“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 fordiverting 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. Yourheartis 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?”
