Chapter 22
KENNEDY
Boone was different tonight, more inside his head. I wasn't sure what he was thinking about, and I didn't have much space to entertain it. Because I was so caught up in how my work was coming to an end.
I just had to meet with the Harts one more time to go over my final suggestions, and then I wouldn't have a reason to stay.
The anticipation of my impending departure was making me anxious. But there was nothing more to do. The job was over, and my home was in Miami.
I was getting more inquiries by the day, especially since news about the snow room had broken in the hotel community. Most wanted to talk to me about what I could do for them.
My life was wherever the job took me. It certainly wasn't here with Boone, no matter how much I wanted it to be.
He also hadn't mentioned feelings, and I was afraid to bring them up.
This was supposed to be temporary. Talking about feelings was outside the bounds of our relationship.
The cab of the truck was quiet on the short drive to Boone's place. I tried to imagine what it would look like with a cabin and everything else that Boone wanted. It was going to be perfect, but it hurt to even consider it. Would he meet someone else and start a family with her?
I hated thinking about Boone with another woman. But wouldn't it be better for him to fall for someone who lived nearby, a local? Someone who'd support his business?
I hated everything about it.
"Are you okay?"
I smiled tremulously. "Of course."
"Because I'm not so sure I am." His voice was low and gravelly.
Before I could ask him what he meant by that, he'd thrown the truck in Park and killed the engine. Then he drew me over the console and kissed me. "I need you."
"I need you too." Nothing else compared to this, us being together. Nothing else could penetrate. Not my worries or my feelings.
He broke away. "Inside."
I scrambled to get out of the truck, and by the time my feet hit the ground, he was tugging me up the stairs. He unlocked the door and pulled me inside.
Then his hands were in my hair and his mouth on mine. He was kissing me like there was a timer somewhere ticking down our time together, and I supposed there was.
He lifted me so that my back was pressed against the door. He rolled his hips so that I felt the hard bulge between my legs. I whimpered against his lips as he continued to grind against me. "Boone."
My nipples were hard points, and my panties were soaked.
He lifted me and carried me toward the bed where he set me down in front of it. He didn't waste any time removing his shirt and then his jeans. I hurried to catch up, neither of us slowing until we were both naked.
"You're gorgeous."
I bit my lip. Could I tell him what I thought of him? That he was the most attractive man I'd ever been with, and it wasn't just his looks; it was the way he cared for his family and me.
There were so many things that made him an ideal partner but none that made us work as a couple. So I kept my mouth shut.
I sat on the bed, leaning back on my hands as he sank to the floor. He pulled me to the edge of the bed, and I fell back.
His hands roamed over my calves, my thighs. "You smell so sweet."
I nearly groaned out loud. Who said things like that? He was ruining me for all other men, and there was no coming back from this.
His hands were featherlight on my inner thighs and his breath warm across my pussy. Then he licked me, and I bowed off the bed.
He rested a forearm across my pelvis to secure me in place while he worked me over. We'd been together enough times for him to know exactly what I liked. He added a finger, thrusting inside me while his tongue circled my clit. He was building me up quickly.
My muscles tensed as the orgasm shot through me. White lights exploded behind my eyelids, and my body spasmed around his fingers.
He continued to lick and suck me through my orgasm, and when I was coming down, he moved up my body, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand.
His cock nudged my entrance, and he slowly slipped inside, never taking his gaze from mine. Emotion welled inside me. I loved this man, and I wished that I could stay with him in this bed forever. But that wasn't possible or even realistic.
He began to move in slow, sure strokes. I gripped his forearms and held on. His powerful thighs stretched mine wider as he continued to move inside me.
I wanted to tell him how I felt, but now wasn't the best time.
He dropped his head so that he could kiss me, and I forgot about logic and reason. His cock buried deep inside me, filling me up. His tongue licked into my mouth. I ran my hands down his back, feeling the flex of his muscles.
"I'll never get enough of you," he murmured so softly that I barely heard him.
He'd said it several times before, and every time, it felt like his way of saying goodbye. I want you but not enough to stop you from leaving.
How would I have reacted to him asking me to stay? Was that even what I wanted?
I needed to stay focused on my business. I couldn't get caught up in a man again. He had the power to distract me from what was important, and I couldn't afford that.
With each pass, he ground against my clit, driving me higher. He leaned forward, changing the angle slightly, and this time, I went over the edge, trembling and shaking and calling his name.
He thrust one more time and let go. His forehead rested on mine. I felt so close to him in that moment.
He kissed me and then pulled out. He went to the bathroom, running water over a washcloth before returning to gently clean me. Each time he did that, my heart beat harder for him.
He gathered me to him, and neither of us talked about the fact that I'd be leaving soon. There was something heavy in the air between us.
I forced myself to close my eyes, to try and go to sleep. I couldn't change our reality, the one where we didn't work long-term. This was fun while it lasted, and it would have to be enough.
* * *
I met with the Harts in a conference room at the inn. Today, the entire family was present to hear my final presentation.
I was nervous but confident in my decisions.
It was cost-effective to buy furniture for most of the rooms, but if they wanted something custom, it would make the most sense on the top floor.
I couldn't say that I didn't let Boone influence my decision, because he had.
I was enthralled with his abilities as a craftsman, and I wanted his work showcased at the inn in some capacity.
But for him to build all the furniture would take too much time.
Ultimately, Judy and Raymond wanted the renovation to be completed as quickly as possible to minimize disruption to their reservations and guests.
I stood at the front of the room with my presentation on the projector while everyone filed in. Judy and Raymond sat to my right, and Malcolm and Callum to my left. The other brothers and Clara sat around the rest of the table.
Boone came in last and stood leaning against the door with his arms crossed over his chest. What was he thinking? Was he going to be upset about my final decision?
When I left his bed this morning, he'd kissed me and wished me good luck. But he hadn't said anything about the outcome. He was the one who came up with this solution, so I hoped he was okay with it.
I took a deep breath and said, "Thank you for coming in this morning to hear what I have to say. I'm very grateful that you took me into your inn and showed me around your businesses. I loved getting to know you and the surrounding area."
"We've loved having you here as well," Clara said warmly.
I smiled. "We already decided to create the snow room, and it's coming along nicely. I'm hearing quite a bit of buzz around it. I'm expecting that you'll get inquiries about features in magazines and newspapers when it's finished."
Raymond leaned in. "You're saying that a magazine will feature the snow room?"
I nodded. "They prefer to wait until it's close to completion before reaching out. In the meantime, we'll showcase the progress on your social media pages."
"I hadn't even considered that we'd be featured in a magazine," Raymond said.
"I'd be prepared for that happening. Wynter provided samples of the photography for the walls."
I lifted the frames so that they leaned against the white board. Each one was a different building or scene on the property.
"These are so nice," Judy murmured.
"If there's anything you'd like to see, just let me know, or you can work with Wynter directly. She's excited to showcase exactly what you want," I said.
"I love the idea of using real scenery for the pictures," Rowan said.
"When I was researching, I found a local artist who paints scenery as well. You could hang her work in the lobby and sell it if you wanted. Or you could use it solely for decor." I put two of her paintings on the table so everyone could see them.
"I don't believe I've met this artist," Judy said.
"She was adamant that I not share her name unless you decided to go with her.
" I couldn't understand why unless she had history with one of the Harts.
" I clicked to the next slide that showed mock-ups of the room with the colors we'd chosen and the traditional-looking furniture.
"I thought I'd show you what I was thinking for the rooms themselves.
" It's what people would expect at an inn like this and would fit nicely with the pieces I was hoping Boone would make.
"This is for the regular rooms on the lower floors.
The colors complement the outdoors with the greens, grays, browns, and cream.
The furniture is more traditional, which will match nicely with what I have planned for the rest of the inn. "
"And what's that?" Raymond prodded me.
I clicked to the next slide, which featured a few of Boone's sketches.
"I'd like Boone to design statement pieces for the hallways, the lobby, and the rooms on the top floor.
This way, his beautiful work is showcased in the best areas, and it's not too much that we won't be able to finish the renovation on time. "
The room was quiet as I looked away from the slide.
Clara smiled. "I think that's a great idea."
I looked over at Boone, but his expression was carefully blank.
"I have handouts for you to look at the proposed costs of the furniture, purchased or handcrafted, and the possible timeline for completion and delivery."
I waited for everyone to look over the spreadsheets, and then I added, "Boone's work is so unique that it would fit best in the common areas and the suites on the top floor. The guests are paying a premium for the suites, and they expect more."
"I can understand that," Judy said, not taking her gaze away from the spreadsheet.
The numbers were very clear. It was quicker and cheaper to purchase most of the furniture from suppliers. But I didn't want to forego using Boone's work entirely. Especially when his pieces were so nice. "Does anyone have any questions?"
"Your job is just to give recommendations? You don't stick around for the renovation itself?" Callum asked.
"I'm available for several months afterwards for follow-up questions. After that, you'd have to pay for my services to continue."
"So you're onto the next thing?" Malcolm asked.
"I'll decide on my next project soon, but I'm available to answer questions." I hated leaving a project, but it was time. Even if I'd fallen for Boone.
Raymond stood. "I appreciate the hard work you did and can't wait to see everything come together."
"I'm excited to see the final result as well. I really think the snow room will be the attraction everyone will talk about. And the renovations will be the perfect fit for your inn."
"I think they will be," Judy added. "Thank you again for traveling here and spending time with us."
"And putting up with grumpy Boone," Hunter joked.
"He wasn't so bad once I got to know him." I hoped I hadn't given anything away by that statement.
There were a few more questions about timing and cost, and then I packed up my things, leaving the photos and artwork.
I figured they'd want to talk about my suggestions.
But my work here was done. I'd be in contact with them to answer any questions they might have and coordinate work with the artist if they wanted to showcase her work, but I could do that virtually.
There was no need for me to stick around.
I went to my room, the one that I'd barely spent any time in lately, and started to sort through my emails. I needed to focus on something besides what the Harts were discussing. And deciding on my next job seemed to be the best choice.
I ordered room service and kept reading, stopping to research a particular company here and there. I'd narrowed it down to five possibilities by the time I realized it was dark outside and I hadn't heard from Boone.
I wondered how he felt about the meeting. We'd discussed most of it. My suggestions shouldn't have been a surprise. But maybe he'd changed his mind and wanted his furniture in all the rooms.
That's when another email came through marked Urgent. Barrett, my contact at one of my top five companies, was asking if I could start right away. There was a bonus in it for me.
I'd never received anything like this before. I usually named my price, and there were companies willing to pay it. But I'd never been offered money to move someone up the list, or to come sooner. This was an interesting idea, and I wanted to take it.
It was too much money to pass up. I could put a huge chunk of it in savings.
It was exactly the security I needed after buying the beach condo.
Plus the job was in New York. It was a challenge I wanted to take on.
Barrett had seen my plans for a snow room, and wanted to know what I could do for his hotels.
It was exactly what I needed to move my career forward. I'd planned on spending a few more days with Boone, but I couldn't pass on the offer I'd get to leave now.
I checked the airport for flights, and emailed Barrett. I'd be crazy not to go. Besides Boone hadn't asked me to stay. He wanted to move on, and I should too.