Chapter 3
1208 Words
Alexis
My heart thuds in my chest as we head up the stairs toward my apartment. I'm sure he's used to something completely different from what he's about to see. I've never been with a man so much older than me. Most of the guys I've been with still lived in a dorm.
For all I know, Boone Wilson owns a house and doesn't have to worry about it being hot even with the window-unit air-conditioner on. He probably has central heat and air—which shouldn't really make a difference. The only explanation I have is that it's been a stressful three months since graduation, and I don't see it changing anytime soon.
His hand is on the small of my back as we climb. No other man has made me as nervous as he does. Once we get to the top of the stairs and to the door to my apartment, we go in.
“You don't lock your door when you're down there?" The question comes out as a growled accusation.
“There's no lock on it. I couldn't even if I wanted to." I shrug. It's never been a problem for me.
“You absolutely shouldn't be up here by yourself with no lock on the door."
“The door to the bar is locked," I argue.
“Yeah, but what about when you're behind the bar and not paying attention to who's walking around? What happens when you're stuck here by yourself when Justin should be with you, and you have to go to the back before you can make it lock the door? This is unacceptable, Lex. I'll be here tomorrow to take care of this for you."
“You don't have to." I turn around and lean against the door. Tilting my head, I give him a smirk. “I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."
He angles his head down. “But you shouldn't have to, lollipop. That's the point."
I inhale deeply. I'm used to taking care of myself. I've always been the type of person who doesn't ask for a lot of help, which is why I'm working two jobs and running myself into the ground.
“Just say thank you." He smiles slowly.
This smile is devastating. There's no way he should be as hot as he is. A small dimple pops in his right cheek. He leans in close and props his forearm above my head.
I swallow roughly. “Thank you, Boone."
“It's my pleasure."
I'm wholly unprepared for what happens when he lets the door take most of his weight and bends his head down so our lips can meet. It's quickly apparent that the other guys I have kissed are boys, not like the man standing in front of me. He owns my mouth as his soft lips moves to the left and then the right. I keep up, not wanting to let go of this heady feeling. He tastes of the last beer I poured for him. His rough hands hold my face, hooking around my jaw. My fingers ache to touch him, so I reach out and tangle them in the edges of his shirt, drawing him closer.
He lets my lips go. I press my head back against the door, sucking air into my deprived lungs. He ducks, taking a taste of my neck with his hot mouth then reaches down, cups my ass, and lifts me up against the door.
“Boone," I moan. “Should we take it inside?"
“I thought you'd never ask." He opens the door and walks into my private space.
I've never brought anyone home since I came to live here, and I haven't thought about others seeing my apartment. I'm back to being slightly embarrassed. “Sorry. It's not much."
“Hey." He reaches up and places his palm around my throat, forcing my eyes to meet his. “We all start somewhere, sweetheart. I tell Abel all the time, you've got your whole life to build your dream. How you start doesn't mean s**t about how ya finish."
I close my eyes, thankful for the understanding of this man. “Thank you. I needed to hear that."
“Don't thank me," he growls. “I'm about to do some very dirty things to you in this room, and it's going to get spicy. If you don't want it, tell me now, and I'll leave. If you want it, all you have to do is reach out and take it."
“I want you to stay. Consider this my reaching out and taking it. You caught my eye the first day I saw you walk into the hardware store. You've never treated me like an i***t. You've never acted like I'm a second-class citizen because I'm a cashier, and you've never made me feel like there's that big of a difference between the lives we live. I appreciate that more than you know."
He ducks his chin down before lifting it back up. His eyes are unbelievably green, dark and full of passion. “I could say the same for when I walked in and saw you standing behind that register. I have no business being here in your space like this. You're young enough to be my daughter. I should be ashamed of myself, but you've intrigued me enough I'm willing to take a chance on us—if you are."
I swallow hard, looking into those amazing eyes of his. With anyone else, I would probably say, “f**k it. This was a nice night. Our flirtation was fun." But with him? I want more. I want it all.
“I'm all in on this, whether it's for tonight or longer."
He pulls away slightly. “Well, we'll see where it takes us."
I'll take him anyway I can. Maybe I'm setting the feminist movement back by at least twenty years, but I have to be honest with myself—I'd rather experience one night of Boone Wilson than not know what it feels like at all.
“Got it, and I completely understand," I say. “I'm ready for whatever it is you're willing to give me."
The smile he makes is that of a predator knowing he has his prey. It's both devastating and sexy as sin. “Then hang on, baby. I'm about to show what an experienced man can give you. No going to the bathroom to get off after I do. You're going to come multiple times. That, I promise you."
“Please," I beg, needing to know what he can do that no one else has been able to. “Show me what the f**k I've been missing."
“I'm gonna ruin you for any other man. I'm sorry." His smirk goes straight to the tips of my toes.
“Don't apologize. Just show me what ya got."
He hitches me higher on his hips. “Where's your bed?"
“Through there." I point to the room off the kitchen.
Once we get there, he tosses me onto the bed, and as I glance up at him, the feral look on his face tells me everything I need to know.
- Writer
