One of Six (Den Hollows #1)

32. Boone

32

BOONE

I enter the town hall and my heart races. I let my brothers think I'm taking one for the team by visiting Maeve. I'm not. I like Maeve more than I should, considering she's engaged to a jerk. She's a good girl, though, and wouldn't think of dating someone from Den Hollows.

Being attracted to someone and dating them are two different things. Sighing, I make my way to the planning office.

This place gives me hives, I think as I shiver. The building is full of artificial people. Hiding my true feelings from Maeve, I enter the office. It's quiet, as it usually is, but disappointment sets in when I notice that Maeve's desk doesn't look like she's here. There is no paper strewn across the surface as usual. Her computer screen is dark.

A man I don't recognize appears. "Are you here for something?"

I raise my eyebrows at his sharp question. "Are you new?"

"I got this, Carl," Maeve says, coming into view. She keeps her eyes on the new guy until he leaves, then her body relaxes.

"He's too grumpy for his age," she whispers. "Hello, Boone," her words are followed by a shy smile, her eyes drifting over my face. I register the sparkle in her eyes, making it harder to ignore my growing attraction to her. I wonder what she would do if she knew that soft, shy smile makes my dick hard. That I imagine her in my bed, naked except for the big red glasses she wears. I'm grateful for the counter between us, leaning against it and using my finger to bring her closer.

Her cheeks turn pink as I hold her blue eyes. "How have you been since my last visit?"

I watch as the tip of her pink tongue peeks out, wetting her lips. Gripping my hands tightly to keep from reaching out, I imagine tangling my fingers in her dark, curly hair as my tongue tastes her. My dick jerks, enlarging to the point of pain.

"My life is boring, Boone," she admits, clearing her throat and asking, "What can I do for you?"

Let me kiss you.

"Um, I need a copy of all the plans and permits/objections for the Green Oaks development, but I need you to keep it to yourself."

She bites her lower lip. "I can do that for you." Leaning closer, she whispers, "A man and a woman came in here this morning to get a copy. I didn't recognize them. They spoke with an accent." She leaves me with this information while she does something on her computer.

I hear the big printer come to life behind the partition. "I didn't think you were at work today when I walked in," I say, looking for something to say.

She winces. "My boss sent me to a meeting before I could set up for the day."

My eyes sweep over her in the dress that looks a couple of sizes too big. Maeve is my age—twenty-three—but dresses much older. Mom once said that Maeve wears big clothes to hide her body, which is a sin. Her curvaceous body and ample breasts give me a warm feeling whenever we are in the same room. Even her long auburn hair gives me shivers as I imagine running my fingers through it. It looks like silk.

Having a taut body doesn't stop my eyes from roaming over Maeve as she bends down to pick up a pen from the floor. If it weren't for the cameras in the room, I would have rearranged my dick, which is painfully squeezed against my jeans.

"Here you go," Maeve says with a smile, handing me a cardboard tube. "Best to keep the documents hidden," she whispers.

"How much do I owe?"

Shaking her head, Maeve's soft curls bounce, catching my attention. When I raise my eyes to her face, she's already looking at me with a knowing glint in her eyes, even though her face is as red as a strawberry. "If I'm going to charge you, I need to make a note of what you purchase."

"Ah, okay." I grin. "I owe you one, Maeve."

"Maeve! If you're done flirting, the boss wants to see you," Carl the miserable fucker snaps.

I give the asshole a scowl until he flinches and backs away. My eyes return to Maeve, and I ask, "Do you think..."

She shakes her head quickly. "It's not about the copies." Flustered, she adds, "I'd better see what he wants. He has a meeting with the mayor in five minutes."

Richard Lincoln.

"Fuck," I curse under my breath as Maeve dashes off with a last look in my direction.

I wait a few minutes before leaving, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I got what I came for, even if I wish Maeve had been on the list.