“I know he does. And I’m glad you’re here too, Swift. Once I’m back in Goose Hollow, we’ll have to get a beer at Gus’s place.”
“I’d like that.”
The moment between the two men sends a burst of hope through my chest. With my dad gone and Knox being the oldest of my siblings, it somehow feels meaningful. Knox isn’t my father, and he isn’t the brother who will lose his ever-loving mind if he ever finds out about my secret rendezvous with Owen, but it still feels nice.
Knox grabs Ryan, leading her away, but she sends me a knowing look over her shoulder. I’m not sure what she thinks she knows, but the heat burning my cheeks likely confirms she may be on to something.
Shit.
When my brother is out of sight, Owen slips his hand into mine. “C’mon. Time to celebrate your birthday.”
For my birthday, Ryan got Owen and me on the list at one of the hottest clubs in the city. She has connections all over town thanks to all the people she’s met as a journalist. Last week we were on the phone, and I jokingly said that if she was going to date my brother, the least she could do was take me for a nighton the town. This was her way of granting my wish. Except instead of going out with her, Owen is my plus one for the evening. There’s no way she’s leaving Knox’s side.
As nice as her gift is, leaving this crowded party to go to a crowded club has lost its appeal.
Not after this afternoon.
Owen guides us through the penthouse out into the hallway where people are loitering. The elevator opens the moment he presses the down arrow. Instead of hitting the lobby button, he presses the number for our floor.
“Did you need to stop by your room before we head out?”
“Nope.”
He doesn’t elaborate, and when the elevator reaches our floor, we walk hand in hand until he flashes his room key in front of his door and motions for me to enter.
“So, youdoneed something from your room.”
“I need to give you your birthday present.”
I should tell him that his tattoo was plenty, but I don’t bring it up. “You didn’t need?—”
His lips silence me with a tender kiss. “Happy birthday, Daisy Brianna McKinnon.”
He lifts my small crossbody bag over my head, setting it on the table, then leads me to his bed where he pulls the covers back. Standing in front of me, he places a kiss on my forehead before slowly undressing himself and then me.
He’s touched me a hundred times before, but tonight every tender caress takes ownership of another piece of my heart. Every touch lights me on fire in a new, more significant way.
He doesn’t tell me what to do, or where he wants me on the bed. There’s no need. My body follows his lead as I lay my head on the pillows. He rests his body against mine, not putting his full weight on me, as he brushes my hair from my face. His eyes search mine and I can tell tonight is different for him, too.
Owen worships every inch of my body, bringing me pleasure with his mouth that I didn’t know was possible. When he finally thrusts into me with slow and measured movements, his hands tangle in my hair and his eyes stay locked on mine, not rushing the moment. He takes his time to ensure we both feel every sensation. Every emotion.
It’s fun and exciting when he bosses me around, feeding into the kink I only indulge in with him. Every encounter before tonight was sex. Right now, Owen Swift is making love to me, and he wants to make sure I know it. He’s using his body to say the words he doesn’t dare. I take him into me, matching his gaze so he can see that I feel it too. I don’t mean to let my tears fall for a second time today, but they do.
His hips still, and he brushes my tears away before taking my hand and placing it over the gauze covering the design on his chest. “This is yours. Nobody else’s.”
His beautiful words squeeze my heart. The pain I know will follow when I eventually lose him threatens to seep in and ruin the gorgeous moment. I circle my hips, encouraging him to move again, wanting to push the noise out of my head. Thankfully, his body responds to mine, as we touch and kiss until we’re panting each other's names.
And then we do something I’ve only ever done with Owen. We climax together.
Once we’ve caught our breaths, he doesn’t roll away. Instead, he stays inside me while he kisses me senseless. I tighten my legs around his waist hoping to keep him right where he is. The thought of this being over saddens me. I need to stay connected to him like this.
I don’t want to let go.
Ever.
Unfortunately, reality comes between me and what I want because he pulls out.
He plants a kiss over my heart. “You’re beautiful.”
