Ten Days of Perfect (November Blue #1)

“Bo, just shut up and sit down for a minute,” I instructed as delicately as possible.

I told Bo about my relationship with Adrian, and that we intended it to be mainly sexual; no strings attached. Bo looked up at me rather sympathetically when I shrugged and told him that when I thought I wanted more, and he wasn’t ready for that, we called it a day - no hard feelings.

That was the Disney version of our breakup, it was all Bo needed. The only thing lacking resolution at this point, I told him, was me giving him a piece of my mind for this business deal.

“Ha, well, I’d like to be there for that, if you don’t mind.” Bo’s ego seemed intact, and his disposition relaxed at the thought of me verbally assaulting Adrian. “He’s a smug bastard, but he’s damn good at what he does,” Bo lauded.

“Yea, I was afraid of that.” With an eye roll I checked my phone and saw it was approaching 1:00am. “Can we get going? It’s late.”

“Of course, let’s go.” He grabbed my hand as we headed back down the beach to his car.

When we reached the parking lot, a truck drove past, startling me away from the enchantment of the ocean with a jump. My hair stood on end and I reflexively tightened my grip on Bo’s hand as a very familiar pickup truck drove into the distance.

“What?” Bo returned my tight grip.

“Nothing, can we go please?” My heart was in my throat. I knew there were a lot of trucks in the world, but not a lot of rusty blue ones that held Bill and Max over a week ago. Shit, you didn’t even forget their names.

Bo’s eyes darted around, and he ran his hands fiercely through his hair as he got in his car and shut the door. My heart raced the entire way back to the safety of my apartment. And, like the drive to the beach, on the way to my place we didn’t say a word.

When we got to my door, I fumbled with my keys, dropping them on the floor. Bo swept them up gracefully and opened my door. He came in behind me and I took a concentrated breath before facing him.

“Thank you for driving me home.” I smiled while grabbing his hand.

“You’re shaking, Ember, are you really OK? What the hell happened?” He led me to the couch.

“Nothing. It’s just . . . remember the night we first met, when Monica said I saw someone get beat up?” I can’t believe you’re about to tell him this nothing of a story.

“I remember.” His eyes widened slightly as he furrowed his brow.

“Well, aside from the fight, I did see the truck that two of the guys were driving.” I paused to study his reaction. He didn’t seem to have one; he was waiting for more.

“It looked exactly like that truck that drove past us in the parking lot tonight, that’s all. It startled me. I know, it’s silly.”

I bit my lower lip and shook my head.

“Ember, if you were scared you should have told me.” He ran his thumb across my chin, but seemed anxious. “You said two of the guys. There were more?” he pressed.

“Yea, one more. He left after the rest of them. . .” I trailed off not wanting to recall the event.

Bo studied me carefully, as if I was a bomb ready to explode. He didn’t look convinced by my story as his eyes flashed with what looked like fear.

“I’ve had a really friggen intense week, here.” I held my hands up and darted my eyes around the room for affect.

“Hey, I get it. It’s OK.” He took a tense deep breath before continuing, “Let me help you take your mind off of it.” His own words relaxed his face.

Yes, please.

Bo parted my knees with his, and leaned into me, relaxing me back on the couch. I clasped my hands tightly around his neck; forcing his tongue into my mouth as he moaned. I poured all of my frustrations, anxieties, and passion into that kiss. I’ll show you a thousand lifetimes. I roughed his leather jacket over his shoulders, and he tossed it on the floor as I kicked off my shoes.

I could barely breathe in response to his touch. I didn’t want to think about words.

He pulled away, searching through me with his eyes, as only he could do. He scooped me into his arms and carried me to my bedroom.

“This is a little dramatic, don’t you think?” I rolled my eyes at this superfluous gesture, but secretly I loved feeling so feminine.

“Just let go a little Ember,” he said in complete seriousness.

“Let go? Right, because it’s so starch-collared to bust out my old guitar, sleep with a man two days after meeting him, and consider dropping everything to run away with him. I really must learn to let my hair down.” I giggled as Bo laughed loudly, setting me on my bed.

“I just mean you’ve got to get out of here,” he said as he tapped my temple.

“Just feel, for once. Don’t think. Feel.” He pressed against me.

“Like this?” I playfully grabbed him through his jeans.

“Ember,” he stifled a laugh, “I’m serious, turn the rest of it off.”

He moved my hand to his neck as he slid me up the bed. A quick moan escaped my throat before I thought about it.