ChapterEleven
Beau
When his alarm went off, he reached for Bobbie’s body but found cold sheets instead of warm skin. He rolled out of bed and went in search of her. All one thousand square feet of his apartment were Bobbie-free. Despite being tiny, she had a huge presence, and her absence was profound. It was amazing how quickly he got used to her being there and how empty the space was without her.
He started the coffeepot and reminisced about the last few days. Bobbie lived every moment to the fullest when she wasn’t living in the past. In the kitchen, on the table, he found a note.
Big City,
See you soon.
Your favorite activist.
He ran to his room to dress for work. Seeyou soon meantBobbie was at the site, which couldn’t be good.
When he arrived, he didn’t think she could shock him any more than she already had, but seeing her was like getting tased—in the balls. Bobbie stood in front of the site, naked. Well, not naked exactly. She had two pieces of poster board connected by a string over her shoulders. The front of the sign read The Naked Truth is Aspen Construction Kills.
He wasn’t sure whether he wanted to throttle her or applaud. He was tempted to call the police and have her arrested just to prove a point, but he’d be the one to bail her out, anyway.
When she turned around, the back of the sign read Aspen Construction Can Kiss My Ass.
The crew arrived, and the catcalls began. By the second time one guy whistled at Bobbie, he’d had enough. He wasn’t good at sharing and didn’t want anyone looking at what he considered to be his.
“Bobbie Cruise, get your ass in my office,” he bellowed. “Now!” He didn’t wait for her to respond. He stalked toward her, and when he reached her, he folded the sides of her poster board closed and guided her into the building.
“Leave me alone, Beau. I was on public property.” She struggled to keep pace with him while he rushed her forward into his office.
When he passed the door, he booted it shut. “Damn it, Bobbie, what the hell are you doing?”
“Leaving.” She turned around and started for the door.
He backed her up to the wall. “Oh no, you’re not. Especially dressed like that.” He reached for the nail gun on his desk and attached her to his wall. She wasn’t going anywhere until he said so.
Ka-Bang
Ka-Bang
Ka-Bang
Ka-Bang
Ka-Bang
He carefully nailed around the poster board, staying clear of her body. When he finished, she was like an envelope stapled to the wall.
“Beau Westhaven, you let me loose right now.” She struggled against the thick paper. When she lifted her knee, she tore it to her thigh. His eyes went straight to the area between her legs. He couldn’t help himself. He’d learned how much pleasure that place gave him, and he was like a magnet to metal. “This is kidnapping, and I could call the police.”
He dragged the folding chair in front of her and planted himself there. “Bobbie, are you my girl?”
She looked at him like he was asking a trick question. “You know I am.” She pulled her knee up again, trying to get free. “Let me loose.”
“I don’t think so. When you’re here, I know you’re not causing trouble. I may have to nail you to my wall more often.” He ran his hand up her thigh.
“Beau, stop.” Her words said stop, but her breathing delivered a different message. However, the words stop or no would always mean that. He dropped his hand from her thigh and stood, towering over her.
“Listen carefully, sweetheart. I get that you need to be heard. Picket and march your sweet little ass anywhere outside this site. Just make sure it’s covered.” He brushed his lips across hers and leaned in to whisper in her ear. “You just said you were mine. I concur, and I don’t share—anything. Not a kiss, not a hug, and especially not a look.” He nibbled on her ear and made his way back to her mouth.
She breathed her words against his lips. “Let me loose, caveman.” She pulled his bottom lip between her teeth and bit.