Page 106 of Burning Skies
I shouldn’t be smiling, but being around her makes me feel lighter. “I’m lucky I burn so many calories.”
She looks so content and sleepy after we eat. I hate ruining the vibe, but I’d rather she hear this from me. “I need to show you something. I’m not sure if you’ll get upset. I don’t like having my business blasted all over town, but you have more on the line right now.”
Sitting up, she frowns. “What’s going on?”
I show her the gossip column on my phone, and her expression flattens. “Good Lord. What’s wrong with people? Do they really have so little going on in their lives that ours are that interesting?” She rubs her temple. “People were looking at me funny today. I thought it was all in my head, but it was probably this.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you at work.” Maybe I shouldn’t have kissed her at all.
She shakes her head. “You know what? I don’t care. Yes, I’m dating the hottest man in town. I’m just going to own this, and ifit pisses off my family, tough. They can’t tell me what to do anymore. Kiss me all you want.”
I’m about to tug her into my lap when I remember I need to tell her one more thing. “Speaking of your family…” I cough. “I ran into your father today, and he had a few things to say.”
Wincing, she closes her eyes. “It couldn’t have been good. I’m so sorry.”
“I wanted you to know that he and I spoke. And while he’s upset with you, I’m who he’s pissed at. So I don’t want you to take his attitude to heart. I think… I think he’s doing this ’cause he loves you.”
Honey surprises me by crawling into my lap and wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “My father bitches you out, and you defend him?”
“I’m trying to put myself in his shoes. If I had daughters, I’d want the best for them too.”
Her eyes soften. “And you don’t think you’re the best for me?” I look away, not sure what to say. She grabs my face. “Beau Walker, don’t do that. Whatever my dad said is bullshit. I don’t want Ian or some rich rancher to sweep me off my feet.”
I love that Honey’s so fierce, but she needs to know where I stand. “Look, I’ll never be able to fly you on a private jet or lavish you with jewels. Are you sure you wanna be with a guy who has about five grand to his name and a fireman’s pension?” I cup her face. “I’m not trying to scare you away. I want you to know what you’re dealing with so you can make an informed decision. I just… I wanna do the right thing here. I wanna do right by you.”
With an angry huff, she kisses me. “I’m a damn adult, okay? If I want to date you, I will. And there’s nothing my father can do about it. I’m tired of him trying to run my life.”
I nod slowly. “Okay.”
She tilts her head. “That’s it? Okay?”
“My woman has spoken, and I’m gonna abide by her wishes.”I’m still uneasy about the disparity in our finances, but I meant what I told her father. I’ll never take advantage of her.
Honey laughs and kisses me again. “Thank you for listening to me. You’re the first man in my life who really hears me. You don’t know how much I appreciate that.”
I was afraid I’d ruin tonight by telling her all the crap that happened today, but for some reason, it’s had the opposite effect.
She straddles my lap and shrugs off her robe. “Enough talk about my family. I haven’t seen you in ages. I’m going to get a cot and sleep with you at the fire station.”
I grin and tug her closer. I’ll get those supplies tomorrow. “Not sure the chief will approve of those shenanigans, but I’m game if you are.” When we kiss, all the stress of my week melts away. I’m about to lay her out on the couch when she puts a hand on my chest.
“What’s wrong?” I stop immediately.
“Nothing’s wrong. I wanted to show you what Paige gave me.”
“Okay.” When she gets up, I adjust myself.
She returns a minute later with a basket. It has chocolate and candies and tea. “That’s nice.” Though I’m not sure why it made her leap off the couch when we were making out.
She gives me a mischievous grin. “She and Baylee felt bad about what happened with my family and wanted to cheer me up. Paige said this would help me relax, and that there were adult things in here I might want to use with you.”
I don’t know how to wrap my brain around that statement. It isn’t until she pulls out massage oil and a sex toy that it finally clicks. “Not sure I’ll be able to thank those two for this gift basket, ’cause that would be weird. Maybe you could pass along my appreciation.” We both chuckle as she hands me the toy. It’s purple with a little nub, and when I click it on, it vibrates so hard, I almost drop it. “That’s… powerful.”
Her face goes ten shades of red. “I thought we might like to try it. I’ve never… I’ve never used toys before.”
Fuck. I’m rock hard the moment she says those words.
Then she hands me the massage oil. “Want to start with this?”
