He pauses, my core tingling as he slides his thumb along my bottom lip.
“I stopped because you mean too much to me. I care about you too much for last night to be something you regret or hate me for today. But I want you, Meadow. I fucking want you more than I can breathe most days.”
Oh my…
No way he just said that.
I must still be dreaming, because there is no way Owen Brooks just muttered those words to me.
I suddenly feel like a fool for not taking a shower and brushing my teeth the second I woke up. Because I would give just about anything for this man to rip my clothes off and drill me into this mattress right now.
But my mind also gets caught on something else he said.
“You thinkI would’ve regretted it?” I whisper.
“I don’t know,” he admits lowly, shaking his head. “But I wasn’t willing to risk it. I wasn’t willing to risk losing you.”
I wasn’t willing to risk losing you.
Desperately needing to touch him, I reach for his t-shirt and curl my fingers into the fabric at his waist.
Owen reaches up and brushes a loose strand of hair away from my face before placing a featherlight kiss on my forehead. So tender and sweet, it almost breaks me.
“I don’t want anything between us to be a drunken decision,” he croaks.
“Then what do you want it to be?” I ask, my voice barely audible.
His eyes darken in response to my question.
“Something we both remember clearly. A moment we’ll never forget.”
Good God.
I almost rip my panties off and throw them right at his feet. The hungry way he kissed me last night, combined with the tender way he’s speaking to me right now, is enough to make me spread my legs for him right here and now, to hell with brushing my teeth first.
I slide my hands up his warm chest and wrap my arms around his neck, pressing my forehead to his. I’m sure he can smell my morning breath, but honestly, I don’t care. I need to be as close to him as possible.
“Thank you,” I rasp. “Thank you for not letting last night be a mistake. And thank you for taking care of me.”
A half smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he brushes the tip of his nose against mine.
“Nothing about last night was a mistake, Meadow,” he says lowly. “Not a second.”
I nod against his head.
“I feel the same way.”
“Good,” he smiles, placing one last kiss to my temple. “Now drink up and eat some food so you’ll feel better. I’ve got plans for you, Mrs. Brooks.”
He leaves me with a knowing wink before pulling back slowly. A wink that promises his plans involve the cooperation of our lips and bodies.
Even though his tone is playful, there’s a hint of darkness and seduction behind it. I press my thighs together, my core clenching as my mind thinks of all the filthy plans Owen Brooks could have for me.
SIXTEEN
Owen
Meadow’s shoulder barely brushes mine as we sit side by side on the couch, both of us facing the flat-screen TV across the room.The heat of her skin against mine sends a slow wave down my arm, reaching to the tips of my fingers.
