End of Night, page 7
She wiggled her eyebrows at Hedra. “I think you may not have to pretend too hard to be Boone’s girlfriend at this party.”
“It isn’t what you think,” Hedra said.
“So, Boone isn’t sleeping in your bed? Also, does he, like, sleep in his tiger form? Is that a shifter thing? Do they walk around in their shifter form when they’re at home?”
“It depends on the shifter,” Hedra said. “Some shift to their animal form more than others. My dad shifts to his cheetah form a lot at home, and my oldest brother’s wife says he does too, but my other siblings don’t shift as often.”
“Cool. So… back to finding Boone’s fur in your bed.”
“Maybe it isn’t Boone’s,” Hedra said.
Shay glanced at the door that led to her and Althea’s shared bathroom. “You let Althea sleep in bed with you?”
Hedra laughed hard. “No, you dork. Look, it is Boone, but he doesn’t know he’s doing it. When he was a kid, he used to sleepwalk in his tiger form a lot, and while he’s mostly outgrown it, Althea says he still does it when he’s stressed.”
“So, he sleepwalks straight to your room,” Shay said.
“Yes,” Hedra said. “His tiger is looking for comfort.”
“His tiger, not him,” Shay said slowly.
“Boone doesn’t even remember doing it. His human side is asleep.”
“That is super weird,” Shay said. “Why is his tiger going to you and not his nan for comfort?”
Hedra shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Shay studied her before grinning. “Fibber. So, it must be pretty crowded with a full-grown tiger in your bed.”
“It is,” Hedra said. “I tell him he has fifteen minutes, and then he has to return to his bed, but I usually fall asleep before he leaves.”
“So, he could stay longer, is what you’re saying.”
“He does,” Hedra said. “I woke up this morning at five, and he was still in my bed. I fell back asleep, and he was gone when I woke again at seven.”
“Are you going to tell Boone he’s doing this?” Shay asked.
“No. He’s only done it twice, and Boone would be mortified if he knew what was happening. Although, he may figure it out this time because his tiger marked the hell out of me last night. I have a distinct Eau de Boone aroma.”
Shay sniffed at her. “You just smell like vanilla to me.”
“Not to shifters, I don’t,” Hedra laughed.
“Are you interested in dating Boone?” Shay asked bluntly.
“I’m not interested in being the girl who fucks her employer,” Hedra said.
“True, but he won’t be your employer forever,” Shay said. Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at it. “I gotta go. I’m meeting Oren at a club on the west side, and I need to get home and change into my club clothes.”
“Thank you for doing my hair and makeup, Shay,” Hedra said.
“You’re welcome.” Shay hopped off the bed and scooped up Alfie, rubbing her nose fearlessly against his. “See you later, handsome boy.”
“Your staring is making me incredibly self-conscious, Boone,” Hedra said as they walked toward the large Mediterranean home. “Am I overdressed or underdressed?”
“What do you mean?” Boone slowed to a stop.
“You keep staring at my dress. Obviously, I am not dressed appropriately for the party,” Hedra said. “So, am I over or under?”
“I’m not staring at the dress, Hedra. I’m staring at you,” Boone said.
“Shit, do I have something on my face?” She brushed at her cheeks, and Boone took her hand.
“I’m staring at you because you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he rasped. His gaze dipped to her cleavage, and heat bloomed in her belly when he studied her breasts.
“Boone,” she said.
“You’re gorgeous, Hedra, and I can’t take my damn eyes off of you,” he said.
“Thank you,” she said, a flush of pleasure heating her cheeks. “You look very handsome in your tux.”
“I can’t believe I’ve worn a tux twice in one week. If Derek could see me now, he’d… sorry.” He gave her a weirdly embarrassed look.
“For what?” she asked.
“I shouldn’t talk about Derek.”
“Why not?”
In a deceptively casual tone, he shrugged and said, “Past girlfriends felt like I went overboard with how much I talked about him.”
She frowned and stepped closer, cupping his face and staring directly at him. “He was your best friend. You can always talk about Derek to me, Boone. Always. Okay?”
“Okay,” he said, his voice hoarse. “Thank you.”
A tall and elegant looking white woman with silver hair, a bright red dress, and dripping in diamonds walked past them toward the entrance to the house. A man of about forty accompanied her, and he glanced disinterestedly at her and Boone as they walked by.
Boone suddenly cleared his throat. “Not that I think you’re my girlfriend, Hedra.”
She grinned at him and stroked his cheekbone with her thumb. “Tonight I am, so you’d better play the part of doting boyfriend perfectly, buddy.”
“And if I don’t,” he asked, a smile playing on his perfect lips.
“I’ll tell Nan,” she said.
“Cold, Hedra. She already won’t stop mocking me for making up a girlfriend,” Boone said.
She laughed. “I don’t think she’ll ever let you live this down.”
“Probably not,” Boone said before taking a deep breath. He paused and bent his head, sniffing at her throat. “Christ, you still smell intensely like me. I didn’t realize how hard I marked you in the kitchen the other night. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” she said. “I need to smell like you tonight, anyway, right?”
“Yes,” he said. “Although, I know Camilla will harp on the fact that I don’t smell much like you.”
“Well, we can’t have that, can we?” She grinned at him before tugging his head back and rubbing her face across his throat and cheeks. His stubble made her cheeks tingle pleasantly, and Boone hissed out a breath when she stepped into his arms and pressed the length of her body against his.
His arms slipped around her hips and linked together in the small of her back as she pressed soft kisses along his jawline.
“What do you think?” she murmured. “Will that be enough to make you smell like me?”
“Yes,” he croaked out.
“Good.” She shifted slightly and bit at her lip when she felt Boone’s erection pressing against her hip. “Tell me that’s your gun.”
He made a strangled sounding laugh. “Abena isn’t like most clients who feel better if they see us carrying a weapon. She specifically told me not to bother. She’s a shifter and knows I’m faster and more lethal in my tiger form. Besides, I’m technically not working tonight, remember?”
“So, that’s your cock, then?” Hedra said.
“Just hearing you say cock is making it harder,” he said.
She laughed. “Pervert.”
“Total pervert,” he said. “Give me a minute.”
She stepped back, and he made a low grumble but let her go. They stared at each other for nearly thirty seconds before she said, “That woman who passed us earlier. That was Karena Potter, wasn’t it?”
“I think so.” He glanced around before discreetly adjusting himself through his pants.
“The Karena Potter. Of Potter and the Lion fame,” Hedra said.
“Yes.”
“Holy shit,” she said.
He grinned at her. “Big fan, are you?”
“I loved that show when I was a kid.” She reached out and took his hand. “Do you think your cock can behave long enough for me to make a fool of myself in front of Karena Potter?”
He laughed and linked their fingers together. “Whatever you want, gorgeous.”
CHAPTER 8
Hedra sipped at her wine and tried not to fidget. Her feet were killing her, and her Spanx dug into her stomach. She was ready to be at home in her bare feet, no bra, and a giant bowl of chips.
She smiled at the server as he offered her another hors d’oeuvres piled on a silver tray. “No, thank you.”
He moved on, and she pulled discreetly on the waistband of her Spanx and tried not to stare with her mouth open when one of the biggest action stars in the world walked by her. He was shoving a bacon-wrapped shrimp into his mouth, and Hedra made a face when he grabbed another from a server’s tray and tossed it into his mouth before wiping his hand on the server’s white jacket.
“Celebrities are rarely what people hope they’ll be.” The lynx shifter’s low voice spoke in her ear, and Hedra put on her game face before smiling at Camilla.
“I imagine you have some juicy insider information on a lot of celebrities.”
“Definitely,” Camilla said with a laugh. “But if I want to keep working in this industry after Abena retires, I know I need to keep my mouth shut about it.”
She pointed with one bright red fingernail at the action star. “But it’s common knowledge that while this dude might be loved by millions worldwide, almost everyone in the industry detests him. He’s an asshole through and through.”
“I believe it,” Hedra said.
“So, enjoying the party?” Camilla asked.
“I am,” Hedra said. “It was lovely of Ms. Nkosi to allow Boone to bring me along.”
“Abena is very fond of Boone. He makes her laugh, and she loves that,” Camilla said.
“Boone’s a funny guy,” Hedra said.
“That he is,” Camilla said. “Hell, he’s charmed three-quarters of the celebrities in this room without trying. He’s a natural entertainer, isn’t he?”
“He is,” Hedra agreed.
They both watched as Boone, surrounded by a crowd of about a dozen people, including the Karena Potter, made an exaggerated throwing motion, and they roared with laughter.
“He’s such an extrovert,” Camilla said. “As am I. It’s one of the things that made us such a good couple.” She paused. “I hope I haven’t spilled a secret. Boone did tell you that we dated for over a year, didn’t he?”
“He did,” Hedra said. “Although, he said it was nine months.”
“Hmm,” Camilla said. “So, you and Boone started dating before you became his nan’s nurse. Is that right?”
Hedra restrained her urge to grin. If Camilla thought she’d trip her up with a few details, she didn’t understand Hedra’s dedication to her performance. “No. We didn’t start dating until after I became his nan’s nurse.”
“Will you continue to date after his nan heals?” Camilla asked.
“We will,” Hedra said.
“That’s really great. Boone deserves to be happy.” Camilla gave her a warm smile. “I’m glad he has you, Hedra.”
“Thank you,” Hedra said. Camilla was saying all the right things and her smile looked genuine, so why couldn’t Hedra shake off the feeling that Camilla didn’t mean one damn word.
Trust those instincts, girl.
She would, but not that it mattered. She and Boone only had to pretend to date until Althea returned home, and Boone could be assigned a different job.
“I was a little surprised that Boone was dating you. You’re not,” Camilla looked her up and down, “his usual type.”
“Because I’m fat?” Hedra asked pleasantly.
Camilla flushed. “Of course not. You’re beautiful, Hedra.”
“I know. I said I was fat, not ugly,” Hedra said.
Camilla’s face turned an even brighter red, and Hedra said, “I apologize. I’m only teasing, but sometimes I go too far.”
Camilla smiled weakly. “No, it was funny. Really.”
“Right,” Hedra said. “So, why am I not Boone’s usual type?”
“You’re an introvert,” Camilla said.
“Hmm, more of an extroverted introvert,” Hedra said.
“You seem very uncomfortable right now,” Camilla said.
“That’s the Spanx,” Hedra said.
“I’m sorry?”
“Spanx,” Hedra repeated before patting her stomach. “It’s doing a fantastic job of holding in all my jiggly bits, but frankly, I’m about five minutes from finding a bathroom and just peeling it off.”
“I don’t blame you, darling. My Spanx is killing me, too.” The amused voice of Abena Nkosi made Hedra blush.
Abena studied her before smiling. “Oh, you are just the most gorgeous thing, aren’t you? Isn’t she gorgeous, Camilla?”
“She is,” Camilla agreed. “Her hair is spectacular.”
“It is.” Abena studied Hedra’s hair, her gaze briefly dipping to her nose ring. “The blue goes well with your skin colouring.”
“Thank you,” Hedra said. “And thank you again for inviting me, Ms. Nkosi. I’m having a wonderful time.”
“Not if you’re wearing Spanx, you’re not,” Abena said with a long-suffering sigh, making both Hedra and Camilla laugh. “Your mate is impressing many of my colleagues, Hedra. If he ever wanted to start his own security firm catering to just celebrities, I believe he’d have ninety percent of the room as clients.”
“I’ll mention it to him, but I think he’s pretty happy working at Shadow Security,” Hedra said.
“Yes, I imagine babysitting celebrities isn’t quite the excitement a man like Boone Jameson craves. Speak of the devil.” Abena held her hand out as Boone approached them. Boone took it, and Abena squeezed it lightly. “I was just telling your mate how impressed I am by how many of my colleagues you’ve impressed.”
Boone smiled at her. “I think I’ve just amused them, but thank you, Ms. Nkosi.”
“Call me Abena, please,” she said. “Have you gotten enough to eat?”
“I have,” Boone said. His gaze turned to Hedra, and he gave her an excited little boy grin. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to steal my mate for a moment. There’s someone I want to introduce her to.”
“Of course,” Abena said, linking her arm around Camilla’s. “Camilla, darling, will you accompany me while I talk to that dreadful Alexander Sheffield? I’ve avoided him all evening but can no longer put it off. I need you with me for moral support.”
Camilla laughed. “I’m happy to. Boone and Hedra, enjoy the rest of the party.”
She and Abena left, and still looking as excited as a little kid eating ice cream, Boone took Hedra’s hand. “Come with me, Hedra.”
He led her across the room, and nerves and excitement flared to life in her belly. “Boone, are you about to introduce me to Karena Potter?”
“Not just Karena Potter,” he said with a sweet grin. “The Karena Potter. She and I might, sort of, maybe, be besties now? She’s having her assistant reach out next week to arrange for us to have dinner with her.”
“Holy fuck,” she said.
He laughed and winked at her. “Come on, little lamb. Let’s go schmooze with the celebrities.”
“What do you mean Jerry is spending the night.” Boone was certain his head would pop right off his body.
Hedra looked suspiciously like she was trying not to giggle as Cooper said, “Nan’s boyfriend Jerry showed up around seven, and Nan said he was spending the night. They went to bed a couple of hours ago.”
Boone stared down the hallway. “They’re in her bed together. Right now.”
“Let’s hope it’s her bed and not yours,” Hedra said.
“Not funny, Hedra,” Boone said.
“It’s kind of funny,” Cooper said as Daisy laughed.
“You have the biggest bed in the house,” Hedra said. “It’s a king, and Althea’s is just a double.”
“Oh fuck, they’d better not be in my bed,” Boone said.
Hedra burst into giggles. “Dude, relax. She wouldn’t have sex in her grandson’s bed.”
“They’re not having sex,” Boone said. He stared at Cooper. “They’re not having sex, right, Cooper?”
“I think they’re having sex,” Cooper said.
“Oh God.” Boone sank into the kitchen chair. He wasn’t particularly disturbed by the idea of his nan having sex, but did it have to be in his house? “You were supposed to be babysitting her, Cooper. How could you let this happen?”
“Your nan is an adult,” Cooper said. “What was I supposed to say? No, Nan, you’re not allowed to have your boyfriend stay the night.”
“That’s exactly what you were supposed to say,” Boone said.
“Like I wanted Nan kicking the shit out of me,” Cooper said.
“She’s eighty-four years old, Cooper,” Boone said. “And you have a hundred and fifty pounds on her.”
Cooper shrugged. “Nan’s scary.”
Daisy laughed, and so did Hedra as Boone rubbed at his temples. “What if she breaks her other hip?”
Hedra laughed so hard that her face went bright red, and she had to lean against the counter. “Boone, stop, can’t breathe…”
“It’s not funny,” Boone said, but he couldn’t help but laugh as Cooper helped Daisy into her coat. Hedra’s laughter was infectious.
Daisy smiled at them. “Did the party go well? You convinced Boone’s ex that you were dating?”
“Is there anyone you haven’t told about this, Coop?” Boone asked with a sigh.
“Daisy is my mate,” Cooper said as he pulled on his jacket. “I don’t keep secrets from her.”
“We convinced her,” Hedra said. “At least I think we did.”
Boone nodded. “Yeah, it went well.”
“Good,” Daisy said. “Have a great night, you two.”
“You as well. Thanks again for staying with Nan tonight,” Boone said.
“No problem,” Cooper said.
Boone walked them to the front door, and when he returned to the kitchen, Hedra had grabbed water from the fridge and was shaking chips into a bowl.
“Did you want some?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I’m good, thanks.”
“Okay, well, my bed and the latest Great British Baking Show episode are calling my name.” She hesitated, and like a little kid, he crossed his fingers behind his back that she would invite him to join her.
She picked up the bowl and her water. “Good night, Boone.”
