Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“No, I’m not his wife.” I tell him the truth.
I do notice how the idea of being married to Owen doesn't scare me. Not even a little. It’s the first time I've ever thought about being married and not felt utter dread over it. How wonderful would it be if I could just marry Owen and stay on this side of the wall.
Owen grunts before handing the little boy his bag. They all take off running out of the building and Owen’s arm drops from around me. He heads towards the door, locking it behind the kids. He turns and leans up against it with his eyes on me. Like always, my body responds to his stare. It’s too intimate, as if he can see through my clothes.
These feelings are so foreign to me. I’ve never been drawn to a man before. It’s crazy and exciting as all these things wake up inside me. It’s even crazier that Owen is the one making them happen. I want to explore all that I feel with him, then wonder if he’s ever been with a woman before. What if he already has a woman? That would be impossible. I would have seen her by now. Right? He would have mentioned her. I can’t see him sharing a bed with me if he had someone in his life. But my mind produces doubt when I think about the fact that there’s nowhere else to sleep.
I glance away from him as jealousy and hurt flow through me. That boy asked if I was his wife. He must think he has one. It must be why Owen hasn’t kissed me or tried to make a move on me. I’m starting to wonder. I’ve given him a few opportunities for something a little more—leaning into him a couple of times and tilting my head back. Nothing. He always turns and walks away, stomping in anger.
Maybe he’s angry because he’s married and I’m inviting something that isn’t welcome. Embarrassment floods me, along with a feeling of loss. The loneliness that was slipping away over the past few days starts rising again. I turn, giving Owen my back so he can’t see the tears in my eyes. I don’t know why I feel betrayed, but I do. The hurt is bone deep.
I feel his body heat behind me and I’m startled. For a big man I don’t know how he moves so easily without making a sound. He turns me in his arms and I look up into his eyes as a tear slips free. His face looks pained.
Then his mouth is on mine.
Chapter Five
Owen
Her tear-filled eyes are my undoing. I can’t stand seeing the pain there. I crush my mouth down onto hers, wanting to comfort her but also needing to get myself under control. I push my tongue past her full, soft lips, needing to taste her sweetness.
I groan into her mouth as her soft tongue touches mine. Her kiss is unsure and delicate just like her. I pull her little body into mine and her softness melts into me. Her hand wraps around my neck and I lift her, not breaking my mouth from hers. Her legs wrap around my waist as I carry her back to our bedroom, laying her down onto the bed.
It takes everything in me to pull my mouth away from hers. I look down at her and her hair’s spread out on my pillow, her mouth swollen from my dominance.
“Seen a lot of shitty things in my life. But seeing you with tears in your eyes could be the worst,” I admit. My voice is gruff. She gives me a little smile, but I want more. “Tell me why you cry.” I lean down and kiss where one tear escaped, wanting to ease her pain.
She’s hesitates for a moment as if she’s scared to say whatever has upset her. “Are you married?” she blurts out in a rush. Pink tints her round cheeks.
I bark out a laugh. “No, princess, I’m not married.” Not yet at least. But we’ll get there soon enough. My little Minnie thinks she’s getting married to someone on the other side of the wall. The thought would be laughable if it didn’t piss me off so fucking much. The thought of her belonging to someone else makes anger like I’ve never felt burn me from the inside out. She was born to be mine as I was born to be hers.
I watch relief flood her features. “You were sad because you thought I belonged to another?” I ask her. My heart starts to pound. I’ve been waiting for a sign that she might remember who I am or even show me that she has interest in me. I’ve been holding back. It’s been driving me crazy. Having her so close that I can touch and smell her but being unable to take it further. I wanted her to get used to me. I know my size can be scary. Fuck, the need I have for her scares even myself at time. She glances away from my face. I put all my weight on one hand, using my other to take her chin and turn her to look back at me.