Page 69 of The Run Home
I glared at my best friend. “You’re in so much trouble.”
She blew me a kiss and sat right down next to me, unfazed by my threat. “You know you love me.”
I did love her. And I had a sneaking suspicion I was falling in love with Boon too.
Boon spent the night after his promposal giving me an orgasm for each of the runs his team scored in the game to win their way into the district championships. He was high on life, and I was the happy recipient for his endless energy. Of course, that meant I was dragging the next morning even after sleeping in. Pregnancy was a marathon, and I’d never been a runner.
I ran a hand over my swollen belly and hummed with love for this little boy. Even though I couldn’t drink coffee anymore because of the heartburn it gave me, I still loved this little baby beyond reason.
“There’s my favorite person,” Boon grumbled behind me, sliding his arms around my waist to hug me from behind.
He watched me dip the chamomile tea bag into the steaming hot water in my favorite mug. It was a poor substitute for coffee, but it would have to do. His calloused hands dipped under my sweatshirt, smoothed over my rounding belly, and quickly slid into my pants, immediately cupping me like he wanted another round this morning. I tried to push him off me because I had to get ready for our HAGS meeting, but he’d already felt how wet I was for him.
He kissed the side of my neck and dipped his finger into me. I groaned, squeezing my eyes shut.
“Fuck, Shae. Always so ready for me.” He added another finger and stroked his thumb across my clit, working me hard and fast. My breath began to hitch and I knew I could come in seconds. He ground his erection into my ass, but didn’t make a move to free it. “Come for me, baby. Coat my fingers before you kick me out.”
That did it. His gravelly voice telling me what to do sent me right over the edge. Pleasure coursed through my body, heightened by the pregnancy hormones and the fact this man knew exactly how to touch my body. My mug of tea splashed onto the countertop as I bumped it. I had to rest my forehead on the upper cabinet door as I came down.
He withdrew his hand and licked his fingers lewdly. “Better than coffee,” he whispered before spanking my ass and walking back out of the kitchen.
I heard the back door click as he left for the day. When I could function again, I put my cold mug of tea in the sink and went to get dressed. I was hosting this week, which meant the girls brought food and I showed up in my favorite comfy sweats. Fifi promised she had some maternity clothes from her work that she wanted me to try on. Personally, I liked my new maternity shirt, the one that saidCan’t. I’m busy growing a human,but I wouldn’t turn down free clothes.
The girls all giggled while recounting Boon’s promposal last night. I couldn’t seem to keep the smile off my face, both from his public gesture and the way we celebrated in my bed after. When they’d settled down a bit, Rosemary asked the question that had been circling in my head, getting louder each day.
“Are you in love with him, Shae? Because it sure seems like he’s in love with you.”
I put down the chocolate chip cookie I’d been eating. “I don’t know yet. I mean, he’s hinted at it, but he hasn’t come right outand said it directly. He did say he intends to ask me to marry him again.”
“He treats you like a queen,” Hattie said softly. “It’s pretty amazing to see, actually. I have to up my standards after seeing Boon in action.”
“I’d slide that ring on my finger and run!” Fifi added.
Lydia, as always, got right to the point. “But you didn’t answer if you lovedhim.”
I could feel their intent stares. Could feel the burn of that question. It had been nagging me for months. Hell, when I was a teenager, I’d been in love with him. That hadn’t turned out well. What made me think the grownup version of a crush on Boon was going to turn out any better?
“You’re afraid to say it, aren’t you?” Lydia asked when I couldn’t seem to answer her.
I lifted my gaze to hers. If I couldn’t be honest with my best friends, who could I be honest with? “I’m afraid to feel it and get my hopes crushed again.”
Hattie leaned over to hold my hand. “Love is scary. So is being alone your whole life. Choose your scary.”
“And for God’s sake, get out of your own way!” Rosemary added. “Happiness can be yours, Shae. You absolutely deserve it, but you have to get out of your own way first.”
The baby kicked me and my hand went to my belly automatically. He wasn’t a super active baby yet, but I’d felt that one. Maybe he was trying to tell me something too.
“I’m trying,” I whispered back, that familiar burn back in my eyeballs. Jesus. I was either orgasming or crying these days. I swiped at my eyes, determined to enjoy my time with my girls. “Now help me find a dang prom dress made for a pregnant belly!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Boon
Kinsley lookedlike a Disney princess all grown up in her prom dress. It was a deep blue with sparkles all over it. The neckline dropped lower than I’d have approved, but Mom somehow overruled me when I voiced my opinion. I had to admit, with her hair curled, makeup done professionally, and the sky-high heels, Kinsley looked like the prettiest woman I’d ever seen.
Tatum must have thought the same thing because his gaze hadn’t left her since he got here, corsage in hand. The boy’s cheeks had gone crimson at first glance. He kept pulling at the neckline of his suit whenever I got near. He and I already had a talk earlier this week about the kind of behavior I expected from him tonight. Pretty sure I’d put the fear of not just God, but a pissed-off father, in him. Enough that he’d behave himself.
I snapped some photos of them with my cell phone, sending them off to Cassie as she’d requested. Mom got the good photos on her digital camera. Just as they said goodbye and headed for Tatum’s truck, I put my hand on Kinsley’s shoulder.
