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Once I’m alone again, my thoughts instantly return to Owen, but then the machine in the corner beeps, drawing my attention.

I get up, and opening the lid, I pull Owen’s clothes out before shoving them into the other dryer. Not thinking, I add some of my dryer sheets, then program the machine to start.

While I’m busy taking my dry clothes out and folding everything, I think about Miles’ warning, and when I contemplate staying away from Owen, everything in me rebels against the thought.

I’ve been crushing on him for two months, and the little I’ve gotten to know about him has intrigued the hell out of me. And then there’s the kiss.

Sweet Jesus, the kiss.

The way Owen claimed my mouth with carnal dominance was all-consuming. It felt like he was the hunter and I was nothing more than his helpless prey.

But when I told him to wait, he backed away completely. Even though he left, which I didn’t like one bit, I appreciate that he didn’t push for more.

The man is an enigma.

The room grows too hot and stuffy from all the machines, and I step out into the hallway but come to a sudden stop when I see Owen sitting on the bottom steps of the stairwell.

Even though his head is bowed, I get the feeling he knows exactly what’s going on around him.

Red swelling on his knuckles grabs my attention, but I keep quiet.

Deep down, the red flag registers that when he got overwhelmed, his first response was to punch the shit out of something.

I sit down on the floor with my back to the wall and stare into the laundry room, suppressing the urge to look at him. It feels like minutes pass, and when I can’t stop myself anymore, I glance at Owen.

Lifting his head, his eyes lock with mine. In his light blue irises, anger burns like the hottest part of a flame, making an eerie sensation skitter down my spine.

Why is he angry, though? It was just a kiss.

I can’t hold his intense stare and look down at my hands lying in my lap.

Another very long minute passes in which I feel his gaze focused on me, and when I can’t stand the silence anymore and my lips part, his voice is low and threatening as he says, “There can’t be anything between us.”

There’s a stab of pain in my heart, but even though I might have it bad for the man, I’m not begging him to be with me.

I don’t look at him as I nod, and getting up, I reply, “Okay.”

Walking back into the stuffy room, I check the timer on the dryer and wait as it finishes before opening the door. I pull Owen’s clothes out, and standing by the table, I fold the items neatly.

A sense of loss spreads through my chest as I go through the motions, and once I have all his laundry neatly stacked in his basket, I grab mine and leave the room.

Owen’s standing right outside the door, and it startles me, but I keep walking, forcing myself not to steal a glance over my shoulder.

Miles told me to stay away from Owen, who has made it abundantly clear he doesn’t want a relationship with me. Not even a friendship.

Damn, I didn’t know rejection could hurt this much.

I need to focus on myself and get over the crush I have on him.

Chapter 12

Owen

The quiet acceptance coming from Annie should please me, but instead, it gets to me.

I watch her until she’s gone before letting out a sigh and entering the laundry room. Seeing my basket, I move closer.

I told her there can’t be anything between us, and still, she folded my clothes. She’s too kind for her own good.