Boone snorted. “Knowing you, the system’s probably good enough to defend Fort Knox.”
Boone’s friend just inclined his head. “Not worth putting a crappy system in. I’ll see you two in the morning.”
“Thanks again, Shep.” Boone lifted their bags and opened the cabin door.
Oh. Gemma took it all in. It was charming. There was lots of wood, a high ceiling, and a fire crackling happily in the stone fireplace. A comfy looking couch sat in front of the fire, and on the other side of the room were three doors that were all ajar. She moved closer to take a look. Two were bedrooms, both with big, wood-hewn beds. The final door led to a small bathroom. It looked a little dated, but there was a shower and a large tub, and it was clean.
It didn’t have the cozy charm of Boone’s Vermont cabin, but it was very comfortable.
“Hungry?” Boone opened the fridge.
“You know, I am now.”
She watched him feed Atlas and pat his dog. She smiled. They were such a unit.
“How about sandwiches?” He held up a loaf of bread. “There’s fresh bread, ham, and cheese.”
“Sounds like heaven.” She sank onto the couch.
Safe. They were safe. Finally, it was sinking in.
“People assume you have fancy taste.” He set two plates with thick sandwiches on the coffee table, then sat beside her.
“I’m the daughter of a billionaire. It comes with the territory.” She bit into her sandwich and moaned. When she looked up, Boone looked frozen, staring at her. “My life was pretty normal when I was young, while Dad was still building the business. Then I got to travel a lot. I like nice things. I’ve eaten at some of the world’s best restaurants. Doesn’t mean I don’t know how to appreciate a good sandwich.”
He nodded.
“Boone, thanks for saving me again. If you hadn’t been there today…”
“You don’t need to thank me.”
“I know, but I am.”
He lifted his sandwich. “Just eat.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Boone turned over in the bed. It was comfortable, and he should be asleep. He sighed. His door was ajar, and he could hear the crackle of the fire in the living room.
He was excruciatingly aware that Gemma was in the next room, wearing nothing but one of his T-shirts. He’d bought her some pajamas to wear, but for some reason, she’d still insisted on sleeping in his shirt.
Which he liked. Too damn much.
She’d practically fallen asleep halfway through her sandwich. The exhaustion and adrenaline crash had caught up with her.
Atlas made a soft noise. The dog was asleep on a rug on the floor.
With a huff, Boone turned over and punched his pillow. He should be tired after a long drive, and fighting off the mercenaries.
They were safe. Gemma was safe. And there was no way the assholes after her could find them here.
Instead of sleeping, there was only one thing—one woman—on his mind.
Earlier, he watched her smile as they’d eaten their simple dinner. The glow from the fire had danced over her skin. He’d wanted to count her freckles. See where else she had them on that curvy body of hers. He’d felt… content. The dark whispers in his head had gone silent.
What the hell was he doing? He had nothing to offer a woman like Gemma. A woman who was so bright, friendly, and clever.
He was broken, jaded. Hell, he lived alone in Vermont with his dog.
She deserved so much more.
And yet, the memories of the hungry way she’d kissed him were burned into his brain. As was the sweet taste of her pussy. Making her come, seeing her body shaking from the pleasure he’d given her, was something he’d never forget.
He groaned. His cock was as hard as a rock. He imagined her pressed against him, her hands moving over his gut, heading lower.
With a mental curse, he shoved his boxer shorts down. His hand circled his cock, and he gave it one rough pump.
Oh, fuck. He imagined Gemma touching him. Stroking him.
“Boone.”
It took him a second to realize that Gemma’s voice wasn’t in his head. He quickly readjusted his boxer shorts and sat up.
He saw her silhouette in the bedroom doorway. She was wearing a white T-shirt, her legs bare, her long, brown hair loose.
“You okay?”
“I can’t sleep. I know I should be exhausted.” Her hands fluttered.
“Go and sit by the fire. I’ll make you some hot chocolate.”
She nodded.
Clearly Atlas was tired. The dog raised his head for a millisecond, then went back to sleep.
Boone willed his cock to go down. The last thing he needed was Gemma seeing his boner. It took a minute, but he finally headed out. Gemma was pacing by the fire.
Damn, she was so beautiful.
She turned, and her gaze locked on his bare chest. She went still. “Oh. Um.”
He arched a brow.
“You have so many muscles.” She waved a hand.
“I’m sure you’ve seen muscles in LA.”
“Yes, but not real ones. All those men are like glossy Ken dolls.”
The way she was looking at him wasn’t helping his cock behave.
She circled the couch and headed his way. “What’s this?” She touched a circular scar on his chest.
Boone swallowed. “Old wound.”
Her gaze met his. “A bullet wound?”
He nodded.
Her gaze moved over him, and he knew she was taking in all his old scars. He had an ugly knife wound on his side that had healed badly after it had gotten infected.
“I’ll get started making the hot chocolate,” he said.
“I don’t want hot chocolate.”
He stilled. “What do you want?”
“I want the bad guys to stop. I want to not be in danger.”
He nodded. “I know, and—”
“And I want you.”
Shit. “Gemma…”
“Don’t give me the ‘you’re vulnerable’ speech, Boone. You weren’t worried about that when your mouth was…”
“Between your legs,” he growled.
“Yes.” She lifted her chin. “We’re safe now. I know what I want.” She pressed her hands to his chest.
He sucked in a sharp breath. Her hands were warm, and his body reacted. He could smell her fresh soap scent.
“And what exactly do you want?” His voice was low, husky.
“You. I want you to touch me. I want to touch you. I don’t want to think about all the crap swirling around me. I want to feel something other than fear. I want you to make this ache go away.”
Need vibrated through his body. He wasn’t strong enough to resist her. It had been so long since he’d wanted anyone. And he’d never wanted a woman the way he wanted Gemma. “Gemma, you need to be sure.”
“I’m sure.”
With a low growl, he lifted her off her feet. He heard her gasp as he strode across the room and pinned her against the wall.
She gripped his shoulders, and eagerly wrapped her legs around his hips. He felt the soft juncture of her thighs rub against his thickening cock.
He groaned.
“I want you, Boone,” she murmured.
He fastened his mouth to hers. As soon as their lips met, he forgot all the reasons why he wasn’t right for her.
Her tongue stroked his, her hands speared into his hair. She tugged hard.
He ground against her body, needing to get closer. He moved his mouth over hers, dragging in the taste of her.