by Kaylee Ryan
“A man has to have a truck, and I take the SUV grocery shopping, it holds more, and the car, it’s just a luxury. I usually drive it back and forth to work.”
“Three, Owen. You have three. All of them probably nicer than anything I’ll ever own, and you want me to drive that one,” I say, pointing at the car again. “The shiny one that looks super expensive. I can’t do it. I’ll drive the rental.”
“Babe, you’re not listed on the rental.” He smirks.
“Since when are you a rule follower, Owen Riggins?” I ask, my hands braced on my hips.
He throws his head back and laughs. “Ask my brothers, I am the rule follower, trust me. Now, this is just a car. I have insurance, so if you wreck it, I don’t care. What I do care about is you being safe. The car can be replaced. Do you think you’re going to feel unsafe driving? I can call one of my brothers.” He’s already reaching into his pocket for his phone before I can reply.
“No. I don’t feel unsafe, but I’ll be a nervous wreck the entire drive. I’ve never even sat in a car this nice before.”
“Layla…” He slides his phone back into his pocket and reaches for me. I go willingly because, in a short amount of time, I’ve learned that there is nothing better than being in his arms. “Life is about to change for you. You’re going to be making good money, enough to stand on your own. You’re going to be able to afford new shoes, and a new car if that’s what you want. Get used to this. This is your new normal.”
“It’s scary,” I admit. “I want that, but it feels like it’s a fantasy and not my life. I’ve never had financial security. I don’t even know what that looks like.”
“I’m right there to guide you. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Sure, until you get tired of my freak-outs.” I rest my head against his chest. “I’m sorry, this is just all new to me, and I’m having a hard time understanding how I got so lucky.”
“Hey.” He tilts my chin up with his index finger. “I’m the lucky one. Don’t ever forget that.” His lips press to my forehead, and I can feel my body relax into him. It’s as if I have zero control over the way I react to him, to his touch, or to his kisses.
“Fine,” I concede. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” I say, holding my hand out for the keys.
“It’s going to be fine. After, we can grab some lunch.”
“We just had breakfast,” I remind him. His eyes heat at the mention of breakfast. We did nothing more than steal a few kisses, yet it was intimate, and I loved every minute of it. If you had told me a year ago I’d enjoy spending time with a man who was bossy and liked to feed me, I would have told you that you’d lost your damn mind. Now, today, it’s not so bad. Not when it’s Owen.
“I’m a growing boy,” he says, rubbing his stomach and grinning.
There is nothing boy-ish about the man. “Uh-huh, let’s go,” I say, taking the offered keys from his hands, and climbing behind the wheel of his extremely expensive car.
* * *
“See that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Owen asks as we pull out of the lot of the car rental place.
“No, it wasn’t bad, but I white-knuckled it all the way here.” That’s not an exaggeration. My grip was so tight on the wheel my knuckles literally turned white.
He reaches over and takes my hand in his, bringing it to his lips. He takes his time placing a feather-soft kiss on each knuckle. “Thank you,” he says softly, not taking his eyes off of the road, and effectively melting me into a pile of longing.
“Now where to?” I ask him.
“I thought we could stop by Royce and Sawyer’s place to get the keys to the apartment.”
“Oh, okay,” I say, suddenly worried about meeting his family.
“What’s that about?”
“I just didn’t realize I’d be meeting them today. I’m a mess.” I motion at my body that’s covered in worn cutoff jean shorts and a tank top. The only new item I’m wearing that’s not a hand-me-down or purchased at a second-hand store are the flip-flops on my feet. They’re one of the pairs Owen bought me the day we went shopping.
“You’re perfect,” he assures me.
Biting down on my bottom lip, I try to push back the anxiety that’s threatening to take over. I’m meeting his brother and his brother’s fiancée. Am I just the new girl at Riggins Enterprises? Am I more? I don’t really know, and that causes my anxiety to spike. I know it’s crazy; he’s told me that this is more for him, but there is this constant worry that the other shoe is going to drop. It’s like Owen Riggins fell right out of the sky, and my life with him in it is better than I ever could have imagined. I’m scared I’m going to lose that.
“Lay, baby, what’s going on? Tell me what you’re thinking?” His soothing voice washes over me.
“Who are you going to tell them that I am? I mean, I don’t really know what we are, and I’m not sure if it’s just between us or if it’s more. I just… I don’t know, Owen. I’m not good at these kinds of situations. This is all new to me.” He surprises me when he signals and pulls the car over to the side of the road. I watch as he puts the car in Park and turns to face me, or as best as he can with his seat belt still intact.
“What this is between us is just that. It’s us. That means it’s just you and me. There is no other woman in my life and no other man in yours. However, that doesn’t mean that we’re hiding what we are to one another.”
“What are we? This is all crazy, Owen.”
“We’re dating. Seeing where things go.”
“But I work for you.”
“There are no rules against that. Trust me, Royce and Sawyer went through this, and he tried to use that as an excuse to push her away. I’m learning from my big brother’s mistakes. I don’t give a fuck who you work for, and I’m not letting you go.”
“So we tell them that we’re dating? Are they going to give you a hard time? We’ve only known each other a small amount of time.”
“No. Royce met Sawyer on a plane, and he knew then that she was it for him, but he fought it. I’m not fighting it. There are no rules or timelines we have to follow. We just have to do what’s best for us. What’s best for me, is you.” He leans in and presses his lips to mine. Just a soft, quick peck, but it does wonders at calming my nerves.
“Okay.”
“Just like that?” He grins.
“Yeah, I have no examples to go on here. My life wasn’t filled with dates or watching a healthy relationship. I’m learning as I go, and I trust you, Owen.”
“Good.” He gives me another kiss before turning in his seat and pulling back out on the road.
“Wow. Do all of you own huge houses?” I ask as we pull into Royce’s driveway.
He laughs. “Just me, Royce, and Grant. Conrad and Marshall, who are the youngest, still live in apartments. They actually live in the same building. It makes it nice when I have to pick their asses up after a night of drinking and drive them home. I only have to make one stop.”
“That’s nice of you.”
“They’re my brothers.”
He says it so simply, like there is no other option for him. I wish I knew what that felt like. I’ve never felt that kind of connection with anyone.
Ronnie and Linda are the closest I’ve come to having someone to depend on, and even then, I fought it. I didn’t want to get used to having them for the fear they might not stick around. That fear is there when it comes to Owen as well, but he doesn’t let me hide behind it. We talk about it, and he assures me he’s not going anywhere.
For the first time in my life, I’m trusting someone, leaning on them, depending on them to hold me up and catch me when I fall. I want more than anything for that person to always be Owen. No matter what happens between us, he will always have a piece of me for all the kindness he has shown me. Not just kindness, but he’s proved to me that there are good men out there. The kind who is happy to just hold you close as they lie in bed next to you. The kind that asks before taking, not just assume th
at the world is theirs.
Owen is my unicorn. I never thought I’d ever meet a man like him.
“You ready?” he asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“As I’ll ever be.”
He nods, and we both climb out of his car. His hand finds its way to the small of my back as he leads me up the steps of the porch and to the front door. Owen knocks, and the door swings open. Before me stands a man and a woman, both smiling wide. I recognize them from the video call.
“Glad to have you back, brother.” Royce leans in and gives Owen one of those man hugs. You know, it’s kind of a mix between a handshake and a slap on the back kind of thing. “You must be Layla,” he says, pulling back. He surprises me when he tugs me into a hug.
“Royce,” Owen says, his voice sounding very similar to a growl.
“Oh, boy, here we go,” Sawyer says, standing next to Royce. “We had enough of that with this guy.” She points to her fiancé. “Layla, I’m Sawyer. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Both of you. You have a beautiful home.”
“Come on in.” Sawyer reaches out and grabs my hand, pulling me inside. I trail along behind her as she leads us to the living room and takes a seat on the couch, offering for me to do the same. It’s not until I’m sitting that I notice she’s dressed just like me. Cutoff jean shorts and a tank top, and her feet are bare. “How was the drive up from Florida?” she asks.
“Not too bad. Owen drove the entire time. I offered to take a turn, but he refused.”
“Get used to that. If he’s anything like his older brother, he thinks he has to spoil you. Not that it’s a bad thing. It could be worse, but sometimes a girl just wants to drive herself to the damn mall,” she says, exasperated, making me laugh.
I nod. “I can definitely see that in Owen.”
“All five of them. I swear I don’t know how Lena and Stanley did it.”
“Their parents?” I ask.
“Sorry, yes, they are the sweetest people you will ever meet. How they raised five hoodlums is beyond me.” She winks, and there’s a twinkle in her eye telling me she’s kidding.
“Thank you for letting me rent your apartment. Are you sure you don’t mind?” I ask as the guys join us.
“Not at all. This one—” She points at Royce, who plops down on the couch next to her, throwing his arm over her shoulders. “—has been bugging me to break my lease for months. There are three months to go, and you’re welcome to let it go or stay once that time frame is up.”
“There is a slight delay,” Royce speaks up. “I called the cleaners to come in and have the carpets cleaned, and they’re doing that this weekend, so you won’t be able to move in until Monday.”
“Oh, I can just go to a hotel or something until then.”
“The hell. You can stay with me,” Owen pipes up. “Just like you did last night. You know I have the space.”
Something passes in his eyes that I can’t explain. He glances at Royce and quickly pulls his gaze back to me. “Thank you, Owen.”
“Why would you even suggest a hotel?” he asks, not caring that we have an audience.
“I didn’t want to assume or overstay my welcome.” I look down at my hands where I’m wringing them together in my lap.
“Layla.” The deep timbre of his voice has me lifting my head to face him. “You are welcome in my home. If it was up to me, you’d be staying with me. You know that. What’s this about?”
“I know you said that, but this is so overwhelming and new. I wanted you to have the opportunity to back out if you wanted to.” My voice is small, mindful of Royce and Sawyer being witness to our conversation. I can feel the heat of the embarrassment coat my cheeks.
“He’s not backing out,” Royce chimes in.
“Layla, you’re welcome to stay here if you’d rather not stay with Owen,” Sawyer offers.
“No. It’s not that I don’t want to.” I blow out a breath. “I grew up… not like this,” I confess. “This is a life that I’m not used to. My mother was only that because she gave birth to me. She had a revolving door of men, and the job, the move, I’ve been on my own for so long that this is hard to grasp.”
Owen pulls me into his chest as Royce moves to the edge of his seat, resting his elbows on his knees. His eyes bore into mine. “Welcome home, Layla,” he says softly.
I blink hard, fighting back the hot tears that threaten to fall. “I’ve never really felt like I had a home.” I realize as the words leave my mouth that it’s true. Sure, I had a shitty apartment back in Florida, but it was never a home. It was a warm, dry place to lay my head at night. There was nothing “homey” about it.
“I’m starving. Layla, you want to help me get the salad ready in the kitchen while the boys grill us some steak?” Sawyer cutting through the tension has me sighing in relief, thankful for the change in topic.
I nod. “I’d love to help.” Just like that, they’ve accepted me for who I am. We spend the rest of the day just hanging out and talking, getting to know one another. I see a lot of similarities between Royce and Owen. Their mannerisms, and the way that they are with Sawyer and me. Owen treats me like Royce treats Sawyer, and I know just by watching them together how in love they are.
I can’t help but wonder if Owen and I will get there. If I’m being honest with myself, I’m already falling hard. I’m scared as hell, but I’m not going to fight it. With life comes heartbreak; I know that better than anyone. I also know that sometimes you have to take a risk if you want the reward. That reward is Owen, and he’s worth all the risks.
Chapter 13
Owen
When the light of a new day begins to shine through the window, I realize I’ve lain awake all night. I was able to convince Layla to sleep in my bed again, promising her I just needed her close. I pulled her body into mine, and minutes later, she was sound asleep. Another night with her in my arms was exactly what I needed, but I couldn’t seem to turn my mind off. This is where she belongs, here with me. Not just in Tennessee but in my bed. In my arms. I ran through hundreds of different scenarios to keep her here permanently.
“Why are you watching me?” she asks, her voice gravelly from sleep.
“You’re beautiful.” A light shade of pink coats her cheeks at my compliment. “I’ve slept alone for thirty years. Never craved the warmth of a woman in my arms until you.”
She blinks a few times and tilts her head up to look at me. “You’ve never slept next to someone?”
“Unless you count my brothers when we were younger and would go camping out at the lake, no.”
“How is that possible?”
“Never wanted to until now.”
“You don’t have to lie to me, Owen. I’m a big girl. I can take it.”
I wrap my arms around her and pull her into my chest. I want her as close to me as possible. Always. “I’m telling you the truth. I’ve never been serious about anyone. I’ve never had a girlfriend. All of my experiences have been casual and never overnight.”
“What? You bring your dates here, and then kick them out of your bed?” She grimaces as she asks the question. No one wants to talk about this shit—especially not me when the woman of my dreams is in my arms.
“They don’t come here. We go to their place or a hotel, never here. This is my home.”
“A hotel? That’s such a waste of money,” she says.
“That’s all you got from that confession?” I ask with a smile. “I can afford it. Besides, those days are done.”
“Done?” I can hear the hope in her voice.
“Why would I need them when I have you?” Her mouth forms the perfect O, showing her surprise. “You’re the only one I see, Layla.”
“I guess we should move me into Sawyer’s place today. I didn’t realize that I was breaking a rule,” she says, pulling out of my arms. At least she tries to.
“Hey,” I say, pulling her back into me. “What are you talking about?”
“No one stays here, and I’ve done it now two nights in a row, and you didn’t even get a happy ending,” she says, her frustration showing in her voice.
“Layla, you’re not listening to me. I wanted you here. I want you here in my bed next to me. I want to sleep beside you every night and wake up to you every morning. You’re the exception.”
“I shouldn’t have come,” she says, once again, trying to pull out of my hold.
“You are exactly where you should be. Where I want you to be. Where is all of this coming from?”
“I moved to a state where I literally know no one, and he tells me that he doesn’t have serious relationships. I thought we might have more. I hoped that we would be, but now you tell me this. I need to go.” She tries to move away, and I do the only thing I can think of to stop her.
I kiss her.
My hand slides behind her neck, holding her lips to mine as I trace them with my tongue. She opens for me, and my tongue moves against hers. I kiss her until we’re both starving for breath. Only then do I pull away.
“I want you to be mine, Layla.” She opens her mouth, but I stop her. “Before you say I don’t own you, I know that. I don’t want to control you, but I want you in my life. I want you to be the one I call after I’ve had a shitty day and the first one I celebrate with when I’ve had a good one.”
“That’s what girlfriends are for, Owen.” She sighs.
“Beautiful, Layla.” I lean in and kiss her cheek, my lips trailing to her ear. “Will you be my girlfriend?” I whisper—five words I’ve never said in the same sequence before in my life. My heart is pounding as I wait for her to answer me.
“Owen,” she breathes.
“Only you, Layla. I want you here with me. I don’t want you to go to Sawyer’s apartment. I want you to live here with me. I want you in my bed every night.”
“H-How can you say that? Are you doing this for sex? Because I’m warning you, I might be bad at it.”
I might be bad at it. Her words repeat over and over in my mind. Does that mean? No, she can’t be. Can she?
