“Shh...” he started to soothe me, pulling me into his embrace, my face in his cotton-covered chest.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, ignoring the wetness at my eyes and how I couldn’t seem to make it stop. “I’m such a phony.”
“What?”
“You’ve been working hard to get things to change, yet I start to bottle up and building walls…” I told him, but he ran his fingers through my hair. Soothing tingles rushed through my body, and I all too easily relaxed in his arms.
“Shhh,” he comforted me. “You talked to me. You didn’t bottle it up,” he gently reminded me.
“I would have if you hadn’t called me on it,” I mumbled mid-sniffle and felt his arms tighten around me, making me feel safe.
Anchored.
“You would have told me, and, baby, just saying, I didn’t have to push a whole bunch,” he sweetly pointed out. I pulled away from his chest, finding myself easily lost in the beautiful green pools of his eyes.
He really believed what he was saying to me.
He believed in me.
As much as I believed in him.
“Owen?”
“Yeah, baby?” His hands in my hair felt good. He soothed and unknowingly turned me on. I fought from moaning into his touch, suddenly finding myself horny and needy. The last week, we had messed around, getting each other off with hands and mouths, but he hadn’t let us go all the way. I was done.
I needed more tonight.
“The girls asleep?” I asked, running my hands up and down his chest, his strength radiating off him.
“Yeah.”
“Good.” I pulled away from him, my back slightly hitting the vanity, but I ignored it. Staring into his confused eyes, I pulled my top up and over my head, along with taking off my pants. Standing in front of him with nothing but a teal lace thong I had picked out especially for tonight.
“What are you doing, Nadia?”
“If you don’t know what I’m doing, it really has been too long.” I smirked, trying to tap down my nerves.
“Is my girl feeling in the mood to play?” His lips quirked up. I laughed.
“No.” I shook my head. He tilted his, his eyes intense and hungry on me. “No more games, Owen.”
“Nadia—”
“I need you.” I’d hardly spoken the words when he moved faster than I had ever seen. One moment there was space between us, and the next his hands were lifting me up and onto the vanity. The intense way Owen looked at me made my heart rate pick up, my entire body hot and needy.
“You sure?” he asked. I moved both my hands to his shoulder and wrapped them around his neck, my fingers playing with the short dark, slightly peppery strands on the back of his head.
“It wasn’t me holding off, Owen,” I reminded him. His forehead touched mine, his eyes shut, like he was trying to talk himself out of giving me what we both wanted. Hell, what we both needed.
“I fucking love you, Nadia,” he declared hoarsely.
“I fucking love you, too,” I repeated with a smile, and when he opened his eyes, I couldn’t read what was staring back at me.
“If I take you now, I don’t think I can be gentle.” And just like that, my pretty thong was ruined. A thrill shot down my spine.
“I don’t want gentle.” I panted, my cheeks reddened.
“What do you want?” he asked, his hands gripping me tightly.
“Everything you, and only you, can give me,” I answered honestly and gasped when he picked me up, my legs wrapping around his waist.
With me in his arms, he somehow managed to smoothly unlock the bathroom door. I licked my lips, hornier with every second that ticked by as he carried me like I weighed nothing at all. He took us right to our bed that was still just a box spring and mattress lying on the floor. He used to carry me around like this all the time; the memory made me smile instead of ache for the time lost.
“What’s that look about?” he asked, and I realized he had stopped and his eyes were searching mine.
“I love you. I love you more today than yesterday but not as much as tomorrow,” I blurted out. I used to say that all the time to him. But I had stopped. Before the girls were even born. Instead of dwelling, I made a silent promise to remind him every day.
“Good. Because you’re stuck with me,” his voice rasped with emotion, and as silly as it was, it made my heart full and my eyes fill with happy tears.
We weren’t perfect, not by a long shot, but we weren’t lost.
We had something worth fighting for.
Chapter Fifteen
Owen
HE SETTLED NADIA IN the center of their bed. She opened for him, so he could settle his own body between her legs. Looking at her, naked except for a scrap of lace in one of his favorite colors on her, he softly skimmed her mound with his hands. She squirmed slightly, opening wider for him.
“Did you wear this for me, Nadia?” He knew she had. His sexy little tease. She had been doing things all week to push his buttons; he was surprised he hadn’t taken her before this. She gasped, wriggling into his touch, and he fought from smiling at her. Instead, he shook his head, tsking at her.
“You like to tease me, don’t you?”
“Owen,” she moaned the moment his fingers slid into the gusset of her pretty thong and his fingertip grazed her pretty, swollen clit. His woman was wet and ready for him.
“Do you know how hard it’s been keeping my hands off you?” he asked her, teasing her lightly.
“I thought hands were allowed,” she answered like a smartass. He chuckled deeply; her response was exactly what they needed.
“Oh, they are, babe... they definitely are,” he growled as his fingers gently stroked up and down her center. “But I think we need more than hands tonight.” He kissed her belly, his lips moving upward toward the center of her chest.
“Thank God,” she groaned. “Please, Owen.” Her plea sounded sweet in his ears, making his already hardened dick go full mast.
Blanketing her body with his, Owen buried his face in her neck. Inhaling the scent of her skin and everything that was Nadia.
Nadia’s hands stroked the sides of his torso, each touch deeper than the last. He moved to look at her. Their lips met, without a word between them, flames burning white hot.
Her hands moved furiously, pulling the gym shorts he had thrown on down as he pulled his tee off with one hand; he didn’t care where things landed on the floor. The only thing that suddenly mattered more than taking his next breath was getting inside of her. By the way she was pawing at him, Owen knew she felt the same way.
Holding his body over hers with one hand, he looked at his hand touching her tanned skin, running it down to her ruined thong. He could make out her wet heat and clenched the sheets with hand he was putting his weight on. He pulled them aside, taking his fill of how pretty she was.
“So damn pretty, baby.”
“Owen... Please,” she begged, and as much as he liked the sound, he was done messing around. His woman didn’t need to beg anyone, much less him. Not when he could help her ache.
“I warned you, Nadia,” he groaned, gripping his dick, the head of it sliding back and forth between her lips; her dewy warmth felt so damn good. His entire body felt like it clenched. “I should be soft and gentle; I just don’t think I can be right now,” he gritted, enjoying the way the tip of his cock glided easily between her slit. Her wet warmth made his body strain further. Every nerve on his body felt tense and on edge.
“Screw gentle,” she huffed. His girl wanted him, and she wanted him badly. “You... I only want you, Owen.” she cried out. Any grip of control he had left diminished.
His lips slammed down on hers, her mouth sweeter than ever. His cock lined up with her entrance; he slammed in deep with one long thrust. Her wet heat surrounded him tightly, her fingertips bit into his shoulders, but when a sharp guttural gasp escaped from deep within her, he stilled.
“Nadia, you okay?” He clenched his jaw, holdin
g his body tight and still. “Talk to me, babe,” he pleaded. Shutting his eyes, he breathed in trying to stay still and not hurt her, but shutting his eyes made him feel her even more. His dick twitched as he felt her squirm and clench under him.
“Yes... please… don’t stop before you’ve even started. Please.” She tried to move up toward him, but his hands gripped her hips in place.
“You think I could ever stop?” he grunted. “Huh? I couldn’t stop needing this.” His eyes followed his cock, watching as he slid slowly out of her body and slammed back into her, enjoying the sounds that escaped from her throat. “I’ll never have enough,” he grunted, letting his gaze slide back up her body until their eyes connected. “You could gift me a thousand lifetimes, and I would still be greedy for more of you,” he whispered against her plush lips and felt her tighten around his cock.
Her legs wrapped around him; the heels of her delicate feet dug into his lower back, right above his ass, helping him so he could take her deeper. When he stared into her eyes, everything he was feeling reflected in her dark stare. With every thrust, she held on tighter. He made love to her like he had never before. It felt like they were connected in a higher level of intimacy, one he didn’t know existed. On a whole other level. He didn’t want it to end. He wanted to make the moment last forever.
Without warning, her entire body tightened around him and he watched pleasure wash over her beautiful face, her lips in a perfect ‘O’ as her body pulled him in deeper until he couldn’t hold back. Owen buried his face in her neck, letting go, soaring in pleasure as her name fell from his lips like a prayer, leaving them both completely breathless.
Chapter Sixteen
Nadia
I TRIED TO STOP smiling, but I couldn’t. God, I am such a dork. Waking up early after last night’s extracurricular activities, I should have been so worn out all I should have wanted to do was snuggle and sleep in with Owen beside me.
Instead, I found myself with renewed energy. Hope that things were really going to work out rushed through my veins.
Everything is going to be okay.
It wouldn’t be easy, and that was fine. I didn’t need easy. I never had. I wasn’t the type to shy away from hard work, and that’s what it would take. All I needed was the knowledge Owen and I were on the same page. After watching him sleep for a minute, I slipped out of bed, enjoying the way my body ached. A reminder of the night and early hours we had spent loving one another. I looked forward to a repeat later that night. Or maybe an afternoon quickie?
I walked straight into the kitchen and got to work. Cooking the last meal I would be able to cook in there before we got started on construction in the kitchen.
Flipping a pancake, I felt him before I heard him. His stubble-covered jaw on my bare shoulder sent a delicious shiver straight down my spine that made me want him.
“Morning,” his deep voice rumbled at my ear; his soft breath lingered right over my shoulder.
“Good morning,” I chimed brightly. Looking at him, I noticed his eyes were still sleepy, but before I could say anything, he wrapped his arms around me and held me flush to his body.
“I don’t like waking up without you,” he murmured into my ear. I didn’t miss the hardness nudging at my bottom.
“I was going to surprise you with breakfast in bed,” I admitted, his nose now at the crook of my neck nuzzling my sensitive skin.
“That’s funny, since I was thinking I would eat you for breakfast,” he mumbled deeply into my flesh, making my body come alive instantly. I felt his lips at my neck and couldn’t help the soft moan that escaped. “I need you again,” his voice rumbled as he pressed his front to my back. Like I needed the very solid and big reminder of what his body wanted. My thighs clenched together, slightly sore, but I wouldn’t say no to him.
The girls wouldn’t be up for at least another hour. We had time. Turning in his arms, I held his face and stood on the tips of my toes and kissed him. The kiss soon deepened and his hands roamed all over my body before he growled and pulled away, breaking the sensuous connection.
“Bed,” he ordered. I yelped and giggled at the smack of his hand against my ass. Taking a step forward, I stopped when he grabbed my hand and our eyes met. “Never mind,” he gritted, and I felt myself frown.
“What?” I asked, feeling confused and disappointed. It quickly faded away as a Cheshire grin fell over his face, an evil glimmer in his green eyes. A look I knew. I hadn’t seen it in a long time, but I was familiar with it. He had something up his sleeve. Something dirty. The thought sent shivers down my spine.
“Not the bed. Come with me,” he ordered. I had no choice but to follow him. He walked quickly in front of me, my hand in his. I followed him to the back of the house and out to the yard.
“What are you—” My words were cut off when his lips caught mine and I instantly felt like everything inside of me caught on fire.
Hands roamed. They caressed and gripped like we were afraid the other person was going to disappear. Not only his hands, but mine got into the mix. Feeling the heat from Owen’s skin made my nipples strain and rasp against the soft cotton of my tank top, and the scent of his skin mixed with a faded hint of his cologne filled my senses. I couldn’t get enough. Clothes were lifted, pulled aside in a fast and furious fashion. Passion and primal hunger crackled and sparked in the air between us.
One moment, my feet were planted firm on the ground. The next, he had lifted me, my legs instinctively wrapped around his waist before my back slammed against the wall of the house. His beautiful, thick cock filled me perfectly.
No foreplay.
No warning.
And I wasn’t complaining; I didn’t need it. My body was ready for him. I loved it when he gave it to me like that. It had been such a long time since he had lost control and taken me like that, I couldn’t believe I had forgotten. In the past, when he had needed me so badly, he would take me in the semi-private places. The risk of being caught only raised the heat and intimacy between us. We had been insatiable for one another, and it seemed we were back on that particular road again.
“Owen,” I hoarsely gasped. My orgasm hit without warning, and his face hid in my neck. The sting of a bite rushed through me at my neck, which only prolonged the waves of pleasure. His hushed dirty words faded into my skin as warmth filled me from inside out as I held on to his taut body.
Owen
How could a woman unhinge him the way she did?
The only woman he’d ever had was also the only woman who had ever made him look twice. Fifteen years might have passed from the first time he had laid eyes on her, but she still had that power.
Each time was better than the last.
It amazed him how damn stupid he had been. How fucking shortsighted and just plain dumb he could have been. Didn’t he know how precious time was? Having taken the time he had with her for granted, letting her feel lost and alone, and all for what? His career? Extra money? He had always thought he was a smart man, but this proved he wasn’t the brightest crayon in the box.
But he sure as fuck would learn from this and never make that mistake again. Never again, he silently vowed before taking a swipe at the spot he’d bitten, then pulling his face away from her neck. His legs might have been slightly weak from holding her up and the powerful orgasm he’d just had, but looking at her face, satisfied and slightly naughty, he knew he would never let her fall.
“Wow,” she whispered, her eyes slightly sleepy but so fucking clear, he felt it in his chest and down to his toes. She saw him like no one else did.
“I fucking love you.” His voice was thick with emotion and her eyes softened, a hint of a smile reflecting back in her gaze.
“I love you, too,” she answered gently. Pressing his forehead to hers, he breathed in deeply before kissing her lightly. He set her to the ground and helped smooth her clothes back into place before tucking himself back into his shorts.
Once they were decent, he pulled her into his arms an
d settled her onto his lap as he sat down on a lounger they had in the yard. The sun was starting to brighten, but there was a nice breeze that took the bite away from the summer heat that was starting to escalate. Nadia’s body felt perfect over his, and he tightened his hold on her. Mine. Always mine.
“I love this place,” she mumbled, looking out to the yard. His own eyes followed hers.
It wasn’t much to look at. Not compared to their yard at home. This place was simple. Small green space, grass he noted was slightly overgrown and he needed to mow. Barely enough space for the girls to run around and for Nadia to plant some flowers around the perimeter. Yet the way she sounded in his arms, you would think she was talking about Buckingham Palace.
“You like it more than home?” he asked. Worry filled the back of his mind.
“This feels like home,” she answered, her honesty startling him so much that he looked up at her, her eyes already on his. “It’s not that I don’t love our house, Owen.”
“But?” he couldn’t help but ask. He knew it was going to open a can of worms, but he needed to know.
“It just feels…”
“What?”
“Too big.” And that is a bad thing? he wondered, looking at her before looking out toward the tree in the corner.
“I’m not complaining, Owen.”
“I know…” He tried to shrug it off, trying to see things from her perspective, and it made sense. They had a five-bedroom, four-bathroom home and only really occupied three rooms. A conversation from the past popped into his head, and without thinking, he reminded her of it. “Do you remember when we got the place? We had plans of filling it with babies,” he reminded her and felt her sigh against his chest.
“I remember. It feels like a lifetime ago.”
“It does,” he agreed.
“But after the girls…” Her voice drifted off into silence, and he knew why. The edges of the foundation their relationship had been built on started to chip away. He didn’t blame her for not wanting anymore kids with him. It wasn’t as if he had been a great partner.
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