<em>- Bo, sweeping Nicci off her feet and joining Marcus, Mari, and Mila -</em><br/><br/>As Mari slinked a step toward the door, trailing her tongue across her lips, Bo became aware of just how thirsty he seemed to be.  Had he been that thirsty a few moments before?  He wasn't sure.  Just as he was contemplating a glass of water, he registered her offer to stay.  His lips spread into a crooked smile.  Mari's offer seemed so heartfelt, and, in truth, Bo found it difficult to reconcile the few logical reasons for declining with the warm feeling he felt deep inside.  This just seemed right, felt right.<br/><br/>Nicci's ensuing laugh was contagious.  Bo's smile spread and his course of action came to him in a moment of impulsive inspiration.  As Marcus accepted Mari's invitation in what was becoming his typical business-like manner, Bo felt suddenly playful.  The girls' dress; the soft, private setting; the warmth that they shared in the reaffirmation of their commitment to one another; and Nicci's sudden burst of laughter triggered something primal inside Bo that sent one wall crashing down.<br/><br/>He moved into the room on Marcus' heels, slipped one arm behind Nicci's shoulders, the other behind her knees, and swept her up into his arms in one fluid movement.  Bo looked into Nicci's eyes, his own smile now mischievous and, as he stepped toward the bed, spoke softly, "I like your shirt."  The temptation to look down at the way the shirt clung to the front of Nicci's torso as she lay in his arms was strong, like a weight hanging from his eyes pulling them downward, yet he resisted, never taking his gaze from hers until he set her gently onto the bed.<br/><br/>Sliding his arms from behind Nicci, Bo gave her a little wink before straightening and turning his head to Mari.  "Thank you for the invite.  I too accept."  He laughed, suddenly aware of how ridiculous he was being, but not caring one bit.  Perhaps carrying a scantily clad woman he had just met that evening to a bed occupied by another lightly clothed woman at the invitation of a third beauty in her pajamas was somewhat inappropriate first night behavior.  But it didn't feel inappropriate.  In fact, Bo felt content.  Almost relaxed enough to be himself, though not all the walls would come down so easily.  Still, it was progress.  And he knew it.<br/><br/>