Chapter 27 Honey
HONEY
When we get to my street, Beau parks a few houses down, and we make our way up to my apartment. After I unlock the door, I flip on the lights. “Please be careful in that corner and over there by the kitchen table. That’s where the floorboards are wonky.”
He immediately heads for those spots to test them out. “I can fix these for you if you want. I helped refurbish our barn.”
“You have enough going on, but thank you. For now, let’s just avoid those spots.”
He frowns. “Are you sure? It’s no trouble.”
I go up to him and kiss him. “We’re not here to rehab my apartment. Sit, and I’ll get you some iced tea while I tidy my bedroom.”
He’s still frowning, but he eventually relents. After I pour his drink and set that down on the coffee table, I flip on my small flatscreen and hand him the remote. “Give me ten minutes. Make yourself at home, as long as that doesn’t entail renovating anything.”
Beau grumbles but nods.
Smiling, I run into my bedroom and close the door and lean against it. Tonight has been the best date I’ve ever had.
Hopefully, it’s only going to get better.
But my room looks like it was hit by a tornado.
I run around and toss all of my clothes in the closet.
I usually hang everything, but there’s no time.
I quickly clear off the top of my dresser, throw away trash, and make my bed.
Then I light a few candles on my vanity for ambiance, turn on my bedside lamp, and flick off the bright overhead light.
By the time I’m done, my heart is racing. Calm down, Honey. You’ve already had sex with Beau.
Except when we did it in my SUV, it was spur of the moment. I didn’t have time to overthink it like I do now.
When I return to the living room, Beau’s watching Goodfellas. My brothers love that movie, but I don’t mention it because I don’t want reminders of all the obstacles we face.
Because I really want this to work.
Beau is amazing. He’s funny and loyal and sweet. He has this protective side I love. He’s interested in my job and would support me ranching and riding. Could I ask for anything else?
And don’t get me started about how much I love his family. It’s crazy that my father and brothers hate the Walkers because they’re so warm and welcoming. No one gave me side eye for being part of Baylee’s wedding, and I have to admit I was expecting some resistance.
Beau and his brothers actually support each other. I know Trig helps Cash, but they don’t have the same camaraderie that the Walkers have. Maybe things were different when their father Augustus was alive, but he’s gone now. Will my father really hold a grudge against their family?
I need to talk to my dad. Maybe if I explain how I feel, if I explain my experience with the Walkers, he’ll hear me out.
Assuming Beau’s serious about me.
Based on our conversation at the restaurant, I think he is.
Beau reaches out and tugs me into his lap. “Hey, gorgeous. Tonight was fun.”
I run my hand over his beard. “Best first date ever.”
He kisses me. “Coulda danced with you all night.”
I feel the same way, except I was dying to be alone with him. “Do you need to work tomorrow?”
“I have some stuff to do at the ranch, but I don’t have to be at the firehouse until next week. Why?”
“Just wondering if you need to get some rest.”
He drags a finger over my collarbone. “I don’t have any plans to sleep tonight.”
I wrap my arms around his neck. “I don’t either.” Shifting, I shove off my boots and straddle his lap. He reaches up and unbuttons my lacy shirt.
When he reaches my sheer white bra, he groans. “You always wear the prettiest things.” His thumbs gently rub my hard nipples, and I sink deeper on his lap.
“I wore this for you.”
Looking up at me, he leans closer and sucks me through the fabric. “Do your panties match?”
“You’re going to have to look and see.”
He smacks my ass. “Tease.” I laugh and wiggle on him until he groans again. Then I lift up on my knees and tug up my skirt so he can see my matching bottoms. He runs a finger between my legs. “You’re wet.”
“A condition that arises whenever I’m around you.” I settle back down on his lap.
“Speaking of arising…” He shifts his hips to press his huge erection against me, and I laugh.
“Poor baby. Do you need relief?”
“You have no idea.”
“Want to come to my room?”
“I’d love to.”
I slide off his lap and hold out my hand, which he takes. When he sees my room, he glares at the candles. “You know those are a fire hazard, right?”
“Yes, grumpy. Which is why I only light them if I’m going to be nearby, and since I figured we’d be in here soon, I thought it would be okay.” I tug him deeper into my room. “I promise to blow them out after I blow you.”
Shaking his head, he laughs as he sits on my bed and yanks me down next to him. “Come here.” He flips us over so I’m on my back, and he leans over me. “My number one rule is the princess always comes first.”
“I generally don’t like rules, but I think I can get behind this one.”
“Good, because I plan to make you come often.” He rubs his nose against mine.
When his lips meet mine, I sigh at how right this feels.
We kiss, slow and soft and sweet as his hands move over me, cupping my breasts and squeezing my nipples.
I’m a squirmy mess by the time he kisses down my neck and unsnaps my bra.
Sitting up, he stares down at me.
“What?” I raise my arm over my head to stretch.
“You are so fucking beautiful.” He runs a finger down my chest. “With your hair going every which way, you look like a sea nymph right now. Who were those women who sang on rocks?”
I smile. “Sirens. They’d draw in the sailors who couldn’t resist their songs, and their ships would crash upon the rocks.”
“You’re gorgeous and smart. I love that about you.”
“Fair warning, though. I can’t sing. Not a note. So we can’t live out that fantasy. Not that I wish you a brain bashing on the rocks.”
“Thank you. Appreciate that.”
Laughing, I reach up and run my hand over his muscular shoulder. “Why are you wearing so many clothes?”
He takes the hint and unbuttons his dress shirt, then strips off his white undershirt. I watch as he kicks off his boots, unbuttons his belt, and flicks open his jeans.
Holy hot firefighter.
I circle my finger around him. “I think this is what all the ladies who lined up at the car wash were hoping to see.”
He chuckles. “And now it’s for your eyes only.”
“Damn straight.” Grinning, I scoot higher up the bed and crook my finger. “Does this mean you’re officially off the market?”
Beau crawls over me and settles between my legs in all of his muscular gloriousness. “It does.” He cradles my face in his rough hands and kisses me. “Honey McAllister, will you be my girlfriend?”
“Why, Beau Walker, I’d be delighted.” I tangle my fingers in his thick hair. As I stare at him, it hits me. What we’re up against. “Are you worried about the Pandora’s box we’re opening?”
“I don’t care.” He kisses me. “You’re worth it. We’ll work out the details. Tonight, it’s just you and me. Let’s figure us out. Let’s figure out what we want. Then we can add everyone else to the mix.”
“That sounds smart.”
“I’m dating you, Honey. Not your brothers or father. They don’t get a say. If you’re worried about your trust fund…”
“I’m not. I mean, not exactly. I don’t need to live in a big house or have the luxury cars my mom always wanted.
I’d rather have a genuine, committed relationship.
I’d rather have my independence. I’m tired of living by my father’s rules.
I’m just worried about my club. I’m hoping my father helps me with that property I told you about.
And I’ll never be able to afford my horse if… ” I trail off with worry.
He cups my face. “We’ll put our heads together and see what we can come up with.”
“Thank you. You make this sound easier than what’s going on in my mind.”
“I’m thinking there are one or two things I can do to help you relax.”
Smiling, I pull him down on me. “I’m all yours.”
As he kisses his way down my body, all the background noise quiets. It’s just me and Beau. I focus on the way his rough palms smooth over my breast and up my thigh. On his hot mouth when he sucks my nipple. On the way his hips push against mine.
I’m an aching mess by the time he makes it down to where I need him.
With a groan, he licks me through the lace of my underwear. I’m so close. I’m ready to detonate.
Except he crawls next to me, flops down on the bed, and pats his chest. “Take off your panties, baby, and come up here.”
“Um. What?”
“I was noticing your wrought-iron headboard.” He reaches behind his head to give it a good shake, but it doesn’t budge. “I think we should put it to use.”
How would we do that? I’m not sure what he has in mind, but I decide he can show me. I kick off my underwear, which leaves me in my flowy skirt, and I shift over him.
His big hands grip my hips, and he moves me up until I’m straddling his chest. Then he lifts me up, so I’m kneeling.
“Grab the headboard, princess.”
My skirt covers his head, so I lift it. “Hi.”
He laughs. “Hi back. Come closer and sit on my face.”
I know people do this, but the logistics don’t make sense. Confused, I stare at him. “But then you can’t breathe.”
He gives me a wicked grin. “Breathing is optional.” Is he serious? He chuckles. “I’ll be fine, I swear.”
“How about I lean over your face?”
“I can work with that.” He adjusts his pillow and I scoot forward when he’s ready and grab the headboard for balance. “That’s it, baby.”
I tuck the front of my skirt into the waistband so he doesn’t suffocate. But that means I now have a clear view of him right there against my pussy. He glances up at me then licks me, and I shiver.
“Okay, wow.” That’s… I don’t have words. I lean closer, and he grabs my ass to keep me pressed to him.