Love Me Forever - Juliana Stone Page 0,52

Poppy, and Boone wasn’t about to make waves where her friends were concerned.

“Are you sure about Mabel?” He saw the doubt in her eyes, along with something else as she glanced down at her feet. She was unsure, and he couldn’t have that.

He pulled up her chin and kissed her for as long as he could without coming apart. When he pulled away, they were both breathing heavily, and that perfect, puckered, dusky rose nipple stared up at him, begging for his touch. He dipped his head and grazed it lightly, swiping across it with his tongue, and smiled when he heard her moan. But then he pulled her robe closed and leaned in to whisper, “I’ll take your dog for the day, but it’s going to cost you, Fairbanks.”

Her breath caught, and he knew she was as worked up as he was. “I don’t have any money, Mr. Avery.”

“That’s okay.” He nuzzled her neck. “It’s not money I’m after.”

“No?” She leaned in and pressed herself against the hard bulge in his boxers.

“No.” He’d moved on to her jaw and nibbled there.

“What is it you want?”

He claimed her mouth once more and then reluctantly pulled back. “I’ve got all day to think about that. I’ll have to get back to you.”

“Are you going to join me in the shower?”

“I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do right now, but if I get naked with you, a couple of things are going to happen. One, you won’t make it to the art show, and two, I need to head to my mom’s and grab Benji.” He dropped one last kiss on her forehead. “I’ll see you later this afternoon.”

Poppy disappeared into the bathroom, and he quickly pulled on his clothes. They were wrinkled from the night before, but they’d have to do. Whistling to himself, he grabbed Mabel’s leash, which was all it took for the dog to follow him blindly outside, where she ran circles until he managed to coax her into the car. He headed for his mother’s, which was only a few streets over, and it took less time to get there than it had to stuff the dog into his ride.

By this time, the sun was stronger, and he knew it was going to be a hot one. He couldn’t leave Mabel in the car, as she’d tear the damn thing apart, and she happily followed him up the path and inside the house.

“Hey, bud,” he said with a grin as he closed the door behind him. Benji’s eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw Mabel, and Boone’s smile widened as the two of them got to know each other.

His mother appeared from out back, a watering can in hand, and stopped short when she spied the dog.

“Whose…” She frowned. “Is that Poppy’s dog?”

Boone nodded.

Her all-seeing eyes turned to him, and she gave him a thorough look over. “The walk of shame. That’s something new for you,” she said lightly.

“It’s been a while.”

Elise Avery gave him a soft smile, though it faded a bit. “I like Poppy. She’s good stuff.”

“I know.”

“So what are you two doing exactly?”

Okay. He didn’t like her tone or the line of questioning. Since when did answer to his mother about his personal life?

“We’re getting reacquainted.”

“Is it serious?”

God, it was too early for this. “I don’t know. She’s different. She’s…” He shrugged. “I like being with her.”

“Like when you were teens?”

His eyebrows shot up at that. “How did you know about that?”

“I’m your mother, Boone. I know everything. Just like I know Poppy will give all of herself to the right man. There won’t be any holding back with that girl. So if you’re not sure about where this is headed, maybe you need to be before it gets complicated.”

“Mom, I’m not going to hurt her. I like where we’re headed.”

She walked over and gave him a hug. “Don’t screw it up.”

He pulled away, annoyed. “Why would you say that?” he asked darkly. “I don’t plan on screwing anything up.”

His mother was silent for a few moments and then slowly nodded. “Sweetie, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but you’ve never given yourself fully to anyone. Ever.” Her eyes clouded, and she looked away, worrying the edge of her T-shirt. “I know why,” she replied softly. “It’s not as if your father and I gave you a healthy environment to live in. Our example of marital bliss and love left a lot to be desired.”

“You