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)
“What the hell was that?” I ask, my heart racing.
“It's my job to protect you,” Owen says, looking down at me with hardened blue eyes. “Not from him,” I say, looking at him incredulously. “He's not a threat.”
“He almost knocked into you,” he counters in a growly tone. “I have instincts when it comes to you. I couldn’t just sit there—”
“You looked like you were about to throw him into the table for merely speaking lewdly to me—"
“I'm sorry,” Owen says shaking his head. “I didn't mean to embarrass you or your friend—”
“He's nobody,” I cut him off. “We dated for a little bit in college. I haven't seen or spoken to him in years. He’s not a friend and you didn't embarrass me.”
“Then why are you angry with me?”
“I'm not angry with you,” I say, and blow out a breath because I can see where he's coming from. The adrenaline crackling through my veins definitely hints at anger. “I just... I didn't want you to waste your energy on someone like him. Not when you have an actual person to worry about when it comes to protecting me.”
“I'm sorry, okay?” he says, pacing the length of the bed in the hotel room. “I overreacted.”
“Hey,” I say, a bit softer, putting myself in his path to stop his pacing. “Owen, I didn’t mean to upset you, I just didn’t want you to feel obligated over someone like him.”
“I didn’t react that way because of obligation or my job,” he says, drawing closer to me. “I reacted that way…because you feel like mine. And that's how I respond when someone I love is threatened.”
Lightning strikes through me at his words, a gasp whispering from my lips at the possessive declaration.
“Owen—"
“Fuck,” he cuts me off. “I shouldn't have said that.” A low growl rumbles in his chest. “Look, I've told you I’d be the worst person to get into a relationship with because of my job, but the idea of not being with you...” His voice trails off and he shakes his head.
Emotions rise and clash in my chest, my heart screaming at me to return the declaration, but my mind stomps the instinct.
It's still so soon between us, and despite the overwhelming feelings I have for this man, I can't possibly utter those words right now, can I?
Owen gently grips my chin, tipping my head to meet his gaze. “Did I ruin this night for you, Kitten? Did I ruin things between us?” There's an edge of desperation to his tone that only makes me melt for him that much more.
I shake my head, my voice still tangled beneath all of the combative emotions roaring inside me. “You didn't,” I finally say. “Promise.”
I slide my hands up his muscular chest, gripping his shirt and pulling him down to my level. I brush my lips over his, softly at first, then amping up with more intensity as his arms glide around my body and yank me to him.
“Owen,” I sigh between his kisses, my entire body shivering with warmth and a pulsing, aching need.
I kiss him harder, nipping at his bottom lip, and I'm rewarded with a growl and his powerful hands squeezing my ass in just the right way.
Yes. This is what we need. This is safer. My body can speak the words I can’t.
“Turn around, Kitten,” Owen says, his voice drenched in need and leaving no room for argument.
I turn liquid in an instant and I do as I'm told.
One of his hands brushes my hair over my shoulder while the other drags down the zipper of my dress, and then he's sliding it off my body, the kiss of fabric hissing against the floor as I step out of it.
I bend to remove my heels, but Owen stops me with a hand. “Leave the heels on,” he says, and a warm shiver skates down my back.
I hear him shuffle behind me, and seconds later a strong arm wraps around me from behind, dragging my spine against his chest as he looks down at me.
His other hand glides over my lace-covered breasts, over the softness of my stomach, dipping between my thighs to tease me over the lace there. He kisses my neck, his other hand at the base of my throat, tipping my head back to give him better access.
I’m a bundle of sensation, my mind and body completely in the present with every touch and kiss from him.
I rock into his touch, gasping as he moves the lace to the side and strokes me with his fingers. I'm a trembling, coiled mess of need, completely at the mercy of his touch.
He shifts behind me, hooking his fingers into my lace and dragging it down my legs, silently urging me to step out of it. I do, and shiver as he spins me around to face him, finding him delightfully bare as well.