Free The Virgin's Night Out by Shiloh Walker

and glanced at Sloane.
    Boone looked at her as well.
    She looked tired, he thought.
    Beautiful and tired, with shadows lying under her dark eyes like she wasn’t sleeping.
    Was she…
    With that swift mental kick in the ass, he reminded himself of why he was here.
    “Can we talk?”
    A ghost of a smile danced at her lips.
    “Sure.” She stood. “Why not?”
    The cop rose as well, holding her purse in one hand. His eyes lingered on Sloane for another moment before he looked at Boone. Mouth tight, he nodded and then held out the bright pink bag. Boone had seen him take it, had watched as Sloane all but dragged herself up the steps.
    He moved forward to get the bag, but she’d already accepted it from the cop and hooked it over her shoulder.
    “If you’re ready…?” She flicked him a look and then without waiting for a response, she turned and moved up the steps.
    Although the cop continued to watch them, Boone kept his eyes on the back of her head as they moved inside. She started up the steps and he found his gaze wandering over her, the long legs encased in leather up to her knee, the dark hose that covered the skin in between. Her skirt was close fitting, ending a couple of inches shy of her knees and he was mesmerized by the sight of her hips swaying back and forth.
    They climbed the first flight and he paused, but all she did was turn and continue up the next flight of steps. “Don’t they have an elevator here?” he asked, the question coming out harsher than he’d intended.
    She just looked so tired…
    “They do.” She shrugged as she mounted the last step and cast him a look. “I have…issues with closed-in spaces.”
    A faint flush rose up over her cheeks. He came to a stop in front of her door.
    This is it .
    His heart skipped a beat, then started to pound in hard, heavy beats.
    It didn’t take long enough for her to unlock the door, usher him inside. There was an alarm system chiming and he waited as she dealt with it, taking the time to study where she lived.
    It was…charming. He supposed that was the word. Warm blue walls, pale curtains. A couch upholstered in a shade of blue just a few shades deeper than the walls. There was a clutter of pillows on the long, low couch and a chair tucked up under the window, angled to catch the light. The table next to it held a couple of books.
    “Nice place,” he said.
    “Thanks.” She put her purse down on the counter that ran between the kitchen and living room and he watched as she curled her hands over the edge, her fingers tightening.
    When she sighed, her slim shoulders rose and fell.
    Then she looked up at him. “What did you need, Boone?”
    You .
    It leaped into his mind, all but branded itself across his psyche.
    Clearing his throat, he moved away from the door and paced the living room. He paused by the window and stared out. The cop was still there.
    “Are you dating him?”
    When she didn’t answer, he turned and looked at her. “Are you?”
    “That’s your business how ?” She crossed her arms over her chest.
    “I’m just curious.” If she was seeing somebody…Thinking about it filled him with a mix of resignation and anger, something he didn’t entirely understand.
    “He’s asked me out a few times,” she said, her voice neutral. Then she shrugged. “I’ve been busy lately.”
    “Sta—” He snapped his jaw shut before the rest of his response could leave him. Stay busy .
    “Excuse me?”
    “Nothing.” Scowling, he shoved his hands into his pockets and dragged his mind back to what needed to be done. “
    “Look. I just—” The question froze in his throat and Boone let his eyes roam over her, lingering on her waist before he forced himself to look at her. “I have to head out on a job soon. Before I did, I just wanted to make sure there wasn’t…”
    “A problem?” she offered, her voice caustic.
    He shot a look at her face. “Is there?”
    Sloane smiled, a beatific smile that made her look completely