Had Rowan called William later to smooth things over? That was not a thought he should ponder if he hoped to work things out with her.
He saw that she was mostly packed, her bag open at the foot of the bed. He heard the door click behind him and turned to see Rowan leaning against the closed door regarding him.
“Don’t go.” He hadn’t meant to say that, damn it.
“I have to help Angela.”
She wore a white linen blouse tucked into soft white linen shorts. It was simple and sophisticated and completely Rowan. Her bare feet made him ache to kiss each of her delicate toes. Hugh closed the distance between them and, without a moment’s hesitation, lifted Rowan under her arms and brought her body against his own.
She wrapped her legs around his waist as he placed one hand on her ass for support and backed her against the wall. Shedidn’t say a word. She watched him intently, most of her long, silky hair trapped behind her with a few strands draping her front and touching his chest. He used his free hand to cup her jaw and angle her mouth where he needed it.
Hugh brought his mouth close, sharing Rowan’s breath. Her hands flexed against his shoulder and neck. “I don’t like you being gone from me.”
“I don’t like it either,” she admitted.
“When you get home Thursday, I want you with me always.”
“We still have things to work out. To discuss.”
Fucking William. “I’ll talk. I swear,” Hugh conceded. He’d promise the moon to keep her. “Thursday.”
“Thursday. Fine.”
“Then you’ll stay with me after?” Hugh really needed her to commit. Otherwise, letting her out of his sight—again—would be impossible.
“If we can work through things. I’ve always wanted forever,” she finished tenderly.
Hugh wanted so badly to have forever. He dug his fingers into her ass, pulling her as tight together as he could get their bodies. He bent to kiss her neck, speaking against her skin. “I know we still have to talk about yesterday, but will you kiss me goodbye?”
Rowan cupped his jaw this time, lifting his head so that she could place small kisses at the corners of his mouth. “I want to kiss you hello and goodbye. I want to kiss you good morning and goodnight. I want to kiss you for no reason other than because I want to. So yes, Hugh, you can kiss me.”
Hugh felt his legs quiver, and his eyes—damn his eyes—he felt Rowan’s words like a building pressure behind his lids. She was fierce. She’d known all along that it would always end withHugh and Rowan.
He heard her phone ding and knew she had to leave. He took her lips gently, moving atop her seam until she gasped, allowing him to slowly deepen the kiss. He tried to put all his love into that kiss. Rowan palmed the back of his head pulling him in deeper, the slow tangle of their tongues wrung moans from them both.
Rowan pulled back...slowly. “I have to go. God, I wish I didn’t,” Rowan spoke between small kisses and nips to his lips.
“Thursday, I’ll talk. I’ll explain, and when you forgive me, I’ll make you promise me forever.”
“Give it your best effort, babe. I’m not averse to hearing you beg,” she chuckled, giving him one last kiss before wiggling out of his arms. She checked her phone. “Angela’s waiting outside the hotel. I’ve got to run.” She quickly threw one more small tote in her suitcase and zipped it closed.
Hugh grabbed Rowan’s suitcase and followed her to the door. Rowan kissed his mom on the cheek and hugged Tina goodbye. “I’m walking Row to her car, Mom. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Angela was waiting outside a Mercedes Sprinter van. “My husband got a driver and this van thing for the trip. I filled it with all sorts of drinks and snacks. Oh, hi, Will! Thanks for letting me have Rowan for a few days.”
Hugh clenched his jaw so that he wouldn’t make a scene, only dipping his head in acknowledgment. Angela climbed inside while Hugh placed Rowan’s bag in the back. She was waiting for him when he turned. She placed her hands against his chest. “I’ll make sure Angela knows exactly who you are and what you are to me. Okay?”
“Fine,” Hugh replied stiffly. Rowan just watched him and waited. Hugh sighed, bending so that he could kiss her once more. “And what am I to you?”
“Mine.”
Hugh was just pulling backinto Tulsa. He’d gone to the Muskogee compound as soon as Rowan had left. Even though he had a company that he paid to oversee the property and homes, he wanted to go over the place himself. Plus, he’d always loved his house there, and Sara, his housekeeper, wanted to see him before she and her husband left for a two month holiday to visit family.
Hugh had never minded solitude. Quiet allowed him to center his mind. He could look at any new deal or problem and formulate a plan that would yield the best results. Silence was his friend. People referred to him as a wolf in the business world. They weren’t wrong. Hugh could be cunning and fierce when he needed to be. He’d always expected the best from his people, and in return, he was loyal.
He never needed to be the loudest in the room, everyone’s best friend, or the life of the party. He enjoyed company, but he knew there was always a…separateness. His sons ignored his wall and climbed all over it like he was their own personal jungle gym—and he was grateful for their irreverence. Bran and Patrick were the two people in his life that were easy to show affection.
And then the Byrne sisters. Raven and River were daughters by marriage, and he couldn’t love them more had they been his own. Rowan, though…he’d never thought of her as anything but…his. Hugh had only been at the compound from Tuesday night until Thursday morning, but it had been enough time to realize solitude wasn’t the balm it used to be.
