Page 84 of Rumor Has It

Chapter 17

Boone

Following her down Highway Seventeen, all I can think about is never letting her down again. I understand she whole heartedly believes she’s responsible for everything that went down between us, but I know better.

I’ve had a lot of years to think about this, without a doubt, and had I chosen to stay, our lives would’ve been different. People who choose to stay are the brave ones. They have no idea if what might be seen as a last ditch effort is exactly that.

Staying. A simple word with so much meaning. It’s easier to leave than it has ever been to stay, to work harder than anyone to keep your love intact. We’re the lucky ones; our love is one of a lifetime.

I could’ve stayed. I should have, actually. No one can make you leave, you do that when you’re hurt. She knew I was going to do the right thing, and she believed she did. How does that make her worse than me?

We both made decision that affected the other, she just had the balls to let it be known. I’m still being a coward. Even with Ridge telling me she wasn’t doing well, I never thought it was as bad as what I was doing. I was wrong.

Mackenzie pulls into her driveway, leaving me room behind her. Such a small act, but I notice. She’s making room for me in every aspect of her life. Don’t get me wrong, I know we can never go back to how it was, and I wouldn’t want to.

She jumps from her truck as I open my door, crooking her finger at me. “What’cha waitin’ for, Boone?”

“Not a damn thing, honey.” I stalk toward her, picking her up and throwing her over my shoulder.

“Oh my lord. My poor neighbors,” she squeals.

I grope her ass, holding onto her with one hand. “Keys.”

“You’ve lost your ever-lovin’ mind!” She flips them over my shoulder to my waiting left hand.

“Thank you, darlin’.”

She smacks my ass with a grunt. “You’re gonna pay for this.”

“Now, honey. Play nice, or do you want me dirty?” The door swings wide, and I step in, kicking it shut. “Funny, I thought that would go differently.”

She raises up, giggling. “We’re not married, dufus.”

“There ya go, make it easy for me to get as down and dirty as I want to.” I slide my hand between her legs, running my fingers over her inseam.

“Boone.” Her moan is so full of wanting, my name is almost inaudible.

I tug her over my shoulder, down my chest, and hold her in my hands. She locks her legs around my waist, not missing a beat. “Where?”

“I don’t care.” Her eyes teem with desire. “Just take me.”

“Not here.” I find her mouth, gripping her ass as we stagger to her bed. I lay her down, breaking our connection for a brief moment. My lungs constrict, leaving me breathless as my eyes wander her body.

She bites her lip, looking up at me with a heated gaze. “Please, I’ve waited for you and this moment since I last had you.”

“Kenzie…” Her words take me aback, giving me the opening I need. “No one will ever be you, not in my eyes, and damn sure not in my bed.”

“Show me.” Her eyes burn with a wanton mix of need and desire. Mackenzie’s beauty stuns me. I drag air in, reminding me this is real and that I need her as much as I need air in my lungs.

I reach over my shoulder, gripping my shirt and dragging it over my head. Dropping it to the floor, I pop my button and make fast work of my jeans. She watches my every move, drinking me in until she’s intoxicated.

I lean over her, taking her mouth with mine as I slide my hand under her back. When she’s sitting, I remove her shirt and discard it with mine. Mackenzie’s head lulls, giving me the opening I need and so very much want.

Tracing her collar bone with the tips of my fingers, I find the top of her breasts spilling from her bra. Full and inviting, I kneel on the bed beside her and press my lips to one. Her back arches when my tongue slips inside the lace.

My need of her is overwhelming, and I gasp. She runs her hand through my hair, steadying me and driving me insane at the same time. It’s the overpowering connection we share that’s all-encompassing.

I sweep my hand over her breasts and down her stomach, popping her pants. Her breath hitches, sending me over the edge, wanting her. Standing, I push her back on the bed, and work her jeans over her hips.