Breathe

by Amber Lacie

  I trace his bottom lip with my finger. “I want this. Please, don’t stop.”

  His mouth crashes against mine. My leg wraps around his hip, pulling his body closer to mine. I pull at his sweater again. Taking my hint, he pulls it over his head, tossing it somewhere behind him. Oh. My. God. What I had felt with my hands, is nothing compared to what I see. His toned body leans against mine, as his hands grab the hem of my shirt, pulling it from my body and tossing it over my head.

  His palms grip my breasts with his thumb, tracing the lacey edge of my bra. Planting soft kisses against my delicate skin, he pulls down the cup, exposing my nipple to the cold air. His tongue swirls around my already hardened peak, while he rocks his hips into me, grinding his hardened cock in his jeans against me.

  Desperation eats at me. I need more of his skin against mine. My nails run up his back, as I moan from his expert mouth. “Please. Please, Owen.”

  His hot breath scorches my skin, as he releases my nipple from his mouth. “Tell me, baby. Tell me what you need.”

  My hands push at the waistband of his jeans. His eyes meet mine with a soft grin. Pressing a kiss to my forehead, he pushes himself off of me. He kicks off his shoes and pops open the top button on his jeans. His fingers slowly pull down his zipper. Biting my bottom lip, I watch as his pants fall from his hips.

  Owen stands before me in a pair of tight white briefs. Raising my eyebrow, I question his choice of underwear. His grin broadens. “Do you like them? I haven’t done laundry in weeks, and these are all I have left. Had I known this was going to happen, I would have worn my leopard print thong.”

  I laugh. It is not just any laugh. No this is the laugh I thought I had reserved for someone else. A ping of guilt echoes in my mind, but I push it away.

  “She laughs.”

  “She does.” I lay my arms back above my head, as he sheds the last of his clothes. My eyes trace the contours of his body all the way to the tip of his cock. My heartbeat increases with every step he takes towards me.

  Slowly pulling my jeans from my body, he tosses them to the floor. His gaze glides down my body to where my legs are spread. Raising an eyebrow, he questions my choice of underwear. My breath hitches, as his thumb skims across my skin, just below the top of my black cotton panties.

  “Do you like them? Had I known this was going to happen I would have worn my black thong.” I smirk, as I toss his words back at him.

  “Fuck. I love them. Do you really have a black thong?”

  I swallow as he drags my panties down my legs. “No.”

  “You’re killing me.” His lips press against the top of my foot. I squeal as my legs jerk uncontrollably. Laughing, he pushes my legs, bending them, and spreading them apart. His nose runs up the inside of my thigh. “You smell amazing. I bet you taste better.” He slides one finger into my already wet pussy, before popping it into his mouth. A low growl rumbles from his throat. His mouth moves between my legs. Fuck.

  My fingers scrape along his scalp, as I let go of a moan. My body is grasping for a release and every time I feel like he might give it to me, he changes his rhythm. “Owen, please. Please.”

  Chuckling, he presses a kiss on my pelvic bone just above where I need it. “You want to let go, baby?”

  “Yes. Please.” I’m not above begging for this. My nerves feel like pins and needles, waiting for an explosion.

  He lightly nips at the skin around my belly button, before positioning the tip of his cock against my wet folds. I stare up into his deep blue eyes, before he thrusts into me, taking the breath from my lungs and replacing it instantly with another thrust. The feel of him slowly, precisely hitting every nerve, drives me insane. My hands wrap around his forearms, bringing his body down on mine.

  Hot breaths and soft moans fill the apartment, as our bodies collide. I can feel the sensation building. My body is desperately waiting to explode. “Please. Oh, my God. Please.” I beg, I plead for release. Lifting one of my legs above his shoulder, he leans against it. Oh, fuck. This is deeper, harder, and unrelenting. Closing my eyes, my mouth holds onto my breath, as my body shatters rapidly around him. This is what I wanted. This is exactly what I needed.

  The muscles in his neck strain. His fingers dig into my hip. Watching him lose himself, knowing that I am the reason, is so erotic. A moan rips from his chest, as he pulls his cock from my body, spraying his release onto my stomach. He leans down, pressing his lips to my forehead. “Fuck, I love you.” I close my eyes, letting his words wash over me. The words I love you whisper in my mind, but I don’t say it back.

  Owen leans back onto his legs and stares down at me, completely pleased with himself. “You’re a mess.”

  “You did it.”

  He grins at me. “I know.” He hops from the couch and walks into the bathroom. I can hear drawers opening and water running. Holding a wet washcloth in his hand, he steps towards me. I hold out my hand to take it from him, but he swats it away. “This is my mess. I’ll clean it up.”

  I yelp, as a cold, wet water drips onto my skin. “It’s cold. You could have at least warmed it up.”

  “Probably, but it’s too late for that now.” He presses the washcloth to my skin.

  Sucking my stomach in, I smack at his hands. “How is it too late? The sink is maybe two feet away. Hot water is right there.”

  Laughing, he wipes up his mess and tosses the washcloth back into the bathroom. Grabbing his clothes, he pulls his underwear and jeans back on. Then he tosses me my shirt.

  “Do we have to get dressed?”

  “No, but it’s cold and I have to order us dinner, unless you want to cook.” I crumple my nose at the idea of cooking. All I want to do is sleep.

  “You can stay naked if you want, but I’m pretty sure the delivery guy is going to see you, unless you hide in the bathroom.”

  “Fine. I’ll put back on my shirt and panties, but I refuse to put back on my bra, or pants for that matter. I’m protesting.” I pull my shirt over my head and slip my panties back on.

  Chuckling, Owen grabs a menu from the basket on top of my fridge and orders us some dinner. My arms are still crossed with my legs folded underneath me when the food arrives. He sets the pizza box down on the small coffee table in front of us and grabs a slice. “Protest all you want. I’m eating the pizza. I’m starving, I might even eat the whole pie.”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “I would.” Grabbing another slice, he folds it in half, before taking a huge bite. The cheese strings from his mouth to the slice in his hands. I give in. Apparently, we are wearing clothes and eating pizza. I grab a slice and lean against him. His arm wraps around me. I feel so content, so loved.

  Chapter 28

  Who gave permission for morning to come so early? I stretch my arms above my head, arching my back, as I try to gather the strength to leave the bed. It has been three months, three weeks, two days, ten hours, and thirteen minutes, since I took my first breath with Owen. He has given me a reason to wake up every morning. He is the reason that I feel alive again. Owen gave me back the breath Holden took away when he died. A tear rolls softly down my cheek. It is a tear made from sorrow, loss, and happiness. It is bittersweet.

  Wiping it away, I stare at the packed suitcases, tucked neatly against the hotel room wall. The car Rebecca is sending for me should be here within an hour and I am still not ready to go. She has called me at least two times this morning to make sure that I have everything checked off on the list she sent me.

  Janel and I have made a pact to remind each other of how awful wedding planning is, if either of us should get married in the near future. She was lucky enough to be a guest at the wedding. I have to stand in it. Rebecca and Mark each have two people standing. I am her maid of honor and her brother’s wife is a bridesmaid. Owen is Mark’s best man and Jefferson is a groomsman. Small and quaint. At least, it was in the beginning, now it has blown up into an elaborate celebration. Rebecca has even gone as far as having the florist fly in a special
flower from Hawaii to be added to the bouquets. It is going to be ridiculous.

  I am still lying in bed when Owen walks in fresh from the shower, with beads of water still glistening on his shoulder. “I thought I woke you up an hour ago.”

  “You did. I’m awake. See?” I point to my eyes, as I blink them dramatically. “These are open.”

  “My mistake. I assumed because you’re still in bed and haven’t made any effort to leave it, you were still asleep.”

  I toss a pillow at him, but my aim is awful. Instead of hitting Owen, it hits the dresser, knocking over a picture frame and a bottle of cologne. “Crap. Did they break?”

  “Nope. You’re good, babe. Let me have a look at you. Maybe your legs are broken.” I giggle, as he crawls onto the queen-sized bed.

  “No. Owen Knox, you stop it right now. I swear if you touch my feet, I will not be responsible for when they kick you in the jaw.” I bend my legs, trying to hide them from him, but it’s too late. He yanks down the comforter and grabs my ankles in his hands, dragging me towards him.

  “Resistance is futile.” Squirming, I am able to get one leg free and I flip over onto my stomach, trying to grab the edge of the mattress, so that I can pull myself from his grip. His fingers dig into my sides and my foot kicks straight out, connecting with Owen’s groin. Moaning, he falls to his side, while cradling his injured parts with his hands.

  “Oh, my God. Owen, I’m so sorry. I warned you. I can’t control my legs when you tickle me.” I crawl over to him to make sure that he is okay.

  “You should kiss it and make it better.”

  “Nope. I don’t have time for that. I need to get ready.” Jumping out of bed, I grab my strapless bra and matching panties from the suitcase. I hold them up for Owen to see, with a sneaky grin on my face.

  “You show me those and yet you won’t even help me get better.”

  “Oh, please. You don’t need me for that. I’m sure there’s lotion in here somewhere.” Shutting the bathroom door, I hear Owen yell from across the room.

  “You’re killing me, Smalls.”

  I smile at his ability to quote movies at random. I never pictured myself dating another movie fanatic. I also never pictured them being nine years older than me. Then again, six months ago, I didn’t picture myself with a boyfriend, either. Boyfriend. It took me a bit to accept it as fact, but once I finally got my mind to wrap around the idea, I held tightly to it.

  Shedding my pajamas, I slip into my undergarments, making sure to clasp my bra as tightly as it can go. Grabbing my makeup bag from under the sink, I pull out my curling iron and set it on high. I apply my makeup lightly. The pale blue strapless dress already accentuates my eyes, so I won’t need much. Once I am done curling my hair, I pin the soft ringlets in an up-do, allowing just a few tendrils to fall around my shoulders.

  My dress has been hanging in here since last night, per Rebecca’s strict instructions, allowing the steam to help minimize the wrinkles. I gently slip it from its hanger and step into it, carefully pulling it up over my hips. I am only able to get the zipper halfway up before my arms are unable to reach it.

  “Owen? I could use some help.”

  “Hold on, babe.”

  I wait patiently, holding the front of my dress up around me. When Owen opens the door, my mouth drops. It was worth the wait. My eyes meet his in the mirror and I am lost. He is fully dressed in a black tux. A pale blue bowtie is fastened around his neck, with his matching vest peeking out from underneath his jacket. His hair is slicked back out of his face. It is the only part of his look that I don’t agree with. I like it better when a few strands fall softly around his eyes. He is incredibly handsome.

  A soft smile plays on his lips, as he finishes zipping me up. I pull at my dress a few times, making sure it is perfectly in place. A soft kiss graces my bare shoulder. I look up to find Owen staring at me in the mirror. His blue eyes deepen, as he wraps his arms around my waist. The smell of mint and lavender lightly touches my senses.

  “You look amazing. I’m so incredibly lucky.”

  “Thank you for the compliment. You look very handsome. I think you clean up nicely.”

  “I always clean up nicely, and you missed my point.”

  Turning my head to the side, I press my forehead against his, as he rests his head on my shoulder. “What was your point?”

  “I’m incredibly lucky.”

  “Oh?”

  “I get to escort the most beautiful girl at the wedding.”

  “You’re walking Rebecca down the aisle?” I smile in jest.

  “No. I get to walk you down the aisle. Have I told you how incredibly sexy you are?” His lips gently skim along my exposed flesh.

  A breathy whisper falls from my lips, “No.”

  “Well, you are. You. Are. So. Incredibly. Sexy.” His words are split with kisses along my back to my other shoulder. My neck rolls softly to the side, allowing him full access. His fingers slide down my legs, pulling the hem of my chiffon dress up into his hands. Once my lace panties are exposed, he runs his fingers under the edges, sliding down the front and slipping one finger into me. My breaths are quick, as I lean my head back against his shoulder. His mouth dives down on my neck, nipping at my skin.

  “Owen, we shouldn’t—”

  “Give me one good reason and I’ll stop.” Slipping another finger into me, he curls them up, hitting a wall of nerves. A moan escapes me. What was I supposed to give him? Oh, he wanted a reason.

  “We’ll be late and Rebecca will have a fit.”

  Slipping his hands from my body, he spins me in his arms, lifts me up, and sets me on the edge of the counter, now behind me. “I said, one good reason. That wasn’t good enough.”

  I hear him tug at his zipper and his pants fall quickly to the floor, as he releases himself from his dark blue boxers. My dress is pooled up around my waist, with my legs spread open, as his fingers trace the lace of my panties. One hand grabs my hip, pulling me towards his, as his other hand grabs his cock, stroking slowly up and down. Releasing my hip, his fingers deftly slide my panties to the side, allowing him access to my already dripping pussy. A hiss escapes my lips, as he presses the tip of his cock against my clit, sliding it up and down a few times before thrusting it inside me.

  “Oh.” My mouth forms a perfect ‘O’ shape, as my hands wrap around his neck. I cling to him, as he slams into me. He is relentless. The familiar feeling crawls its way up my body from my toes. My back arches, as I let it consume me. A low moan escapes my lips, as he loses himself in me. I can feel his warm release fill me and softly trickle out, as he continues to thrust, milking every bit of his orgasm. Fuck. Holy Fuck.

  It takes me a moment or two before I am able to catch my breath. He rests his damp forehead against mine. I feel his body flex and I realize that he is still in me. We are still attached. I love you. The words are so close to falling from my lips, but I swallow them. The last time I said those words to someone, I lost them. What if they are cursed? I can’t bear the thought of losing someone else, of losing Owen.

  He gently kisses my lips and pulls himself from me. My heart sinks from the loss of his touch. Looking down at me, he chuckles. “I might have made a mess.”

  “You often do.”

  “Hmmm.” He looks around and grabs a washcloth from the rack hanging on the back of the door. Turning on the faucet, he wets it and starts to move towards me.

  “That better be warm.”

  “Don’t worry, it is. I learned my mistake from the first time I had to clean you up. I will always make sure they are warm. I promise.” He gently presses the washcloth against my skin, wiping away any mess that he left behind. I gasp, as two fingers slide into me, stroking against my throbbing core.

  “Owen. What are you doing?”

  “Just making sure I got it all. I wouldn’t want any dripping down your legs, as we walked down the aisle.” He flicks his fingers up again, causing my hips to jerk. Wrapping his hand around my waist, he holds my
hips still, as his fingers continue their assault on my already sensitive nerve endings. It doesn’t take long at all for me to come undone. I slowly grind my clit against the palm of his hand, as I ride out my second orgasm for the day. Gently pulling his fingers from me, he slides them into his mouth. “God, you taste so good.”

  Owen slides my panties back into place and helps me down from the counter. He spins me in his arms, so I face the sink again. He pulls his pants back up and tucks his shirt neatly back into place. Fussing with my dress, I make sure that everything is back where it should be. His fingers gently brush against my collarbone. Looking into the mirror, I find a thin silver chain around my neck. A single heart shaped charm is hanging from it, with a diamond perfectly set at the bottom of it.

  “A beautiful necklace, for a beautiful lady.”

  My fingers brush against it. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “You don’t have to say anything. Just wear it for me.”

  “Okay.” I smile, as he kisses my neck. He steps out of the bathroom, leaving me to finish getting ready. I check my makeup and curls. Everything is still perfect, as if nothing just took place. The only sign left is the blush in my cheeks. I tuck some mascara and some lip gloss into a small clutch I have in my make-up bag. Walking out of the bathroom, I spray myself with perfume and slide my feet into my sandals.

  Owen is sitting in a chair in the corner with one leg resting on the other. “Let me see you.” He twirls his finger in the air and I oblige by spinning around in my dress. “So, fucking beautiful.”

  “Careful. If you keep saying things like that, I might start to believe them.”

  “I wish you would. You have no idea how beautiful you really are.” Rolling my eyes, I look anywhere but at him. Owen sighs and stands from his chair. He slowly steps towards me.

  I swallow to suppress the giggle rising in my throat. I know what he is going to do. He is going to make me look him in the eye and repeat everything he says. He used to have to do it all the time because I couldn’t accept a compliment without looking away. Now, I look away just so he will wrap me in his arms.