studied him closely. “I know I’m asking a lot.”
“You’re not,” he said. “Besides, I can’t imagine it’ll be more than another couple of weeks. Unless Nan keeps injuring herself by having sex with Jerry.”
“They’re just doing mouth stuff,” Hedra said.
Boone laughed. “Oh God, she told you that, too, huh?”
“Yes. I got details, Boone.”
He made a face. “Seriously?”
“Yes,” Hedra said. “Many, many details. Apparently, Jerry is -”
“Nope!” Boone pressed his hand over her mouth. “Don’t you dare give me the details.”
Her laughter was muffled by his hand. He pulled his hand away and kissed her. “Come, sweet lamb, let’s get you back to your party.”
“Wait, what do you mean you’re not coming home with us?” Boone stared at Nan.
Nan finished buttoning her jacket. Hedra’s party had wound down, and the only people left were them, Jerry, Ryan and Grayson, and Hedra’s siblings.
“I mean,” Nan took Jerry’s hand, “I’m going to Jerry’s house tonight.”
Boone’s first selfish thought was that he would be alone with Hedra tonight. He shoved it away, refusing to let it take root. His priority right now was Nan and keeping her safe.
“Nan, no,” Boone said. “You’re not spending the night at Jerry’s house.”
Nan gave him a look, a low growl erupting from her throat as Anthony clapped Boone on the back. “It was nice knowing you, buddy.”
“Anthony,” Hedra said.
“What? His nan’s gonna tear him apart, and we all know it,” Anthony said cheerfully before beckoning to his brother, who was studying the empty appetizer trays piled on the table. “Jack, stop looking for more popcorn shrimp and come watch the show.”
“Boone Abigail Jameson, you did not just say that to me,” Nan said.
“Abigail?” Nora said. “Boone’s middle name is Abigail?”
“It’s better than Dolores,” Ryan said with a wink at Grayson.
He growled playfully at her, and she said, “Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t the only one with a traditionally feminine middle name?”
“Your middle name is Dolores?” Boone stared at him. “What the fuck, Gray? You’ve been teasing me for years about my middle name and yours is Dolores?”
Grayson just grinned as the doorbell rang. Ryan slipped past them, leaving the room as Boone said, “It’s in your best interest, Nan. Hedra and I won’t be around to help you overnight, and,” he glanced at Jerry, “no offense, but I can’t trust that you can help Nan if she falls, Jerry.”
“None taken,” Jerry said.
“Plenty taken,” Nan said, giving Boone a fierce look. “I am not a prisoner in your home, Boone.”
“Nan, please think with your head and not with your…”
Anthony leaned in and said, “Heart?”
“Oh, it ain’t my heart I’m thinking with, cheetah shifter,” Nan said.
Jerry blushed as Anthony held up his fist. “Nice.”
Althea bumped his fist before turning her gaze to Boone. “I’m going home with Jerry.”
Boone gave Hedra a helpless look. She stepped forward and said, “Nan, why don’t you and Jerry stay the night at Boone’s place? That way, if you… exert yourself too much and need help later, I’m around to help.”
“Like I want my grandson hearing me having sex, human,” Nan said.
“The woman deserves some privacy, Hedra,” Anthony said.
“Anthony,” Hedra said.
“What?” Anthony gave her an innocent look as Nora giggled and tugged him back to join her, Jack, and Everett.
“I’m not staying at your place tonight,” Nan said. “That’s final.”
“Nan -”
“Dad? Are you and Althea ready to go?”
Ryan had returned, and Jerry’s son was with her. He stood beside Jerry. “Did you have a good time, Dad?”
“I did. Michael, you know Boone and Hedra.” Jerry waved a hand at Hedra’s siblings and Ryan and Grayson. “And this is everyone else.”
“Nice to see you again.” Michael shook Boone’s hand and grinned at Hedra. “Hey, Hedra. Happy birthday.”
“Thanks, Michael,” Hedra said.
Michael smiled at the others. “Hello, everyone else.”
“We were just discussing Althea returning to our place tonight,” Jerry said.
“On account, you’re a human like your mama and won’t hear us having sex, but Boone would,” Althea said.
“Nan,” Boone said.
Michael grinned. “Lucky me. Are you two ready to go?”
Feeling like he was slowly being outnumbered, Boone said, “Michael, my nan sometimes needs help with getting to the bathroom or getting her meds in the night and -”
“I know,” Michael said. “I can help her with anything she needs. I’m a personal care worker, and I have both your number and Hedra’s. I won’t hesitate to call if I need help.”
Boone hesitated, a brief flicker of excitement rolling through him. Would he actually get to be alone with Hedra tonight?
“Michael, grab Alfie, would you?” Althea said.
“Sure.” Michael bent and scooped up the poodle with a fearlessness that Boone admired.
“Come here, Hedra,” Nan demanded.
Hedra joined her, and Boone could hear her grunt of surprise when Nan hugged her hard. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
“Thank you, Althea,” Hedra said.
She kissed Althea’s cheek before stepping back so Boone could take her place. He kissed his nan’s cheek. “Please don’t hurt yourself, Nan.”
“I won’t,” she said dismissively. “I love you, Boone. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She waved at the others, and they watched silently as she, Jerry, and Michael - still holding Alfie - left the room. Ryan grinned at Boone. “Your grandmother is as awesome and stubborn as mine.”
“Hedra, are we still on for breakfast tomorrow before we head back to Rosehaven?” Everett asked.
She nodded, and Boone held his hand out to Everett. “It was nice to meet you, Everett.”
Everett shook his hand. “We’ll see you tomorrow at breakfast.”
“I don’t want to crash a family thing,” Boone said.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Nora said before pressing a kiss against his cheek. “You have to join us tomorrow. We won’t take no for an answer. All right?”
“All right,” he said, unable to hide how pleased he sounded.
His tiger made a friendly trill to Nora, and she trilled back before smiling at Hedra. “Okay, go home and end your birthday right by banging the brains out of this handsome tiger shifter.”
“Gross,” Everett said.
“Get it,” Anthony said.
“Is there any more of that popcorn shrimp left?” Jack said.
Hedra sighed, and Boone took her hand. “Have a good night, everyone.”
“You too,” Nora said with another giggle.
Ignoring how red Hedra’s cheeks were, Boone nearly yanked her from the room.
CHAPTER 19
“Did you want a glass of wine or a beer?” Boone put his keys on the hook and toed off his shoes as Hedra kicked off her shoes.
“What I want is to get that magnificent dick of yours in my mouth,” Hedra said.
His excited trill was adorable.
“Come on, handsome.” They walked hand-in-hand to his bedroom, and she turned around. “Unzip me.”
He unzipped her dress, and she moaned when he kissed a path down her spine, his hands cupping her hips. She broke his grip, ignoring his growl, and let her dress fall to the floor.
“Holy fuck,” Boone breathed when she turned to face him.
She smiled happily. She’d had absolutely no reason to wear her best matching bra and panties tonight, but she had, and the look on Boone’s face made her glad she did. The dark pink bra was a sheer demi-cup that pushed her large breasts together and gave her killer cleavage. The matching panties were just as sheer, and she loved how Boone’s gaze constantly switched between staring at her breasts to staring at the dark curls at the top of her mound like he couldn’t decide what he loved more.
She traced one finger over her cleavage, and Boone made a low, growly purr that sent hot desire flashing through her nerve endings. “Get undressed, Boone.”
He pulled his shirt over his head, and she admired the lean length of his body, the dark hair that covered his chest, and the glimpse of his treasure trail. She drank her fill as Boone unbuckled his belt. He paused with his hands on the button of his jeans.
“No stopping,” Hedra said. She could barely stop from licking her lips like a hungry cat, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this desperate to give a man a blow job. She liked sucking dick, and she was damn good at it, but she’d never felt such an all-encompassing need like this before.
“It’s your birthday.” Boone joined her by the bed and slid his arm around her waist. His gaze dropped to her breasts, and he purred again.
“I remember,” she said, her hands unbuttoning Boone’s jeans and pulling down the zipper.
He caught her hands, holding them still. “I want to go down on you.”
“You did already,” she said.
“I’m only allowed to eat your pussy once?” he said with a cute grin.
“No, but -”
“Tonight should be all about you.” Boone bent and kissed the top of her right breast.
“It’s my birthday,” she said, “so I should get what I want. And what I want is your cock in my mouth.”
His purring turned deafening, and she giggled. “You like that idea.”
“Of course I fucking do,” he said. “I masturbate nightly to that idea.”
She laughed and tugged at his jeans. “Take these off, Boone. Give me what I want.”
“Are you sure, little lamb?” he asked, but he was already removing his jeans and socks.
She sat on the side of the bed and hooked her fingers in the band of his boxer briefs, admiring his obvious erection against the material before tugging him between her thighs. “Very sure.”
His breath hissed out when her fingers brushed the head of his cock. She pulled his briefs down, smiling happily when his cock popped free. He stepped out of them and kicked them away, moaning quietly when she traced his hard shaft with her fingertips.
“Take off your bra, baby,” he demanded, his voice already hoarse.
She reached behind her and unhooked it, sliding her bra off and tossing it on the floor. Boone growled happily, the growl turning into a harsh groan when she tucked his cock between her breasts and cupped her breasts, creating a tight seal around his length. She slid his cock up and down between her tits, smiling at the sound of Boone’s growls and groans and how his cock spurted precum onto her skin.
“Fuck, baby,” Boone moaned. “I really want to come all over those beautiful breasts.”
She stopped what she was doing, ignoring his growl, and gripped the base of his cock in her hand. “Tonight, you’re allowed to come in my pussy or my mouth. Nowhere else, Boone.”
“Fuuuuck,” Boone moaned when she licked his length, tracing the thick vein on the underside. “Baby, please.”
She grinned. “Begging already, handsome? I’ve barely started.”
“Your mouth,” Boone said with a low growl. “Give me your mouth.” His eyes were bright jade, and his fangs were out, and his pupils flipped rapidly from round to slits.
She slid her mouth over his dick, cleaning away the precum with her tongue before sucking on the sensitive head. Boone’s hands slid into her hair, and when he applied gentle pressure, she took more of him, taking a deep breath and relaxing her throat.
He was thick and long, too long for her to deep throat completely, but she could take nearly all of him and the strangled growl that erupted from his throat and how his hands tightened in her hair filled her with pride and pleasure.
“Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck,” Boone chanted, his hips thrusting forward as she hollowed her cheeks and sucked hard. She withdrew, took a deep breath, and slid his cock back into her mouth, the head slipping down her throat as she held herself there until her lungs screamed for oxygen and then pulled back to gasp in some air.
She fisted the base of him with firm strokes as she set a hard and fast pace of sucking, dragging her tongue over Boone’s hard, hot flesh. He was doing a mixture of purring, growling, and moaning that soaked her panties. She wanted to touch herself, wanted to rub her clit and find her own pleasure, but she ignored her need. She wanted to concentrate on Boone, wanted to make him lose control.
“Little lamb,” Boone rasped above her. “Oh fuck, baby, I’m gonna come if you don’t stop. Can you stop? Baby, you gotta stop, you… Oh fuck!”
