“Go home,” he said gruffly.
“No.” She stood her ground.
He closed his eyes, so she made her move, getting close to him again. She touched his neck and slid her hand up to his hair. His eyes reopened on a growl. Knocking her hand away, he thrust both of his hands into her hair to hold her head. He kissed her hard then. They came together in a mashing of lips and teeth and tongues. He tightened his hold on her hair as his mouth moved down, and he bit the juncture where her shoulder and neck met.
Her nerves were on fire. This was the passionate Owen she remembered from their one night years ago. She hadn’t even realized this version of him had been missing. While they’d been having great sex, this was off the charts. This was Owen open and raw. He didn’t like anyone to see him this way.
She tugged at the button of his jeans and reached inside to stroke him. He grabbed her hand and pinned it behind her back. Okay then. He wants to run this show. She let him. He let go of her hair and her wrist to step away. The size of his pupils made his eyes nearly black.
“Ready to leave now?”
“Hell no,” she answered. She yanked her shirt over her head and tossed it to the floor. “I said you don’t scare me.”
“I should.”
“Never.” She slid her pants down and stepped out of them. “If this is what you need to feel better, I’m here.”
He closed his eyes again. She moved to her knees, pulled his jeans down, taking his underwear with them. She licked him from base to tip, swirled her tongue around the head, and then took him fully into her mouth. His groan sounded like a cross between frustration and relief.
She became wet as he once again grabbed her head to guide the motion and pace he wanted. He fucked her mouth, and she moved one hand inside her panties to find her own release. When she moaned with his dick in her mouth, he suddenly reared back and picked her up off the floor.
He thrust his hand into her underwear and stroked her roughly, sending a tremor through her body. “Is this what you want?”
“God, yes.” She braced her hands on his shoulders as he pressed two fingers into her.
Then he removed his hand, almost causing her to topple. “Take them off.”
She pushed her underwear down while watching him. He licked his fingers. She undid her bra and tossed it. Her nipples were so hard, they hurt.
“Get on the bed.”
She did as she was told, lying back, but propping herself up on her elbows. He kicked off the rest of his clothes. Then, without warning, he grabbed her ankles and slid her to the edge of the bed. He hit his knees and buried his face between her legs. The first stiff contact of his tongue against her clit had her body bowing over the bed.
An arm came down across her hips and pinned her to the mattress. The first orgasm ripped through her quickly. Her thighs trembled around his head as she tried to move. His grip was too tight, so she fisted the blanket and dug her heels into his back.
His tongue slowed, and he kissed her inner thigh. Evelyn swallowed and concentrated on slowing her breathing.
“How many times?” he asked gruffly.
“What?”
“How many times can you come?”
“I don’t know.”
“Tonight we’re gonna find out.”
“Owen.” She struggled to push up on her elbows again. “I want to take care of you.”
“You said you’d give me whatever I want.” He bit her inner thigh. “I want this.” He slid two fingers in her again and began a slow, torturous thrust.
His tongue danced all over her without touching her clit. Her whole body became riled up with need. She was on the brink of another orgasm when he pulled back. She forced her eyes open, but before she could attempt to move, he shoved her whole body farther up the bed. She heard the condom wrapper, and then he was over her and inside her.
He was licking and sucking her stiff nipples. She cried out in pleasure-pain. Her hands held his head as he moved from one nipple to the other while slowly thrusting, causing every nerve ending to feel his full length. New sensations assaulted her as she was close to coming but not quite there. She wrapped her legs around his hips in an effort to keep him close. She raised her hips to meet his thrusts. Anything to seek relief.
He took the hint and rose up. He spread her legs wide and began to piston into her. He moved so fast, her entire body jostled and jiggled. He felt so good, but the frustration built to a peak. She slid a hand down to where they were joined. She wanted to come while he was inside her. She managed to barely bump her clit before he grabbed both her wrists and stretched them out over her head.
With one hand he pinned her there. His other hand reached under her and lifted her ass just a bit.
“Please, Owen. I’m close.”
He lowered his mouth to her ear, bit the lobe gently. “This is about me, remember?”
She wanted to cry. Her entire being was like a taut wire ready to snap. He just kept strumming and plucking her, though, keeping her orgasm out of reach.
He pulled completely out of her, and a new kind of frustration struck. She felt empty. He tapped her hip. “Roll over.”
Her muscles were heavy and slow, but she pushed herself over, rising up on her knees to press her ass against him. He slid home again, refilling her. She moaned into the pillow and grabbed the bars of his iron headboard.
He picked up the pace again. Sounds of flesh slapping mixed with his guttural moans. Then he curled his whole body around hers. One hand pinched a nipple while the other pinched her clit.
She was gone. She screamed and cried out. Her muscles trembled as her pussy gripped him and pulled him deeper. The lights behind her closed lids blinded her. She was vaguely aware of him pumping away into her and his teeth sinking into the back of her shoulder. But she was no longer in control of anything. As if she ever had been.
At some point, he released her, and she collapsed. Her heart thundered and blood rushed so loud that she wasn’t even sure if she was still conscious. She closed her eyes and just let her body relax.
…
Owen stumbled off the bed. What have I done? Fuck.
He ripped the condom from his sensitive flesh. Staring at Evelyn’s sweat-slicked back, he struggled to control his breathing.
She rolled over, her eyes barely open. He scanned her body again, taking note of the marks he’d left. “Fuck. I’m so sorry.”
“For what?” she asked, her voice craggy like she had just woken up.
“Everything.” He backed away.
“Come here.” She waved at him and then patted the mattress beside her.
He didn’t move.
“You’re really going to make me move right now?” She huffed. She rolled halfway to the side and pushed herself to sitting. She reached out and took his hand. Tugging, she said again, “Come here.”
“I’ve done enough.”
“Says who?” she said with a wink.
She wasn’t angry or scared? He sank to his knees in front of her at the edge of the bed. He kissed her softly. “You shouldn’t have let me.”
She stroked his head and laughed. “Why the hell not? That was the hottest sex I’ve ever had. You’ve been holding out on me.”
“How could you say you enjoyed that?” He touched the bite marks on her shoulder, the hickey on her breast.
Cradling his jaw, she forced him to look at her. She stared him in the eye for a few heartbeats before speaking. “I will never be afraid of you. You didn’t hurt me. Not really. These marks? They just show that you wanted—needed—me so badly you finally lost control. It’s okay to let go with me.”
“You deserve better.”
“You always take care of me. There’s nothing wrong with what happened in this bed, Owen. If I’d wanted you to stop, I would’ve told you, and you would have.” She kissed him gently.
He wanted to believe her. He wanted to believe she not only wasn’t bothered by the hard fucking that they’d done, but she’d enjoyed it.
“Even if you hadn’t just rocked my world with the most amazing orgasms, it would’ve been fine. It’s okay to take what you need sometimes.”
He pulled her hand away from his face. “It wasn’t okay with Stacy. She got mad at me for leaving marks. Said she preferred me being gentle.”
“I’m not Stacy. I love when you’re gentle and you treat me like your whole world depends on my happiness and pleasure. But you get to have that feeling, too. However you need to get there.” Stroking his jaw again, she added, “I love you.”
He studied her face. He knew when she was lying, but now she spoke the truth, and it was such a relief to him. She’d seen every part of him and she still wanted him, loved him. A lump settled in his throat, threatening to cut off his oxygen.
She poked his shoulder. “Now move your ass. I need a shower.”
When she stood, he placed light, gentle kisses up her body and then pulled her into a hug. “I love you, too.”
They walked to the bathroom together. “Are you ready to talk?”
“No.”
“I won’t freak out. I know your job is dangerous, but I trust you to do everything you can to make it back to me.”
She made it easy to want to open up, to let her all the way in. “Did you watch the whole news report?”
“Yeah.”
She started the shower. “You coming in?”
He shook his head. “As much as I’d like to, it’s probably better if I don’t. I’ll wash up out here.”
“Too bad. I really like it when you get all forceful and take me from behind.” She let out a long sigh as she stepped under the water. “Even though I’m in here, I’m still good at listening. You haven’t said anything about the fire. I saw the news. I know two kids died.”
He took a deep breath and washed up at the sink. Staring down at the running water, he said, “The apartment fire was stubborn. Faulty wiring and too few smoke detectors. We had so many people to evacuate.” He swallowed past the rock in his throat, thinking about the young mother who had been screaming from the curb. “By the time we found them, they weren’t breathing. Covered in soot. They were so little.”
He closed his eyes against the images of the tiny bodies. His heart crashed in his chest and climbed toward his throat, strangling him. Behind him, the water turned off. He left the room before Evelyn could see what a mess he was.
Unfortunately, she knew him well. She followed, still dripping from her shower. Back in the bedroom, he’d stepped into a pair of underwear and kept his back to her as he gulped air.
She touched his back again in gentle caresses. “What can I do?”
Nothing. No one could do anything. There was no bringing those kids back.
When he didn’t turn around, she stepped in front of him. She stroked his jaw and then pulled him close in a tight hug. Burying his face in her neck was a comfort. Emotions rushed out and tears that he hated fell.
Evelyn said nothing. She held him, let him feel in a way he hadn’t with another person in years. The anger of not being able to save those kids, the frustration of not being in control, clawed at him. He hated feeling weak.
Everything he kept inside poured from him and she took it, offering comfort in return. With Evelyn, he didn’t have to be strong. She allowed him to be vulnerable, which was scarier than any fire he’d ever faced. He’d thought fucking his way through the adrenaline would be enough. He’d convinced himself it was.
Evelyn knew better. She knew him too well. Her pushy nature brought out every ugly, undesirable emotion he had.
But in her arms, he could handle them. Letting them out freed so much in him.
After a few minutes, he was able to breathe easily again, and he stepped away. “I hate that you have the ability to do that to me.”
“What?” she whispered.
“Make me fall apart.”
She shook her head. “Everyone needs to fall apart sometimes. It’s important to have someone who can help put you back together.”
They stared at each other, and an entire wordless conversation passed between them. I’m here for you. I know. I love you. You mean everything to me. No one could ever be for him what Evelyn was.
She smiled as if content with the silent dialogue and said aloud, “I have dinner in the kitchen and a movie picked out if you’re up for it.”
He returned her smile and surprised himself by saying, “Sure.” He was ready for dinner and a movie. Hanging out with his best friend, the woman he loved.
“You go set up the food while I get dressed.”
By the time she joined him in the living room, he had dinner on the table. She crawled onto the cushion next to him.
“You okay?”
“I’m gonna be sore tomorrow, but it’s going to be the best kind of sore. Way better than overdoing it on the treadmill.”
He laughed. “At least I’m better than a piece of exercise equipment.”
“So much better,” she said, snuggling close. “Every time I move tomorrow, I’m going to be thinking of you and how long I’ll have to wait to get back to bed with you.”
Owen smiled. “Any time you want me.”
She handed him the remote. He put his arm around her. He was pretty sure he’d found the perfect woman.
…
Owen pulled into the parking lot of the building that Evelyn said was the TV studio, but it looked like any other brick warehouse in the South Loop. He texted to let her know he was there, and she said to come straight in. He hadn’t seen her as happy as this in years, maybe ever, even with all the crazy extra hours she had been putting in. So when she’d talked about setting up and running through practice interviews, he had to ask if he could stop by. He wanted to see her in action.
She greeted him at the door and guided him through a maze of hallways to the set. People turned to stare at him as he followed her, but she didn’t stop. When they reached the control room, she said, “This is where it all happens.”
He looked through the glass and pointed. “Technically, it happens out there, doesn’t it?”
“Smart-ass. Without us, nothing good would happen out there.”
A woman at the control board snickered.
Evelyn put a hand on the woman’s shoulder. “Hailey, this is my boyfriend, Owen. He wanted to see where I work.”
Hailey spun in her chair and stuck out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“And this is Rashid,” she said, pointing to the man sitting beside Hailey. “Alaina is usually in here, too, but she’s sick.”
Owen waved. “Nice to meet you.”
The man nodded.
After scooping her hair into a ponytail, Evelyn slipped a headset on. Owen moved to the corner of the room and leaned against the wall.
She spoke into her headset. “Ready, Marilyn?”
On set, Marilyn gave her a thumbs-up.
Evelyn pressed a button and said, “Okay, Danny. Do your thing.”
“Who’s Danny?” he asked from his post at the wall.
Covering her mic, she answered, “My new director. I want to see how he runs things.”
Owen crossed his arms and watched. It was weird to see this side of things. He’d visited Evelyn on the set of Trent Talks, but she’d put him in the audience and then back in her office when the show was done. She’d never brought him into her space like this before. It really was like watching magic, seeing all the moving parts you’re completely unaware of when you watch TV.
After a few minutes, Evelyn said, “Danny, have camera two pan right.”
Everyone followed directions, but Evelyn was shaking her head. With her hand over the mic again, she tapped Hailey’s shoulder. “Was he this off his game yesterday?”
Hailey nodded.
“Fuck,” Evelyn mumbled.
Owen smiled at hearing that she really did drop f-bombs at work. He tried to see what they saw, his attention flipping from the set through the glass to how it appeared on the monitors overhead. It lo
oked like a talk show. A break on set sent people in motion again, moving furniture and refilling glasses of water. Evelyn stiffened and then smiled.
Into her headset, she said, “Yes.” She slid a glance to him. “I’d like to know who said that.” Then a chuckle. “I’ll ask.”
She turned to him. “People down on the set, specifically Marilyn, want you to come down and play on camera. She wants to interview you.”
Owen shook his head. “I don’t want to be on TV.”
She stepped closer and lightly touched his hip. “Come on. It’ll be fun. We’re not actually airing this.”
Before he had the chance to answer, she spoke into her headset again. “Send Gail up to take him to makeup and then to set.”
“Makeup? If this isn’t being aired, why the hell do I need makeup?”
“This is dress rehearsal. Everything has to be as it should.” She took his arm and turned him back to the hallway. “Trust me,” she whispered.
He did trust her, but this was all a little too suspicious. A moment later, Gail, a young woman who looked barely out of high school, smiled up at him and said, “This way.”
Then there was a blur of activity around him. People put muck all over his face and before he knew it, he was being pushed into a chair beside Marilyn.
He reached across to shake her hand. “It’s good to see you again.”
“I’m so glad you’re here. Maybe when we wrap, we can talk for a bit about some ideas I have for your youth center.”
If pretending to be important enough to be on TV would get the center a top-notch fund-raiser, he’d sit there and be interviewed. The lights were sweltering, so he thought the makeup might melt off his face. Some guy neared, adjusted his mic, and then another asked, “Are we ready?”
Owen assumed he was Danny, since he stood near the cameras and began pointing.
“And we’re back,” Marilyn said. “Joining me now is Owen Hanson, one of Chicago’s own firefighters.”
He smiled and nodded.
“How long have you been a firefighter, Owen?”
“Almost twenty-two years.”
“No other career for you before that?”
“Not unless you count slinging burgers as a teenager. All I ever wanted was to be a firefighter.” If all she kept asking about was his job, this would be simple.
My Forever Plus-One Page 16
