Real Sexy (Real Dirty Duet #2)(60)

A small smile turns up the corners of her trembling lips. "How about we start with you giving me my car back?"





39





Ripley





I fell asleep with Boone wrapped around me and woke up the same way. In the early-morning hours, he made love to me in his bed, telling me how beautiful I was and how glad he was to have me in his life.

Before we drifted off again, he whispered, "Never letting you go."

I feel the exact same way.

When I wake up the second time, it's to an empty bed. I pop out of it when I hear a door close somewhere else in the house. I toss Boone's T-shirt on and make a mental note to bring some clothes over later so I'm not constantly stealing his.

I peek my head out of the bedroom, and my jaw drops.

It appears Boone beat me to it. He walks toward me loaded down with two duffel bags that I recognize and a box.

"I went to Hope's and got your stuff. I was gonna ask if you wanted to officially move in, but I decided to skip that step."

"Are you sure?"

"Absofuckinglutely. I want to be able to wake up with you every damned day."

Maybe it was the early-morning orgasm, or maybe the fact that the glow of my declaration of love is still so fresh, but I decide not to argue.

"Okay."

This time it's Boone wearing the look of surprise. "Okay?"

"Yeah. I'm good with it. I mean, Esteban is already here . . ."

"I knew keeping the parrot was a smart move." Boone winks at me and carries my stuff into the bedroom.



* * *



Two hours later, I finally pull on my own clothes, and Boone and I head out to meet with one of his lawyers to go over the contract. Holly already sent it to them via email, and now he wants to go over the details in person.

"Don't you have something else you should be doing?" I ask Boone as traffic slows near downtown.

"Something more important than making sure you know exactly what you're signing up for with this? Definitely not."

"But I thought you were supposed to be writing a new album and-"

"I did."

My head jerks to the side. "What?"

Boone's smile could light up the cab of the truck. "Turns out you're a hell of a muse. I've written forty-seven songs since the day we met, and fourteen of them are going on my next album."

"Are you serious? Holy shit."

"I know I make it look easy, but I worked my ass off when you weren't around so I could take every chance I had to spend time with you."



       
         
       
        

A warmth spreads through me, and I reach out to squeeze Boone's hand. He doesn't let go, but instead keeps our fingers interlocked all the way to the parking garage.

Two hours later, my signature is on the bottom of a contract with Homegrown Records. Boone's lawyer-actually, now my lawyer-negotiated the points he had issues with over the phone with Homegrown's counsel, and we made a deal.

Once my signed copy is emailed to Holly, I get a call. I put it on speaker because it's only Boone and me in the small conference room now.

"Hell yes, girl! This is going to be freaking phenomenal! Get ready, because we're prepping the press release, and you're going to be on everyone's radar in a few hours."

Boone wraps his arm around me and pulls me into his lap.

"Thank you so much for the opportunity, Holly. I'm incredibly excited."

"You and me both. Gotta go. I'll be in touch."

Boone presses a kiss to my forehead. "I think it's time for another bottle of Dom and a hell of a fancy dinner."





40





Ripley





It doesn't take long for the news to spread like wildfire. Boone and I left a restaurant a few hours later, and the cameras were flashing along with the questions being tossed at us. Instead of answering, I waved and climbed into the back of the SUV Anthony drove us in, expecting this kind of reaction.

My phone immediately started going nuts too. It seemed that every single person I've ever known has something to say to me now that I'm somebody. After I told Hope the ink was dry on the contract, I didn't answer any calls. Hope was thrilled for me, but sad that I was leaving the White Horse, although she did extend an invitation for me to come back and perform anytime I want.

Even her making the offer was surreal.

I turn my phone off for the rest of the night, and when I turn it on in the morning, I immediately wish I hadn't. Seventeen new voice mails.

File those under nope, not happening.

Boone and I are making breakfast in the kitchen after an amazing morning of shutting out the world when Anthony pokes his head inside the house.

"Boss, I got a guy out at the gate who's looking to talk to Ms. Fischer."