End of Night, page 20
Hedra’s name was typed on a small white label on the top. Boone’s stomach clenched. “What’s in it?”
“Something bad,” Hedra whispered. “Boone, I…”
She trailed off, her lips pale and her eyes huge.
Boone carefully opened the top flaps, trying to minimize how much he touched the box and peered into it. Pretty pink tissue paper filled the box, and he pushed it aside, sucking in his breath when the contents were revealed.
“Fucking hell,” he muttered.
He stared at Hedra, who looked like she might throw up. She rubbed compulsively at her arms. “It’s from an animal, right? Tell me it’s from an animal.”
“It is,” he said. “Pretty sure it’s a cow tongue.”
She shuddered all over. “That doesn’t make it any better, but…”
“I know,” he said before peering into the box again. The typed note beside the tongue was short and to the point.
You ruined everything.
He closed the box as Hedra said quickly, “I didn’t open it in front of your nan. She was already gone when I opened it. She didn’t see it, Boone. You don’t have to worry about her.”
He crossed to her and pulled her into his arms. “Baby, it’s not my nan I’m worried about.”
She hugged him hard, burying her face in his throat while he purred softly and rubbed her back. When her body finally stopped trembling, he kissed her temple and said, “Tell me his name, little lamb.”
She drew in a shuddering breath. “Mateo Waterson.”
He kissed her temple again, and she leaned back. “Don’t call the police, Boone.”
“Baby, I -”
“No!” His normally calm and collected Hedra had disappeared, leaving a wild-eyed woman who looked ready to crack under the slightest pressure.
“Okay,” he soothed as his tiger purred to their mate. Boone was a little surprised by his tiger’s reaction. He was upset like Boone and ready to go to war for their mate, but his tiger’s bloodlust had been tempered by the need to soothe Hedra, to hold her close and promise her she would be safe.
He reached for his phone, kissing Hedra again when she stiffened. “I’m not calling the police, Hedra, I promise.”
He hit a number and waited patiently for the call to be answered. “Cooper, I need your help.”
“Okay, thanks, Lusa. Appreciate it.” Cooper ended the call and set his phone on the table. “We have his address.”
Hedra stared at him, her gaze slipping from Cooper to Wes and then to Boone before returning to Cooper. “You have his address already?”
“Lusa is very good at what she does. He lives about forty minutes outside of Rosehaven,” Cooper said. “Look, I know this isn’t what you want to hear, Hedra, but the police need to be called.”
“And tell them what?” Hedra said. “We have no proof that it’s Mateo doing any of this.”
“They can dust for prints on the box,” Boone said.
“So can Grayson,” Hedra said.
“Unless this Mateo guy is an idiot, I’d be surprised if he didn’t wear gloves,” Wes said.
He glanced at Hedra, who shook her head, “He isn’t an idiot.”
“He knows where you live, Hedra,” Cooper said gently. “He’s exhibiting dangerous behaviour, and the cops will take that seriously once you tell them your history.”
“Will they?” Hedra said. “Besides, he won’t know where I am for long.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Boone asked as his tiger made a low growl.
“It means I’m leaving tonight,” Hedra said. “I’ll get a motel room on the far side of the city and -”
“No fucking way,” Boone said. He could smell Hedra’s frustration, but he folded his arms across his chest and shook his head. “You’re staying right the fuck here, Hedra.”
“Boone, I am not putting you or Althea in danger,” Hedra said. “It’s better and safer for the two of you if I leave. Think about your nan, okay?”
“I am not letting my mate stay alone in a goddamn motel when there is a crazed fucking cheetah shifter after her,” Boone snarled. “End of discussion.”
Hedra glared at him before turning to Cooper, her look clearly saying, ‘Help me talk some sense into Boone.’
“Don’t you dare take her fucking side, Coop.” Boone’s voice was a low growl, and his tiger pushed for control. He could feel hair sprouting on his cheeks and forehead, and his fangs had dropped.
Cooper held up his hands. “I’m not. I agree with you, Boone. Hedra is safest here with you.”
“I won’t -”
“We’ll post someone outside the house starting now,” Cooper said.
“I can take the first shift tonight,” Wes said.
Coop nodded, and Boone gave him a grateful look. “Thank you, Wes.”
“Or, I could guarantee yours and Althea’s safety and just find a motel. This is a big city, Mateo won’t find me, Boone,” Hedra said.
He took a deep breath as his tiger retreated, soothed by the knowledge that Wes and the others would watch over his mate when he couldn’t. He cupped Hedra’s face and kissed her gently. “Your safety is as important to me as Nan’s, little lamb. Besides, it won’t be for long.”
He turned to Cooper. “I know it’s short notice, but can I take the day off tomorrow? I’m supposed to be at Abena’s for eleven thirty to accompany her to a luncheon event.”
“Yes,” Cooper said. “Not a problem. I’ll take Alison to Ms. Nkosi’s and make the introductions, and she can accompany Ms. Nkosi to her lunch.”
“What is your plan, Boone?” Hedra asked.
“Mateo is only about forty minutes outside of Rosehaven. First thing in the morning, I’m driving to his house and chatting with him.”
“I’m going with you,” Hedra said.
“No,” Boone said.
“Yes,” Hedra said.
“You can’t leave Nan alone,” Boone said.
She glared at him. “Either we go together, or I walk out that door, and you’ll never see me again.”
He wanted to be upset with her, wanted to hate that she used his love for her as a weapon, but fuck if it didn’t just make his admiration for her grow. He fucking loved how ruthless she could be when needed.
Cooper was typing on his phone, and he waited a beat before looking up. “I just asked Lusa if she would stay with Nan here at the house, and she agreed. We’ll have someone watching the house, but if Mateo somehow gets past them, he’ll still need to deal with Lusa.”
Wes visibly shuddered. “He won’t know what hit him if Lusa gets her hands on him.”
“Okay, we have a plan,” Cooper said. “Boone, do you want me or Gray to go with you tomorrow?”
“No,” Boone said. “I can handle him.”
Cooper nodded and produced a pair of gloves from his coat pocket. He snapped them on and picked up the box with the cow tongue and the note. “I’ll take this back to my place. If Mateo doesn’t get the message when you talk to him tomorrow, we’ll go to the police with the tongue and all the information we have on him. Agreed?”
He glanced at Hedra, who nodded. “Agreed.”
CHAPTER 24
Hedra rinsed her toothbrush and stuck it in the holder next to Boone’s. His arms slid around her, and she leaned against his solid strength, staring solemnly at him in the mirror. “Are we doing the right thing, not telling Althea about this?”
“I think so,” Boone said. “There’s no point in worrying her when this will all be over after tomorrow.”
“What excuse will we use when Lusa comes over tomorrow morning?” Hedra asked.
Boone gave her a small smile. “That’s tomorrow Boone’s problem.”
Guilt rushing through her, Hedra said, “I’m so sorry for dragging you into my fucked up life, Boone.”
He kissed her neck and squeezed her tightly. “Baby, you have nothing to apologize for. I love you.”
“I love you too, but our relationship is new, and this is a lot,” Hedra said.
He studied her in the mirror. “You’re my mate, Hedra.”
Warmth washed over her. She knew it was too soon in the relationship for her and Boone to declare their love and for Boone to call her his mate, but she couldn’t deny her feelings for him, and he couldn’t seem to either.
As if reading her mind, he said, “It isn’t too soon, Hedra. I know how I feel about you, and life is too unpredictable to hide it.”
“I know.” She turned and draped her arms over his shoulders. “Maybe other people will think it’s too soon, but I don’t care. I love you, Boone.”
“I love you.” He nuzzled her neck before taking her hand and leading her to the bed.
He caught her hand when she stripped off her pajama top. “Baby, you should keep those on.”
“Why?”
“Because if you’re naked in my bed, I will do things to you,” he said.
“Sexy things?” she asked with a soft smile.
He was staring at her naked tits with something like reverence. She loved his reaction to her body. Loved how cherished and adored it made her feel.
“Yes,” he said with a low growl before the purring rumbled from his chest.
She stepped closer, sliding her arms around his waist and kissing his throat. “Good.”
“Nan’s home,” he said, but he was already yanking off his clothes and watching eagerly as she stripped out of her cotton shorts.
“She’s sleeping, and besides, she knows about us, right? She’s the one always telling us sex is a biological need,” Hedra said.
She slid between the cool sheets, lying on her side and watching as Boone, his cock already erect and bobbing up and down, climbed into bed beside her. He crowded close, resting one hand on her hip and purring lightly to her. “Little lamb, it’s been a terrible fucking day for you. Are you sure you want this?”
“Yes,” she said. “I need you to make me feel good, Boone. Will you do that for me?”
“Yes, my mate,” he said before kissing a path along her collarbone.
She clutched at his head, threading her fingers through the thick silky strands as his mouth moved lower, his lips closing around one nipple and sucking hard.
She swallowed her loud moans but couldn’t contain her soft whimper when Boone slipped his hand between her thighs and found her wet and wanting. He circled her clit, his low purrs and quiet trills sending her desire for him spiraling out of control.
She gasped quietly when he scraped his fangs across her nipple before pulling lightly on the barbell. Desire tugged low in her belly, and she reached between them and took him in her hand, stroking his shaft with long, firm pulls. His head fell back, and his purring increased in volume until she gave him a sharp nip on the throat and muttered, “Hush, honey.”
He tried hard to control his purring, but when she ran her thumb over the head of his cock, his purr echoed in the room.
“Boone,” she scolded as she stroked him harder, “be good.”
“Fuck, baby,” he moaned into her ear. “That feels so fucking good.”
His breathing turned ragged, and his touch against her clit lost its focus. She didn’t mind. She loved watching what she did to him with just her touch, loved knowing how much her mate wanted her.
She wiggled closer, draping one thigh over his hip and rubbing his cock against her clit. The exquisite drag of his velvet soft skin against her pulsing clit made her moan. This time, it was Boone who nipped her and gave her a disapproving look.
“Quiet, remember, little lamb?”
“Trying,” she panted as she gripped his dick and used it to get herself off.
She glared at him, a pout crossing her lips when he pulled her hand away. The pout turned into a sigh of pleasure when he shifted her hips a bit, moved a little lower and guided his cock into her needy core. She gripped his shoulders, breathing her way through that first push - Boone was so fucking thick - and clamping her lips closed against the soft moan when he slid all the way home, his heavy balls slapping up against her.
He held still while she adjusted, but she could feel his thighs quivering against her, and his breathing was a tortured, heavy rhythm in her ear. She shifted her leg, lifting it higher around his waist before leaning back to smile at him.
“Good?” His voice was a barely heard whisper in the silence.
She nodded and leaned in to kiss him, relishing the sweetness of his taste, the hot glide of his tongue against hers, and the vibration of his purring against her breasts.
He gripped her hip with one big hand and fucked her slowly, taking his time and keeping his movements slow and deep. She held him tight, closing her eyes and letting the sensations wash over her. The drag of his cock, the coarseness of his chest hair against her breasts, the gentle press of his lips against her throat.
“Open your eyes, sweet lamb.”
She stared at him, feeling nearly drugged with the pleasure of Boone’s fucking. His hips moved steadily, his cock bringing her relentlessly toward the sweet release she craved. He brushed her hair back, his big hand cupping her jaw as he stared directly at her.
“I love you, Hedra.”
She made a soft and breathless cry as her climax washed over her, her world exploding in bright flashes of light. Boone held her close, his hips moving savagely now, his purring drowning out the rest of the world as he found his pleasure in her body. Hot warmth splashed her inner walls, and she pressed her mouth against his ear, whispering her love for him over and over as he shook silently against her.
When his trembling body finally collapsed against the bed, she rested her hand on his chest, feeling the solid beat of his heart slow to a normal rhythm as he traced tiny circles on her hip.
He was softening inside of her, his seed starting to drip down her thighs, and she should be getting up to use the bathroom and clean up a little. Instead, she cuddled closer, Boone’s warmth and the love she felt radiating from him was worth the risk of a potential UTI and messy sheets.
“I love you,” she whispered, rubbing her hand across his broad chest.
“I love you too, little lamb.”
The buzzing of a cell phone dragged Hedra from sleep. She squinted at Boone as he sat up in the bed with a muttered curse and snagged his phone from the nightstand.
“’Lo?” he rasped.
He rubbed at his face, and Hedra sat up when a chuff of surprise escaped his throat. “Wait, Nan is doing what? Wes, are you sure?”
He dropped his phone on the bed and slid out, grabbing a pair of sweatpants and yanking them up his hips.
“Boone? What’s wrong?”
“Nan and Jerry are stealing my car,” he said.
“They’re what?” She climbed out of bed, threw on Boone’s t-shirt and followed him to the front door. Boone wrenched open the door and stepped out onto the porch. “Nan! What the hell?”
Hedra stared in surprise as Nan, grinning widely, waved at them from the passenger seat of Boone’s car. Alfie sat on her lap, and Jerry sat in the driver’s seat. Hedra and Boone watched in silent disbelief as he backed out of the driveway and drove down the street.
Wes climbed out of a nondescript black SUV parked on the street. “Do you want me to go after her?”
Boone shook his head. “No, that’s okay. Thanks, Wes.”
Wes climbed back into the car as Boone and Hedra returned to the house. She shut the front door as Boone went to his bedroom. She walked to the kitchen, studying the note on the table as Boone returned with his phone.
“She left a note,” Hedra said.
Boone read it and muttered a curse before pushing a button on his phone. He put it on speaker phone as it rang, running a hand through his hair when his Nan answered.
“Hello, Boone!”
“Nan! You cannot steal my car to go for a joyride with your boyfriend,” Boone said.
“It’s not a joyride,” Nan said. “I left a note.”
“You’re going to Spalding? Why are you going to Spalding?” Boone said. “And why did you steal my car to do it?”
“Spalding has an antique market that we’ve wanted to go to forever,” Nan said. “Michael wasn’t available to take us today.”
“So you just stole my car and went yourself? Does Jerry even have a license?” Boone said.
“Of course he does, Boone,” Nan said with a low growl. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Nan, you and Jerry shouldn’t be alone.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, we’re adults, not children. We’re perfectly fine.”
“You should have asked Hedra to take you,” Boone said. “She would have been happy to go, right, Hedra?”
“Yes,” Hedra said.
“See?” Boone said into the phone.
“Jerry and I need our alone time,” Nan said. “Besides, I’ll be living on my own next week anyway and won’t have Hedra hovering over me all the time. You need to get used to me living independently again, Boone.”
“I need my car,” Boone said. “How am I supposed to get to work?”
He gave Hedra a guilty look, but considering his grandmother had just stolen his car, Hedra didn’t think he had to feel guilty about lying to her about his plans for the day.
“Get Wes’s little human mate to drive you to work,” Nan said. “She drives Wes every day, doesn’t she? She can swing by and pick you up, too.”
“Wes drives now, Nan,” Boone said, exasperation thick in his voice.
“Then ask him to pick you up or borrow Hedra’s piece of shit car,” Nan said.
“Hey,” Hedra said.
“Oh please, your car is a rolling death trap, and you know it,” Nan said.
“It’s not that bad,” Hedra grumbled under her breath as Boone growled with annoyance.
“Nan, come back here right now with my car,” he said.
“No can do,” Nan said blithely. “Call an Uber, sweetheart. I’ll pay for it.”
“Nan,” Boone said, “I need -”
“Love you, Boonie. I’ll be back in time for dinner.” Nan ended the call, and Boone stared at Hedra.
Hedra couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh my God, the look on your face. You look like a teapot about to burst.”
“Something bad,” Hedra whispered. “Boone, I…”
She trailed off, her lips pale and her eyes huge.
Boone carefully opened the top flaps, trying to minimize how much he touched the box and peered into it. Pretty pink tissue paper filled the box, and he pushed it aside, sucking in his breath when the contents were revealed.
“Fucking hell,” he muttered.
He stared at Hedra, who looked like she might throw up. She rubbed compulsively at her arms. “It’s from an animal, right? Tell me it’s from an animal.”
“It is,” he said. “Pretty sure it’s a cow tongue.”
She shuddered all over. “That doesn’t make it any better, but…”
“I know,” he said before peering into the box again. The typed note beside the tongue was short and to the point.
You ruined everything.
He closed the box as Hedra said quickly, “I didn’t open it in front of your nan. She was already gone when I opened it. She didn’t see it, Boone. You don’t have to worry about her.”
He crossed to her and pulled her into his arms. “Baby, it’s not my nan I’m worried about.”
She hugged him hard, burying her face in his throat while he purred softly and rubbed her back. When her body finally stopped trembling, he kissed her temple and said, “Tell me his name, little lamb.”
She drew in a shuddering breath. “Mateo Waterson.”
He kissed her temple again, and she leaned back. “Don’t call the police, Boone.”
“Baby, I -”
“No!” His normally calm and collected Hedra had disappeared, leaving a wild-eyed woman who looked ready to crack under the slightest pressure.
“Okay,” he soothed as his tiger purred to their mate. Boone was a little surprised by his tiger’s reaction. He was upset like Boone and ready to go to war for their mate, but his tiger’s bloodlust had been tempered by the need to soothe Hedra, to hold her close and promise her she would be safe.
He reached for his phone, kissing Hedra again when she stiffened. “I’m not calling the police, Hedra, I promise.”
He hit a number and waited patiently for the call to be answered. “Cooper, I need your help.”
“Okay, thanks, Lusa. Appreciate it.” Cooper ended the call and set his phone on the table. “We have his address.”
Hedra stared at him, her gaze slipping from Cooper to Wes and then to Boone before returning to Cooper. “You have his address already?”
“Lusa is very good at what she does. He lives about forty minutes outside of Rosehaven,” Cooper said. “Look, I know this isn’t what you want to hear, Hedra, but the police need to be called.”
“And tell them what?” Hedra said. “We have no proof that it’s Mateo doing any of this.”
“They can dust for prints on the box,” Boone said.
“So can Grayson,” Hedra said.
“Unless this Mateo guy is an idiot, I’d be surprised if he didn’t wear gloves,” Wes said.
He glanced at Hedra, who shook her head, “He isn’t an idiot.”
“He knows where you live, Hedra,” Cooper said gently. “He’s exhibiting dangerous behaviour, and the cops will take that seriously once you tell them your history.”
“Will they?” Hedra said. “Besides, he won’t know where I am for long.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Boone asked as his tiger made a low growl.
“It means I’m leaving tonight,” Hedra said. “I’ll get a motel room on the far side of the city and -”
“No fucking way,” Boone said. He could smell Hedra’s frustration, but he folded his arms across his chest and shook his head. “You’re staying right the fuck here, Hedra.”
“Boone, I am not putting you or Althea in danger,” Hedra said. “It’s better and safer for the two of you if I leave. Think about your nan, okay?”
“I am not letting my mate stay alone in a goddamn motel when there is a crazed fucking cheetah shifter after her,” Boone snarled. “End of discussion.”
Hedra glared at him before turning to Cooper, her look clearly saying, ‘Help me talk some sense into Boone.’
“Don’t you dare take her fucking side, Coop.” Boone’s voice was a low growl, and his tiger pushed for control. He could feel hair sprouting on his cheeks and forehead, and his fangs had dropped.
Cooper held up his hands. “I’m not. I agree with you, Boone. Hedra is safest here with you.”
“I won’t -”
“We’ll post someone outside the house starting now,” Cooper said.
“I can take the first shift tonight,” Wes said.
Coop nodded, and Boone gave him a grateful look. “Thank you, Wes.”
“Or, I could guarantee yours and Althea’s safety and just find a motel. This is a big city, Mateo won’t find me, Boone,” Hedra said.
He took a deep breath as his tiger retreated, soothed by the knowledge that Wes and the others would watch over his mate when he couldn’t. He cupped Hedra’s face and kissed her gently. “Your safety is as important to me as Nan’s, little lamb. Besides, it won’t be for long.”
He turned to Cooper. “I know it’s short notice, but can I take the day off tomorrow? I’m supposed to be at Abena’s for eleven thirty to accompany her to a luncheon event.”
“Yes,” Cooper said. “Not a problem. I’ll take Alison to Ms. Nkosi’s and make the introductions, and she can accompany Ms. Nkosi to her lunch.”
“What is your plan, Boone?” Hedra asked.
“Mateo is only about forty minutes outside of Rosehaven. First thing in the morning, I’m driving to his house and chatting with him.”
“I’m going with you,” Hedra said.
“No,” Boone said.
“Yes,” Hedra said.
“You can’t leave Nan alone,” Boone said.
She glared at him. “Either we go together, or I walk out that door, and you’ll never see me again.”
He wanted to be upset with her, wanted to hate that she used his love for her as a weapon, but fuck if it didn’t just make his admiration for her grow. He fucking loved how ruthless she could be when needed.
Cooper was typing on his phone, and he waited a beat before looking up. “I just asked Lusa if she would stay with Nan here at the house, and she agreed. We’ll have someone watching the house, but if Mateo somehow gets past them, he’ll still need to deal with Lusa.”
Wes visibly shuddered. “He won’t know what hit him if Lusa gets her hands on him.”
“Okay, we have a plan,” Cooper said. “Boone, do you want me or Gray to go with you tomorrow?”
“No,” Boone said. “I can handle him.”
Cooper nodded and produced a pair of gloves from his coat pocket. He snapped them on and picked up the box with the cow tongue and the note. “I’ll take this back to my place. If Mateo doesn’t get the message when you talk to him tomorrow, we’ll go to the police with the tongue and all the information we have on him. Agreed?”
He glanced at Hedra, who nodded. “Agreed.”
CHAPTER 24
Hedra rinsed her toothbrush and stuck it in the holder next to Boone’s. His arms slid around her, and she leaned against his solid strength, staring solemnly at him in the mirror. “Are we doing the right thing, not telling Althea about this?”
“I think so,” Boone said. “There’s no point in worrying her when this will all be over after tomorrow.”
“What excuse will we use when Lusa comes over tomorrow morning?” Hedra asked.
Boone gave her a small smile. “That’s tomorrow Boone’s problem.”
Guilt rushing through her, Hedra said, “I’m so sorry for dragging you into my fucked up life, Boone.”
He kissed her neck and squeezed her tightly. “Baby, you have nothing to apologize for. I love you.”
“I love you too, but our relationship is new, and this is a lot,” Hedra said.
He studied her in the mirror. “You’re my mate, Hedra.”
Warmth washed over her. She knew it was too soon in the relationship for her and Boone to declare their love and for Boone to call her his mate, but she couldn’t deny her feelings for him, and he couldn’t seem to either.
As if reading her mind, he said, “It isn’t too soon, Hedra. I know how I feel about you, and life is too unpredictable to hide it.”
“I know.” She turned and draped her arms over his shoulders. “Maybe other people will think it’s too soon, but I don’t care. I love you, Boone.”
“I love you.” He nuzzled her neck before taking her hand and leading her to the bed.
He caught her hand when she stripped off her pajama top. “Baby, you should keep those on.”
“Why?”
“Because if you’re naked in my bed, I will do things to you,” he said.
“Sexy things?” she asked with a soft smile.
He was staring at her naked tits with something like reverence. She loved his reaction to her body. Loved how cherished and adored it made her feel.
“Yes,” he said with a low growl before the purring rumbled from his chest.
She stepped closer, sliding her arms around his waist and kissing his throat. “Good.”
“Nan’s home,” he said, but he was already yanking off his clothes and watching eagerly as she stripped out of her cotton shorts.
“She’s sleeping, and besides, she knows about us, right? She’s the one always telling us sex is a biological need,” Hedra said.
She slid between the cool sheets, lying on her side and watching as Boone, his cock already erect and bobbing up and down, climbed into bed beside her. He crowded close, resting one hand on her hip and purring lightly to her. “Little lamb, it’s been a terrible fucking day for you. Are you sure you want this?”
“Yes,” she said. “I need you to make me feel good, Boone. Will you do that for me?”
“Yes, my mate,” he said before kissing a path along her collarbone.
She clutched at his head, threading her fingers through the thick silky strands as his mouth moved lower, his lips closing around one nipple and sucking hard.
She swallowed her loud moans but couldn’t contain her soft whimper when Boone slipped his hand between her thighs and found her wet and wanting. He circled her clit, his low purrs and quiet trills sending her desire for him spiraling out of control.
She gasped quietly when he scraped his fangs across her nipple before pulling lightly on the barbell. Desire tugged low in her belly, and she reached between them and took him in her hand, stroking his shaft with long, firm pulls. His head fell back, and his purring increased in volume until she gave him a sharp nip on the throat and muttered, “Hush, honey.”
He tried hard to control his purring, but when she ran her thumb over the head of his cock, his purr echoed in the room.
“Boone,” she scolded as she stroked him harder, “be good.”
“Fuck, baby,” he moaned into her ear. “That feels so fucking good.”
His breathing turned ragged, and his touch against her clit lost its focus. She didn’t mind. She loved watching what she did to him with just her touch, loved knowing how much her mate wanted her.
She wiggled closer, draping one thigh over his hip and rubbing his cock against her clit. The exquisite drag of his velvet soft skin against her pulsing clit made her moan. This time, it was Boone who nipped her and gave her a disapproving look.
“Quiet, remember, little lamb?”
“Trying,” she panted as she gripped his dick and used it to get herself off.
She glared at him, a pout crossing her lips when he pulled her hand away. The pout turned into a sigh of pleasure when he shifted her hips a bit, moved a little lower and guided his cock into her needy core. She gripped his shoulders, breathing her way through that first push - Boone was so fucking thick - and clamping her lips closed against the soft moan when he slid all the way home, his heavy balls slapping up against her.
He held still while she adjusted, but she could feel his thighs quivering against her, and his breathing was a tortured, heavy rhythm in her ear. She shifted her leg, lifting it higher around his waist before leaning back to smile at him.
“Good?” His voice was a barely heard whisper in the silence.
She nodded and leaned in to kiss him, relishing the sweetness of his taste, the hot glide of his tongue against hers, and the vibration of his purring against her breasts.
He gripped her hip with one big hand and fucked her slowly, taking his time and keeping his movements slow and deep. She held him tight, closing her eyes and letting the sensations wash over her. The drag of his cock, the coarseness of his chest hair against her breasts, the gentle press of his lips against her throat.
“Open your eyes, sweet lamb.”
She stared at him, feeling nearly drugged with the pleasure of Boone’s fucking. His hips moved steadily, his cock bringing her relentlessly toward the sweet release she craved. He brushed her hair back, his big hand cupping her jaw as he stared directly at her.
“I love you, Hedra.”
She made a soft and breathless cry as her climax washed over her, her world exploding in bright flashes of light. Boone held her close, his hips moving savagely now, his purring drowning out the rest of the world as he found his pleasure in her body. Hot warmth splashed her inner walls, and she pressed her mouth against his ear, whispering her love for him over and over as he shook silently against her.
When his trembling body finally collapsed against the bed, she rested her hand on his chest, feeling the solid beat of his heart slow to a normal rhythm as he traced tiny circles on her hip.
He was softening inside of her, his seed starting to drip down her thighs, and she should be getting up to use the bathroom and clean up a little. Instead, she cuddled closer, Boone’s warmth and the love she felt radiating from him was worth the risk of a potential UTI and messy sheets.
“I love you,” she whispered, rubbing her hand across his broad chest.
“I love you too, little lamb.”
The buzzing of a cell phone dragged Hedra from sleep. She squinted at Boone as he sat up in the bed with a muttered curse and snagged his phone from the nightstand.
“’Lo?” he rasped.
He rubbed at his face, and Hedra sat up when a chuff of surprise escaped his throat. “Wait, Nan is doing what? Wes, are you sure?”
He dropped his phone on the bed and slid out, grabbing a pair of sweatpants and yanking them up his hips.
“Boone? What’s wrong?”
“Nan and Jerry are stealing my car,” he said.
“They’re what?” She climbed out of bed, threw on Boone’s t-shirt and followed him to the front door. Boone wrenched open the door and stepped out onto the porch. “Nan! What the hell?”
Hedra stared in surprise as Nan, grinning widely, waved at them from the passenger seat of Boone’s car. Alfie sat on her lap, and Jerry sat in the driver’s seat. Hedra and Boone watched in silent disbelief as he backed out of the driveway and drove down the street.
Wes climbed out of a nondescript black SUV parked on the street. “Do you want me to go after her?”
Boone shook his head. “No, that’s okay. Thanks, Wes.”
Wes climbed back into the car as Boone and Hedra returned to the house. She shut the front door as Boone went to his bedroom. She walked to the kitchen, studying the note on the table as Boone returned with his phone.
“She left a note,” Hedra said.
Boone read it and muttered a curse before pushing a button on his phone. He put it on speaker phone as it rang, running a hand through his hair when his Nan answered.
“Hello, Boone!”
“Nan! You cannot steal my car to go for a joyride with your boyfriend,” Boone said.
“It’s not a joyride,” Nan said. “I left a note.”
“You’re going to Spalding? Why are you going to Spalding?” Boone said. “And why did you steal my car to do it?”
“Spalding has an antique market that we’ve wanted to go to forever,” Nan said. “Michael wasn’t available to take us today.”
“So you just stole my car and went yourself? Does Jerry even have a license?” Boone said.
“Of course he does, Boone,” Nan said with a low growl. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Nan, you and Jerry shouldn’t be alone.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, we’re adults, not children. We’re perfectly fine.”
“You should have asked Hedra to take you,” Boone said. “She would have been happy to go, right, Hedra?”
“Yes,” Hedra said.
“See?” Boone said into the phone.
“Jerry and I need our alone time,” Nan said. “Besides, I’ll be living on my own next week anyway and won’t have Hedra hovering over me all the time. You need to get used to me living independently again, Boone.”
“I need my car,” Boone said. “How am I supposed to get to work?”
He gave Hedra a guilty look, but considering his grandmother had just stolen his car, Hedra didn’t think he had to feel guilty about lying to her about his plans for the day.
“Get Wes’s little human mate to drive you to work,” Nan said. “She drives Wes every day, doesn’t she? She can swing by and pick you up, too.”
“Wes drives now, Nan,” Boone said, exasperation thick in his voice.
“Then ask him to pick you up or borrow Hedra’s piece of shit car,” Nan said.
“Hey,” Hedra said.
“Oh please, your car is a rolling death trap, and you know it,” Nan said.
“It’s not that bad,” Hedra grumbled under her breath as Boone growled with annoyance.
“Nan, come back here right now with my car,” he said.
“No can do,” Nan said blithely. “Call an Uber, sweetheart. I’ll pay for it.”
“Nan,” Boone said, “I need -”
“Love you, Boonie. I’ll be back in time for dinner.” Nan ended the call, and Boone stared at Hedra.
Hedra couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh my God, the look on your face. You look like a teapot about to burst.”
