Page 49 of The Reality of Us
He tasted like spicy pepperoni and fruity wine. She wanted to feast on him. Their tongues moved against each other, his other hand gripping her hip, pulling her across his lap so she was straddling him.
“Okay?” he asked, the gravel in his voice making her thighs clench.
The movement made him groan, the sound vibrating against her chest and sending a bolt of heat right through her. Her hand slid through the hair curled at the nape of his neck.
She answered his question with another kiss, his hands kneading her ass as he shifted underneath her. Oh, God. He was hard. Hard for her. Alice was dizzy with desire. They broke apart when breathing became difficult, and Alice dropped her head to his shoulder. She bet he was like this in bed. Dominant but caring. Rough but tender. He’d make her beg for more, even when she was about to shatter into a million pieces.
Slowly she came back to her senses. The fountain bubbled. Leaves rustled. Owen’s breathing slowed; his hands clasped possessively on the small of her back.
The hotel lights flicked off, leaving them with nothing but moonlight and the soft glow from the fountain.
She was trying to figure out what to say when Murphy jumped up, barking, surprising them both.
“Probably a possum,” Owen murmured, his breath warm against her neck.
Alice reached for Murphy, and Owen’s grip loosened, his hands falling slack to his side and the moment was broken. Murphy turned around briefly, his nose twitching, tail swishing against her leg.
“We should get out of here,” Owen said after clearing his throat.
“Oh, yeah, of course.” She stood, her body immediately missing his. She stumbled a little, fixing her jumper so it wasn’t twisted around her body. A secret thrill raced through her when Owen discreetly adjusted his pants.
“Shall we?” He nodded towards his office and her apartment.
“Sure.” Alice sucked on her bottom lip as they walked the short distance. It still smarted from his kisses. The security lights in the driveway were on, a few bugs lazily buzzing around. The tow truck was gone, and Phoenix’s car was on its way to being impounded.
Damn it. That would’ve been the perfect excuse for asking him in. Asking for more of those kisses.
Owen’s words from earlier floated to the front of her mind. She was in charge of her own life. She could ask for what she wanted.
And she wanted him.
The words were on the tip of her tongue when Owen stopped suddenly, two steps from the landing. Alice looked up, her stomach falling to the ground below the stairs. Frustration was etched across his face.
“I don’t think I can be your lawyer anymore.”
18
Owen had barely finished speaking when Alice snatched Murphy’s lead, her mouth clamping shut.
Shit. He should’ve pressed her up against the wall, kissed her like he wanted to and dealt with the consequences later. She tasted as sweet as he’d always imagined she would.
“It wouldn’t be right.” The words felt woolly in his mouth, and he had to force them out.
Alice stiffened, stepping past him, her face hidden by a curtain of golden reddish hair. Her shoulders shook, and a bolt of panic almost split Owen in two. Oh, fuck. He’d made her cry. Now he wouldn’t only feel terrible because his balls were a shade of blue so dark, they were practically black, but because of the ache in his chest as well.
The universe was such a bitch. Here was the first woman he was interested in—actually interested in—in for-fucking-ever and she was the one he couldn’t have.
Alice pushed her hair behind her ear, and Owen almost fell backwards down the stairs.
She was smiling.
The edges were a little frayed, her eyes a touch too watery for his liking, but her full, kiss-swollen lips curled upwards. Honestly. He’d never, ever understand women.
“Because we … the kissing?” She pointed towards the park, failing miserably to keep the amusement out of her voice.
Owen jammed his hands into his pockets and bit the inside of his cheek. “I’ve got a personal policy against getting involved with clients.”
Her eyes flashed, eyebrows disappearing behind her new fringe, which was a real achievement considering most of the strands of hair were sticking straight up after their make-out session. “You don’t want to …”
