Bo's eyes traveled down the jaw line of the woman that should be his wife. His gaze fell to her neck, then her chest. He was staring at her profile as they stood outside the Kiriakis mansion waiting patiently for someone to open the door. Ciara stood quietly between them, holding one of each of their hands. His mind jumbled with thoughts as he gazed at Hope. He didn't look away when her eyes caught him staring at her.
"What?" Hope asked quietly.
Bo shrugged, "Nothing."
Hope's eyebrows furrowed. She was stewing.
"I love you," Bo grinned. He had her exactly where he wanted her.
She exhaled slowly and ignored him, saved by the front door opening wide in greeting.
"Hello! Hello!" Maggie cheered with warm welcome, "I'm so happy to see the three of you!"
"Thank you for having us," Hope smiled back and embraced Maggie in a warm hug.
Bo kissed Maggie's cheek and watched as his daughter fled the scene in excitement, calling for Grandpa Victor.
"So…" Maggie sighed with happiness at the opportunity to have Bo and Hope alone, "How are things?"
Hope nodded, "Great."
Bo almost chuckled to himself. She was flustered.
"Well," Maggie shrugged one shoulder, "Tell me more. It's been so long since the two of you were together in our house. I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks Maggie," Bo chimed in, "We're happy too."
He pulled Hope by the waist into his side and placed a kiss on her temple. She allowed it, and if he didn't know any better, was certain he heard her breath catch in her throat at the simple touch.
"Come," Maggie ordered, "We'll start in the sitting room. Dinner will be ready in forty five minutes."
Bo and Hope followed their host into the main sitting room to find Victor preparing drinks.
"Welcome," Victor smiled, "I'm so happy you're finally here for pleasure."
"Me too," Bo nodded. He smiled when Victor handed a glass of fine scotch his way.
"Where did Ciara run off to?" Hope questioned as she searched the room for her daughter.
"I may have told her about a little something waiting for her upstairs in her bedroom." Victor smiled almost sheepishly.
Hope eyed him, and held back a grin, "You spoil her."
"What are Grandfather's for?" Victor shrugged.
Hope held up her hand and shook her head once when Victor made a drink offer to her. Instead, she joined Maggie on the couch.
"We have to thank you again for the tip off," Hope announced, "You saved our case."
Victor shook his head, "I don't want any credit remember? I don't need a target on my back."
"Stephano is under federal investigation. It's out of our hands now," Bo replied.
"Good," Victor replied, "Stay as far away from him as you can. I don't need to hear about the two of you getting shot at again."
Bo's eyes found Hope's and she instantly averted her gaze.
"I'm sure he'll get off squeaky clean like he always does," Victor huffed.
"At least we stopped the gun shipment," Hope offered, "I really didn't want guns and more violence all over our streets."
"Yes," Maggie agreed somberly, "Thank goodness."
"Enough about that," Victor shook his head, "You two aren't here for business. Let's talk about something more light. When's the wedding?"
Bo bit his lip. If Victor only knew that was anything but a light topic. He watched Hope's fists clench. A part of him felt hurt that her reaction was always a defensive one. He powered through, now was not the time to be offended.
"We're talking about it," Bo replied, "Nothing official."
Hope glared at him and stood abruptly, "How about that drink?"
"Help yourself," Victor nodded, "There's plenty for everyone."
Maggie watched Hope, not missing her agitation, "Is something wrong? Did we say something wrong?"
Hope's eyes, ears, nose, and throat burned as she slammed a shot of scotch. She hated scotch. She couldn't really remember ever trying it. Her mouth tasted of bitter fire. Her eyes watered as she looked back at the three people watching her, "No, not at all. We're just taking it slow. You know… Don't want to screw it up again by moving too quickly."
Bo's jaw clenched. Hope saw it. They both anticipated an argument as soon as Ciara was tucked in bed.
"Well, I definitely admire you both for that," Maggie replied, "We're just so happy you're working it out."
Bo and Hope stared silently at each other. The rest of the evening was lighter. Dinner was served. Ciara, Victor, and Maggie were happy. Laughter was exchanged. Bo and Hope actually enjoyed themselves, though they were both well aware of the tension between the two of them. They let it go for the sake of family, but they both knew it would be waiting for them when they got home.
Several hours later, Hope was discarding jewelry on her dresser. She noted how flushed her cheeks were, a side effect of the scotch she'd so aggressively drank earlier in the night. The house was quiet. Bo was in the shower. Ciara had insisted on a slumber party with Aunt Maggie and Grandpa Victor.
She stared at her naked left hand, wondering why she couldn't just say yes. She'd been married to Bo for 27 years, but marriage wasn't something she took lightly. The divorce had nearly destroyed her.
She shook the feelings of frustration with herself and with Bo. She changed into a nightgown, just as Bo made his exit from the bathroom. He was shirtless, a towel around his waist. Her groin tightened at the sight of him. She watched his eyes travel up her bare legs.
"Bo, I'm sorry," Hope almost whined. She didn't want to fight. She felt helpless. She flopped onto the bed, sitting on the edge of it in defeat.
He chewed on the inside of his lip for a moment before approaching her. He grabbed her chin with one hand and placed a spine shattering kiss that left her lips quivering, "Me too…"
Her jaw dropped as he walked away from her. Her body screamed for more, while her mind battled for control and the ability to talk sensibly about the situation. The task was made more difficult when Bo dropped his towel, his backside on full display for her to view. She tried to force herself to look away in an effort to fight the desire creeping into every nerve she had. The effort was in vein, because her eyes quickly wandered right back to his beautiful body.
She watched him change into pajama pants. His confidence commanded the room. She felt herself falling under his spell. He approached her again, tilting her chin up with one finger and pushing her back on the bed as he claimed her lips again in a sensual kiss.
God he knew how to get her going. She trembled in anticipation. A bundle of aroused nerves between her legs clenched. Her skin flushed as his lips repeatedly kissed hers. She couldn't breathe. She didn't care.
Bo briefly broke the kiss and stared into her hooded green eyes. He had her right where he wanted her. It wasn't going to end well, but he had a point to prove. He gazed at her ample cleavage peaking out of her nightgown. He watched the rapid rise and fall of her eager chest as he wound her up, tighter and tighter. He wanted to take her. He wanted to deliver her to that perfect place of euphoria that he knew only he could. His pride swelled at the thought. She was squirming beneath him. He watched her fight for a coherent thought.
"Aren't we going to talk about this?" Hope barely whispered. Her body betrayed her. Her hands reached for the waistband of his pajama pants, seeking access to the heated skin beneath.
Bo intercepted her hands, knowing full well he would lose control if he let her touch him. He forced her hands above her head and kissed her again, "Oh we're going to talk about it."
A soft moan escaped Hope's lips at his crushing kiss. He knew he was treading a fine line. He knew she was wet. He knew she was ready. He had to stop. The temptation was getting too high.
Hope's eyes flashed open when she felt his body leave hers. Confusion settled on her face as she watched him walk around the bed and lay down on his side. His back was to her. Anger instantly erupted inside of her, but she didn't know why yet. She would know very soon.
"Bo, what are you doing?" Hope questioned. She couldn't ignore how her body ached for his. It was an awful feeling. She sat up in bed and stared at the back of his head incredulously.
"We're not having sex until you agree to marry me." Bo stated bluntly.
Hope reeled in shock, "What?"
Bo turned on his back to look at her, "You said you wanted to take it slow. Then we'll take it slow."
"You can't be serious," Hope almost laughed. Her mind fumbled for a rational thought, "Bo…"
He guarded himself from her touch. He sat up, pinning her hands to the bed and away from his body, "I love you Hope. I want to marry you. Until you give me a good reason why that can't happen, we're not having sex."
Hope gulped. Emotions swarmed her. She couldn't decide if she wanted to cry or slap him. She wanted to yell at him and then storm out. She wanted to say yes, she'll marry him, just so he would relieve the torture between her legs. She fumed.
"You can't do this," Hope replied. She was out of the bed pacing now. She felt like an idiot. She felt insane.
"Yes, I can," Bo replied calmly, "Just like you can say no to marriage."
She glared at him for the millionth time that evening. Her hand shook.
"Look," Bo replied. He reached for her hands again. She jerked them away. Bo spoke soothingly, "I want you to really think about why you're so hesitant to marry me. We can live together, raise our daughter, and have sex every night… that isn't good enough for me. It isn't good enough for you. You deserve more than that Hope. You deserve a good husband. A happy home. I don't want to be your boyfriend Hope. I want to be your husband."
She was crying now. She wanted to stay mad. She wanted to be upset, but his words touched her heart. She went to him, childlike, and fell into his embrace. They had known each other for so long. She knew she would find comfort no where else.
She felt like a child. She hated it when he put his foot down. She couldn't have her way. Spoiled little rich girl. She didn't care. Bo had loved her through those moments many years ago. Now, they were few and far in-between. He would love her through this one too.
It was bigger than having her way. She was scared. She was protecting herself. Bo knew that, but Bo also had needs. He held her, knowing it was what she needed as his words started to make sense to her.
"I love you," Bo whispered quietly.
"Shut up," Hope rolled her tear filled eyes and wiped hastily at the tears that were still spilling onto her reddened cheeks.
"I love you," Bo repeated. He meant it. He loved her with every fiber of his being and he would do right by her. He wasn't about to screw their relationship up this time around. The stakes were too high. He knew what life was like without her. He didn't want to go there again.
Hope exhaled in defeat, she looked at him in all of her vulnerable glory, "I love you."
Her voice shook, but his heart soared. He kissed her forehead and then she buried her head in his chest. She didn't even really know why she was crying anymore, but the tears kept coming. She was emotionally undone. She cried herself to sleep in the comfort of his arms. Bo didn't mind. He just considered it another breakthrough towards getting them both back on track.