Crawford’s shoes struck the pavement with each step, theclackringing out through the night. Owen’s footfalls struck out of time and gradually synchronized, and Crawford took pleasure in the small hearing their footsteps fallasone.
“I, um,” Owen mumbled. “I had a good time outtonight.”
“I did, too,” Crawford said. They came to a stop in the parking lot. Crawford’s personal town car was idling in front of the restaurant, but he figured that Owen had driven. “Thank you for thecompany.”
“It beat staying in.” Owen pulled back from Crawford so they stood face to face. The distance between them was brief, made smaller yet by the way the world seemed to shrink when Owen was near. Crawford was smitten “Thanks for dinner, and forthewine.”
“You’rewelcome.”
Owen bit down on his bottom lip, shy. He fidgeted with his hands in a way Crawford found adorable. Eyes partially lidded, he leanedforward.
Crawford didn’t mistake what was happening—Owen wanted to kiss him. Not only did he see it on his face, but he felt it in the shared energy between them. For the first time in his life, Crawford understood what people meant when they said that they felt electricity at another’s touch. Owen hadn’t even made contact yet, but the atmosphere was different. The night didn’t feel halfascold.
But Crawford wouldn’tkisshim.
Even as excitement welled inside of him to the point it almost spilled over, he knewbetter.
What he wanted was more than a simple, sweet kiss. What he wanted would be achieved through willpower and observation. If Owen was the type of man Crawford believed him to be, he’d react to denial as acutely as he wouldacceptance.
Crawford wrapped a hand around the nape of Owen’s neck and kissed his forehead instead. Owen’s back went rigid, and Crawford heard him inhale sharply. For a moment, Crawford lingered by Owen, breathing in his scent and indulging himself in their proximity, then he backed away. Goosebumps rose along his arm. The kiss alone, as innocent as it was, had him hardening, but he knew that was all they’d share thatevening.
Waiting would make what was to come so much morerewarding.
“Goodnight, Owen,” Crawford said with finality. He took a step back to give Owen space and let him know their eveningwasover.
“Goodnight,” Owen whispered. The hitch in his voice rose to a near keen, speaking of desire yet to be sated. He didn’t argue, nor did he pull Crawford in and demand hisattention.
He submitted to Crawford’swishes.
Heobeyed.
Crawford concealed a look of satisfaction. Without waiting for Owen to leave, he turned and exited the parking lot. He didn’t look over hisshoulderonce.
Crawford had a hunch that it wouldn’t be the last time they would meet. Before that happened, he had some prep worktodo.
6
Owen
Apackage arrivedon Mondaymorning. Counselor Torres waved it at Owen from the doorway of his office, one arm crossed over her chest, her brow raised. “I know I said that it wasn’t against the rules to receive mail here, butreally?”
Owen’s cheeks flushed with color. There was no doubt in his mind who the package was from. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Counselor Torres winked. She walked forward and tossed the package on the desk. It was small and wrapped in bubble mailer. “I take it that something’s happened since last week if this is going to be a regular thing. I’m a big fan of secretadmirers.”
Except Owen’s admirer wasn’t so secret. He knew for a fact it was Crawford. A man like that, Owen assumed, would have been able to find out his home address if he wanted to. That Crawford was choosing to stay out of his personal life spoke to his character as much as their dinnertogetherhad.
Owen was beginning to think he’d been wrong to discount him so quickly. Crawford wasdifferent.
“I, um, I guess so,” Owen said softly. He picked the package up and turned it over in his hands. It was lightweight and bendable. Whatever was inside wasn’t prone to breakage. “If it’s ever a problem, please tell me and I’ll figure out who’s doing this and get them tostopit.”
“Honestly, at this point I think it might be someone inside the center,” Counselor Torres said with a shrug. “I’m thinking that someone slips out on their lunch break, hands off the package, and gets a friend to deliver it. I don’t know how else to explain the lack ofpostage.”
As long as she kept thinking that, Owen was in the clear. He laid the package flat on his desk, ducking his gaze. The last thing he wanted was for his boss to find out that he was sort-of-maybe seeing CrawfordDaniels.
“That sounds like a likely explanation,” Owen agreed with a bob of his head. “If it starts getting out of hand, I guess we can post a notice in thestaffroom.”
“You got it.” Counselor Torres winked. “I’m going to get back to work. If anything else comes along, I’ll be sure it getstoyou.”
