CHAPTER TWELVE
“I’ll admit, I haven’t watched very much of it, but from what little I have seen, there are certain elements that are pretty accurate.
” Boone was sharing his thoughts on how the show Yellowstone portrayed ranch life versus reality.
“Most of the work they do with cows and horses on the show is pretty accurate. Like rotational grazing, that sort of thing.”
“Rotational grazing?” Luna was absolutely fascinated by the inside look into a way of life so vastly different from her own. She loved the passion in his voice whenever he spoke about the life he had growing up.
“That’s when you move cattle from one place to another to provide access to water and fresh forage.
” He clarified, “Moving them around helps prevent overgrazing, protects the herd from harsh weather, rounds them up to manage calving and weaning. We also do it to get them to market. Shifting around the property is critical for the long-term health of our animals and the land.”
“So, you think the show is pretty true to life?” Calliope asked.
“Well, except for all the killing that seems to take place.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“I can honestly say no one in my family nor anyone who works for us has ever killed someone for diverting water or stealing a cow or anything crazy like that. We rely on the legal system to take care of those types of problems.”
Luna admired the way Boone answered question after question with such incredible patience and ease.
He had a way of focusing his full attention on a person when speaking to them.
At first, the intensity of it could be a bit intimidating, but she’d come to appreciate that aspect of his personality, along with so many others.
Other guests gathered around them, interested in hearing what he had to say. Boone had that effect on people—they seemed naturally drawn to him. Perhaps it was his quiet strength and confidence. Whatever it was, it was genuine, and that was what she appreciated.
Even as he fielded questions, he remained aware of her next to him—little gestures like giving her a quick wink, placing his hand over hers where it rested on his forearm, or making a point to draw her into the conversation.
Her gaze lingered on his lips as he spoke, and she thought about their almost-kiss in the kitchen.
Never before had she felt such powerful sexual chemistry with someone, to the point sparks still tingled throughout her body.
Had they not been interrupted, she was certain it would’ve been the hottest, most intense kiss of her life.
Boone seemed to have tapped into a sensual part of her that she hadn’t known existed, and she couldn’t wait to explore those new feelings.
As if sensing her eyes on him, he slowly turned, looked down at her for a long moment, and the heat of his gaze seared through her.
“If you guys will excuse us, I need to chat with Luna about something.” He took her hand and quickly led her away from the group and back toward the empty kitchen.
Behind her, she heard Jacob say, “That boy’s got it bad,” followed by chuckles from the group.
She hurried her steps to keep up with him. “Boone, what are—”
They made it to the kitchen, and he spun her to face him.
“Sorry, but the way you were looking at me … I couldn’t wait a minute longer to do this.” He stepped up to her, cupped her cheeks with his hands, lowered his face to hers, then hesitated. “Say the word, Luna, and I’ll stop.”
“Please don’t.” The urgent plea in her voice couldn’t be helped.
“Thank God.” He closed the scant distance between them and settled his lips on hers.
Holy moly, how was it possible for someone so powerful to have such soft lips?
And what were the chances they would fit perfectly against hers?
Knowing the roughness of his hands came from hard work added to the sensations thrumming through her.
He kept the kiss slow and gentle, and she could tell he was being careful not to push her too fast, as if afraid she might change her mind.
Not gonna happen.
Luna wrapped her arms around his waist, spread her fingers across his back, and pressed her front against his chest. In unison, as if they’d been doing this together for years, they slanted their heads to just the right angle and took the kiss deeper.
Without breaking their kiss, he dragged his hands from her face, circled his arms around her, and held her in a way that made her feel special, cherished, even.
Her head was spinning, and the feelings pouring through her were powerful and unlike anything she’d ever experienced before.
Kissing Boone Langston had just rocketed to the top of the list of her favorite things of all time.
Her nipples hardened beneath her sweater as she shamelessly rubbed herself against him like a cat. Their tongues danced, and she may have even moaned a little. He would surely notice the way her body responded to his touch—and she didn’t care.
For the first time in a long time, she wasn’t embarrassed or afraid of her intense display of raw emotion.
Because you feel safe with him. Your heart is safe with him. The thought whispered through her subconscious.
The unexpected revelation careened right through the walls she’d constructed, and she knew in her bruised soul that Boone was the guy for her. If the feel of his hardened dick against her was any indication, he was at least physically attracted to her, too.
Slowly, he lifted his mouth, set his forehead to hers, and whispered against her lips, “Tell me you feel it, too, Luna.”
“Yes, I feel it, too,” she whispered.
There was no need to define what he meant—she instinctively knew.
He speared his fingers through her hair and lifted her gaze to him.
“I won’t hurt you.” His declaration felt cast in stone. “I’d like to see where this thing between us goes.” His brows lifted in question. “What do you think?”
By agreeing, she might be opening herself up to a kind of heartbreak she’d never experienced before, because she’d never felt this way about anyone before. But not giving them a chance was no longer an option.
“I think I love that idea.” I think I love you.
That realization didn’t freak her out the way she’d expected it to. Of course, now was not the time to toss those three words out at him. Why risk scaring him off right from the start?
“Excellent.” He blew out a breath, and his entire buff body seemed to relax. As if he’d been worried she wasn’t interested.
Silly man. She was very interested.
Boone kept his fingers in her hair and kissed her in a way that felt possessive, not controlling. Perhaps that was the difference. Unlike Enoch and her dipshit boyfriend from college, Boone was a man, not an immature man-child.
“Ahem.” Someone dramatically cleared their throat in the background.
They broke their kiss and saw Lucas standing in the doorway.
“We’re about to sing to the birthday girl.” He pointed over his shoulder. “You guys want to join us?”
“We’ll be right there,” Boone said.
“Sounds good.” Lucas patted the doorjamb and walked away.
She started to follow him and stopped when Boone took hold of her hand.
“Just so we’re clear, we’re official now, and we’re going to see where this thing goes, right?”
“Agreed.” Luna smiled, threaded her fingers through his, and they left the kitchen together.
The party began to wind down, and Boone said good night to Marigold and Viking. The rest of his teammates and their significant others had left a short time ago. That left their host and the birthday girl, who were straightening up the kitchen; her dad and granddad; Luna and him.
Boone tossed the empty aluminum cans and bottles into the recycling bin and walked back out to the front room to grab a few more. He tracked Luna as she moved around the room, picking up paper plates and cups and tossing them into a large, black garbage bag.
“You don’t have to do that, ya know.” Calliope strolled up behind him, drying her hands on a dish towel.
“I know, but waking up to a mess is never fun.” Luna lifted up a fork and a paper plate with remnants of frosting on them. “Besides, this is the last of it.” She smiled and shoved them into the bag.
“Well, I really appreciate you doing that.” Calliope reached out for the bag. “Here, let me take that out to the garage.” She took the bag and walked away.
Gabriel came from the hallway where the guest rooms were located.
“Care to join us on the patio for a cigar, Boone?” He lifted a leather case from his shirt pocket.
“Thanks, but I’m going to be heading out soon.” He added, “I’ll take a raincheck, though.”
“You got it.” Gabriel shook his hand.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, son.” Jacob extended his hand, and they shook.
“You, too, sir.” The man scowled, and Boone quickly corrected himself. “I mean Jacob.”
“That’s more like it,” he joked. He turned to Luna. “You got a good one here, honey.”
She blushed and looked up at Boone. “I certainly do.”
“I’ll be out in a few minutes, Dad.” Calliope flopped the dish towel over her shoulder.
Gabriel opened the large sliding glass door, and he and Jacob stepped out onto the small patio and shut the door behind them.
“I spoke to Eddie today.” Calliope crossed her arms. “He said everything’s fine and not to worry about him.”
“Let me guess, you didn’t believe him,” Boone teased.
“Well … he sounded fine, but—”
“Maybe he just needed some time with his family.” Boone could certainly understand that. “Don’t you like having your dad and granddad here?”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Calliope conceded. “By the way, this makes me very happy.” She shook her finger back and forth between Luna and Boone.
They both responded at the same time with, “Me, too.”
Lucas walked up behind Calliope and wrapped his arms around her waist. Her head dropped back against his chest on a sigh.
“Happy birthday, babe.” He kissed the top of her head and looked at Boone. “You guys hangin’ out for a bit?”
“Nah, I’ve got to get home and check on Sassy and Patience.” The horses were fine, but it was obvious Calliope was fading fast. Which she would never willingly admit. “I’ll walk you to your car, Luna.”
“Thanks.” She grabbed her purse from where it hung on a peg next to his hat.
“Thanks for coming, you guys.” Calliope stepped away from Lucas to give them each a hug.
“Thanks for having us.” Luna looped the strap of her bag over her head so it hung across her body. “And happy birthday, again.”
“See you Monday.” Boone opened the door for Luna, and she stepped out onto the front porch.
Lucas pointed at him. “Take care of her.” His tone held a combination of protectiveness and warning.
“Count on it.” Boone wedged his hat onto his head and walked out the door.
Luna Pannikos was his now, and no one was going to hurt her. Especially not him.