Page 17 of Forever Mine

I close my eyes, debating on answering.

When his lips press against my bare neck, I whisper to him, “They’re married, and they act as if they’ve never met before. He picks her up in the bar of a hotel and they uh, make love.”

“Hmmmm,” he says while his hand that’s not holding the book presses against my belly. “That’s quite a fantasy. I guess you’ve read this book?”

I nod my head because I don’t quite trust my voice.

He rubs the stubble of his chin across my neck, and it sends goosebumps across my arms. “And is that a fantasy you’ve had?”

I lift my shoulders, and he turns me in his arms so I have no choice but to look at him. He’s bending down, searching my eyes. “Tell me, Nat. Have you thought about that? Would you like for me to pick you up at a hotel bar? We could act like we don’t know each other, and I can convince you that spending the night in my arms is where you’re meant to be.”

I take a deep, shuddering breath. The way he describes it has me shifting my thighs together. There's a tug in my lower belly as I imagine the scenario. I’ve never seen this side of Beau, and I’ve never felt comfortable talking to him about my fantasies before. I lean my head against his chest instead of answering, and he groans in my ear. “You like that, don’t you, Nat?”

My voice is muffled. “Yeah, I’ve had that fantasy.”

He kisses me lightly on the ear, and I swear I feel his teeth dig into my sensitive flesh. “I can’t wait to read it.”

I pull back to look at him. “You’re buying it?”

He tightens his hold on the book. “Hell, yeah, I’m buying it. I want to read all about this fantasy you’ve had.”

He grabs my hand and pulls me in front of him. “Come on, wife. You’re going to have to stay in front of me or else the whole town is going to know I have a hard-on at the book fair.”

I can’t help it. I giggle. Beau Blaze, the CFO of Blaze Whiskey. The man that loves spreadsheets, watching documentaries, and reading textbooks has a hard-on in the middle of town at a book fair.

He smiles as I laugh even louder. “You think it’s funny, do you?”

I nod as we make it to the front. I reach for the book, thinking I’ll save him from embarrassment if I buy the book instead, but he doesn’t give it to me. Instead, he lays it on the makeshift counter. The older woman looks at the book and then at Beau and me. “I’ve read this one. Good choice.”

Beau doesn’t blush or seem fazed at all. “I’m looking forward to it.”

He pays, and when she offers him a bag, he refuses. “It’s okay. Save your bag. I’ll carry it.”

We are walking through town, hand in hand, and I can’t seem to wipe my smile off my face.

“What are you smiling about?”

I skip a little to catch up with his long stride. “Oh nothing, just hoping we run into one of your brothers. I would love for them to see you carrying that book.”

He shrugs as if it’s no big deal. “You think I care? If this book gets me into your good graces, I’ll carry it with the cover taped to my forehead for all I care. What anyone else thinks doesn’t matter, Nat. You’re all that matters.”

We stop outside my gym, and I look up at him. “You mean that, don’t you?”

He doesn’t hesitate. “Hell yeah, I mean that.”

I take a deep breath. I’ve been thinking about things since last night, and even though I know it’s the right thing to do, I’ve held back. But right now, I don’t want to hold back any longer. “I’ve been thinking…”

He nods his head but doesn’t pressure me to finish. That’s one of my favorite things about Beau. He has to be the most patient man I’ve ever known. I put my hands at his waist. “I think you should move back into the house.”

I thought he’d be happy, but he frowns instead.

I pull my hands from his and hold them together in front of me. “I mean, it was just an idea. You don’t have to.”

He takes a step toward me. “Nat, baby, you have to know that there’s no way I can lie next to you and not want to be inside you.”

I roll my eyes. “I mean, duh. Ditto.”

He grips my arms until it’s almost painful. “You made me promise no sex.”

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