Love Me Forever - Juliana Stone Page 0,47

pause or wait, because she was afraid that if she did, she’d lose her nerve and play sick. She yanked open the door, and her world kind of tilted sideways. It slowed down. Went fuzzy. And then startlingly clear.

Boone Avery was dangerously attractive on an average day, wearing a T-shirt and a pair of jeans. But dressed in a crisp white button-down shirt that showed off his tan and light khaki slacks that fit him like a glove, he was not just a snack, but a full-on meal. He wore expensive leather deck shoes, and she was pretty sure his belt cost more than the TV she’d bought last month. A Rolex on his wrist glittered in the fading sunlight, and though his hair was damp as if fresh from the shower and curled around his ears, he’d not bothered to shave, and that was a look that made her knees wobble.

“You look amazing.” His voice was low and husky, and before she had a chance to react or reply, Boone dipped his head and kissed her. It was a soft, gentle touch, and when he pulled away with a wicked grin, she was left wanting more.

So. Much. More.

“Ready?”

She nodded silently because she was afraid her vocal cords wouldn’t work. With a quick pat on Mabel’s head, she locked up. Boone took her hand as she stepped down off the porch. She glanced up at him at the unexpected gesture, suddenly aware that Blue had been right.

This was complicated. And it had the potential to get messy. The potential to hurt. Was she brave enough to take all that on?

“You two kids have fun.” She tore her eyes from Boone and spied her neighbor, Mrs. Crabtree, sitting in a rocker on her front porch. The elderly woman gave a wave, and Poppy did the same.

“I’ll have her back by midnight, I promise,” Boone said with a chuckle.

“Don’t hurry back on my account, son.”

Mrs. Crabtree got back to reading the paper, and Boone led Poppy to a small sports car. It was sleek and expensive. The metallic silver gleamed. He helped her inside, and when he got in and started the engine, she knew there was no turning back.

In that moment, she realized something. She’d never been on a real date with this man. All the history she had with him, falling in love as a teenager and losing her virginity to him, and they’d never had a real date. Not once. Heart beating a mile a minute, she turned to him.

“Where are we going?” she asked lightly.

“Somewhere special.” Boone grinned and gunned the engine. They pulled out of her driveway and headed across the bridge. She had no idea what the night would bring, but one thing was clear.

Tomorrow morning, nothing would look the same.

Chapter Sixteen

The trip was short. They pulled up to a small airstrip outside of town, and Boone grinned when she shot a questioning look his way. He slipped from the car and came around to open her door.

“You’re quite the gentleman,” she murmured as she accepted his hand.

“My mom raised me right.”

They walked over to a plane that was parked not far from the hangars, and a tall man in a blue uniform greeted them.

“Mr. Avery. We’re on schedule and ready for takeoff.”

“After you,” Boone said, giving her a hand as she took the railing and climbed the stairs that led into a private jet straight out of an episode of The Kardashians. A woman who looked more like a model than a flight attendant greeted her with a glass of champagne. Boone accepted one as well and followed Poppy to a comfortable seating area. The flight attendant, Ashley, set down a bucket of iced champagne on a table between Boone and Poppy. It also sported a gorgeous charcuterie board filled smoked salmon, pâté, fruit, crackers, and cheese.

“Once we’re in the air, I’ll bring out the main course.”

Poppy waited until Ashley was out of earshot and then leaned forward. “What the hell is this, Boone? I thought we’d go to the Twisted Lemon or the Riverbend. But this?” She looked around. “I don’t… Where are we going?”

Boone set down his champagne glass and popped a grape into his mouth. Had he done that on purpose? Because now all Poppy could see were his lips, and if she closed her eyes, she’d have no problem imagining what those lips felt like on her.

“We’re headed to Chicago to the Cadillac Theatre. I thought it was something you’d enjoy.”

She