“You’re just saying that because you just rocked my world.”
I blushed. “I was always aware of you but chickened out every time I tried to talk to you. I’m drawn to you. Before … now… tomorrow,” I said, watching her face closely. “We will figure out what comes next since it’s new for us both,” I answered honestly.
What was after today? What did she want? What would she think of me when I had to complete my contract with Benny Jr.?CouldI complete my contract after all this? The thought suddenly made me feel very sick.
“I’ve been waiting for you for so long,” she said on a sharp exhale like she’d been holding her breath too long.
“Me too,” I admitted.
An emotion so strong swelled in my chest that my palms went icy. This didn’t feel like a crush. It didn’t feel like a pressure or a weight to bear at all. It felt like the opposite. It was taking off a heavy mask that had been weighing me down. It was being able to take a full breath in.
It was the relief of meeting a person who inherently seemed to understand me and knowing that I was meant to have her in my life. It was knowing we’d never be the same again.
There you are.
“I’m glad you shared your past with me, Owen. Now you don’t have to carry it anymore. You aren’t that boy who didn’t know his own strength. You are the man who saved a kitten while being attacked. Who saved my life probably a few times tonight. Who made me come several times with his gentle touch.” I flushed. “You are so much more than that story in your head.”
“Bee …” I closed my eyes and held her.
Soon, she turned to me, and we were kissing again. I had to show her how much I needed her.
I kissed her hard, and we fell back. I cherished her, held her, and reached for her time and time again.
She was worried that the light of day would change everything, and though I assured her, I couldn’t know for sure.
I would never be the same after tonight. Beehadchanged me. But Ivy had given me a life, and I couldn’t betray her just because I met a person who made me want to live it.
The morning would bring an end to this perfect bubble, and only time would tell where we went next. I already felt my heart being torn in two directions. I wasn’t sure there was a right choice where someone I cared about didn’t get hurt.
Chapter 20
Bee
“Go away!”I yelled at the rude person banging on the door.
I pulled the blankets over my head. The room was now so cold the tips of my ears hurt. The fire must have gone out during the night, unbeknownst to us with all our vigorous activity. It was warm under this blanket and smelled yummy, like Owen’s body, and I just wanted to bite this big muscle I laid on.
“Ouch. Bee. No biting,” Owen slurred, half asleep.
“Now you don’t like it.”
I rolled onto my back and stretched with a big yawn, arms over my head, gently brushing Owen’s chin.
“Control your body,” he said, removing my fist from his face.
“You control my body,” I said, not fully awake.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I was flung almost off the edge of the bed as Owen shot up.
“Coming! Hang on!” Owen yelled.
“Rude.” I pulled the comforter back over me and burrowed under a pillow to block out the sun and noise.
“Bee, you gotta get up. They’re here.” Owen sounded frantic.
I peeked out to glare, but it went unnoticed. He was too busy scrambling into jeans, hobbling and hopping as he balanced. I didn’t miss appreciating the strong muscles in his legs even though I was cranky.
