Unbreak My Heart

Sierra

Boone’s intense gaze encompassed my entire face. “Us being in the same place, at the same time isn’t a coincidence, Sierra.”

“Yes it is.”

“No it isn’t. It’s fate.”

My stomach cartwheeled.

“You knew it. That’s why you ran from me in Wyoming.”

“I didn’t run. I drove.”

He shrugged. “And yet, no matter how we got here, we are both here.”

Do not get sucked into this conversation.

Awkward silence distorted the air.

Boone stepped back and sat in the chair across from my desk.

“By all means, make yourself comfortable.”

“I will. Thanks.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

“I know. I’m ignoring it because you don’t really want me to leave.”

In my head I said, Omigod, cocky much? Get out or I’m calling security. But I would not give him the satisfaction of an emotional outburst. Instead, I said, “You are mistaken if you think I have nothing better to do than entertain you. I have another appointment—”

“I’m sure you do. You’re the big executive now. Kyler was telling me about it last night.”

That little traitor. And what did Kyler know about my executive status anyhow? He usually introduced me as “my cousin who’s in real estate,” like my job was showing residential properties.

“Surprised?” Boone prompted.

“That you’ve already been in touch with my cousin?”

“I’m staying with him and the guys a few nights.”

The “guys” meaning my other cousins, Anton and Hayden.

He raised an eyebrow. “That sounded a little possessive. Ky’s my cousin too, McKay.”

“Like you have to remind me, West.”

Boone sank back in the chair as if settling in for a good, long chat. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen Ky, Hayden and Anton. It’s weird that they’re these big, grown guys and not the skinny runts I remembered. Anyway, we were talking last night and I mentioned I was coming here today. Hayden said something like ‘your cousin is my cousin but that don’t make us cousins’ which sounded wrong coming from him because he always talked like he was reading from a textbook, even when he was annoying the hell out of us on the bus. Which reminded me about the first time we met on the bus. I saw you talking to Ky and thought; it figures the gorgeous new girl in town is a relative. I was so relieved to find out that we weren’t related at all. Then Ky made a crack about kissing cousins—”

“Whatever you’re trying to do, Boone…stop.”

“What do you think I’m trying to do?”

His agitation that I’d interrupted him allowed me to remain cool. “You’re beating a dead horse.”

Boone quirked an eyebrow at me. “That’s a little folksy coming from you.”

“You want it in plain terms? Fine. I have no desire to reminisce with you.” I paused. “Ever.”

“Bull. I know you, Sierra.”

“No, you don’t. Not anymore.”

And that played perfectly into his hands. He bestowed that dazzling smile on me. “Then give me a chance to get to know you. Starting over would be best for us anyway.”

I caught sight of Marty in the open doorway. Talk about perfect timing. “Not today. My scheduled appointment is here.”

Boone banked his irritation at my brush-off and rose to his feet. After sparing Marty a quick glance, he returned that laser focus to me as I stepped around the desk.

Today I’d worn my favorite power suit; a pencil skirt the color of black cherries I’d paired with a cream-colored sleeveless shirt with a swoopy drape of fabric that allowed a hint of cleavage. My black heels were 1950s styled peep-toe pumps with white stitching and dotted with tiny cherries the same color as my skirt. I rocked this outfit and always felt a boost of confidence wearing it.

When our eyes met again, Boone didn’t hide the fact I’d wowed him.

Eat your heart out, fucker. “See you around, West.”

His eyes narrowed. He moved in and brushed his right cheek across mine until his lips met my ear. “You aren’t shaking me off that easy.”

“I can try.”

Boone’s soft laughter burrowed into my ear and sent vibrations throughout my entire body. “Fair warning. I’m more stubborn than you. I’m that burr you can’t shake off until I get completely under your skin. I’ve got nothing but time to convince you we need to talk so we can fix this between us.” He retreated and offered Marty a “Hey” and a chin lift before he strolled away.

I found myself watching that finely muscled ass…and wondering.

When I looked up at Marty, he lifted a brow at me. “I could’ve come back if I was interrupting something.”

“You weren’t.” I snagged my suit jacket off the coat tree. “We were done.”

He held the door open as we left the reception area. “Is he a friend of yours?”

“Former friend.”

“Maybe you should tell him that.”

I started to argue, but I suspected Marty was right.