Thank you thank you for the great response to last chapter. I really appreciate all the support and reviews. Hope this chapter lives up to what I had in mind. Things are still pretty hectic for me and I have no idea where this is going next, so the next update may take a bit. Or no. I don't know. Sorry.

Chapter 12

Soft lips gracing my neck with tender kisses was a welcome wake up call. The arm draped over my hip slid forward and pulled me back into her. Bo held me tight. The perfect curves of body melded with mine from behind in the most delicious of ways. Her silky skin was warm. Her hold possessive. Wet tongue and moist lips teased the flesh below the ear making me sigh. The combination heated me in more places than just where our bodies met. My body was waking up and Bo's attention was definitely waking up other things as well.

"Mmmmm good morning." My first words of the day stumbled out in a gravely voice.

"Good morning to you."

I always thought Bo's raspy morning voice was one of the sexiest sounds I'd ever heard. My body agreed. There was a hum of contentment and arousal running through me now and I couldn't decide if I wanted the moment last as long as possible or to ravish her right now. My hand trail down her arm, finding the gripping fingers that held me in place and gave them a squeeze. "This feels good."

"Yes it does. I love waking up to you like this." She nuzzled into my hair, her warm breath tickling my neck. "I wish we could lay here all day."

"One of these days we should do that."

"Maybe a vacation."

"That would be wonderful. I haven't taken one in..." Wow, it's been a while. "A few years I think."

"Good lord woman. I knew you were a work-a-holic, but really?" She laughed.

I giggled and spun around to face her. I cupped her cheek and gave her a quick kiss. "It doesn't feel like work for me though. It's what I love."

"I know, and you are very devoted to the things you love."

"I am."

"And you love me."

"I do."

"Then I'm a very lucky lady."

"You are." And so was I. I rolled on top of her and stared down into her eyes. The ones that stared back held more emotion than I could fathom. My heart pounded hard in my chest and a small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. There was truly no place I'd rather be than skin to skin with Bo and lost in the most beautiful pair of brown eyes I'd ever seen. I lowered myself, letting my lips ghost across hers. "So am I," I whispered, then claimed her mouth with more passion than I ever thought I had in me.

The power of it drew soft sounds from us both. She returned the kiss, matching every ounce of enthusiasm. Our tongues executed a perfectly performed waltz, each stroke coaxing another erotic moan that only served to amplify our desire. Her kiss told me all I needed to know, but despite the urgency to send one another to the stars and back, there was no rush. No hurried pace. No overwhelming need to consume the other.

Every time I thought it was impossible to feel more for Bo, the depth of those feelings would grow. When I believed it was impossible to be loved or desired anymore than I already was, I was proven wrong. Last night proved to me that we were both willing to fight. We weren't perfect. There would be hurdles. Together we could clear them by challenging one another and daring them to fight for us. That realization brought me to a whole new level of intimacy. So many of the things I'd experienced with Bo were strange, completely foreign to me, but still comfortable. Welcomed. I couldn't fight it and never wanted to if I could. Something about Bo and I felt inevitable no matter the obstacle. I still had my lingering voice, that lingering fear of falling and crashing, but I could take comfort in that idea of inevitability. It grounded me and gave me strength. The strength I'd never had with anyone before Bo.

Our chests rose and fell together, intermittent gasps for air between languid kisses that threatened to leave us completely breathless. Eager lips never parted as she rolled us over again. She pressed her body down, her thigh slipping between mine. It's presence made known by the very divine sensation that started at my core and spread to my limbs as she began a slow rhythm against me.

I raised to meet her, matching her every move. My own thigh insinuated itself where she could reap the same pleasure she was giving me. My hands slid down the vast expanse of her back until my fingers kneaded into the firm toned flesh of her ass. Each squeeze a gentle prodding for more. A sheen of sweat covered our bodies, lending itself to the sliding of her body against mine.

Bo's fingers entering me was like a slow immersion into a perfectly drawn bath. The warmth encompassed my feet, then washed over my entire being inch by inch, as I slowly gave my body to the soothing touch of the water. The feeling brought a satisfied sigh from my lips that made her smile against my skin.

Long minutes of Bo's tender caresses and loving attention to every part of my body was just as soothing, but far more intense. Minutes I wished would last forever passed far to quickly as she brought me closer and closer to ecstasy. My toes curled. My breath caught in my throat. There was no sound. Only the sight of her mouth on my breast, gazing up through dark lashes as her skilled fingers delivered the knock out blow.

White hot would describe the sensation as I shuddered through the most intense orgasm of my life by her hand. My arms fell limp to the satin sheets. I was lost to the world. Only Bo's trembling body and smothered sounds of pleasure registered in my frazzled brain as she buried her face in my shoulder and came hard. She fell still, the weight of her body heavy on mine own as we both struggled for air. With great effort, I brought one arm up around her holding her close.

"I," she croaked out between breaths, "am so," she inhaled deeply and raised up to look into my eyes, "in love with you." Bo brushed the hair from my eyes. "Completely." Her voice was stronger now and her gaze honest and determined. "Helplessly. Un-apologetically. Unabashedly. In love. With you."

She kissed me again, deeply, thoroughly, rendering me nothing but jello. I was speechless. This wasn't like any make up sex I'd never had before. This was another building block in our foundation. We were stronger now. We both felt it, that much was evident. And then it happened again, another deeper level of emotion than I ever believed possible. For a second my body tensed, fighting my old fears. The ones that said I'd mess this up, that we'd both be hurt, but I let it go, falling further under her spell. Seemed she wasn't scared either. She was just as enthralled by me and that made my head spin.

Words failed me so I said the only thing I could muster. "Me too. So much, Bo." I rolled us to our sides and wrapped my limbs around her, keeping her tightly in my grasp. My mouth couldn't resist a little trip down her neck, nipping and sucking here and there in the way I knew she'd purr with contentment. A sound I loved to hear. As sound that filled me with a great amount of gratification being the one to bring her to such bliss.

I closed my eyes and let my other senses be engulfed by all things Bo. The salty-sweet, sex tinged taste of her skin. The smell of her light musk perfume. The touch of her silky skin. The sound of her shallow breaths that she was working so hard to control. I worked my way back up to her lips then placed my hand on her cheek and sighed. When I opened my eyes, the only way to describe her was glowing. She was glowing and it made me smile like crazy.

I hid my face in her chest and laughed as she held me tight. A few seconds in her arms and I pulled back enough to look her in the eye. "Thank you for this."

"For morning sex?" She winked and kissed my nose.

"No silly." I chuckled. "For bringing me here. Letting me meet your family and see the other side of Bo Dennis."

Her face scrunched up and she looked away. "You mean the ugly, unbearable side?" Her arms loosened their grip, but I didn't allow her to let go.

"Well there was that," I teased. My fingers found her chin and pulled her shimmering gaze back to me. "But I meant the vulnerable side. The imperfect one. I want to know all the sides of Bo Dennis. So thank you."

"You're welcome, but you may not really understand what you're in for." She smirked.

"I think I can handle it."

"I know you can. You've certainly proven that repeatedly. I'm not easy to love, but damned if you're not tough as nails."

"Like you said, I'm devoted to things I love. That means never giving up and being steadfast in my faith in them."

We were silent as we laid entangled in a mess of sheets surrounded with the lightness that comes with professing true love.

Bo groaned a painful groan. She was to meet her father at one. "We better order breakfast so I can get to this meeting on time."

"You okay?"

"Yeah. I will be. And I haven't forgotten, Lauren. Tonight we can talk about it all."

"I wasn't going to pry. I just wanted to help you."

"I know. I want to tell you, to let you in, just not now. This morning has been perfect and I want to keep it that way."

That was a sentiment I could understand.

"I'll be here whenever you want to talk. I'm not going anywhere." I began to unravel myself. "Except to the bathroom."

She laughed. "What would you like me to order for you?"

"Surprise me," I said as I stood and stretched, not missing the open appraisal of my naked body by her. Just for that I put a little extra sway in my hips as I walked away.

"Killing me woman," she yelled out with a giggle.

If only she knew what she did to me.

XXX

"Oh my god, those sweet potato pancakes were heavenly." So amazing. The sweetness mixed with the side of thick cut bacon and mixed berries was perfect. Let's just say that breakfast in bed with the woman I loved while looking out over the foggy, lush evergreen forest was one of those little moments I'd hang on to for a long time to come. Not to mention she has power curtains for than giant window across from the bed. How have I never gotten those at home? Something to look into. "I could get use to this."

"Oh yeah? That could be arranged, but I think you'd get bored."

"If this was all we did, yeah. I love my work. But mornings like this? No. I wouldn't get tired of them."

"I'm really liking the vacation idea. Have you ever just wanted to take a month off and travel?"

"Not really. I have traveled some, but I guess I'd never been in that position before, or had the right motivation."

"And now?"

"Now I've certainly found the motivation. I'd love to spend a month with you. And now I am in a position where I could do those kinds of things if the opportunity presented itself."

"Good to know. At the very least I'd really like us to take a long weekend or even a week sometime soon, if that's agreeable?"

"Definitely."

"Great. I was also thinking, I mean if you could... or wanted to... maybe we could stay another night? My parents leave at five and we could go tour the city, or the mountain, or just stay here? I gotta ask Paul, but he rarely has any plans and he loves the extra money. What do you say?"

"I'd like that. Let me know and I'll just text Bob that I won't be in tomorrow."

"I'll let you know in a bit, but now, I have to get ready for my meeting. You're welcome to come up to the house with my mother, or hang out here, or walk. I could even have George take you somewhere. You can take the car out. Whatever you want."

"I definitely want to take that car for a spin, but it would be more fun with you. I think I'll go for a walk. I hear there's plenty of room and it's safe."

"There's also a hot tub out back I neglected to tell you about."

"Holding out on me, huh?"

"Only because I selfishly wanted us to skinny dip in it."

"Hmm, I guess I can hold off using it until you're back."

"How considerate."

"I try." I kissed her cheek. "As much as I hate for you to go, you better get moving."

"Yeah. Would you mind coming up and joining us all for a bite at four? I'm sure they'd like to say goodbye before they go and I have kind of kept us away from them this weekend."

"Sure. Whatever you want."

"Thanks."

I stayed in bed in nothing but my robe and watched Bo dress from afar. I figured it was best to keep my distance and not serve as a distraction. Whenever we were close things tended to get out of hand. Every now and then she'd look at me in the reflection of the mirror and smile or wink. I'd return a simple gesture as well, but the moment her eyes left mine she would fall into a deep trance. She was troubled by something. Her father, they're conversation, the burdens of her family, or maybe something else, but the weight on her shoulders was obvious. I wanted nothing more than to take some of it off of her, to help ease her pain, but there was nothing I could do but support her. At least until she let me in, but I wouldn't push. We all had our burdens to bear and I was sure Bo wouldn't keep me out for long.

She kissed me goodbye and walked out of the room; her shoulders back and her stature tall, almost as if to psych herself up for this business meeting with her father. I could only hope it went better than last night. Either way, I'd be there for her when it was over. I would always be there for her.

XXX

The private walk on a cool gray day was just what I needed. The dry, red desert was something I always loved, but there was something peaceful and almost zen about the wet, green environment. I did love the mountains and nature and this property was absolutely gorgeous. The surroundings set me at ease and allowed me to process in solitude. Nothing but me, the sounds of nature and my own soft footsteps on the wooded trail that wrapped around the property.

Unfortunately, my peace was short lived as my mind was consumed by last night's events. What could Bo's father have said that sent her hurling off the deep end? What were they talking about now? Was any of it about me, or all part of a longstanding family issue? Would it be an issue that would end up driving a wedge between us? Were we all over the tabloids? What trouble would that cause?

That nagging fear in the back of my brain was running wild now. If I wasn't hundreds of miles from home I'd more than likely retreat into my sanctuary of the dealership. That was my safe place whenever anxiety set in. That was where I had control. That was where everything made sense. But I wasn't home and being trapped in Washington forced me to focus on what I could control outside the dealership. Our relationship.

So much had been happening so fast and so far I was proud of the way I'd been handling things. Maintaining that cool collected outer shell was easy for me, even when I was dying on the inside, but I'd managed to do well keeping my inner panic to a minimum too. Part of it was Bo. When we were together she brought me a sort of serenity. I was happy when I was with her and nothing else mattered. Maybe that was a false serenity. Maybe I was fooling myself and it would all come crashing down. But until then, I was happy being a fool. A fool in love with an amazing woman.

I shook my head and tucked my arms into one another across my chest, pulling the ends of my fleece around my finger tips. There was a nip in the air today and no sign of the sun. The temperature wasn't all that much cooler than we'd get back home, but the humidity chilled me to the bone. The cold was sobering though, clearing my head of the energy sapping 'what if's' and finally allowing me to bask in the peace Mother Nature provided.

My whole life I'd never had to deal with this much emotion. How on earth did people deal with it on a regular basis? The shit's exhausting.

I glanced at my watch. Hard to believe I'd been walking for an hour. I had time though. Pulling a u-turn, I headed back toward the house. A quick nap, then a shower before I had to be at her parents place. Sounded like a perfect plan.

XXX

Bo said four o'clock. The proper thing to do would be early, which I prided myself on doing anyway, but there was a bit of dread. I wasn't really keen on being stuck alone with mom and possibly sis. In no way was I intimidated or scared, but getting in the middle of family things wasn't really on my list of to do's this weekend. But I was a big girl, so I sucked it up and put on a smile as I approached George at the front door.

"Good afternoon, George. How are you?"

"Fantastic Ms. Lauren, and yourself?"

"I am well, thanks. Enjoyed a marvelous walk around the property. No bears." I winked.

He laughed and patted my arm. "Never. I'm glad you had a good time. It's grey, but I always found it oddly comforting."

I nodded. Comforting was a good word for it. "It is actually. I'm so used to bright and dry. This was a welcomed change."

"Good to hear." He opened the door and motioned for me to enter. "Mrs. Dennis is expecting you. She is in the great room down the hall on the left."

"Ah yes, remember seeing it the other day. Beautiful view."

"The best."

"Thank you. I will see you later."

George bowed his head and pulled he door shut. Did he have to stand out there when it rained too? Surely not. Well, I hoped not. "The things that came to mind when visiting the home of the uber rich and famous," I snickered to myself.

I paused for a quick moment to check myself in the mirror. I took a cue from them yesterday and dressed in my own set of Columbia pants and shirts. My tan pants were perfectly pressed as, was the blue button down underneath my fleece jacket. I fixed a few strands of hair, took a deep breath and headed toward the sound of Evelyn's voice.

When I entered the room, she was on the phone. Her face was etched in worry and words fell from her mouth a minute. She seemed to be trying to negotiate something. What had she gotten herself into? Did I want to even ask?

She dropped the phone from her ear with a sigh, oblivious to me standing behind her.

"Are you all right?" I decided to ask because its polite, not because I wanted to be nosy. Lord knows I didn't want to be involved in their business.

At first there was no answer and I wondered if she'd heard me, but then she turned and forced a polite smile. Evelyn waved her hand like it was nothing. "Yes, yes. I'm fine. Have a seat. How are you today Lauren?" She paced the room. Her head clearly somewhere else.

"Doing well today. Thank you for asking." I sat in the large antique leather chair near the window. This would be the perfect place to occupy my mind while the family did whatever this family did that seemed to annoy Bo. I watched Evelyn roam the room for another minute before I decided to ask again. "Are you sure you're okay? Anything I can do to help?"

"I'm afraid not. Seems I've gotten myself into a bit of a pickle." She forced a smile. "I'm the head of a charity drive for the Torchlight Foundation. We help women who have been victims of domestic abuse get back on their feet. We give them housing, job training and help place them. Everything they need."

The tight lipped worried expression I'd held since I stepped in the door faded, replaced by an honest smile. "That is wonderful."

"Yes. Yes, it is." She frowned. "The problem is, we were going to sell tickets to win a car. They were just about to print the tickets until I received a call that the dealership we were buying it from went bankrupt and shut it's doors. The owner was going to give us a wonderful deal. So now, I need a replacement that fits the foundation's budget by tomorrow so the tickets can be printed on time for the local businesses to sell before the charity ball."

Cars? Now we were talking. I slipped right into work mode. Calm and cool. Short and to the point. Ready to study her responses to my questions. "What kind of car was it?"

"It was going to be a BMW Three Series."

"Is that what you want again, or was that just the best deal you found?"

"We wanted a lower cost luxury style car that appealed to most people in hopes to sell more tickets. A nice SUV would also work considering we are in an outdoorsy state."

"I can help you."

"You?" She practically scoffed at me. "How do you plan to help me?" She resumed her pacing and typing on her phone, blowing off my offer to bail her out of a jam.

Usually I'd take offense, but not today. She didn't know me and now I wondered how much digging she'd really done into my personal business. "Evelyn, you know I own a car dealership. You probably also know that my family owns half of the ones in Vegas." I folded my hands on my lap and stared at her with a neutral expression. The one I used on customers all the time.

She stopped again. Her head darted my direction. The look on her face told me she didn't look that far into me and probably wrote it off as a small time operation.

"I can get whatever you want. In fact, I have an idea." Typing a few keywords into my phone brought a picture up. I pushed myself out of the comfy leather chair and met her in the middle of the room. "Like you said, this is an outdoor and eco-friendly friendly state. One with a good population of upper middle class and high class. But you want majority, so how about a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk? Loaded up wit all the latest in comfort and technology. It's the most four by four capable in its class. Plenty of roomy and great gas mileage?"

She took my phone and looked at the picture. Her head bobbed in the way people did when they were considering things.

"But, I can also get you the BMW though, if you prefer."

"That Jeep is a good looking vehicle. We do see plenty of them on the road and we do get some snow here from time to time. Let me make a quick call."

"Oh, and Evelyn?"

"Yes, Lauren?"

"I will donate it one hundred percent, so all the funds can go toward helping women who need it."

"Oh no, that is too much money."

"I insist. I have plenty of money." I said it every bit as cocky as the words sounded. I wanted her to know that I wasn't here for Bo's money. I was successful in my own right and could do whatever I pleased, just as they could. Albeit, on a lesser scale. Millions didn't equal billions, but still, I was one of the "privileged" ones.

Her brow rose at my words. The corner of her lip threatened to tug up into a smile, but she pressed it back down.

"Besides, it would make me happy to help out women in need," I added, because that was the real reason I was doing it. Just happened to be a time where I could help her out as well. And you know, show off my own wealth a little. I was every bit as proud of what I'd accomplished in life as they were.

"Well, I..." she paused for a moment. Her brow furrowed as she gave real thought to my words. In the blink of an eye she returned to the regal woman I'd first met, standing straighter, her chin up. "On behalf of the Torchlight Foundation, we thank you very kindly for your generous donation. I will make sure to get you the proper paperwork for your taxes."

"Thank you." I held back my usual victory grin, maintaining the same stoicism she held.

"You must come to the ball next month. You can help me present the car to the winner."

"I'd be honored," I answered with a warm smile.

She smiled and clasped both of her hands over mine. "You're not what I expected you to be, Lauren."

"How's that?"

"Pardon my saying so, but I didn't expect someone so warm and generous. You know how many successful women can be."

"Ah yes, the hard nosed bitch with something to prove."

She threw her head back and laughed. "Yes, that's my Ysabeau."

I had to laugh at that. Bo definitely worked hard to keep that persona. "Thank you. I'm pleased that I didn't fit that bill." I walked back to the chair I'd just occupied and claimed it once again.

She smiled and walked to the liquor cabinet. "Scotch," she asked over her shoulder.

"Please. Neat."

"A lady who knows her scotch. I like that." She let out a tiny chuckle as she poured two glasses of what I could only assume would be the same fine liquor Bo had at her place. My mouth watered at the memory of the oaky smoothness. She handed me a glass and picked her phone form the table. "I'll just be a minute. They should be done soon."

I waved her to go on about her business and not worry about me. Pleased that I had done my part to win over one of Bo's parents, I sipped my scotch and stared out the window at the passing clouds speeding by. The amber liquor was every bit as good as I remembered. Finally having a moment to myself, I took in the sight of the enormous space. I was too in awe of the home to notice the details yesterday. Pecan and heart pine wood beautifully adorned the floor and walls. The random light and dark brick fireplace stood out against the wood grains giving the place a warm feel.

"Well, well, if it isn't the woman of the hour."

Kierstyn. My head spun toward the sound of her voice. She was sporting a wicked grin on her face. What was she up to now? "Pardon?"

"You and Bo sure put on a show last night. It's all over the internet today," she said as she sashayed over to me.

If she was trying to rile me up, she was in for a let down. I was in the zone. "Mmmm, Bo does know how to wow a crowd."

"This was her all time best though. And you leaving her there? Epic! I'm surprised you're still here."

"Yes, well it's good to see you too."

"I didn't mean it like that." She shrugged. "I just figured you would've bolted from the craziness that is our family. You got spunk, I'll give you that."

"It's going to take a lot more than that. I'm not going anywhere." I lifted the glass to my lips took another sip. Letting my eyes return to the scenery out the window, I did my best to ignore her.

She leaned in so only I could hear and whispered, "The money keeps them hanging around."

That got my attention. I looked her right in the eye with a the same confident, neutral expression I used on Evelyn. "I have my own money."

"Yes, right. The cars." Kierstyn stood back up and took the seat beside me.

I didn't reply.

"So." She fiddled with her nails, acting nonchalant as if speaking of the weather. "I suppose this is where you say you love my sister and will be together forever."

"I don't know what the future holds, but I do love her, even when she has a bad day. Like I said. I'm not going anywhere."

"See? Like I said, spunk." She was pretty pleased with her assessment.

I turned the conversation to her. "What is it that you do Kierstyn?"

"Whatever I want."

"So, there's nothing you're interested in doing or investing in?"

"I haven't found that yet I guess. Life is short. I want to enjoy it. I'm able to so why not, right?"

True. I was about to dig a little further into her lack of anything productive when a deep voice called out, "Evelyn?"

Alyn entered from an adjoining room, pulling all attention to him as he made his way over to his wife. He caught sight of me and his lips pulled into a tight, forced smile. He didn't look happy. Maybe he never did. But this was different. The anger didn't seem directed at me personally, but I still registered some kind of discomfort from him upon seeing me.

Bo walked out behind him. Her usual cheery expression was gone. Instead she wore her lips pulled tight and a crease in her forehead. These two were worse than me and dad. The moment her eyes locked on me, it all washed away. Her bright smile lit up the room and all the tension was gone. The sudden change made me warm inside knowing that I could elicit such a response. That was the same thing that happened to me whenever I saw her.

"Hey, Lauren." She rushed over and pulled me up into a hug.

Kierstyn rolled her eyes, then flashed a smile only I could see as she got up and brushed past us.

"You okay," I whispered into Bo's ear.

She nodded. "We'll talk later. I promise." Bo released her hold, but let one arm wrap around my waist as she led me over to the sofa.

Alyn and Evelyn followed behind and took their places across from us. We'd barely been seated before George and an older woman brought in a pitcher of water, a bowl of cut fruit and a plate of perfectly cut mini sandwiches and placed them on the table between us.

I let them go first, not wanting to commit an etiquette faux pas. Bo nudged me and poked her chin toward the food. I only took a little. Unsure of what drama might unfold, I didn't feel like enduring it with a full stomach.

Alyn swallowed his bite and did his best to look chipper as he glanced at Evelyn and then down to her glass. "So, scotch huh? What's the occasion?"

Evelyn smiled brightly. Her eyes darted from me to Bo to Alyn. "Well, Lauren just saved the Torchlight charity sale."

Kierstyn let out an exhausted sigh and fiddled with her nails in the way someone would do when they're bored. What a character. She was probably mad that the attention was on someone besides her.

"How's that? I wasn't aware there was a problem with it," Alyn inquired, ignoring his youngest daughter's antics.

"There wasn't up until about a half an hour ago." She gave him the details and fawned over my generosity, which he also saluted.

Then we fell into casual chit chat as we finished off the food. The run of the mill topics were a welcomed change of pace. They spoke of Bo's grandmother's latest exploits. Apparently she was quite the jokster. We even touched upon local sports teams and events on the mountain until it was nearly five and her parents were heading back to the city.

Alyn glanced over at us. Bo was tight against my side with her hand on my knee. That had become our way of grounding one another when we were in an uncomfortable situation.

"Lauren, I hope you enjoyed your time here," he said with sincerity.

"The tabloids sure enjoyed having her here," Kierstyn snarked. Not in a mean way really, but just to stir things up.

"Alyn rolled his eyes. "Please Kierstyn, it's nothing you don't already do several times a week."

Her face dropped at his response. All the effort of trying to rile us up went for naught. She slumped down into her chair like a petulant child and ate the last of her sandwich.

I took the silence as an opportunity to respond to their kindness. "Of course. You have a beautiful estate and I appreciate your hospitality."

"Thank you. It's been a pleasure having you here. You are always welcome to visit."

"Thank you, Alyn." I offered him a smile in return. He seemed to be warming up to me.

Evelyn finished her second glass of scotch and smiled when she looked at us. "What time are you flying out?"

Bo looked at me, then her parents. "Well, we were going to head out now, but we're going to stay the night and fly out tomorrow afternoon instead. I want to show Lauren around a bit." A smile pulled at her lips as she gave my knee a gentle squeeze.

"That sounds lovely. The mountain has some great views," Evelyn said as she leaned back and patted Alyn on the knee. She turned her attention to him. "Shall we?"

"Yes, we should be going. Kierstyn?" He looked to his youngest. "What are your plans?"

"I'm headed to Joey's."

"All right. Well try to stay out of trouble."

"Don't I always?" She honestly looked surprised to hear him say the words.

Bo mumbled something to herself.

Both parents rolled their eyes and stood up. They moved around the table to the three of us. "Thank you all for being here this weekend. Have a safe trip home."

One by one Bo and Kierstyn hugged their parents. Alyn gave me a solid handshake and an odd attempt at an approving smile. Evelyn pulled me into a strong hug, whispering she would call me Tuesday about the details of the car.

Not another pleasantry was wasted. The family gathering was over and we all scattered to the wind.

Bo and I walked hand in hand back to her place. We were barely in the door before she tugged my hand and pulled me into her arms. "So, where to?"

My arms hung loose around her neck as we stood eye to eye. This was one of the places I was happiest. Her eyes were so expressive. I could never mistake her feelings for me when I gazed into them. Could she look into mine and see the same thing? "Hmm, I thought about going to tour the city, but I don't feel like making the drive. I think I'd rather have some wine and give that hot tub a whirl." I flashed my best seductive grin. "You can always show me the city tomorrow."

"Naked?" I loved that one word was all she heard from me. She looked at me with so much hope that I wasn't teasing.

"Yup." I waggled my brows.

"Perfect. I''ll order up something yummy for dinner. If you want, we can ride up the mountain for sunset?"

"Sure." I slipped off my shoes and unbuttoned my shirt.

The second it hit the floor, strong fingers gripped my hips and pulled me back. Her voluptuous form pushed against my back as we stood in the center of the bedroom. I knew those curves by heart. My hands took on a mind of their own, reaching behind me and running down her already naked hips. How'd she get undressed so fast?

Bo nuzzled into the crook of my neck. Her warm breath beat against my skin. The simplest little thing that always brought a rush of calm over me. I was always amazed how her touch could either drive me wild or bring me to peace.

"This isn't the way to get us into the hot tub." I laughed.

"I know, but I couldn't wait to hold you. To feel you."

"I missed you too."

"Nice job with mom by the way." She kissed the bottom of my jaw. "She's never been impressed by anyone I've dated before."

"I'm pretty impressive."

"You are indeed." Her soft lips trailed their way down my neck at an agonizingly slow place. "Let me help you out of those pants."

Twenty minutes and some heavy making out against the wall later, we raced one another outside to the hot tub completely nude. Bo assured me her parents were gone and that no one would disturb us back here. Oddly, I didn't even care anymore. Being with Bo made me feel free and daring. We giggled like children as the cold air hit our skin before we plunged into the soothing hot water.

We poured some wine and relaxed against the back of the tub. I sat across from her, watching as the expression on her face shifted from happy to serious.

"So..." Bo slid closer, took my free hand in hers and fiddled with my fingers. The mood had changed and I knew what was coming. It was time to talk. "My father wants me to move back and take over the running of the company so he can retire."

I didn't want Bo to leave Vegas, but I wanted to be supportive and not judge; just offer her a chance to speak and sort it all out. "Is that what upset you?"

"No. I knew it would come one day since Kierstyn is useless."

"Okay."

"One of the things that upset me was the way he belittled my own company and expected me to drop it all and come home. He basically told me it was time to quit playing and come run the family business. I've built a billion dollar company of my own. I don't need family money."

"You've done well for yourself, Bo. I'm sorry he doesn't see that." How could anyone not see how amazing she was?

"Me too. I've worked hard. It pissed me off that he treated what I've been doing like I was out partying it up like Kierstyn. I wanted to tell him off, but I do love my family and I'm proud of my name, my heritage. I'm not opposed to running the company, but on my terms."

"You should be proud. It's several generations worth of hard work, but I can see both sides here." Alyn's had his dream for Bo for years and more than likely assumed she was planning the same.

"Yeah, I can too. Now anyway." She laughed.

"Is that what you talked about today?"

"Yeah. Partly."

I stayed silent, letting her say whatever she was comfortable with. Her hand gripped mine tighter. Her brows knitted together as something inside her shifted.

Bo shifted uncomfortably in her spot. "Um, The thing that really set me off last night though was how he spoke about us."

"Us?" I knew that had to be part of it, but somehow it still shocked me to hear her admit that.

"Mhm." She looked away. "When I told him no, that I had my own company and I wanted to settle down in Vegas with you he got angry. He said that I shouldn't let you hold me back from fulfilling my rightful place in the company. He dismissed my love for you and said that you should drop everything and move here if I insisted on us being together."

I didn't know what to say to that. Probably wouldn't be anything helpful so I just kept quiet, waiting to see where she went next.

She shook her head. Her gaze dropping to the rippling bubbles in the water. "I would never ask you to do that. I told him to shove the fucking company if that's how he was going to be. I'm not his slave and no one will dismiss what we have together." Her words were sharp. Bo's eyes met mine once again. They were filled with determination, honesty and anger.

The quick change in mood made it easy to see that this was what put her over the top last night. My heart beat faster at her fierce demeanor. I was overcome with love and pride to see her so protective of our relationship. I didn't want to dwell on last night though. "So, what happened today?"

She took a deep breath and softened her grip on my hand. "Today I told him I'd consider it if I could stay in Vegas and come here for meetings. I can run it from anywhere. Besides, I don't want to be here where I would be under his thumb anyway. Things got rather heated."

"I would never want to hold you back, Bo." I set my wine glass on the ledge.

"I know. You don't. If anything you give me wings, Lauren. I mean it. As long as you'll have me I only want to be where you are."

I took both of her hands in mine and commanded her full attention. "Good, because I like having you where I am. And for the record, I'm not opposed to moving someday."

"Don't tell him that." Bo smiled and the heavy air between us began to lift.

"I won't."

"Bo, I'm glad you stood up for yourself. For us." This was a big hurdle for us to overcome and here we were, still strongly determined to be together.

"Always. I kind of feel like after this weekend it won't be a problem though."

"No?"

"No. I made myself crystal clear. He understands my demands now and what it will take me to carry out his dream. We can still make it work for both of us. Plus, you charmed the pants off of my mother. Heck, even my sister had good things to say."

"Your sister? That's surprising. But it was no easy feat to charm your mom. Now, if I could get your father to like me." I nudged her with my shoulder and grinned.

"He does like you, Lauren. He said as much."

"I sensed he may have eased a little at the end, but he's still not sure."

"It wasn't personal. He's always business and he felt you were in the way of what he wanted. No different than if you were a competing company. He actually laughed at the fact you left me there."

"Did he?"

"Yeah. He said that was ballsy. I agreed."

"Well then, my work here is done." I let go of her hands and leaned back against the ledge again. I propped my arms up and gave he a cocky grin.

Bo laughed and scooted back over to her glass. "You've made quite the impression all right. Even George and Molly approve."

"They're sweet."

There was a few moments of silence as we exchanged

"I love you, Lauren." Bo broke the silence. "Thank you for coming with me this weekend."

"I love you too, Bo. Thanks for inviting me. And if you decide you want to run the company, we'll make it work. No worries, okay?"

"Okay. Now how about we enjoy the rest of that bottle of wine? I could use another drink."

"Please," I sighed in exasperation, bringing a ridiculous smile to her face.

Bo handed me my glass across the steamy water. We toasted to resolution and took big gulps of the expensive ice wine. Bo's eyes never left me as I sat across from her. She was giving me the kind of looks that made me long to be in her arms. So that's where I went.

I pushed away from the wall and innocently floated to the other side, but I had a not so innocent plan. All the while she stared at me intently. The hint of a smile on her lips grew as I got closer. She relaxed back, ready to receive me in open arms. Instead, in one swift move I stormed the castle. My hands captured her face and my mouth claimed hers entirely.

She was stunned. It took her a moment to react before her hands finally settled on my hips and she returned the kiss.

My tongue pushed it's way past her lips as I took exactly what I wanted. My body was on autopilot, knowing every little spot to touch and precisely how to kiss in order to turn her to putty in my hands. It was without a doubt the deepest, most passionate kiss I ever delivered and I reveled in the moan that I pulled from her.

Bo's arms snaked tighter around me. Our rising need was evident in the kiss as our breaths grew shallow and hearts pounded in sync against my chest. The steamy water temperature had nothing on the heat we could create between us. But I pulled back. My lips reluctantly left hers behind, turning into a mischievous grin as I took in the sight of a flushed, breathless and confused Bo.

I turned my back to her and settled into the spot between her legs. Her breasts pressed against my back and her legs straddled mine. The hot water was relaxing, softening the tight muscles. Tension that came from an emotionally stressful weekend and the intense focus it took to repress my need have her inside me.

"Wow. That was mind blowing. And all too brief." She inhaled a deep clearing breath, shuddering slightly when she exhaled.

And completely satisfying. And sexually frustrating. But I was enjoying this bonding time. I wanted us to enjoy the pleasure of this amazing afternoon and not lost in the pleasure between one another's legs. We could do that when the sun went down.

"I was wondering how long you were going to stay over there all by you're lonesome," she spoke low into my ear.

Anytime she was this close it sent a shiver of excitement down my spine and spiked the desire between my legs again. As much as I wanted to make love to her here and now, I also wanted this intimate moment to last. I forced down my raging libido and went for a distraction. Humor. "Just long enough to enjoy the sight of your boobs floating on top of the water," I managed to say without a laugh.

But Bo couldn't hold it in. Her head fell back and the most melodious sound came out. "You always find ways to surprise me. That's the absolute last thing I expected to hear." She wrapped her free hand around my waist and let her thumb brush idly back and forth across my stomach. "Well I'm glad you decided the show was over. I prefer you right here."

"Me too. This is where I belong." And family or fears be damned, that was the truth.

XXX

So there it is. Don't be shy, tell me what you think. You know I love to hear your thoughts.