Chapter 4- Under my Skin

Shannon turned up the radio full blast in the bathroom, loud rap music filtered throughout Boone's house. She smiled, Boone wasn't really into rap, and neither was she, but she wanted to get to him, and find a reason to lure him into the bathroom. With a mischievous smile, Shannon turned the music louder, and then started to pull off her clothes.

This song actually wasn't that bad, it was by Kanye West, and she thought he was good, even though she was more into rock.

Shannon heard Boone's footsteps approaching the bathroom.

She giggled childishly, and then pulled off her skirt.

The door opened and Boone stepped in. His face was completely red, and he was holding a journal in his hand. He glanced at Shannon in her bra, and panties, and then forced himself to look away.

Shannon scowled, "Hey mommy, is the music too loud?"

"Yeah Shannon it is,"

"I always listen to music when I shower," Shannon replied nonchalantly.

"Well that's okay as long as you keep it on a low volume," Boone reached forward to turn down the music, but Shannon smacked his hand.

"Shannon," Boone replied in a warning tone.

"Boone," Shannon mimicked.

Boone turned down the music. "I got a headache, can you please not argue with me."

"I just don't think I deserve to be treated like a kid by you, I'm twenty one Boone,"

"But you act like you're sixteen," Boone glanced down at her bra once more and then shook his head. He always felt like she was trying to seduce him, and half of the time she was.

"Boone wait," Shannon said.

"Yeah?"

"Do you like this?"

"Like what?" Boone asked holding his breath because he knew what she was talking about.

Shannon turned around, "My set, I got it from Victoria's Secret,"

"Well, there's not too much to keep secret."

"Don't be gay," Shannon chastised.

Boone closed the door, "Goodnight,"

Shannon quickly turned down the radio, and then opened the door, "I was just kidding, you're so sensitive sometimes…and also Boone, I don't want to wear a robe."

"What do you want then?"

"Some of your boxer shorts and a tee-shirt or something, do you have pink?"

"No," Boone said.

"Shocked, thanks Boonie,"

Boone frowned, "Boonie,"

"Cutie," Shannon teased.

"You're acting weird, have you been drinking."

"I wasn't the one with the drinking problem," Shannon pointed out.

Boone bit his lip in order to keep all the side comments to himself. As Shannon switched the radio to another station, Coldplay's "Speed of Light" came on. He fully expected Shannon to turn, but instead she started to sing along.

Boone paused, and turned towards the direction of the bathroom. Sometimes he got rare feelings, reminding him why he was in love with her. Underneath all of Shannon's defenses he knew she cared about him. A smile crossed his face, at the image of Shannon in her panties and bra. If he wasn't with Isabella, then they would still be in this situation. Shannon was hot and cold, and whenever things seemed to be working out she had to destroy it.

As Boone stepped into his room, he sat down on his bed for a second. Shannon would never change, and he had to keep reminding himself that. She liked to play games with his heart, which he wore on his sleeve, so she always managed to hurt him.

"Boone!" Shannon screamed.

Boone winced. "Yeah?"

"Clothes, I'm almost finished in here!"

Boone fought the urge to yell that he was going to be right there. Just because Shannon was living with him in New York temporarily didn't mean he was going to wait on her hand and foot.

He got up, and took a pair of boxers and a light blue shirt from his draw.

"Hey man, who is that in the shower?" Seth asked stepping into Boone's room with a smile.

Boone fought the urge to tell Seth that Shannon was his sister, because most of the time he didn't think about her that way. Yeah, they fought like brother and sister, but the way she made him feel, was anything but.

Seth's eyes looked glazed like he had been drinking.

Boone knew Seth didn't invite him, because of his earlier issues with drinking.

"Hey bro," Shannon said pushing Seth aside. She was in a towel and her hair was dripping wet.

Boone watched with jealousy and anger as Seth stared down at her with a smirk.

"Who's this fireball?" He asked.

Shannon glared up at him, and then once their eyes met her face softened. "Hey, are you my brother's roommate?"

"Yep, I'm Seth," Seth extended his hand to Shannon. "Nice to meet you sweetheart."

Boone walked over to them. "Shannon, here's your clothes go and get dressed."

Shannon crossed her arms, "Actually it's kind of hot, so I just might wear this towel."

Seth smiled excitedly.

"Hey Seth, can I talk to my sis…I mean Shannon."

"Oh um…sure," He said.

"Nice meeting you Seth."

"You too, hey I got some scary movies from the store down the street, if you want to watch them with me later Shannon…"

"Sure, that sounds better than whatever he is doing later," Shannon replied pointing at Boone and then smiling.

Seth grinned at Boone and then walked out.

Boone reached for Shannon's arms.

"Just because I'm wearing a towel doesn't mean…"

"Get your mind out of the gutter," Boone said agitated.

"Jealousy doesn't look good on you,"

"I'm not jealous," Boone said sitting down. "If you want to stay out of trouble leave him alone,"

Shannon sat down next to her brother, and leaned really close to his face.

Boone clenched his jaw, and started to speak while Shannon stared straight at him.

"You know I like trouble,"

Boone turned to face her, "I can't be your hero for everything, New York is a crazy city, and another thing you need to check your manners,"

"Then teach me etiquette, Boone style," Shannon replied rolling her eyes.

"Maybe I will, but I'm serious, we have to find you a place to stay."

Shannon crossed her legs, and then rested her head on his shoulder.

Boone raised an eyebrow, "Umm…"

"I don't think I ever got the chance to thank you," Shannon said softly.

Boone looked down.

"Can I sleep in here with you tonight,"

"There's a guest room, right next door to mine."

Shannon shrugged, "I'm not ready to go to sleep yet, and I want to talk…but if you want me to talk to Seth, then I'll go see what he's doing."

Boone sighed, and then laid down on his bed. "I still don't know how to react to you being back here,"

"Well I don't either," Shannon placed her hands around the top part of her towel and then laid down on the bottom portion of Boone's bed. "I could fall asleep here,"

"You're not,"

"Yes I am Boone," Shannon said.

Boone reached for a pillow and put it over his face.

Shannon looked around at Boone's paintings, and creative art work he had around his room. "Did you do those?"

"Yeah,"

"When did you become so artsy?"

Boone closed his eyes and then stretched his legs out. "Shannon…you're taking up my space."

"Good," Shannon laid her head on his legs.

Boone pulled back at the feel of her damp locks on him. "Shannon, I'm trying to get some sleep."

"Why?"

"If you must know because I'm going to the Hamptons with Isabella tomorrow,"

Shannon rolled her eyes and then sat up. She didn't really see why her brother liked Isabella. Yeah, she was pretty, but Boone and her didn't have chemistry like he did with Shannon.

As she walked away, Boone sat up. "Where are you going?"

"Now you care?" Shannon asked glancing at him over her shoulder.

"I've always cared even though you make it impossible sometimes," He said sitting up.

Shannon smiled back at him. "I've always cared about you too,"

Boone remained silent.

Shannon sighed, "I have issues okay, and it's hard for me to express how I feel, but I'm trying." Shannon hoped off of Boone's bed, and then walked towards the door.

"I hope so," Boone said.

Shannon closed the door behind her, and then leaned against it. If only she could control herself sometimes, she had told him too much. Shannon smiled at her stupidity, if only Boone knew how much she really cared about him.

"Do you want to watch some movies?" Seth asked.

"Um…maybe tomorrow,"

"Alright, well are you his sister or what?"

Shannon wanted to tell Seth "No" just because she was hoping for a breakthrough in her relationship with Boone…but then again, he seemed to have built up a new immunity to her. It was as if his relationship with that other woman, was blinding him towards her advances. "Hey Seth wait,"

"Yeah?"

Shannon tilted her head to the side, "Are Boone and Isabella together a lot?"

"Yeah, almost too much. They are so in love it's sick."

Shannon's mouth slightly dropped open.

"What, you don't think she's right for your brother?"

Shannon shook her head. She had always been blunt, so there was no need to skip around the bush now. "I think he could do better,"

Seth grinned, "Oh really,"

Shannon glanced towards Boone's closed door. The thought of him being intimate with Isabella disturbed her, because he was supposed to only think about her.

"So what about you…do you have a boyfriend?" Seth asked leaning against the rail.

"No do you?" Shannon asked.

"No, I don't have a girlfriend either,"

Shannon smiled, "Well, we're the same in that sense. I'm more into playing the field."

"You're one of those girls huh?" Seth asked charmingly.

"And I have a feeling you're one of those boys." Shannon replied back.

The door opened and Boone stepped out.

Seth looked back at him surprised.

Boone nodded his head at Shannon and Seth awkwardly. It disturbed him to see that Shannon was still talking to Seth in her towel.

Shannon turned around to face him, and then turned back to Seth. She had to calm down with Boone, because if she kept on flirting with him, and staring off into his eyes, then he was going to realize that she wasn't as cruel as she made herself out to be.

"I'm going to get dressed, by the way Boone I love your monkey and banana boxers…their so cute."

Seth raised an eyebrow as Shannon walked away. He watched as she switched her hips, obviously putting on a show for him to watch. He then shifted his attention towards Boone, who was also watching her. "You guys have a close relationship?"

Boone quickly tore his eyes away from Shannon. He had to remember that Seth thought they were blood related.

"She's hot," Seth said with a smile.

"She's off limits too," Boone warned.

"Does she have a boyfriend?" Seth asked.

"No, but she's married," Boone replied. He knew that Shannon was technically married, but in her head she wasn't, and she was probably going through steps to get it annulled.

"So, where's her husband?" Seth asked.

"I don't know, but you don't want to be involved because she's…"

"She's what?" Seth asked.

It was wrong of Boone to say that Shannon was his problem. But she was, he loved her, but yet he didn't want to face his feelings. "I…."

"Were you guys talking about me?" Shannon asked glaring at Boone.

Boone looked down. He wanted to rewind back ten minutes ago, when Shannon was resting her head on his shoulder, and they were having a serious conversation without fighting.

"We were just talking about my boat…I have one you know," Seth said.

"Really? Does it like sail?"

Seth smiled, "Um…yeah?"

Boone didn't want Shannon on the yacht with Seth, because he knew Seth only brought women onto his yacht for one reason…and that was to sleep with them. In a matter of fact his nickname for his yacht, was the love shack.

"Oh, I guess I'm just tired." Shannon said.

"Are you going to sleep?" Boone asked.

Shannon glanced between Seth and Boone. Seth could come in handy, Boone was so horrible at hiding his feelings. It was obvious that he didn't want her to get to close to Seth. She could definitely use that to her advantage, and if she needed to get close to him in order to get under Boone's skin then so be it.

"Well, the offer still stands Shannon, I'm going to go shower and then I'm going to watch the movies." Seth said.

"Okay, I think I'm going to sleep, so I guess I'll see you in the morning." She said watching as Seth walked towards his room.

Boone opened his door, and Shannon quickly slipped past him.

"Oh, come on in." He sighed.

"Thanks," Shannon flopped down on his bed and then pulled back the sheets, "It smells good in here like incense."

"I lit some,"

"For me?" She asked resting her head on his pillow.

Boone placed his knee on the edge of the bed, and then flopped down on his stomach next to Shannon. "We really shouldn't be sleeping in the bed, Seth thinks we're related and it doesn't look right."

"So who cares," Shannon said turning to face Boone.

Boone closed his eyes, "Goodnight Shannon,"

"Night, can you turn off the light?"

"Um…you're closer." He mumbled turning away from her.

"I don't feel like getting up, I'm so comfortable and…" Shannon stopped talking.

"Fine," Boone crawled over Shannon to turn off the light.

She peeked open her eye's and smiled. He would never know how happy she was to be with him in New York. Everything would be perfect if it wasn't for his girlfriend, maybe she could chase her away like Boone did with all of her boyfriends. That was definitely an option.

"I have only one request," Boone said.

"What's that?"

"You like to fight in your sleep, don't beat me up too bad."

"Toughen up…don't worry, I don't think I'm going to be having any nightmares tonight. Goodnight Boone,"

"Shannon," He mumbled closing his eyes.

(Thanks guys so much for the reviews! I'm glad you like it so far.)