Page 59 of Guarded Secrets
He collapsed on top of her, breathing heavily. When he eventually rolled over, she put an arm over her eyes to hide the rawness of her emotions.
She realized he’d been right when he’d said he’d hurt her. Because while for him their being together was temporary, she felt like she’d absorbed him into her soul. He was a part of her now in a way she wasn’t entirely comfortable with.
She heard the swish of a tissue being pulled from the box beside her bed and guessed he was taking care of the condom. Then hescooped her up, holding her with casual strength as he pulled down the bedding and deposited her on the sheet.
He joined her, pulling her into his arms. “We’ll figure this out, princess,” he murmured in her ear as he held her close.
She had a fleeting thought she should practice some self-preservation and sleep on the couch, but instead drifted to sleep in the arms of the man she was worried she’d fallen in love with.
***
Owen woke the next morning and immediately realized he was in deep shit. Much like the first morning he’d woken up in her bed, Keeley was sound asleep, spooned into him, her sweet ass nestled against his groin. He wanted her. Bad.
They’d fallen asleep naked and at some point during the night had woken cuddled together much as they were now.
Her rubbing against him had been enough to set him off. It’d felt like an explosion of nuclear proportions because, good god, the heat, passion, whatever you called it, had consumed them.
Warm skin, lush lips, and a woman he couldn’t get enough of had nearly resulted in him going in bare. It’d been a close call.
Keeley’d been astride and about to take him inside before his brain had engaged and he’d grabbed a condom.
There was no excuse for that lack of control. Even with that thought in his head, he took a moment to absorb the feeling of absolute contentment he experienced with Keeley sleeping securely in his arms after making love into the night.
He breathed deep, filling his lungs with the scent of her, then loosened his hold. He had to take a step back before it was too late.
Last night he’d reached a tipping point. All he could think about was having her. He’d wanted Keeley so badly he’d rationalized giving in to the temptation. It’d be only once. He’d made sure she understood he couldn’t give her anything more. She agreed this was what they both wanted.
But nothing about what they’d experienced together felt like a one-time thing. It’d felt like he’d let her past every defense he possessed, and she’d taken hold of his heart and could rip it out of his chest if she chose to.
Carefully, he eased away. Luckily, she slept like the dead and he managed to disentangle himself and roll out of bed without waking her.
After using the bathroom, he dressed, then made his way to the kitchen. With the coffeemaker doing its thing, he ate a banana.
He found a notepad and a pen and scratched out a note, placing it by the coffeemaker. He filled a mug and let himself out through the sliding door to the patio.
The sky overhead was the deep blue he’d only ever seen in the mountains. With his eyes closed, he tipped his face back to feel the warmth of the sun on his face.
The squawk of a Steller’s jay had him opening his eyes to spy the bird perched on the top of the patio umbrella. Owen moved around the table, straightening the chairs. There were a couple shards of pottery that’d been missed while cleaning in the dark, but otherwise there wasn’t anything to indicate an asshole with a screw loose had been outside the window terrorizing Keeley only hours before.
Sawyer had texted to say Romero wasn’t talking and there was no new information. Sipping his coffee, Owen made his way across the courtyard to the house where he climbed onto the deck and rapped lightly on the kitchen door. It was early, but Bruce would be up, and if Bruce was up, Abby was up.
Abby opened the door, stepping aside when she saw him. “Come in, Owen. I saw your SUV so I made enough breakfast for everybody. How’s my girl?”
“Still sleeping.”
Bundled in a thick brown sweater, Bruce sat at the table working a puzzle, its pieces contained on a tray. Owen knew it was part of his therapy.
Bacon sizzled in a pan on the range. Owen set down his mug and swiped a piece of bacon already draining on a plate as he leaned back against the counter.
He knew how things looked. Abby wasn’t dumb, and she’d know his Bronco parked in front of Keeley’s garage meant they’d likely slept together. He’d rather address the truth head on than tiptoeing around it.
“Keeley and I are involved.”
Abby’s smile brightened like a sunbeam, much like her daughter’s often did. “Oh Owen. I’m so glad. You must know I’ve wanted to see you two together for a long time. You complement each other so well. You’ll be good for each other.”
Bruce spoke from the table, “Who? Who’s good for each other?”
“Owen and Keeley, honey. Don’t you think they make a good couple?”
