“Stay down.”
Bullets peppered the back of his truck. Boone ducked, and Gemma screamed again. Atlas stayed low, and didn’t make a sound or move. Boone leaned over him, opened the glove box, and pulled out a handgun.
There was more gunfire, and suddenly the truck shuddered. Dammit, they’d hit a tire. He set the gun on the seat beside him, and gripped the wheel to stay in control.
Suddenly, Gemma opened her window.
“Gemma, what are you doing? I said stay down.”
“No.” She grabbed the handgun. “I’m going to help.”
“Gemma,” he growled.
He couldn’t stop her and keep control of the truck at the same time.
She leaned out the window, aiming back at the SUV. She fired.
And kept firing. It was clear she’d used a gun before.
Suddenly, the SUV behind them swerved and came to a stop. She’d hit something, or someone.
Boone didn’t slow down. He grabbed her and pulled her back inside.
She dropped back into the seat and closed the window. “Holy cow.”
She was shaking.
He gripped her arm. “Next time, you listen to me.”
“I’m fine, Boone.”
He gritted his teeth. The idea of her hurt and bleeding…
She reached over Atlas and touched his stubbled cheek. “I’m okay. Now, let’s get far away from here.”
She couldn’t stop shaking.
Boone had pulled off the highway and ended up down a side road. They pulled into some trees and stopped.
“You need to change the tire, right?” Gemma asked.
“Right.” He got out.
She opened her door, and Atlas jumped out. Gemma followed him, her legs feeling like jelly.
She took a step from the truck. You’re fine. You and Boone are safe. You weren’t a victim. You fought back.
Boone circled the truck, his face like thunder.
Uh-oh. She stilled.
“You should never have opened the window and put yourself in the line of fire.”
She lifted her chin. “You’re welcome. I got them off us.”
“You put yourself in danger.” He closed the gap between them and pinned her against the side of the truck.
Gemma found herself caught between cool metal and a hard, angry man. “It worked out, Boone. My father’s security team taught me to shoot. It was the only way I could convince my father I didn’t need a bodyguard once I finished college.” She cupped his cheek. “We’re both alive.”
He made a growling sound and then his mouth crashed down on hers.
Her mouth opened instantly, and she let him in. Their tongues tangled. She pressed into him, desire white hot inside her. One of his hands clenched in her hair, tilting her mouth for his. The kiss was a savage assault, a battle, and she didn’t know if she wanted to win or lose.
His name was like a chant inside her head, mixed up with the intense need. His hands were all over her, sliding under her sweater, and he pressed hard against her. She felt the rigid line of his cock against her.
Yes, God, yes. All the worry and fear changed into desire. She needed this. She needed him.
“Boone, please.”
He tore her jeans open and one hand slid in. She bucked against him. His finger slid right under the elastic of her panties and touched her slick flesh. She was already soaking wet for him.
He growled. “Gemma, damn.” He pulled his hand out, his eyes burning. He licked his finger. “God, you smell good.” His hungry gaze met hers. “I have to taste you.”
Her belly clenched. “Yes. Yes.”
He hoisted her up and set her on the hood of the truck. She sucked in some fast breaths, watching as he stripped her jeans and panties off with quick, jerky movements.
So sexy. She vaguely registered warm metal under her ass, but all she could see was the hungry man. She clenched her thighs together, but he pushed them apart.
“Got to get my mouth on your pretty pussy, Gemma.”
The dirty talk made heat arrow through her. “Yes.”
But first, he peppered kisses along her thigh, paying special attention to any fading bruises and healing scratches he found. His lips moved across her belly, then found the still-angry scratch on her hip. He kissed it gently.
Gemma moaned.
Then he gripped her knees, hauling her closer, and pressed his face between her legs.
She cried out, body arching. He made a deep, masculine sound and proceeded to eat her. She moaned as he licked her, then he flicked his tongue over her clit.
Oh. God.
He kept her spread wide, his hands sliding under her ass, holding her to his mouth. His clever tongue and mouth, lapping, licking and sucking. She couldn’t hold back her cries. The things he was doing to her…she’d never, ever had a man please her like this before. Like he was a little wild, a little desperate, like he couldn’t get enough of her.
She moaned, one hand sliding into his hair. She pulled him closer. “Oh, crap, Boone…”
She felt her orgasm coiling up inside her, ready to burst. He growled against her sensitive flesh and sucked on her clit.
“Don’t stop,” she cried.
He sucked harder.
One second, there was frantic need, and the next, she was flying. She screamed, the pleasure hitting her hard. She’d never come like this before.
She collapsed back on the hood, her legs clenched on Boone. She looked down at his dark head and watched as he licked her inner thigh. She quivered. His golden gaze met hers.
“Better than your chocolate cake.”
Gemma laughed. They were both panting, staring at each other.
He straightened and cupped her face in his big hands. “You won’t put yourself in danger again.”
“I will if it helps you. And if that earthshattering orgasm was supposed to deter me, you’ve got things very, very wrong.”
His lips twitched, his fingers sliding up into her hair. “You’re too damn brave.”
“I never have been before. But I won’t let these people kill me or you. Or Atlas.”
Responding to his name, the dog trotted over and nudged Boone’s legs.
“Oh, God, don’t let him see me,” Gemma cried.
“He’s a dog.”
“I don’t care!”
Shaking his head, Boone snatched up her jeans and panties off the ground, dusted them off, then handed them to her. “I’ll change the tire.”
“I’ll help.” She wiggled into her jeans, making sure Atlas wasn’t getting an eyeful. Thankfully, the dog was off sniffing around.
As Boone got the spare tire out, Gemma grabbed the jack and got it ready. Boone loosened the lugs with a wrench and eyed her.
“You know how to change a tire?”
She rolled her eyes. “What, you think it’s too much for a billionaire heiress?”
“I think you are nothing like I expected and full of surprises.”
She felt a flush fill her cheeks. “Thank you. And it’s another skill my dad’s security team instilled in me.” She got the jack in place.
That’s when she noticed the bullet holes peppering the tailgate of his truck. Her throat tightened. The explosive orgasm and being with Boone had made her forget for a minute.