The Seraphina Donavan Collection: Contemporary (16 page)

“I didn't come in here to fight with you. I came in here because I thought you needed my help,” she replied, a snap to her voice. “What exactly am I supposed to apologize for? Marrying William? Not waiting for you to grow up?”

He inhaled deeply, tipped his head back, and then let it out on a heavy sigh. “I don't know. I'm in a shitty mood, Caroline, and I'm taking it out on you.”

Carefully dabbing the antiseptic onto one of the many cuts that covered his knuckles, she offered up the only thing she could. “I can't help it that you were younger than me and that I, apparently stupidly, thought you'd get over having a crush on me. I never thought it was anything more than that.”

“Just forget it, alright?”

“That's a little hard to do,” she answered. Lifting her hand, she placed the pads of her fingers on the tattoo of her name. It was old, faded in places, bisected by a thin scar in others. “Apparently, you haven't.”

His hand came up, covering hers, stilling the movement of her fingers. Caroline glanced up, meeting his gaze. There was something dark in him, dangerous, and it appealed to her more than she wanted to admit.

“I was young and stupid…and drunk,” he added. “My buddy convinced me that if I wanted to prove my love to you, putting your name on my chest was the way to go. But then I got deployed, and by the time I made it home to show you anything, you were married to William.”

“Boone—”

“Let me finish,” he said. “I get it. I do. I was just your friend's kid brother. You never saw me that way, never thought of me that way. But that was then, and the only thing I care about is how you see me now.”

The tiny room suddenly seemed even smaller. Standing there with her hand trapped against the heated skin of his chest, feeling his heart beating beneath her palm, she wanted him more than she'd ever wanted anything in her life. But doubt and fear clawed at her. Years of having her father and William tearing her down reared their ugly head.

“It doesn't matter to you?”

“What?” he asked softly, even as he moved closer, crowding against her.

“That I'm not the size I was in high school? That I could starve myself every day and never be that size again?”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Boone moved again, easing forward until their bodies were pressed together, chest to chest and hip to hip. There was no hiding the raging hard-on cradled against the softness of her belly. “Does it feel like I mind?”

Caroline looked up at him, wide-eyed. “No.”

“I don't,” he said. “I couldn't care less. The only problem I have with your body is that right now it's covered.”

“How do you plan to fix that?”

“Not me. You. Take your sweater off,” he said. It was a challenge for her, he knew that. But he also knew that if she didn't own it, if she didn't accept in that moment that he wanted her just the way she was, she never would.

“Maybe we should go to the bedroom.”

He chuckled. “So you can convince me to turn off the lights? No, Caroline. I want to see you. Every inch.”

Her lips quirked up in a sardonic smile, but her eyes were filled with pain. “There are a lot of inches.”

“And I plan to worship every one of them. Trust me?”

“Maybe.”

He smiled at her doubtful tone. “You've always been beautiful to me, Caroline. You always will. Inside and out.”

She swayed toward him, her breasts brushing against his chest, and her lips parted in invitation. Boone wasted no time accepting her offer.

It wasn't a soft or gentle kiss. It was filled with all the longing, the frustration, and the need that had eaten away at him for years. His mouth moved hers forcefully, mapping every curve and contour of her full lips. Sweeping his tongue inside the softness of her mouth, it was a blatantly carnal invasion.

Heat flared, blazing inside him. Blood rushed through his veins, his heart pounding as his hands roamed over her. He slid them down her arms to her waist then around to cup the lush curves of her ass. He needed to be closer to her.

Without hesitating, he hoisted her up onto the counter of the small vanity. She squeaked in protest and he ignored it. Moving between her parted knees, he settled against her. His cock pressed against her, the heat scorching even through the layers of clothing. Her thighs hugged his hips as she rocked against him.

“Fuck,” he said through clenched teeth. “You're killing me.”

Rather than wait for her to respond, he gripped the hem of her sweater and tugged it upward. Obediently, she lifted her arms, allowing him to slip it over her head. Tossing it aside, his eyes were drawn to her breasts. They spilled over the top of black, lacy cups, more tempting than anything he'd ever seen.

Dipping his head, he kissed each one, nipping at her skin until she squirmed against him in a way that had them both groaning. Reaching behind her, he unfastened her bra with more speed than finesse before dragging the straps down her arms and sending it sailing to the floor to join her sweater.

Easing back from her slightly, he drank in the sight of her. Pale skin and berry pink nipples begged for his touch. Cupping her breasts in his hands, he kneaded the soft flesh with a firm, gentle touch. She moaned in response and the sound arrowed through him, straight to his cock.

Dipping his head, he captured one taut peak in his mouth. Alternating between gentle licks and the sting of his teeth scraping over it, he felt her tense and shudder. Her back arched, her breasts thrust forward. When her hands slid over his back, her nails scoring his skin as she clung to him, he was filled with such primal need. It was all he could do not to just strip her pants from her and take her right there.

“If you're going to stop me,” he murmured against her skin, “do it now.”

“No stopping,” she replied breathlessly. “No interruptions. Just you and me.”

Shifting slightly, he favored the other taut peak of her breast with similar treatment. Each touch aroused them both until the sound of their ragged breathing and Caroline's soft moans filled the room.

“Bed,” she said, softly. “Take me to bed.”

“The lights stay on…I've waited eighteen years for this.”

She nodded her agreement, though he could see hesitation in her eyes. Taking her by the hand, he led her toward his room, toward the bed where he'd lain awake thinking of her since he'd come back home.

She settled on the edge of the bed, removing the black boots she wore. When they were out of the way, he moved toward her, pressing her back, coming down on top of her. Feeling the softness of her body against him, beneath him, was every fantasy he'd ever had, but so much better.

He kissed her lips, the soft curve of her jaw, along her neck and collarbone. Every shiver and sigh was his reward for patience. All the while, his hands roamed over her skin, trailing lightly over her ribs, the softness of her belly, tracing the curve of her waist and the flare of her hips. When he reached for the button of her jeans, she placed her hands over his, but not to stop him. Instead, she completed the task for him, unfastening them. Together, they eased the tight denim over her hips, down her legs, until they fell discarded to the floor. Only her panties remained, black silk against white skin. Reaching for them, he eased them from her, baring her completely.

“I wish,” he said softly, “that you could see yourself the way I do. So perfect…soft, feminine, sexy as hell.”

“I don't need to see it. You make me feel it. But it's not fair that I'm the only one naked here.”

~*~*~

Carolyn couldn't take her eyes off him as Boone rose from the bed. With quick, economical movements, he shed the sweat pants he wore. She didn't have time to study the perfection of him as he climbed back into the bed. But the quick impression of chiseled abs, lean hips, and his heavy erection made her body burn.

She felt hot and achy, desperate for him in a way she'd never been in her life. Sex with William had been more of a chore than anything else. But as Boone moved over her, her thighs parted eagerly, her legs wrapping around him. The hardness of his body, the heat of him against her, was unlike anything she'd ever felt.

The need was like a living thing inside her, scratching and clawing its way to the surface. Her body ached with it. His mouth at her breasts, his hands roaming her body, stoked the fire until she was mindless with it.

“Boone, you're killing me!”

He chuckled. “What's the rush?”

Two could play at that game, she though. Sliding her hand over his ribs, down to his hip, she shifted inward. Closing her fingers around him, feeling the hard length of him in her hand, she stroked him with a brazenness that shocked them both.

“Now you're just playing dirty,” he said, but his voice was rough.

“Is there any other way?”

Caroline was unprepared for Boone's response. He grasped her wrist, pulling her hand away from him. Tugging her hands above her head, he locked one hand about both of her wrists, pinning them in place.

“What are you doing?” she demanded.

“You wanted to play dirty,” he replied.

She couldn't answer, could do nothing but moan with pleasure as his other hand slid between her parted thighs and stroked her damp flesh. He slipped one finger inside her as his thumb circled her clit. Her back arched and she rocked against him, eager for more.

Caroline could only move against him, her breath ragged and punctuated with soft cries, as he drove her higher. Tension coiled inside her as the heat built. She strained against him, but with her wrists captured in his large hand, she was helpless. It only heightened her desire.

Every knowing stroke of his fingers sent her closer to the edge. When the tension broke, her release swept through her. She literally saw stars. The intensity of it left her shaking and weak as she sobbed his name.

But he left her no opportunity to recover. Her body still quaked with the aftershocks of her orgasm when she felt the blunt head of his arousal against her. A soft sigh escaped her as he entered her. It felt so perfect, so right.

“I feel like I've wanted this my whole life,” he whispered.

She smiled, but tears burned her eyes. “I wasted too much time.”

“We're not wasting it now,” he replied, kissing her softly as he moved within her.

There was no more talking after that. Only the slick heat and building pleasure as he moved within her. She clung to him as the tension built again. He tensed against her, his muscles taut as he fought for control. But control wasn't what she wanted from him. She wanted him as mindless with desire as she was.

Sliding her hands over the firm muscles of his back, she moved lower until she could squeeze his perfectly sculpted ass. With her hands gripping him, pulling him closer, she arched her hips, taking him even deeper. He uttered her name on a harsh groan and thrust deeply inside her. His body tightened, and she felt the hot rush inside her.

She clenched around him, the rhythmic contractions of her climax drawing out the pleasure for them both. He dropped his head, his forehead resting against her shoulder as he pressed a kiss to her breast just above her heart.

“I think that was worth waiting for,” he said.

She smiled. “I think you're right. This is only my second first date in my entire life, but I'm pretty sure this isn't the norm.”

His answering laugh whispered over her skin, making her shiver.

“The date was just a formality, Caroline. You've been mine forever.”

Caroline felt the tears then. They burned her eyes and one slipped between her lashes, but Boone gently wiped away.

“I hope those are good tears,” he said.

“They're the best kind,” she answered. “I thought my life had fallen to pieces, but I just realized it had been in pieces all along. I have never been as happy as I am right now.”

He rose up on his elbows, looking down at her with an expression so tender it stole her breath.

“I know there are rules for all of this, but they just don't apply to us. I love you. I've always loved you. And hell, it's not like I was ever good at hiding it anyway…and it's okay if you don't love me back. Yet. Because you will.”

“You're pretty cocky.”

He rolled off her, onto his side, but tugged her with him, folding his arms around her. “I've got reason to be. Give me a little time to recover and I'll show you.”

Caroline snuggled against him. “You're wrong though. About me not loving you yet. I fell for you so hard at Lucy's wedding. That was the first time I ever looked at you and had to remind myself of all the reasons why I couldn't be with you. I was married to William. You were Lucy's little brother. Then you rescued that kitten the other night and I was just sunk.”

“I'm not a saint.”

“No,” she agreed. “You're not, and you'll never pretend to be. The one thing you'll always be with me is honest. How could I not love you?”

A noise had him turning toward the door. Raising up on his elbow, he looked over the edge of the bed. “I'll be damned. How the hell did she do that?”

“What?”

Boone leaned over the edge of the bed and picked up a purring ball of patchy fur. “Someone has figured out how to get out of her pen.”

Caroline took the kitten from him and placed it on her pillow where it nestled happily into her hair. “She's not a cat. I don't know what she is, but she's probably not a cat…and she needs a name.”

Boone rubbed one of the bald spots just below her ear. “It's clearly not going to be fluffy, but since she made you fall in love with me, why don't we call her Venus?”

Caroline smiled. “I like that. Venus it is.”

Snuggled together in his bed, with the kitten purring loudly and the warmth of his body surrounding her, Caroline wasn't just content. She was happier than she'd ever been. Her old life was gone—the money, the big house—and she didn't miss it at all. Everything she wanted was right there in reach.

“Of course,” Boone began, “you realize Lucy will be unbearable and will take all the credit.”

“She can have it. She can even gloat about it. I'm too happy to care.”

He tugged her closer. “Remember that tomorrow when she's grilling you.”

“I'm not discussing our sex life with your sister. It's just weird.”

“Agreed. But she has boundary issues,” he reminded her. “Not that it's entirely a bad thing. She was sort of instrumental in putting us together.”

Caroline turned onto her back, looking up at him. The kitten mewed in protest as her hair shifted beneath it. “Yeah, but you gave her Charlie, right? You can just call it even.”

He chuckled. “I think I got the better end of the deal…although you did give him a run for his money with the potty mouth earlier tonight. Next time you use the word fuck, it's going to be in a very different context.”

“Oh, really? What context is that?”

Boone picked up the kitten again, placing it on the floor where it promptly yelled its displeasure before settling into Boone’s discarded pants. “Let me show you.”

THE END