Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Owen immediately registers my line of sight, following it and gently tugging me off the dance floor, heading across the space to the small alcove tucked near the stairwell doors of the ballroom.
“Don't move from this spot,” he says in a gentle tone.
I nod, and he disappears into the crowd, eyes keen like a hawk, every inch of him on alert, his hand tucked in his suit jacket where I know there’s a gun holstered.
My heart races in my chest, adrenaline flooding my veins as my brain presents me with all kinds of catastrophic scenarios.
Owen finding Spencer and beating him within an inch of his life.
Owen missing him and Spencer finding me here, alone.
Seconds feel stretched into hours by the time Owen is back, his hands a comforting touch on my shoulders as he catches my gaze.
“It wasn't him,” he says. “I saw who you were looking at, but I caught up with him. It looks like him, but it isn’t. I promise.”
I blow out a breath, my muscles trembling from the adrenaline. I wrap my arms around him, drawing him to my level as I tip my head back, pressing my lips against his in a quick kiss.
“I'm sorry,” I say, drawing back. “I just wanted to say thank you—”
Owen’s eyes fall to my lips before he slants his mouth over mine. His hand tunnels into my hair, his other one bringing me flush against him.
I melt into his kiss, forgetting my imagined threat, forgetting the fundraiser, forgetting everything except for the way he makes me feel.
CHAPTER 7
Owen
Zoe tastes like sweet like the champagne she's been sipping all night.
Adrenaline crackles through my veins. Two seconds ago, I'd been on the hunt for what scared her. But now? That fire in my blood is all for her. The way she tugged me closer, brushing her lips against mine in an invitation I couldn’t possibly resist.
I take control of the kiss, tipping her head back and claiming her mouth in sipping kisses that have the sweetest little whimpers coming from the back of her throat.
“Owen,” she sighs between my lips. “More.”
The word clangs through me, instinct and need taking over as I barely break our kiss and maneuver us through the stairwell door, spinning her to gently press her back against it.
There's nothing I’ll ever deny her, social proprieties be damned. Just like that night on the roof of my club, I’m insatiable for her.
My hand travels down the length of her side, my fingers brushing the soft bare skin of her thigh, the deep slit in her gown giving me all too easy access. My muscles bunch beneath my skin, my cock already hard and desperate to sink into her again. I tell it to calm the fuck down, this isn't about him.
I glide my hand behind her knee, then back up again, teasing her in long grazes that have her arching against me. Her kisses grow needier every time my hand trails close to where she's aching for me, and I can't help but smile against her kiss before I slightly pull away to look down at her.
“You want me to make you come right here, Kitten?” I ask, my voice lowered between us despite being completely alone here in the stairwell.
“Yes,” she says, her rich brown eyes flashing with pure desire and zero care for the public space we’re in.
This is twice now I've been graced with the opportunity to satisfy her excitement over a little public adventure. She may say that she's not a wild, thrill-seeking woman, but all the evidence points otherwise. Maybe she’s never had the right man to get her there, and I'm more than happy to be him right now.
I hold her gaze as I glide my hand back up her thigh, my fingers just brushing the lace that covers her heat. I groan when I find it damp, and she arches into my hand, brazenly seeking out that touch she's desperate for.
Goddamn, she's the sexiest thing I've ever seen, her eyes hooded with lust, looking up at me without a hint of embarrassment or worry, nothing but trust as I tease her with that lace, brushing the rough fabric over her clit too lightly.
“Owen,” she gasps when I do it again, her hands gripping my shoulders as I slide my free one around the small of her back, urging her tighter against me.
I slam my mouth over hers, teasing between her thighs, relishing the way she rocks against me.
I want to take my time.
I want to bring her to the edge of release and push her back so many times that I'll have to carry her out of here because she'll be too exhausted to walk.
But she seems to have forgotten there's a whole damn fundraiser happening just on the other side of this door, her friends no doubt will come looking for her in a minute.