by Melody Anne
He reached out, his fingers resting on the denim of her jeans, then running up her firm thigh before dropping back down to her knee. His stomach was in knots, and from the way she shifted, he had no doubt she was coming as unhinged as he was.
As Owen rubbed her thigh, her breath quickened, and he felt a shudder pass through her body. He wasn’t sure they’d survive the drive to the motel. It was at least closer than his place.
He pulled his hand away, and she grumbled as she leaned into him, her lips trailing along his jaw, tasting the corner of his mouth. He ached so badly it almost felt as if he were being stabbed. His jeans were too tight for the erection he was now sporting, and he shifted, trying to make himself more comfortable.
“What’s the matter?” Eden asked. The way she said this shot him straight down memory lane. He remembered driving into the woods with her in this exact same position, the truck just much older. He’d loved how she’d tease him, build up their excitement. They’d nearly driven over a cliff the one time she’d undone his pants, then leaned down and taken his pulsing erection straight down her throat.
After what felt like hours, he pulled into the motel parking lot and cut the engine of his truck. It was long past time he had a taste of her luscious lips. He pulled her onto his lap and pressed his lips to hers. He could swear he saw stars as her tongue danced with his. She pulled back, and now it was his turn to protest.
“Let me get a room,” she said, her voice husky, her skin flushed.
“I can do it,” he told her.
“No, then they’ll think this is a love nest,” she said as she climbed off him and slipped from the truck. He was pretty proud to note that she was walking with a definite wobble. He waited impatiently for her to get back, his desire not tempered in the least.
She stepped from the office and waved at him before turning right and going down the long corridor. He practically vaulted from his truck, meeting her at the motel-room door just as she pushed it open.
He didn’t give her a chance to catch her breath before he led both of them to the bed, pulling her onto his lap while he began undoing the clasp of her jeans. He had them off in about three seconds flat; then he skimmed the outside of her panties, the silky material saturated with her arousal.
Owen resumed their kissing, pushing her lips apart so he could sink his tongue deep inside the recesses of her mouth. His hands caressed her back, making a moan escape from her sweet lips. She ground her firm butt against him and gasped when she felt the power of his erection pressing against her wet heat.
His hands moved to her center and slowly upward; he was desperate to feel the weight of her luscious breasts in his palms. She arched her back, pleading with him to take care of her. He finally gave her what she wanted, squeezing her tender breasts before rubbing his thumbs across her swollen nipples.
“We have too many clothes on,” he muttered, gasping for air as he broke off from the kiss.
“I agree,” she told him.
She wasn’t going to change her mind. He’d known she wouldn’t, though. She needed him as much as he needed her. It had always been that way between them.
Owen pulled off her shirt and took only a second to admire the tiny wisp of a bra that was pushing up her generous breasts. He unhooked it, tossing it aside before taking one of her nipples into his hot mouth, greedily sucking her. He’d always been in love with her dark nipples, especially when they were puckered in pleasure from his touch. When he pulled back and saw his spit gleaming on the beautiful stiff peaks, his erection pulsed in anticipation.
He gave equal attention to her other breast, then stood her in front of him so he could remove her panties and finally take a moment to look at her. She was so spectacular he could barely breathe. Her waist had grown too small in her sorrow. He knew she was forgetting to eat. But even so, her hips flared, beautifully succulent, absolutely made for his grip. And her breasts—oh, her stunning breasts were the perfect handful.
He didn’t dare continue looking down her body, afraid he’d explode. Instead, he jumped up and began stripping off his clothes, enjoying her gasp of pleasure as she gazed at his thickness.
“Lie down,” he told her.
“No,” she said. He stalled at the thought that this had been some sort of revenge for her. He wasn’t sure what he’d do if she pushed him out the door. He might actually die.
But she didn’t push him from the room. Instead, she climbed onto the bed on her hands and knees, her ass high in the air, her head turning to look at him, a seductive gleam in her eyes. He wanted to lie against her, not take her this way. But tonight wasn’t about him; it was about her, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her.
He moved up against her, his hands reaching out to squeeze her luscious ass, her body trembling beneath his touch. He ran his fingers down the crack of her ass, all the way to her hot core. Pushing his fingers inside her made his erection jump. She was so hot, so tight.
He pulled out and flipped her over, then leaned into her and licked her thighs, loving how her skin tasted and smelled. He didn’t think it possible, but he grew even harder, knowing he was on the verge of losing control. He grabbed his erection and squeezed hard, trying to ease some of the pressure. It helped, but only minimally. He kept his lips against her hot skin, licking her up and down before latching onto that bundle of nerves that made her scream when his tongue flicked over it.
His fingers pumped faster inside her, her entire body shaking. Then he swept his tongue over her swollen nerves again and sent her over the edge. Her body sagged as she trembled before him. He loved the flush of her skin, how her chest was heaving, her nipples tight, her thighs wet from her pleasure and his tongue.
“There’s never been anyone but you,” he said.
Her eyes widened, and he saw a sparkle in her eyes, but she closed them for a few seconds. When they opened, they were once again filled with passion. This moment was something he’d never grow tired of. Now he could take her the way he needed to.
“My turn,” she told him. She slid from the bed, dropping to her knees in front of him.
She wrapped her fingers around him, then leaned in, her tongue lapping the head of his erection, precome making the tip shine. She licked it up before closing her lips around him, growing more urgent as she took him deeper and deeper into her mouth, moving up and down his shaft, wetting him with her hot tongue.
He grabbed her head, his fingers fisting in her hair as he groaned, praying he didn’t let them both down. It had been six months since he’d felt her body on his, and he wasn’t sure he was going to make it.
She took him deep, his head entering her tight throat. And Owen gave up. He couldn’t hold back. She didn’t want him to. With a cry of pleasure, he felt his release rip from him. She hummed against his erection, the sensation giving him even more pleasure. She didn’t stop sucking him until she felt his last pulse of pleasure.
Only then did Eden release his still incredibly hard shaft from her mouth, taking a few seconds to lick him from tip to root before sucking his head one more time. He felt his pleasure stirring again. He wasn’t surprised—not with this woman, not at this moment.
Owen lifted her up, pushing her onto the bed as he crawled over her. He was no longer in a gentle mood. He felt like an animal, and he had to consume her as much as she was consuming him.
His lips descended, and she eagerly accepted his kiss along with the weight of his body. He didn’t hesitate as he aligned their bodies, then plunged deep within her wet heat. She pushed up against him, her breathing becoming labored, her moans mixing with his. He sped up, moving quickly in and out of her wet folds.
Owen reached between them and squeezed her breast as his lips devoured her mouth. He felt her begin to tighten around him, making it harder for him to move. And then she screamed as her body clenched him. He didn’t even try to hold on. He let go with her, soaring through an endless expanse of pleasure.
It took a long while for their breathing to retur
n to normal. When Owen was sure he could move, he shifted their bodies, turning so he was on his back, cradling her close to his side. He pulled the covers over them and lay with her head on his chest. He’d missed this. He hadn’t felt at home until this very moment.
He was sure she’d fallen asleep when five minutes passed without either of them saying a word. He didn’t mind. He could care less where they slept as long as they were together.
“Please be gone when I wake up,” she murmured.
Owen stilled the hand that had been rubbing against her back.
“Why?” he asked, trying not to be offended. He couldn’t ever remember a time in his life he’d felt used, but he was sort of feeling that way right now.
“I need to know I can be strong. I don’t feel that way right now. I feel weak and sad, like the world is weighing on me. I need to know I can make it on my own, that I don’t need to have someone there to hold me up.”
Her words were tinged with tears, and his caress against her back resumed. “It doesn’t make you weak to know when you need someone to lean on,” he assured her.
“Please, Owen. I have to do this,” she said.
Owen had no doubt he could talk her out of this. But that would show a lack of respect for her. He didn’t say anything, and soon she fell asleep. He lay there with her all night, catching a few moments of sleep here and there, but very aware of every movement she made.
When dawn was breaking, she began to stir. And though it killed him to do so, he gently extracted himself from beneath her and quickly dressed. He looked at her one last time before quietly slipping from the rented room.
The only reason he was able to sneak away like a thief in the night was because he had no doubt she’d be with him soon, and not just for a night of hot sex—she’d be with him for all time and eternity.
Chapter Fourteen
Owen stood in his brother Declan’s house. He was too restless to sit, so he paced the long den, a stiff drink he hadn’t yet touched in his hand. Declan patiently waited for him to get off his chest whatever it was he needed to say. That’s one of the great things about brothers—they didn’t push.
“Is Eden now a target of this group who was after Keera?” Owen asked.
“I think so,” Declan said. Declan never had been one to mince words. Right now Owen was frustrated and grateful for that at the same time.
“You could have lied to me, could have told me she was just fine, that nothing could possibly happen to her,” Owen said. He finally stopped and downed the amber liquid in his glass. The burn down his throat was exactly what he’d needed.
“Then you wouldn’t be able to protect her,” Declan said.
“No one will get to her,” Owen said, murder in his eyes.
“I have no doubt about that, but they did manage to get to her home,” Declan pointed out. There was a look in his brother’s eyes Owen didn’t understand. He shook it off and voiced his frustration.
“That’s because I wasn’t aware anyone was after her. What in the hell is going on in our town? We have drugs, murder, threats, fire. When will it stop?” Owen asked, his voice rising with each new word.
“I’m working on it,” Declan assured him.
“Not fast enough,” Owen thundered.
Declan didn’t take offense. He simply raised his eyebrows as he walked over to his liquor cabinet and poured each of them another drink. He nearly smiled as he looked at his brother.
“I’m going to let you get away with that because I know how much this woman means to you, and I know you’re on your last nerve,” Declan said as he handed over the drink.
“I’m sorry. That was uncalled for,” Owen admitted.
“I’m sure I’ve said worse,” Declan said. “Though I’m so damn perfect I can’t imagine when.”
The joke was so unexpected, coming from his stiff older brother, that the words stopped Owen once again. He looked at Declan and smiled.
“Man, she has me spinning in circles. I’m so in love with her,” Owen said.
This time Declan laughed. “Yeah, that’s old news, brother,” Declan told him. Then his smile faded. “But you have to be aware that things in life happen that are beyond our control. You might have to accept that.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Owen asked, desperately trying to read the look in Declan’s eyes.
“This drug ring has created havoc in our town, and they aren’t finished yet. She’s definitely on their radar now.”
“Are you saying I can’t protect her?” Owen asked, irritated beyond words.
Declan was quiet for a moment. “How much do you love her?”
Owen was even more confused than before. “Not that I see what that has to do with my ability to protect her, but I truly am in love with her. The till-death-do-us-part kind of love,” he said, as if this were a huge revelation.
Declan laughed again, even more mirth in the sound. It was so odd to hear Declan laugh. His brother carried too much weight on his huge shoulders for a man who wasn’t yet forty.
“That means you might make wrong choices where she’s concerned,” Declan warned. Owen opened his mouth to respond, but Declan stopped him. “Owen, you’ve always been in love with her, just as she is with you. Now you just have to remind her why she fell in love with you, and why you’re trustworthy enough to have her heart again. You have to do this all while trying to keep the bad guys away.”
“Wow, okay, Dr. Phil,” Owen said. He’d expect this sort of advice from Kian, maybe even from Arden. He never would’ve expected it from Declan.
“Don’t get used to this. I think the town is affecting me mentally. I’m going soft,” Declan said, as if that was the worst thing that could happen to a man. In some situations it truly was the worst thing that could happen. “Otherwise, these assholes would already be in jail, and I’d be moving on to the next case.”
“I just don’t see why these guys have set their sights on Eden. She’s barely involved,” Owen told him.
“Maybe she’s getting too close to something,” Declan said.
Owen was shocked by the ferocity in Declan’s voice.
“What aren’t you telling me?” Owen asked.
Declan turned away, and it looked as if he shook his head. Possibly to clear it. That didn’t seem like his brother at all.
“There are some things I can’t tell you,” Declan said.
“Since when?” Owen pushed.
“That would be one of the things I’m not telling you,” Declan said smugly.
“You can be a real asshole sometimes,” Owen said, his dark mood increasing as he played word games with his brother.
“That’s not the first nor last time I’ve heard that,” Declan assured him.
They were getting nowhere. Owen decided to change the subject . . . slightly. “I’m suspended,” he grumbled. He was still beyond irritated over that. “I can’t believe there’s anyone out there who’d think I’m capable of all this chaos.”
“Want me to get it lifted?” Declan asked.
That made Owen laugh. “No. There’s not a chance I’m letting anyone say I got out of this because of who I know or what my last name is,” Owen told him. “But thanks for having my back.”
“Of course you aren’t guilty,” Declan said, as if that was the most absurd thing he’d ever heard. “But people are just doing their jobs. It’s a waste of time, but they gotta do what they gotta do.”
“I could care less what the rest of the world thinks,” Owen said. “But it’d kill me if Eden truly did believe I could do it.”
“She knows you, Owen. She knows you aren’t capable of this. She’s just doing her job,” Declan told him. Then he looked Owen in the eyes. “But you did leave her, so she might not be sure anymore what you’re capable of.”
“That was a low blow,” Owen told him. “And yeah, I did leave her, but you of all people understand why.”
“Maybe it’s time you told her.”
Silence greet
ed those words as Owen shook his head. “I made a promise,” he said, feeling the weight of his loyalty.
“Would he really want you to give up everything?” Declan asked.
“I don’t know. I owed him my life,” Owen said.
Declan nodded. He understood what it meant to be loyal. He knew you didn’t betray someone just to cover your own ass. Owen really didn’t know what he should do.
“In time it will work itself out,” Declan said.
“You’ve become quite the counselor,” Owen told him.
“Yeah, yeah,” Declan muttered. “Tell anyone about this conversation, and I’ll hand you over to some experts in torture techniques.”
Owen smiled. The sad thing was, he had no doubt his brother did have those contacts. He felt sorry for anyone who dared to cross Declan. It wouldn’t go well for them—not well at all.
“What evidence do you have, Dec?” Owen asked.
“Not a hell of a lot,” Declan said, his frustration clear. He didn’t like being in the dark, didn’t like feeling like the bad guys were outsmarting him. If the situation wasn’t so serious, Owen wouldn’t have minded his brother getting outwitted. It was good to knock his ego down a peg or two.
“It would really help me if you could get this solved,” Owen said with a shrug.
“I’ll solve it,” Declan assured him, a determined glint in his eyes.
“I have no doubt,” Owen said. “I’ve given Eden a full day to herself. I think that’s enough time,” he finished as he moved toward the door.
“Go get the girl,” Declan told him.
“Damn straight.”
That’s exactly what he planned to do.
Chapter Fifteen
Owen wasn’t surprised to find Eden’s car parked in the driveway of her ruined home, especially since he’d had it fixed and waiting for her at the motel by the time she could step out her door. Sadly, all that was left of her house besides a pile of ashes was the foundation and a couple of sturdy pillars. The fire truly had destroyed the place, and it hadn’t shown a lick of mercy.
