Page 9 of Unlocked

“You know it isn’t polite to eaves drop on conversations,” Bo murmurs in my ear. I turn then to face him, my mouth hanging open and eyes wide. His hand comes up to gently caress my jaw as he closes my mouth.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I deny, softly. There is no way he knows I was listening outside the dining room. He looks deeply into my eyes. I take a sip of my coffee and avert my gaze. He is still crowding my personal space. Our bodies are millimeters from touching. I can’t think clearly when he is this close. I’m saved from having to say anything more when Marley enters the kitchen.

“What’s taking you so long, Shelby?” Marley asks as she steps inside. Bo turns slightly, glancing over his shoulder at her. “Can’t you find the creamer? Oh!” she exclaims as she looks intentlyat Bo and I standing so close together. I take advantage of his distraction and step around him.

“I found it!” I declare as I make my way over to Marley. “I spilled a little. Where can I find something to clean it up?” Marley doesn’t get a chance to answer.

“I’ve got it Shelby,” Bo says over his shoulder. “After all, it’s my fault for startling you.” My lips pinch into a thin line. The man is infuriating.How can he be so all up in my business one minute and acting innocent the next?

“Come on.” Marley takes my arm, dragging me to the breakfast nook. “Daisy and I were thinking about having the dress lady bring over some dresses for you and her to try on today.” I wince, and Marley notices. I absolutely hate trying on clothes. Trying on clothes is not fun for fat girls. “Please don’t act that way. I promise it will be fun. Mrs. Grace is wonderful at picking out dresses that compliments your figure. No matter what size you are.” I roll my eyes dramatically. Marley and I have always fought over clothes shopping. She knows I hate it more than almost anything else.

“Please, Marley,” I whine, “just pick something out for me, and I’ll wear it, but don’t make me try on dresses for hours. I’ll die.” She laughs at my theatrical declaration.

“I see somethings never change,” Marley giggles. I want to be upset with her, forcing me to do something she knows I can’t stand, but her laughter makes me laugh too.

“Well I’m looking forward to seeing what you ladies decide on,” Bo says from right behind me. I startle and spin to face him. How does a man as large as he is move so quietly to the point I can’t hear him? “I’m sure it’ll be gorgeous.” He holds my gaze so intently I can’t breathe. Marley clears her throat catching my attention.

“Thank you, Bo,” Marley replies as she gives him a look that I can’t decipher. “We better get started then.” Marley takes me bythe arm to drag me a seat in the breakfast nook. Daisy looks up as we arrive.

“It’s about time,” she grumbles. “I thought you got lost. I just spoke with Mrs. Grace. She’ll be here in a few minutes.” I groan again as I flop down into a chair. “What’s your problem?”

“I despise trying on clothes!” I complain. “Marley knows this! I don’t know if we can remain friends, after this.” Marley giggles as she swats at me playfully.

“You act like I’m torturing you,” Marley says on a laugh. “It’s just trying on a few dresses.”

“A few?” I moan at the thought. “Good Lord! Youaretrying to kill me!” Daisy and Marley both burst out laughing at my antics. If they only knew that itistorture for me. Just a different form than the physical abuse I suffered. I remain silent sipping my coffee as they chatter on about the type of dresses Mrs. Grace has said she’ll bring. I know this will be a disaster. We will never find a dress like everyone else’s in my size. Daisy is trim and fit. She probably wears a perfect six if I had to hazard a guess. It’s a far cry from my size twenty-four. I know Hillary has remained thin and gorgeous since high school. I’ve never met Marley’s friend Ashley, but I’m sure she isn’t as big as me.

The doorbell rings, signaling the torture is about to commence. Marley and Daisy jump up excitedly and head through the house to greet the woman who is bringing the dresses. I slowly follow, not in any hurry for this mess to get started. I’m just passing the dining room when a hand reaches out grabbing me around the waist and pulling me inside.

I yelp as I’m pulling against a hard male body. I look up to see Bo peering down at me. “What’s wrong, sweet girl?” I stare up at him in total astonishment unable to compose a single coherent thought with my body pressed against his. “You look like someone just kicked your puppy. What’s happened?” I look around to see we are the only ones in the dining room. Laptopsand manila file folders are scattered over the large wooden table that dominates the room.

“I’m fine,” I lie as my eyes return to look at him. He gives me a look.

“I call bullshit.” Bo’s eyes bore into mine, daring me to lie to him again.

I growl in frustration. “If you must know, I hate trying on clothes.” I step back from him to wrap my arms around my body in an effort to hold in the shudder that runs through me as I think about it. Bo, still holding on to my upper arms, studies me intently.

“Why?” he asks after a beat. “I thought all girls liked to shop and try on clothes.”

“Not this one,” I grumble, looking away.

“Why, sweet girl?” Bo sounds to be genuinely confused by my lack of desire to try on clothes.

“Stop calling me that!” I demand. I don’t know why him giving me a pet name upsets me so, but it does. I don’t like the feelings it causes inside me when he says it. He chuckles, which only makes me angrier. “Don’t laugh at me!” I try to spin on my heel determined to leave him behind, but he holds on to my arms. I stumble, and he pulls me against him to keep me from falling.

“I’m not laughing at you,” Bo says with a grin. “But you are fucking cute as hell when you’re pissed.” Is he serious? I’m about to really let him have it when he leans down, pressing a kiss to my forehead like he did yesterday. I’m so taken aback that I don’t know what to say or do. “You’re not going to tell me why you don’t like trying on clothes?” I shake my head defiantly. He chuckles again.

“You better go on then, sweet girl. Marley and Daisy will come looking for you. You wouldn’t want them to catch us together again, would you?” His voice, an octave lower, andwords filled with innuendo. I stare up at him, confused. “So scandalous!” He winks. My mouth falls open. What is he trying to imply? That we have something going on? Or that they will think we do? I spin away from him. This time he allows me to go. His laughter follows me down the hall. I hurry to find the women wondering what the hell just happened.

Chapter 5

Bo

Iwatch in amusement as Shelby runs from me. I don’t understand why I get such enjoyment from messing with her. I can tell she gets flustered in my presence. I hadn’t planned on messing with her when I had dragged her in here. I honestly did want to know what had upset her. She looked so sad as she came down the hall. I thought it had to do with what she’d overheard earlier. I certainly didn’t expect her to be down in the dumps over trying on clothes. I was so relieved that she wasn’t upset with me for being a man whore that I found her discomfort at trying on clothes amusing.

I wonder why she feels that way. I’ve never known of a woman who didn’t like clothes and shopping. It’s just another thing I want to know about her and find a way to make it better for her. I shake my head as the thought crosses my mind.What the hell am I doing?Shelby doesn’t like me. She can hardly stand to be around me. Is that why I find her so appealing? I pinch the bridge of my nose, pondering all the mysteries that surround Shelby Brooks.

“What are you thinking about so hard?” Dalton asks as he enters the dining room. I look up and shake my head.

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