I did not need Owen Redd, I wanted him, and it occurred to me that was the harder habit to break. As if testing my theory, I singed his lips with a kiss full of explosive passion. He was the last thing I needed, but the one thing I wanted most. As my body sang out on every chord, he picked me up and carried me to the couch.
We were past need or want or the ability to hold back. We undressed each other in a fury to be closer. His warm skin against mine caused a throb of pleasure that almost pushed me over the edge. Desire took over and our bodies clasped together in perfect accordance. Owen pressed into me, his lips catching my cries of pleasure until I could no longer think, only give. He surged forward to claim me, calling my name, and I let go with a blinding starburst of release.
PART 4
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Owen
I woke up in my bed and wondered why I was surprised. It felt new and more comfortable than ever before. After the police had tossed the place again, I would have thought it would feel alien. Fresh, clean sheets had not covered the violation the first time. That morning, though, I felt more at home in my room than I had in a very long time. It was strange, but I wanted to hold the sensation as long as possible.
Then, I rolled over and saw Quinn. Her long chestnut hair poured over her pillow. I lifted my arm and felt the silken waves slip over my skin. Her petal-soft lips smiled in sleep and she snuggled deeper into bed. Her serene expression, the comfortable curl of her body, and the honey-hued expanse of her bare shoulder warmed me.
I was torn. The morning sun crept towards Quinn's face. Part of me wanted to see her wake with the warm kiss. Part of me wanted to pull the curtains and keep the quiet spell intact. Instead, her chocolate brown eyes fluttered open and focused on me.
Quinn gave a sleepy smile. "Good morning."
"It is. Maybe that's why it feels so strange," I said.
Her long, sinuous stretch tugged at me deep inside. I could not help but pull her in my arms and hold her tight. Her chestnut hair fanned across my chest. Quinn chuckled against my shoulder, and I wondered how loud my heart pounded in her ear.
"So you slept alright?" I asked.
"No dreams, no wake ups, it was so peaceful," Quinn said. She ran her hand up my side. "How about you?"
"Like a miracle. I even forgot about the whole police search thing for a while."
Quinn groaned. "Oh, now you've brought it up. The least you could have done was wait until we had coffee."
I let her crawl out of bed and check her phone. Her lips did not form the nervous pucker they normally did. Her calm expression seemed immune to her parents' messages.
I pulled on a pair of jeans and headed to the kitchen to make coffee. Quinn dressed and joined me, an easy smile playing around her lips.
"I'm glad to see you're not letting your parents get to you," I told her.
"I don't think they've noticed I'm gone yet," she said. "I've got running clothes in the car. I'll change before I go home."
I shook my head. "I don't want you to have to sneak around. That doesn't feel right."
"I won't. Just this morning. I've got a new plan, but like my mother pointed out, it needs to be fully formed before I present it."
"Is that why you're so relaxed?" I asked. "And here I thought it was me. So, what's the new plan? Want to bounce some ideas off me?"
Her smile was radiant. I spilled coffee grounds on the counter. As I swept them to the floor with my hand, she settled onto a stool at the kitchen island.
"I've found something I'm good at, something I can do all on my own. I'm done letting my parents hold my college classes over my head," Quinn said. "This is something I can do just for myself and it will make me independent."
"No clues?" I asked. "It’s no fair to make that kind of declaration and leave it a mystery. At least tell me where the idea came from?"
"No," Quinn said. "You'll get jealous, and it’s just not a good look on you."
I narrowed my eyes. "Alright, I'm already jealous, so now you have to tell me."
Quinn tossed her hair and laughed. "Maybe. Let me just enjoy this for a little bit."
I faked a scowl at her and reached for my ringing phone. "Sorry, I have to grab this. It’s my manager. Don't worry, I fully intend to interrogate you after this call."
"I'm glad you're awake, Owen. We need to talk," my manager said.