Hello everyone. This chapter covers a lot of topics, but it needed to move along a little, so I hope it turned out all right. Also, I am finally fulfilling a reviewers request for a little Bo jealousy. Even if it takes a while, I do try to work in as many as possible, so if you're still reading this, I hope you like it.

Chapter 20

One Week Later

There were three piles of crap on the floor as I sorted through my closet to make room for Bo's clothes. There was more than enough space in the giant walk in, but since I'd never had to share a closet before, things had sort of...spread out. Okay, to be honest, I was a bit of a slob when it came to this room. Everywhere else I was organized and neat, but this was the one and only place I ever let such behavior happen. Shoes would be kicked off, jackets thrown to the side and bags of clothes heaped in a pile. There were things I'd never even taken out of the package on the shelves. So, I decided it would be a good idea to call it a rare, early day at work and surprise her by organizing my shit.

Bo would have one entire side. I knew it would be welcomed because apparently, she was meticulous when it came to her suits and gowns and though she hadn't said anything yet, I read her silently appalled expression when she first set foot in the closet last week. Had I planned this moving in together thing better, I would have cleaned the area ahead of time, but as it stood, Bo did get to see one of my hidden secrets of shame and seemed she still loved me anyway. I'd seen some of her uglier moments, guess it was only fair that she experienced one of mine. That's what this relationship stuff was all about right?

The sound of the front door and heels down the tiled hallway signaled Bo's return. I scrambled to straighten as much as I could before she walked into the bedroom. The door swung open and her brief case hit the floor followed by the sigh of another long day over and done.

"Well it's official. Lauren, my mother loves you," she called out.

My eyes shot open and my jaw dropped. That was not what I was expecting to hear. We'd made strides, but "love" was pushing it. "Ummm...okay. What?" I dropped the pair of shoes in my hands and walked into the bed room, pulling the door shut behind me as a surprise later.

Bo was leaning against the door frame with an easy smile as she reached down to slip off one Prada heel at a time. "She thinks you're the best thing since sliced bread or ice cream and apple pie or whatever analogy you'd prefer." She smiled wider and made her way toward me. Her fingers undid the two buttons of her black blazer then commenced freeing her of her cream colored silk blouse.

I wet me lips in response to her salacious smile. She could be the devil sometimes. We were trying to talk about her mother, yet she was giving me a slow striptease. "That's great news," I said, but my brows knitted in confusion. "Still the question of why?" My mind was focused on Evelyn, but my body was exclusively tuned in to the subtle actions of the gorgeous brunette with dark eyes and silky skin half naked before me as she let the blouse hit the floor before she slid her arms around my waist.

Bo's smile grew the longer I stood there in silence, my eyes falling to the bountiful cleavage just inches from my mouth. She moistened her lips and then pecked me on the cheek, gliding her mouth along my skin to to my ear. I shivered at the tease of her hot breath as she whispered, "She's read every single possible story this week about our vacation and has decided that you are the best thing to ever happen to me and desperately wishes you had a sibling that could tame her other wild child."

I laughed wholeheartedly. My hand moved up to her cheek, pulling her face so that we were eye to eye. I kissed Bo hard and deep. I commanded her full attention until her knees buckled. When we pulled apart her eyes had that wild shine that held so many possibilities and always made my heart skip.

"First off,' I ran my finger across her swollen pink lips, "that was a proper 'welcome home' kiss. At least until we've been together thirty years."

She attempted to nip my fingers, but I pulled them away and winked.

Bo bit her lip and smirked before she replied, "My apologies my dear."

"Apology accepted. Second, I'm sorry that I'm an only child, but more than thrilled that your mom approves of me. Especially with the gala coming up soon."

Bo's hold on me tightened and she let out a low, sexy growl. "I can't wait to see you all dressed up like that again. You were drop dead stunning."

"Thank you. You weren't too bad yourself." We shared another slow, passionate kiss that threatened to escalate, but when Bo's hands slipped under my tee I remembered something about my mom and that I really wanted her to see the closet.

She groaned in protest when I pried my lips from hers leaving us both a bit breathless. "Oh umm, which, by the way, my mom is begging me to go shopping with her soon."

"Mmm, that's great." Bo's lips drifted to my neck as she mumbled, "I love how excited she is."

An easy sigh escaped me as I tipped my head away. The closet was quickly becoming and after thought. "Me too."

She tugged at the collar of my shirt, exposing more of my neck as she continued, "Any news on your dad yet?"

"No, but I expect him to attend...god that feels good, Bo." My hands slid down to cup her ass. "I think he's gotten the picture that we are serious and that meeting your parents would be a good idea. As much as he like to hide at the dealership, image is as big a deal to him as it is to you're family." I tipped my head to the other side. telling her I'd love the same attention on the right.

She smiled against my skin as she dragged her tongue across my pulse point en route to the other side. She nipped my collarbone causing me to jump and she laughed devilishly. "Yeah, I get that vibe from him. He just prefers the solitude of his office though huh?"

"Mhm. And speaking of image, I need tips on what kind of dress to get when we go shopping. Or you could come with us?"

"I could probably make that happen, even though I know you'll pick out something jaw dropping." She smiled. "Your mom is going to have such a great time and think her and my mother will get along famously."

"Agreed. I'm excited for her. She loves to go out, but hasn't gotten to do it in a long time, ya know, cause dad never wants to go."

"Well, she will have plenty of opportunities with my family around. So buckle up."

"Oh boy." We both laughed for a moment and then settled into a comfortable stare. Our eyes locked in a comfortable silence saying so many things. Every one of them made my heart swell, my stomach flip and my breath falter. I still couldn't believe that this was me. I was in love and with the most amazing, sweet and beautiful woman on the planet.

"Hey," she whispered. "How I give you a little more than a proper welcome home kiss?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"You'll have to wait and see, but I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it."

"Commence the welcoming then."

Bo smirked and leaned in for another kiss, but I jumped out of her arms.

"Wha-? Lauren?"

Bo was shocked and confused, but I took her hand with a grin and led her forward. I really did want her to see the closet, sad as that sounded, but I was oddly proud of myself for cleaning it up and wanted to enjoy the look on her face when she saw it.

"Wait, I want you, god knows it, I always do... but I wanted you to see this first." I pushed the door open and stood back as she took it all in. I'd even had time to get most of my stuff in order, but her side was perfect and the radiant smile I was seeing was totally what I was hoping for.

"Wow!" Bo laughed. "You did all this today?"

"Yeah. I knew it was bugging you and you needed to have your own space in our house, so..."

"Thank you so much."

"You like it?"

"I love it. Look how happy my suits look too," she chuckled.

I nodded and ran my fingers down the navy blue jacket sleeve. "Yes, they already thanked me."

"Oh good. I tried to raise them right."

"You did. They were very gracious," I purred, feeling my heart pump faster at the seductive way she was strolling the room. she could make anything sexy.

"Perfect. Thank you. But I do have one question for you, Ms. Lewis. Did you unpack all my stuff?"

"No, I left the boxes."

"Good."

There was a twinkle in her eye that left me curious. "Hiding something Ms. Dennis?" I teased her with half-hearted pokes through her suits.

"Maybe a little something for a rainy day Ms. Lewis. And no peeking," she ordered while she spun me around and pushed me out the door.

I turned around and pouted. Bo just laughed and shook her head. Then, with two big strides, she swooped down and wrapped her arms below my ass, lifting me up as she carried me to the bed. "Now...about that welcome party..."

XXX

We dragged ourselves from bed around ten in desperate need of some grub. Bo and I parked ourselves on the sofa with my back to her front in our bath robes and just fucked hair. We fed one another left over beef stew and watched Jimmy Fallon in a lip sync contest with Ellen Degeneres.

Bo was always beautiful, but this simple evening and the way she was so at home here made her even more so. The passing thought of how many more times I could possible think she was any more beautiful crossed my mind. It was impossible of course, yet seemingly insignificant tasks had a tendency of making her even more radiant to the point sometimes I could hardly speak. Like tonight. I stole a glance at her as we ate. Bo was currently sporting a wicked grin on her face and I didn't know why. She hadn't said a word the last several minutes. I was growing suspicious. "What? What are you thinking about that's making you all smiley?"

"You." Her eyes never left Jimmy.

"Me? Suck up," I huffed jokingly. "No, really Bo, tell me." I nudged her with my knee, then laid my head back on her shoulder so I could see her face.

"What," she asked incredulously. "I was thinking about you. You and how you'd kill Jimmy in a lip sync off, Lauren."

"Oh god no." I may always regret singing to her. Not really. The look on her face when she heard me and again when she finally got up and let loose would be one I'd always treasure.

"Oh yes. That karaoke of yours is still burned in my mind and I know you could kill it."

"Thankfully, we will never need to find out. Doing that in front of millions is not the same as one hundred drunks and my hot girlfriend."

"I could arrange it ya know?"

Shit. She absolutely could. "Please no."

"What about just a private one? You, me, Jimmy and some close friends?"

"I'd rather not, as much as I love Jimmy. Wait, would you also be participating in this contest?"

Her eyes grew large with the flourish of new ideas. "Is that what it would take?"

"I'd still rather not, but I would definitely require you to partake." I loved our playful bantering. We could get so ridiculously silly.

"Noted." There was silence for several moments before Bo yawned and stretched her arms to the sky. "You ready to go to sleep? I don't know about you, but someone wore my ass out."

My mouth dropped open in feigned surprise. "Really? Are you seeing someone else on the side? Because I didn't touch your ass."

"Funny. You're funny." She pressed a kiss to my temple. "You know there is only you and yes, you were far more interested in other areas."

"But I do love your ass."

"Thank you. And you can be an ass, but I still love you."

"Sounds like the perfect pairing." I tipped my head up so our lips could meet in a tender kiss. I loved these moments more and more. Just settling into a normal life with billionaire Bo Dennis doing the most unglamorous, mundane things and feeling like it was the best day ever.

"I like to think so. Now come on," she urged me with words and her attempts to free her body from mine. "I need sleep and I'd prefer if you were in bed with me. You can watch tv in there if you want."

"Care if I keep eating too?"

"Umm...no. I guess not. Is that something you do a lot, because you haven't done that with me yet, well...unless that eating somehow involved our other bed time activities."

Untangling ourselves, we finally got free of the sofa and continued our mindless convo all the way to bed.

"Yes, we did ruin a pair of sheets with all that edible body paint. But no, I don't do it often, but sometimes its fun."

"My my, I am learning so much about you, Lauren Lewis."

"Yup, now you'll know all the ugly truths about why I've been single so long."

"Please, its because you were waiting for the right woman. The only one who could challenge your love of cars. And most of the time, I win that battle."

"True. That reminds me, its time for a ride in you know who."

"Ah yes, your other woman. Is that an invite?"

"Only if you want to. I may take her out for a spin Sunday before I take mom shopping."

"I think that would be great. I'd love to go out with my two favorite ladies."

"Good. Me too. Oh and Mandy and Charlie will be in town Saturday and the girls want us to go out that night for dinner and dancing."

"Sure that would be great. I do have a business meeting with some of my fathers advisers and a skype with him after, but I can meet you at some point. I have no idea how long it will all take."

We each climbed into our assumed sides of the bed and rolled to face one another in the center. Bo's fingers ran through my hair while she stared deep into my eyes the way she would every night before she fell asleep. Her gentle rhythm would relax me and I'd keep our gazes locked as her eyelids fluttered until they finally fell shut and her movements would still. I'd send her off to dreamland with a soft kiss to her forehead, taking care not to wake her. It only a matter of minutes I'd get to do it again.

"Is this the proposal of the final plan for taking over the family business?"

"Mhm. That's shy we set it for a Saturday when we had all day if we needed it and into Sunday, but I'm confident that won't be necessary."

"Are you nervous or are you happy with it? I mean, now that its all about to happen."

"I don't know. I mean...I never wanted it, but always knew I would be the one to take it on. Does that make sense?"

I nodded.

"So now that its about to be real... I don't think I could ever really be prepared, but I do feel like I am in the right place in my life for it to happen, ya know."

I nodded again, remaining quiet as she sorted through her feelings. "Heck, even two years ago I was still a bit of a mess personally; still finding my way, but now, I feel solid and I have you. Besides, it really does practically run itself, but I have to keep an eye on it and help shape its growth so it will be around for future generations."

My mind immediately drifted to the idea of having children with Bo, something I'd never really given a moments thought to and had no intention of bringing up now, but the idea didn't horrify me like I thought it would. "You're going to do great things Bo. You already have."

"Thank you. Its going to amp up the spotlight for a while once its announced. Will you be okay with that?"

"Bo, none of that bothers me. Its you and me against the world."

"Remember you said that," she smiled and kissed me softly, fighting off a yawn until her lips left mine. "Seriously, I need sleep. Let's go so I can snuggle up to you and pass out while you finish off the rest of the fridge in bed."

I smacked her arm playfully. "I'll leave you something for breakfast."

"See there? That's true love," she managed to mumble while losing her fight with sleep.

"It really is. Sleep tight Bo."

And just like that, she was out like a light.

XXX

"Hey Bob, how's it hangin?"

"Lauren! Good morning! I've been waiting for you." he hopped from his chair and rushed toward me.

Uh oh. "Oh yeah? What's up?"

"No, no." He waved me off and tugged my elbow. He leaned in and spoke low. "This needs privacy."

"Are you in trouble?" i spoke as quiet as I could even though I was quickly becoming agitated. Things were going too well. The last thing I needed was workplace drama. "Because I swear to fuck Bob-"

"No, geez, Lauren." He rolled his eyes and frowned. "I've been good. Real good actually. But this news is not public knowledge yet."

Bob stared at me with sincerity and hurt in his eyes.

"Okay. I'm sorry." He was a good friend. He'd known me all my life and even though he had a penchant for getting himself into shit, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions.

He nodded letting me know we were all good.

"Walk with me. We're having a good month. How's the used inventory?" I would keep the topic to business until we got to my private office.

"Good turn over, only a handful over sixty days, but we'll get rid of them in a hurry."

"Great. I want a list of them. I may trade out with the Jeep store, but until then, I want a two hundred dollar bonus on them."

"Got it."

Bob followed me into my office. I shut the door behind us and crossed my arms as I leaned against it. "Okay, so...?"

"So," Bob started as he moved to the window and stared out across the lot. "Word is old man Dallenbach is ill and wanting to sell. I thought it was just rumor until Smitty overheard one of the bankers that service their cars here talking about working on a loan for someone to buy out both stores. I knew you'd thought about adding another store, but i don't know if this is what you want. Anyway, I wanted you to hear about it quick."

"Thanks Bob. That's very interesting news. I'd actually thought of buying a store out of the area, but this changes things. A Ferrari store and a Northwest Car Agency? Hi and low end cars...its perfect." I quickly sent off texts to my banker and lawyer warning them that I was jumping on this in a hurry. If the banker was already working on a deal for someone, there might not be much time. Ernie Dallenbach and my father had a long history of not-so-friendly exchanges, but he had always been nice to me. Then again, my father had quite the abrasive personality most of the time anyway.

"Whatcha gonna do?"

"If you'd excuse me Bob, I have some business to attend to." I smiled and threw him a wink as I dialed Dallenbach Motors.

"Go gett'em!" He half skipped out of the office, shutting the door quietly behind him.

The phone rang twice before a perky operator answered, "Thank you for calling Dallenbach Motors. How may I direct your call?"

"Hello, I'd like to speak with Ernie Dallenbach. Tell him Lauren Lewis is on the line."

"Hello, Ms. Lewis. I will page him. Please hold."

My smile grew as I wandered closer to the large window that overlooked my massive dealership. Maybe the timing was right for me to expand just like Bo was. Everything else had been going so well, I planned to strike while the iron was hot.

"This is Ernie."

"Ernie, hello. It's Lauren."

"Well Lauren, I thought Joann was pulling my leg when she said you were on the line. What the heck can I do for you?"

"Actually, its what I'd like to do FOR you, Ernie. I've got a proposition."

"I'm all ears."

His stores were as good as mine.

XXX

Saturday

"Lauren. You're not gonna bail on us tonight right? We haven't had a girl's night in forever and I need a wing woman for fucks sake. I need to get laid."

"Calm down, Shawnna." I rolled my eyes. We needed to get her a girl. My wing woman days were over. Hopefully Mandy would do it. "Yes, we will be there and one of us will wing woman you."

"Doesn't Bo know any hot single ladies looking for a good time? Shit, I could go for a rich one too."

"That's never come up in conversation, sorry."

"Fine. Don't forget us little people now. You know, the ones that loved you when cars were all you ever talked about? Hook a sista up."

"How could I ever forget you?" I had to laugh at her dramatics.

"Never. I rock your world."

"You do. You really do. I'll keep an ear out for you."

"Sweet. Don't be late. Davidoff's at seven, Miguel's for dessert, then we hit the town."

"I will be there. Bo will meet us later. She has meetings tonight, but I will be prompt and ready to party, as instructed."

"You better be. Later Lo," she yelled and hung up.

This was perfect. We could celebrate my new acquisition and Bo taking over and Mandy and Charlie each got nice endorsement deals. Tonight was going to be a good night.

XXX

As predicted, Bo missed dinner, but she assured me she had a nice meal during the meeting and that she would catch up to us at whatever club we ended up hitting. Dessert was next. There was a special little place we always like to go to for girl's nite that had the best homemade cakes and delicacies and the waitresses were nice to look at to the gills, I almost wanted to call it a night and head home, but I had been looking forward to a night out. so had Bo. we've kept low key with the exception of some dinners and shows, but both of us were the type that needed to let loose on occasion. So here was our chance.

Charlie, Mandy, Shawnna and I hopped into our rented limo knowing damn well we'd already had a few too many and the night was still young. Our party was shifting from stuffing our faces to burning off calories at Vesuvius, the top rated club in the city, which was also in Bo's home hotel. Not only was it the best, but it made it easier for Bo to just come down stairs when she was finished. She'd sent me a few texts, all with a frustrated tone of how this was taking longer than she wanted and there were some sticking points among the board. She hadn't even had the one-on-one skype with her father yet as the evening approached eleven o'clock.

I couldn't wait to see her. We'd both left for work early this morning and it had been a long day of annoying, entitled customers that wanted to meet me more now than ever and the tedious task of looking over the final contracts. I got Ernie to put us on the fast track. He wanted to travel and spend time with the family while he still could and didn't want to waste time with the sale. He knew I'd take good care of what he had worked so hard to build. When I left my dealership, I dropped off the contracts and made it all official. I now had two more stores under my own belt to go with the Lewis Family motor corporation.

"Hey," Mandy startled me when she leaned in close, "what's going on in that mind of yours?"

"Oh um, nothing much."

"Mhm, sure Lauren. I know you better. You're thinking about work."

"How do you know?"

"You get that crinkle in your forehead."

"What if I was thinking of Bo?"

"Nope, because then your lip curls up on the left and your eyes sparkle."

"Should I be worried that you know me so well?"

"Pfft. Come on, I know you better than you know you. We were practically married for a few years."

"Yeah, that's true. Sorry."

"No worries. What's up? I thought everything was good?"

"It's great. Better than great. I'm crazy excited for the new stores. My mind is racing with possibilities. It's been a hectic day. And Bo...her's is even crazier."

"Yeah, you two are the definition of lesbian power couple. And adorable b.t.w. Those articles from when you were in L.A. were fantastic. I woulda loved to have seen you smack that Hollywood bitch down."

"My bitch smacking days are behind me, but if anyone could have brought me out of retirement, it would have been her."

She laughed and gave me a playful shove. "Well you two are disgustingly beautiful and I couldn't be happier for you my friend."

"Thank you. What about you? Anyone on the radar?"

"Everyone!" She threw her head back with a laugh before her eyes dimmed. "Actually, I was crazy over this one chick. We dated for about a month, which is like a record for me."

"What happened?"

"We're just at two different places in life and she couldn't deal with my schedule and travel. I really liked her and that sucked."

"I'm sorry. You'll find it one day."

"Yeah well, I'm back in play so everybody watch out," she said with a wry smile and wiggled her brows.

"Oh no honey," Shawnna crossed her arms and quirked a brow in challenge. "Don't you go stealing all the hotties with your 'I'm a famous soccer star' shtick. I'm also on the prowl."

Charlie and I sat back and giggled at their continued ridiculous banter. If Charlie was ever glad she had finally settled down with someone, it was now.

We finally arrived at the club and piled out like the limo was on fire. Everyone was ready to dance and drink. I checked my phone quickly before heading inside. Bo had left a text saying she hoped she would only be another hour. I let her know that we'd just arrived and how I couldn't wait to dance with her. The cheesy smiley emoji made me smile like a crazy person as my cheeks blushed. Must've been the alcohol because it was the silliest thing, but even the little things with Bo always brought about a reaction from me.

One hour passed and no Bo. We headed to the dance floor with drink number who knows what in our hands as one hour turned to two and then I lost track as we drowned ourselves in top shelf booze and techno music in the VIP area. The lights were flashing, the bass pounding and I was a sweaty, nearly-drunk mess. Bodies pressed on either side of me. A pair of hands slid up my thighs and along my ribs, brushing past the curve of my breast and then up my arms as I lifted them over my head, never missing a beat. My eyes fell shut at the contact of the warm body flush against my back that moved in all the right ways and I knew that Bo had finally arrived.

I slipped my fingers up under my hair, lifting it to cool myself as our bodies swayed as one. The light touches and grind of our hips were driving me crazy and all I wanted to do was taste her lips. My eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the strobes. Just as I was about to turn and kiss her with all I had, my gaze locked on a familiar breathtaking brunette in a bright red halter top and tight black jeans on the other side of the floor with a devastated look on her face.

My mind reeled. The woman looked exactly like Bo. But she couldn't be Bo, because I was dancing with-

The brunette's head dropped. She turned abruptly and walked away. My heart thumped a million times per second and my stomach twisted with the feeling that something horrible had just happened. I spun around, certain that I had been mistaken and that Bo would be there smiling at me, but there was no Bo. Only a trashed Mandy giggling and dancing absurdly, reaching for me to resume our positions.

The churning of my stomach ramped up like a cement mixer. The room began to spin. I wanted to rush after Bo. I wanted to...vomit.

And I did, right on the dance floor like a stupid college student that couldn't handle their shit. By the time I had recovered Bo was nowhere to be found. I rushed outside where it was quiet, leaving my friends behind and finding a wall to lean on while I fumbled to call Bo. Three tries and no answer. I sent off a text and thought about where she could be. Maybe she went to our house, but first... first I wanted to try her penthouse.

I shoved off of the wall and did my best possible sober walk to the penthouse elevators. Robert was working them tonight, which was good because I didn't have the key card Bo had given me.

"Hi, Robert. Did Bo go up?" I was sure I was slurring by the look on his face, but he forced a smile and nodded. "Great. Please take me up."

"Absolutely Ms. Lewis."

"I fucked up Robert." stop it Lauren. He's a stranger. Don't tell him things. But he was Bo's personal doorman so to speak.

"She did seem upset."

"But I didn't even do anything really. It was just a miss understanding, see... I though it was Bo behind me."

"If I've learned anything these past many months with you two, its that you have something special. You'll be fine. We all do stupid things sometimes. Maybe sometime when you're sober, I'll share one of her silly moments."

"Thanks Robert."

He offered me a supportive smile. "Not a problem, Ms. Lewis. We're here. Good luck and drink plenty of water so you won't have such a hangover."

"I will, thanks." I pressed a fifty into his palm and stumbled out into the hall. There were two penthouses one on each end and I made my slow walk to Bo's private suite. I rang the bell and waited. My arm on the wall and my face pressed into it; deep breaths helped to both calm me and stop the room from spinning.

"Who is it?"

Obviously she wouldn't know who it was with my head on the wall. With all the energy I had, I replied, "It's me, Bo. Please open the door."

It was several seconds before the door opened, or at least it felt like it was. I wondered if she had to debate letting me in or if it was just the alcohol that made everything feel like it took longer.

She swung it open and walked away, leaving me to let myself in. Her shoes and clothes were strewn across the floor and she wore a bath robe with her bra and underwear giving the impression that she had no intention of coming home.

"What are you doing?"

"I was going to take a bath. It's been a long day. Is that okay?" The words were harsh. She never gave me a look, only disappeared into the bathroom.

"Yeah, I just..." I needed to sit before I fell. "Yeah," I mumbled as I fell into the black leather chair.

Bo called out, "Do you want me to get you a ride or were you going to keep the party going downstairs?" The bathwater was running and the smell of bath salts carried through the air.

"Bo?" I croaked out. My heart was breaking. Was she even planning to come home tonight? Were we done?

Finally, she stepped into the doorway and hit me with wounded eyes, but remained quiet.

"What you saw, Bo...it was all wrong. I thought it was you behind me until I saw you standing there. Even then, I thought I was just drunk and that you were the one touching me that way. Nothing happened, Bo. You have to believe me." I spoke quickly, not even knowing if my words were coherent, but I had to get them out. "I would never..."

"It hurt Lauren. All I wanted was to see you and when I stepped on the floor I saw you all right, with her all over you and you enjoying the hell out of it..." she trailed off and cast her eyes down. "I just needed to get away. I was going to go home after...I just..." She pushed off the door frame and took slow steps toward the bar.

Hearing the word home sent a wave of relief through me, but it did nothing to diminish the agony consuming me over hurting her. "I'm sorry. Really I am." I was feeling sick again. This whole thing made my more nauseous than the alcohol. "Nothing-"

Bo poured herself a shot of her favorite scotch and downed it in a flash. "I know," she interrupted. "Nothing happened."

"Right."

Refilling her glass, she spoke slow and careful,"It hurt more because it was her and you two have a history."

"I know, but-"

"Lauren, let me finish." Bo set the bottle down, took her drink and turned back to me.

I nodded and sunk into my chair, dropping my head in my hands.

"I'd just gotten done with my father drilling me full of stupid ideas and conspiracy theories and rants about bad publicity and you know what the worst part was?"

It took a ton of effort to lift my head against the force of gravity. Everything was still spinning, but I had to see her. As my eyes drifted upward, I expected fire but was met with water. Bo's glassy eyes peered at me with hurt and shame and love.

"The worst part was that I trust you, Lauren, with everything and I knew nothing was happening, but all I could think about was how the press could have a field day with that. Isn't that sad?" she huffed in disbelief, shaking her head at the way she responded to the scene.

"I never should have put us in that position, Bo I'm so sorry." I truly was. I had to be more aware. I never, ever wanted to hurt us.

"It looked bad Lauren. Really bad, but I'm sorry I let that get to me. You were having fun and had I not been so late listening to his shit, it would have been me there with you. It should have been me. But it wasn't and I won't lie, I kinda wanted to beat her ass for touching you like that."

A half smile crooked my lip at the twinkle in Bo's eyes. She would definitely go to blows over me, but thankfully that didn't happen. Talk about bad press..."I'm glad you didn't. She was trashed and it used to be normal for us. She would never do that on purpose Bo, believe me. She loves that we've found one another."

"I know. But Lauren, are you really ready for all the scrutiny that comes with being with me once I take the reins?"

"You know I am," I said with confidence even though it felt like a flock of pterodactyls fluttering in my chest. "How often do I get shit faced?" We smiled at one another. "Bo, I love you more than anything. More than cars."

She raised a brow.

"Okay, all but one car." I smiled at the knowing grin on her face.

"That's better."

"What I mean is, I want you, for better or worse, paparazzi and gossip columns for as long as you will have me."

"Careful Lauren, that sounds awfully close to marriage."

"We'll get to that someday." I threw her a wink. I didn't know if it came across right in my state, but she blushed anyway. "But know that I am in this with you to Hell and back. Hopefully, not too much Hell."

"God I love you sexy car lady." Bo stood up and met me at my chair, kneeling to meet my eyes. She kissed my cheek and sniffed me. "You wreak of vomit and booze. I will order you some food, but first, get out of those clothes and join me in the tub. I'll grab you a glass of water."

She helped me to my feet and I caught her gaze again. "Bo, are we okay? I need us to be okay. All I ever want is you."

"We're fine. We'll get through this, because Lauren, I would give this all up just to be with you. I'm sorry for my reaction, it just...struck a chord." She wrapped me into a tight embrace.

Breathing in her light lilac perfume set me at ease and all felt right in the world again. I was less nauseous and less dizzy. When I was in her arms, everything was clear. "I get it. I'm sorry too. I love you."

"No more 'sorry's.' I love you, now get naked and get in the tub. I want to hear all about your day and then I will tell you about the perfect woman I met for Shawnna."

That got my attention. I pulled back in surprise, anxious for the details. "Yeah? Who?"

"Nope, we gotta start with your day. Besides, she's probably downstairs meeting her right about now." Bo smiled and released me from her grasp as she walked away and grabbed her phone to dial room service.

And then the spinning returned. I disrobed successfully without falling down and quickly brushed my teeth. The chirp of my phone caught me before I could attempt getting into the tub. It was a text from Shawnna.

Lauren, where the fuck are you guys? You're never gonna believe this shit!

I smiled, silenced the phone and tucked it away, feeling a massive weight lift at the gleam in Bo's eyes as she made her way back to me.

Without a word she pointed sternly to the tub. I saluted her and answered, "Yes ma'am."

"That's what I like to hear," she whispered as she brushed my hair back off my shoulder. and kissed me gently before helping my stupid, drunk ass into the tub.

The water was the perfect temperature with bubbles up to my chin. Bo settled in behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist, resting her chin on my shoulder as she drew lazy circles on my belly. My hands came to rest atop her own, a relieved sigh falling out as I relaxed back into her in a comfortable silence.

Now this was more like the night I had in mind.

XXX

Read and review please. I may actually tie this one up soon and then reserve the right to add to it if the mood strikes.