“You were fifteen.”
I nod, grinning that he took the bait. “I was. But I’m not anymore. And you’re allowed to be attracted to me. You’re allowed to flirt with me. Maybe invite me up to your place.” Eliminating the finite distance between us, I continue, “And if you’re worried about possibly abusing our little power dynamic, I’ll remind you that the dividends from my trust fund pay me more in one month than you make in five years on your cop salary.”
His eyes slide to mine, and something hot and complicated passes through them.
I wink.
His chest rises and he shakes his head, rocking back.
Shit.
I took it too far.
Only…he’s still holding my wrists.
“Rune…”
When I was in school, the kids made fun of my “girly” name, and I grew to hate it. I’ve never heard someone say my first name like he does. With respect and…sigh. Heat.
He slides his grip from my wrists to my fingers. On a sharp breath, he turns my hand, pulling it toward his lips, brushing a soft kiss along one set of knuckles, then the other.
He blinks, dropping my hands. “I…shit.”
“You what?” I ask, pressing my palms into his chest.
He drops his chin, sweeping it across my fingertips.
“I shouldn’t,” he whispers, flipping my hand over to lay a kiss on my inner wrist. “There’s so much going on right now…”
“Me too,” I say, quick to interrupt him. “I mean, the shit going on in my family…”
Er. That’s true, actually. I know Hedy didn’t tell me half of it, and the half she didn’t tell me… I’m pretty sure that part’s not exactly legal, or whatever.
But they didn’t trust me with the truth, and Boone’s holding my hands, staring at them like they hold the secret to the universe.
Let him be the one who finally lets me in.
18
BOONE
Why amI touching Maverick like this? I absolutely shouldn’t be, and certainly not while I’m keeping such a huge secret from him. I should be backing away. I should end this.
But there’s not a single part of me that’s capable of doing so. I’ve been dying to touch him, and I can’t pull back now.
Maybe for longer than I’ve been willing to admit.
“Kiss me again, Boone. Please just fucking kiss me already.”
The desire in Maverick’s eyes, the way his entire body is pleading for my touch…my control snaps. Slipping my hands from his, I cup the back of his neck, pulling him down, reaching up. I bump my nose against his because I know it’ll make him smile.
He does. It’s everything.
Finally,finally, I press my lips to his.
And it’s the Sistine Chapel. The finger of God, the creation of the universe. It’s warmth and heat and sweetness, enough to make my teeth ache.
He’s still smiling.
