Justice for Boone: Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes, Book 6 (7 page)

“Hi, I’m Mackenzie. It’s so nice to meet you. I don’t think I’ve met a real live cowboy before. I mean, I’ve met people who wear cowboy boots and hats and like to think they’re cowboys, and Wes is technically a cowboy, but since he’s a Texas Ranger I tend to think of him that way first, but Hayden tells me that you own your own farm and you have cows and bulls on your property. Do you ride them? And we’re so happy to see Hayden has a date! I mean, not that she can’t get a date or anything, but we’ve never seen her with a guy before, so that’s cool, and you’re hot, so that’s even—”

Her words were cut off by a man, who Boone assumed was Dax. He held his hand over Mackenzie’s mouth and shook his head lovingly at her. “What Mack here means to say is, nice to meet you.”

Everyone around the table laughed and Boone smiled as Mackenzie blushed. Everyone was obviously used to her rambling comments. He turned his attention to Hayden—who was looking down at her clenched hands in her lap uncertainly. He sobered. Mack’s words had obviously hurt her feelings.

Boone leaned down so only she could hear him. “See? Even Mack knows this is a date. And a date means you don’t pay.”

His words seemed to help. Hayden looked up and gave him a smile—a fake one; he couldn’t see the small dimple in her cheek…the telltale sign she was genuinely smiling. But it was a start.

The conversation flowed around them. Boone watched the interaction between the men, and between the men and Hayden. Everyone was relaxed and comfortable. He heard stories about how Hayden had single-handedly taken down a guy high on meth who was threatening the deputies sent to check out the situation with a knife. She’d literally charged him, put her shoulder in his gut and flipped him on his back. The other deputies then all jumped on top of the stunned man and disarmed and subdued him. Boone didn’t like hearing the stories of how Hayden was in danger, but he understood it was a part of who she was and what she did for a living.

But Boone also noticed other little things throughout the night. Things that helped him understand Hayden a little more. The other men treated her just as they would a friend—a
male
friend. When Mickie’s drink was empty, Cruz asked, “Ladies, anyone else need a refill?” and looked at each of the women, except for Hayden. When one of the other women needed to use the restroom, they all got up and went together, but didn’t ask Hayden if she needed to go. It wasn’t as if they were dissing her, Boone figured they honestly just didn’t see her like he did.

Not only that, but when the women were gone, the men didn’t temper their discussion as they had when their ladies were there. An intense conversation about whether the majority of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders’ tits were real or fake ensued before the women got back from the restroom.

Hell, once, one of the men—Boone thought it was Juan—said to the three women sitting with their boyfriends, “I need a woman’s opinion…” And he’d launched into a story about how the chick he was dating was acting weird and he wanted to know what they thought.

It was obvious the men around the table didn’t see Hayden as female, and it completely and utterly baffled Boone. She was one of the most feminine women he’d ever met. Oh, some people would probably argue the point, but between her dainty facial features, the fact she was quite a bit shorter than he was, plump lips that he could imagine doing very carnal things to, and the subtle floral scent coming from her, she had his interest in a big way.

Sometime during the night she’d put her beautiful hair up in a ponytail. It swung down her back and Boone couldn’t help but play with the ends as they brushed against his hand resting on the back of her chair. He wasn’t sure if she noticed or not, but he couldn’t keep himself from touching her if his life depended on it.

It wasn’t until Hayden was halfway through her second beer that Boone noticed she wasn’t enjoying it. Every time she took a sip, her lip would curl up…just a bit. The next time she took a drink, Boone leaned in. “Why do you drink that if you hate it?”

“What?”

“The beer. It’s obvious you don’t like it. Why don’t you get something you enjoy?”

Hayden shrugged. “Everyone’s drinking beer.”

Boone looked around the table. What she’d meant was, all the
guys
were drinking beer. Mackenzie and Mickie had frou-frou drinks, and Corrie was sipping a frozen margarita. He pushed. “I can get you a margarita if you want.”

“I’m fine.”

“Hayden.”

She turned to him. “I’m
fine
, Boone.”

By the end of the night, Boone had a much better insight into Hayden’s psyche. She worked with men, she was a female in a male-dominated field. She had to shoot as well as, or better than, they did, fight as well, and be as tough as, or tougher than, they were. She’d made herself blend in with the men as much as she could, most likely to protect herself. He got that.

What he didn’t get was why not one of the other men saw through her bullshit to the tender woman underneath.

There had to be more to it though. There were women who worked in law enforcement all over the world. Many were married with children. What made Hayden put on this masculine persona, as if she was wearing a suit of armor?

No other woman he knew had ever had so many layers, and it was absolutely fascinating to Boone. He wanted to get to know her more. He wanted to be the one to strip off the armor she’d strapped so tightly around herself and find the true woman underneath. The glimpses he’d seen so far were tantalizing, and he wanted more.

The group started breaking up. First Jimmy and Juan left. Then Quint left with Corrie. Finally, the rest of them said they were headed home.

“Hey, it was supposed to be your turn to buy the rounds, Yates. How’d you get out of that one?” Brandon asked.

“Whatever! It was not. I bought last time; you always conveniently forget when it’s
your
turn to pay,” Hayden returned.

“That’s what we get for letting the chicks crash our nights out. They always have to bitch about who pays for what.” Brandon said with a grin, teasingly bumping Hayden’s shoulder with his own. “Hey, Dax and Cruz, next time leave the women at home so we can talk about manly shit.”

Everyone laughed, but Boone just shook his head in disbelief. If Hayden hadn’t told him, he wouldn’t have believed it. But seeing firsthand how just one-of-the-guys she was, was completely baffling.

The group eased out into the night and the other men and women disappeared into the parking lot and their vehicles. Boone didn’t say a word, but led Hayden to his truck. He watched as she climbed into her seat and he quickly headed around the truck and got in on the driver’s side. He sat there silent for a minute, trying to put together what he wanted to say, how to let her know how much he liked her and that he wanted to see her again.

Finally, he turned to Hayden. “I had a good time tonight, Hay.”

She nodded, “Good. I think the guys liked you.”

“How can you tell?”

“Well, because they were themselves. If they didn’t like you, they would’ve been all polite and shit. But they weren’t. They acted as they always did.” She shrugged and concluded, “They like you.”

“You fit right in with them.”

“Yeah, we’re tight.”

“I suppose that comes with the territory.”

“It does. I’ve saved Juan’s life, and Troy has saved mine. We have each other’s backs and that brings a bond that simply can’t be broken. And even the guys I don’t directly work with every day are important to me.”

“How so?”

“Well, when Quint’s girlfriend, Corrie, was kidnapped, she somehow ended up saving herself, even though she’s blind. She walked into a forest and climbed the biggest fucking tree I’ve ever seen. When we found her, she was all the way at the top of the thing. Quint was too big to get up there to help her, so I had to step in. I helped her out of the tree and I know Quint is thankful for that.”

“Wow, go on.”

“Laine—she wasn’t there tonight, she’s with one of Dax’s coworkers—she disappeared. It turned out she’d fallen into an old abandoned well on a property south of the city she was checking out—she’s a realtor—and we all banded together to find her.

“And Mackenzie, Dax’s girlfriend, was buried alive and actually died before they found her in a sealed coffin in the bad guy’s basement. I wasn’t on the op for that one, but I heard about it from TJ and Quint. And Mickie’s sister was caught up in this motorcycle gang that Cruz had gone undercover in. Long story short, the sister ended up dead and it was a close call for Mickie.”

Boone reached over and took Hayden’s hand in his as she continued talking.

“Being a law enforcement officer is one of the hardest jobs in the world. Day in and day out, every single call could be a matter of life and death—mine, my partner’s, or someone I’m going to help. Some days it seems like everyone I come into contact with hates me and would kill me on the spot if they could, but then other days I have interactions with people who are relieved and happy that I’m there. But whatever the job brings, I love it.” Hayden looked up at Boone. “I can’t imagine doing anything else. It feels good to help people, to see the light of relief in their eyes when I pull up. And without my partners and friends in the field, I wouldn’t be able to do it half as well as I do.”

“I understand. I’m proud of you, Hayden. You’re obviously good at what you do and your friends and partners respect the hell out of you.”

“Thanks. That means a lot.”

“Ready to head home?”

“Yeah.” Hayden tried to hide a yawn and blushed when Boone smirked at her.

The drive back to her place was done in a comfortable silence. Boone pulled into a parking space and turned to her.

“I’d like to take you out again, Hay. I loved meeting your friends, and I’d like for you to meet mine, if you want.”

She nodded immediately. “I’d like that.”

Boone squeezed the hand he’d taken in his when they’d stopped. “I have to warn you though. It’s going to be a different experience than tonight.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, tonight you were just one of the guys. I’ll be taking you to a country and western bar, where I can guarantee if I lose sight of you for one second, there will be ten cowboys willing and competing to take my place by your side.”

Boone watched Hayden’s brows draw down in confusion. “What?”

He leaned toward her and put his hand on the side of her head. His voice lowered seductively. “Hay, you’re gorgeous. You have the type of body that was made for lovin’. The men you work with might see you as just another cop, but believe me when I say you are a sexy and desirable woman.”

“Boone, I don’t think—”

“I don’t know why you can’t see it, but that’s okay. Because I can. And I’ll be damned if anyone else is gonna snatch you up right in front of my eyes.”

“No one is going to ‘snatch me up.’ You’re being crazy. Did you drink more than I thought you did? Should you even be driving?”

“I’m not drunk, not even tipsy. And you’re right—no one is going to snatch you up, because you’ll be there with me. And another thing. You will not drink one beer the entire night. You hate it. I get that you want to be one of the guys when you’re out with your colleagues, but when you’re out with me, you’ll drink what you like.”

When she didn’t say anything, Boone smiled at her. “Still want to go on another date with me?”

Hayden’s voice was quiet and earnest. “Even though I think you’re delusional, yeah, I think I do.”

“Good.”

They sat motionless for a moment before Hayden spoke. “I guess I should go in.”

“Yeah, but I’d really like a kiss first…if that’s all right with you.”

She didn’t say anything, just nodded and licked her lips in anticipation.

Boone took his time. He had a feeling this kiss would change his life. She’d pegged him right when she’d told him that he seemed like a man who did the chasing. He was enjoying the hell out of pursuing her. Knowing that he seemed to see something that others didn’t, made it all the more special.

He put some pressure on the hand that was on her head and pulled Hayden to him. She put both hands on the leather seat next to her to keep her balance and tilted her chin up as she came toward him.

She closed her eyes at the last minute before their lips touched. He brushed his lips against hers once. Then again. Then the third time he licked her bottom lip. She opened for him and he didn’t hesitate to respond to her invitation.

He surged into her mouth and felt her shudder under him as he took complete control of the kiss. He brought his other hand up to her head and tilted it even more, so he had a better angle. Boone felt her hands come up and hold on to his wrists as he continued to caress and learn her taste.

He drew back way before he was ready, but this was supposed to be a simple good night kiss. He wanted more. Way more. Boone thought Hayden might too, but he didn’t want to rush her. She was a mass of contradictions that drew him to her like a moth to a flame.

He waited for Hayden to open her eyes. She did, and he nearly groaned when her tongue came out and licked her lips, as if gathering up every last bit of his taste he’d left on her.

“Wow.”

Boone smiled and ran his thumb over her now damp lips. “Yeah, wow. Thank you for inviting me tonight, Hay. I had a good time.”

“Me too.”

Boone reluctantly sat back and reached in his pocket for his phone. “Can I have your number? I’ll call and we can figure out when you have time to go out again.”

“Uh, yeah, sure. That’s probably smart in case something comes up.” Hayden pulled her phone out of her own back pocket and they exchanged numbers.

“Stay there, I’ll come around and walk you to your door.”

“It’s not necessary.”

“It is to me.”

Hayden shrugged and stayed put as he got out and came around to her side. He opened her door and she slid out of the truck. He grabbed her hand and they walked to her apartment door. She unlocked it and turned back to him.

Boone leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips, not allowing himself to deepen it, then pulled back. “I’ll talk to you later, Hay.”