Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
He opens his mouth. “You don’t know who you’re screwing with, pal.”
My body reacts on instinct, launching the fist at my side toward Travis’s jaw. It collides with a thud that makes someone at the table over gasp.
For a brief second, it looks like he tanked the hit. He stays standing, staring at me with awestruck eyes. Then his weak knees give in, and he crumbles into a mess on the floor. I look down at him, making sure this isn’t some ruse to have me drop my guard, but a tap on my shoulder pulls me away from his limp body.
I spin around to see Callie there, her face beaming with joy. She doesn’t give me a chance to speak, jumping into my arms and pulling me into a kiss that both soothes my temper and rocks my world all at once.
She pulls away, giggling and giddy, her hands holding my cheeks. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
“I’ve gotta protect what’s mine, right?” I wink playfully, exhilarated by her reaction.
This prick coming to town is probably the best thing that could’ve happened for our relationship.
Speaking of him, a groan pulls my attention back to the floor. Travis rolls around on the floor, trying to sit up.
I’m about to grab him again and show him the door myself, but Callie stops me by resting her delicate hand on my rumbling chest. “He’s not worth it.”
She’s right. It’s already over. This is a lesson he’ll never forget, and anything else I do now won’t register.
I take Callie’s hand and head for the door. The tables and people around us stare as we walk away from the man I left in a puddle. We break out into the fresh night air, and Callie’s vibrating at my side.
I open her door when we get back to my truck, but she stops and faces me before getting in.
“So, about the list of things we could do if Travis didn’t show up.” Pressing a finger into my chest, she draws slow circles across it. “We drank, we danced, does that mean we get to…?”
I kiss her again, rougher this time, making my intentions clear.
“Wouldn’t be a night out if we didn’t end it right, would it?”
She screams, delighted and excited, jumping into her seat. And as I wrap around to the driver’s side, I look back at the building.
Sure, things didn’t go exactly to plan, but this nailed it home.
Callie’s mine now.
And the whole damn world knows it.
13
CALLIE
We barely make it through Boone’s front door before the kissing starts. I admit, it’s my fault. But who could blame me? Ever since I arrived in Meadowview, Boone has done everything to show me how deeply he wants this. Wants me. Kicking my ex-boss’s ass is just the cherry on top of this perfect cake.
Our kiss doesn’t break until we reach the bedroom, and the only reason I know we’re here is because the smooth tile underfoot turns to soft carpet.
Boone slaps his hand against the wall, searching for the light switch, his other hand firmly slotted around my ass. He nails it on his fourth try, illuminating our surroundings, but I’m not all that interested in what’s around.
“You know, this isn’t what I meant when I said I want to see the inside of your place, right?” I tease him, gripping the hem of his shirt and brushing my lips over his shoulder.
“I’ll give you a tour in the morning,” he growls, too wild for flirtatious banter.
Boone slips his fingers under the spaghetti straps holding up my dress and tugs them off my shoulders. The dress pools at my feet, exposing my naked body beneath. I’d be lying if I said I knew the night would end this way, but I prepared for it anyway.
His first pause since we left the bar comes when I’m on full display, desire lingering in his steely gaze. Admiring and studying every line and curve of my body, like I’m a priceless work of art no one else will ever get to see.
And it’s that look right there that reaffirms my decision to stay. Has me picturing the rest of my life with him. Never second-guessing myself or wondering what could’ve been.
“You’re so fucking perfect,” Boone growls, wrapping his hands around my waist. His rough fingers tickle me, but the sensation sends a warm, eager jolt up my spine. “And you’re mine.”
I run my fingers over the cold metal of his belt buckle, staring into his frantic, smoky eyes. “All yours, Daddy.”
Boone throws himself forward, locking our mouths together, and guides me to his bed. I undo his belt and strip him of his pants before we get there.
He falls onto the bed with me in tow, and we make out and writhe in bliss as our bodies collide. Rolling over, Boone pulls me onto his lap. I straddle his waist in this half-seated position, pulling his shorts off before we get too lost in the moment.