Leena ran back in for her jacket then out the front door. She couldn’t focus this morning because she was too excited. She was not as excited about the fair as she was about spending the day with Owen, she hadn’t seen him since Sunday, except at the short Wednesday night meeting. He was knee-deep in his writing, and she was determined to settle for phone calls and text messages when he took a break.
She was almost to the Jeep when he stepped out. She jumped into his arms and devoured his mouth, showing him how much she’d missed him and how happy she was to see him.
Turning his back to the audience in the Jeep, he buried his hands in her hair and held her still so he could taste her deeply. Gasping, he hugged her to him. “I feel missed.”
“You are.” She squeezed him harder against her.
“You’re not mad at me for ignoring you all week?”
Leena shook her head and ran her tongue over his bottom lip. “Are you going to ignore me tonight?” Her eyes sparkled with suggestion.
“Not a chance” He lowered his mouth to hers again.
“As heart-warming as this reunion is, we’re going to be late.”
“Oh!” Leena pulled back and looked in the Jeep to see Chris and Kasey in the backseat grinning at her. “I didn’t realize we weren’t alone.” She smacked Owen on the arm before she walked around to the passenger side.
“I almost forgot myself for a minute.” Owen grinned at her.
When they arrived at the fair site, right on the bumper of Dade’s van, everyone hopped out. Owen walked around the front of the Jeep and saw Cora smack Dade and then stomp away.
He sauntered over. “You won, barely; you’d think she’d be happier.”
Steven walked around the van and grinned. “She wasn’t at all happy with our little race and wouldn’t listen when I told her you weren’t over the limit by much."
Leena stopped Dade with a look. “Is she all right?”
Dade shrugged. “She was jumpy as hell when Doc and I got to her place this morning. I just thought she wasn’t pleased with the time of day.” He looked to where she had gone. He didn’t get one step before Leena had put her hand on his arm.
“I’ll go talk to her, Dade.” Leena gave Owen a kiss and walked away.
Dade scowled at Owen. “I need coffee.” Steven handed him a Thermos as he walked past. Dade opened it, then closed it again and handed it to Owen. “Shit. I better go make peace.” Then he headed over to where the women stood.
Owen followed in case they needed a referee.
When they reached her, Cora was rubbing her hands up and down her arms. “I just feel really off today, Lee. I don’t know why.” She glanced up as they walked over.
“Coralee, honey?” Dade stopped in front of her with his hands in his pocket. “I’m sorry, if it bothered you, I should have taken that into consideration and slowed down.” He looked down at the ground.
Rachel stepped beside him. “Dade...”
“It’s all right, Rach.” Cora took a deep breath. “I’m really feeling off today; I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”
Dade’s head jerked up. “What do you mean off?” Dade glanced at Owen with a knowing look on his face.
She shrugged, “I don’t know. After I woke up this morning, as I was meditating, it just hit me, and I haven’t been able to shake it.”
Owen cleared his throat. “Wait, like at Beltane when it hit you?”
Everyone stopped and looked at him then Cora.
Cora shook her head. “No. No, not like that.” She sighed. “It’s just an off day, I guess.” She grinned at Owen when he placed his hand on her shoulder, causing Dade to scowl. “Owen, thanks for the thought, but you can’t be walking around rubbing one of us every time we’re moody or have PMS.”
Owen grinned and stepped closer, his palm held out in front of her stomach. “I’m willing to try...”
Dade smacked his hand down. “Back off.”
Owen chuckled and turned to Leena and placed his hand on her stomach. “Are you feeling okay, baby? You need me to rub my hands on you?”
Leena blushed and buried her face in his shoulder. “Ass.” Her voice was muffled against him laughing softly.
Steven shook his head. “Okay, folks, now that the clown show is over, I really need to show you all where you should be.”
Four hours later, Leena wasn’t sure if she ever wanted to see another milk bottle or softball again. She counted the minutes until it was her break time.
“Just ask the pretty lady for a ball, and I’ll help you.”
Looking across the stand to see Owen squatting down beside a shy little blond boy, she stepped forward and smiled. “Do you have your ticket, sir?” she asked him. The boy shook his head then held up his hand quickly after Owen pushed a few tickets into his palm. She took the tickets from his hand and gave him a ball.
Leena stood back to watch Owen help the little boy aim. He was more or less throwing the ball for the child. When the milk bottles were knocked down, the little boy jumped up and wrapped his arms around Owen to hug him. Before the tears she felt inside her reached the outside, she clapped. “That’s the best throw today. For that,” she turned and pulled down the biggest stuffed dog she could reach, “you get the special prize.”
She watched as the little boy walked away holding Owen’s hand. The stuffed dog was actually bigger than the child.
When Owen sauntered back a few minutes later, he nodded to the teen climbing over the stand wall. “It’s your break time, pretty lady.” He lifted over the wall and tucked her under his arm. “How are you holding out?”
Leena laughed. “Who knew kids were this tiring, well, this many of them. They never seem to slow down.” She motioned toward Rachel, who was leading a group of them to a ride. “I think she’s the only adult here that can outlast them.” Her eyes followed the sound of cheering, and she spotted Steven in the middle egging the cheers on. “Well, except him.”
As Leena walked slowly past the ticket booth, she spotted Dade trading off with the next volunteer and waved.
“I’m going to go sit under that beautiful tree way over there and watch.” She pointed to the outskirts of the park.
Owen nodded. “I’ll go grab us some drinks and fries and meet you there.” He spun her in front of him and kissed her quickly. “Be right back.”
Leena wandered slowly toward the tree, having to suddenly stop twice before very excited children ran over her. She glanced back and saw Dade and Owen heading to the concession stand. He’d been so good with the kids. It almost…almost, made her think she could do that.
She sat down and leaned against the tree. A family, wouldn’t that be something? While she closed her eyes, she dropped her head down and sighed. Today would be a day she’d think of from time to time.
“You are still one hot bitch, Lee.”
Leena jolted at the voice and jerked her head up to find herself looking at the man she’d run from years before. “T-Tyler.”
His blond hair was combed perfectly back from his face, his eyes covered by dark glasses. She didn’t need to see his eyes to recognize the way his jaw clenched. She’d seen that too many times, just before he hurt her. Her heart started pounding. She had to get up. GET UP, she willed. She had to get up! With trembling legs, she slid her back up the tree. Her thighs felt so weak she didn’t know how long she’d be able to stand. “Why are you here, Tyler?”
He stepped closer and looked her up and down.
“Surprised to see me, Mrs. Black?” He pushed his hand against her throat and held her against the tree. His dark eyes glared at her through the glasses. “You won’t run from me this time. I signed your damn papers and gave you time to realize your mistake.” He leaned toward her and held her body against the tree with his. “I’ve been watching you. You’re quite the whore now, aren’t you? You’ve been letting Owen Grey climb all over you...”
Leena struggled against his weight. “Leave me alone, Tyler. I am no longer your wife.” Her voice was trembling. With shaking hands, she grabbed his wrist to try to take the pressure off her throat. “Please... Tyler.”
“Begging? What are you begging for, Leena? You always were pathetic!” He shoved her back into the tree again and gripped her hair in his other hand to jerk her head up and look at him.
Leena felt the tears rolling down her face. Her legs were trembling, she felt like she was gong to collapse when a large arm wrapped around Tyler’s neck and jerked him back off her. She watched as Owen spun him around and smashed his fist into Tyler’s jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Dade and Chris grabbed Owen before he could reach Tyler again.
“Not here, man, not now,” Chris said while trying to hold Owen back. Dade stepped in front of Owen. “Go see to Leena, bro. We’ve got this.”
Owen spun around and watched as she slowly slid down the tree. He was to her before she reached the ground, picking her up into his arms and turning so she couldn’t see Tyler. “It’s okay, baby. I’m here. I’ve got you,” he whispered. His arms were still shaking with the rage he felt.
Leena could barely see through the tears rolling down her face as she looked over Owen’s shoulder to see Chris and Dade backing Tyler across the grass. Tyler stopped to face them, his hair fell out of place, down over his brow, his face red with rage. Dade stepped up to him face to face. “Dade,” she whispered to Owen.
“Dade can take care of himself, baby.” Owen nuzzled the side of her neck as they walked in the other direction. He heard Cora and Rachel heading toward them and opened his eyes. Moving his head back, he stared at her neck and saw the red finger marks. “Son of a bitch!” he ground out between his teeth. “Baby, the girls will stay here with you. I’ll be right back.” He set her on her feet and kissed her tenderly twice then turned.
“Owen. Owen, no!” Leena tried to call, but her voice cracked. Turning she saw Cora coming toward her. “Stop him! Cora, you have to stop him!” The tears were running down her face so fast she could barely see him.
Cora turned to see Steven coming toward them from the other side. “Go after him.”
Leena watched as Steven ran after Owen.
Dade stood in front of Owen. “Let me through, Dade. He marked her. He fucking marked her!” Owen tried to shove past Dade again as Chris ran up and gripped his arm. “Chris, let go. The fuckin’ bastard’s time is up.” He shook with a rage he didn’t know he was capable of.
Dade shoved him back further. Clenching his fist, he started to raise his arm when the image of his father came to his mind. “Fuck!” Owen spun away from his lifelong friend. “Fuck!”
Chris put his hand on his arm. “The police are dealing with him, Owen. He won’t get near her again, I’ll make sure of it.” He gripped his arm harder and started to lead him back toward where the women waited.
Owen stopped and bent over with his hands on his knees. He took a few deep breaths and then looked up at Dade. “I’m sorry, man. I fuckin’ lost it for a minute there.” He let out a long breath. Chris rested a hand on his shoulder. “Chris, can you find something and make it stick on that bastard? Someone should have pounded him into the ground a long time ago. If I get my hands on him...”
Chris gripped his shoulder. “No worries there, my friend. We’ve just learned the car that followed her and scared the shit out of her... he was driving it. We’ve got him on harassment, assault, uttering threats, stalking. Give me time, and I’ll come up with more.”
Owen stood up. “It was him following her that night?”
Chris nodded.
“Fuck!” He took a deep breath then started walking fast away from them. “I need Leena.” He almost ran back to where he’d left her. She wasn’t there. His breath caught in his chest.
“Owen.”
He turned to see Rachel waving at him from behind one of the storage tents. He ran the last few yards to it. As he rounded the side of it, Leena lifted her head and jumped up into his arms. He crushed her to him. “I’m sorry, baby. I lost it. I’m sorry.”
Owen pulled back and looked down into her eyes. She was so beautiful it took his breath away.
“Baby,” he said breathlessly. His fingers brushed over the red marks on her neck, and he slowly leaned down to kiss them gently, as if he could erase them. “Does it hurt? Has the Doc looked at it?” he whispered against her neck.
“The Doc can’t even see her when she’s folded up in your tree stumps.”
Owen turned to see Steven standing behind him. “He marked her neck, Doc...” His head jerked back toward her. “Did he hurt you anywhere else, baby?” She shook her head.
Steven didn’t attempt to get too close to her or move Owen away from her; he leaned forward and ran a thumb lightly over her neck. “Hurt to swallow, Lee?” She shook her head ‘no.’ “She’s going to be fine, Owen. She just needs to settle her nerves.”
Owen nodded and folded her back into his arms. “Do you want something to drink, baby? We could get Cora to find you some tea or something.” He soothed his hand over her hair and kissed her in between words. She shook her head and clung to him.
Chris watched Cora lean back against Dade and whisper. “That is so beautiful. I’m going to cry in a minute.”
Dade’s arm wrapped around her, and he pulled her gently against his side. “Is the bad feelingly gone now, honey?”
She nodded.
“Yeah, I thought it might be.” He hugged her against him for a moment more and then straightened. “Doc, if we’ve all done our time, I think we should get Leena home where she can rest.”
Steven nodded. “I’ll go turn everything over to the next supervisor and meet you at the van.”
Rachel and Kasey were standing beside each other shaking from the whole ordeal when Chris walked up between them and wrapped one under each arm. "Let’s go, ladies.” He glanced over at Owen. “You want me to drive your Jeep until we reach my place?” Owen just nodded without taking his eyes off the woman against his side.
Kasey looked up at Chris and whispered. “If he calls her baby one more time, I’m going to cry,” she blinked back tears as she said it.
Rachel nodded on the other side of him. Chris slowed his pace and let Owen and Leena go farther ahead. “He’s so gone for her, ladies, that if he falls much farther, he’s never going to get up.”
Kasey smiled up at him, and his heart jerked. “I think it’s wonderful. She deserves to be happy, and he’ll look after her.” She watched them for a minute, the way Owen spoke softly and caressed her hair, the way he kissed the top of her head every few feet. “It’s just so sweet,” she whispered. She smiled when Chris bent down and kissed the top of her head.
When Leena woke, they were in her driveway. She opened her eyes and looked up at Owen. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you.”
He smiled. “That’s fine.” Owen motioned to the people standing outside the vehicle. “If you don’t get out and hug those women and let them see you’re okay, they’re going to want to stay all night.” He winked at her.
Leena grinned and slid over the seat and got out. Kasey was hugging her before both her feet were on the ground. “Take a hot bath and relax. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Rachel nodded behind her and squeezed her arm.
Cora glanced past her to Owen. “I expect you to look after her.” He nodded.
She watched Dade and Chris speak to Owen quietly and then climb into the van with waves to her. When the van pulled away, she looked over at Owen. “Did I miss something?”
Owen shook his head. “No, just lots of advice and tips.”
“I am very sure I don’t want to hear those.”
He scooped her up in his arms and started toward the house. “I have strict instructions to stick you in a hot bath and feed you calming tea.” He kissed her gently as he started in the house. “If you tell me what tea is calming, I’ll bring it to you while you soak in the tub.”
She nuzzled into his neck. “Chamomile is fine.”
Leena was stepping out of the bath when Owen opened the door. “Sorry, had some calls to make.”
She took the cup then set it on the sink and accepted the robe he held out. “I don’t need calming tea, Owen. I just need you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to hers. “Make love to me, Owen,” she whispered against his lips.
Owen’s heart was pounding in his chest by the time he carried her into the bedroom and lowered her to stand again. “Let me show you how much you mean to me, Aileena.” He trailed light kisses over her face. “Let me cherish you, baby.” In his head he said ‘let me love you.’ He wasn’t ready to say that out-loud yet. “I love your soft skin.” His mouth trailed down her throat, his tongue licking at her skin. Pulling her robe open, his mouth followed the exposed skin to the valley between her breasts. “So beautiful.” His voice sounded rough. Sliding his hands to her shoulders he pushed the robe off. As it slipped to the floor, he trailed his mouth down to her waist. Kneeling in front of her, he kissed her stomach as his hands caressed her hips. “You’re so beautiful, I can’t breathe when I look at you.” Leena gripped his head and held him to her. His mouth seduced her, his words touched her heart and made her tremble. She ran her hands over his shoulders and cradled his head to her stomach.
He looked up at her, and her hair fell around his face. Bringing his hand to her hair, he turned his face and let it slide across his cheek.
Standing, he lowered her to the bed gently. The look in his eyes made her heart pound a faster rhythm, and she gasped as he gently kissed each eyelid, slowly across her cheek to her mouth. With kisses this tender, she felt light-headed and sighed against his mouth. The hand against her cheek trembled.
Taking a ragged breath, he stared down into her eyes. They were amber with desire and heavy with lust as she looked back up at him. “I need to touch every inch of you. I need to taste every inch of you. I need to show you what I feel, because I can’t find the words that say it.” He sat and took his shirt off, and then his jeans, never taking his eyes off hers.
When she looked at his body with a slow appraising gaze, he felt a rush and hardened under her stare. She reached out and ran a hand down over his hip. “I can’t believe you’re here with me. I waited years ago for you to notice me.” She leaned up and kissed his chest.
“I noticed.” He closed his eyes as her lips traveled across his chest. Not caring for words, he hugged her against him. He took a hitched breath as her mouth burned down his stomach, and then he stopped her. “Baby, get the foam because I won’t be stopping for any reason shortly.”
When she moved to the other side of the bed, he stretched out behind her and trailed his lips across her shoulders and over her neck. She moaned softly and leaned back against him dropping the foam and condom onto the bed. Still kissing her neck, he picked up the can and put it back in her hands. He watched her hands shake as he trailed his hand lightly down her side sliding in across her rib cage and down over her hip.
Taking the applicator from her, he set it on the bed and slid his hand down between her thighs, pulling one gently up. As he slipped one hand between her legs he pushed his other hand under her waist and trailed it down her stomach to her other thigh. “You’re so wet for me,” he whispered against her neck.
Owen pushed his hips against her back as he stroked the inside of her thighs. She threw her head back and held his, arching into his hands. “Let me show you.” He whispered as his hands continued to stroke and knead with each movement she pushed against his hand moving in unison with his actions. He inserted two fingers inside her wet heat and continued to rub against her clit gently.
Leena gasped and arched back farther, holding his head against hers. Each time she rocked back against him jolts of pleasure ran through him. He rubbed her harder but continued to just hold his fingers inside her. Her muscles clenched around his fingers each time she rocked against him. He pushed his leg between hers and brought up her knee, opening her wider to his hands. Biting her neck gently, he rubbed faster and began to push his fingers in deeper. “Come for me, baby,” he growled against her neck. She began panting and moaning as she pushed herself into his hand. When the muscles squeezed around his fingers, she cried out and shook against his hand. Stroking his hand gently over her sensitive clit, he dropped her leg and rolled her onto her back, kissing his way down her.
When his mouth touched her thigh, she moaned. “Again, baby.” He blew against her clit and dipped his tongue inside her. Her head thrashed back and forth on the pillow when he gripped her hips and plunged his tongue inside her. She was gasping and gripping his hands tightly. He stroked his tongue over her sensitive, slick flesh gently a few times then plunged it inside and out a few times then sucked hard on her.
Leena bucked up against him and cried out, moaning deeply and pulling at his hands. Not letting her go, he continued to lick her lightly until she stopped squirming under his tongue.
Owen rubbed his face across her stomach as he kneeled between her legs and picked up the applicator. She hissed out a breath when he inserted it and opened her eyes to watch him. Smiling down at her with his vision blurred from needing her so much, he quickly put the condom on and he lowered his weight on her and whispered. “Again.” Then he slowly thrust inside her.
Sweat coated his back, and he trembled from the restraint, but he kept his movements slow and teasing until she began to gasp against his shoulder. He pulled out heart-wrenchingly slowly and looked into her eyes then thrust hard into her, watching her eyes cloud when their bodies slapped together.
Unable to hold back any longer, he thrust fast and desperate until he heard her moaning against his shoulder and felt her nails digging into his back. Then he let himself fall over the edge with her.
“That... was me... cherishing you, baby,” he panted against her throat, then flipped them to their sides and kissed her softly until she fell asleep.