The Second Chance Hero (18 page)

Instead, he ran his hand up her leg, gathering the light, crinkly fabric as he went, loving the feel of the soft skin of her thighs and the curve of her ass. Allowing his fingers to travel, he drifted between her legs, stroking the wetness there.

“Mmmm . . .” she said.

“You are very wet.”

“I know. For you.”

“I can’t believe you want me after what happened.”

“I wanted to come back here last night. I ached for you. It was all I could do to keep my head on straight and come today.”

He was still moving his hands over her, growing ever more thankful that his woman had found her way into his life. Beautiful, strong, sexy, he would spend his entire life making her happy.

He slipped one finger inside her and Kim arched her back, straining against him, and when he slipped another inside, moving with her rhythm, he could see she was going to come for him very soon. He went back to her breasts, pulling harder on the nipples while his hand brought her along. She came, dropping her head back and crying out a little, while Owen felt the moisture on his hands and knew he’d never find anyone so bold in his life.

“Oh, that was not exactly what I had planned, but it was amazing.”

“What did you have planned?” Owen couldn’t wait to hear this.

Kim pulled him to his feet, her dress was still pulled down, her breasts bare. The cool night air puckered her nipples in such a way that made him want to taste them again. “Take me below and I’ll show you.”

“Below?”

“You do have a bed down there, right.”

“It’s called a berth.”

“Seriously?”

He grinned and kissed her. “I love you.”

She stroked his face, loving the strength she found in him. “I love you, too, Owen. I love you so much.”

“I won’t hurt you,” he promised.

“I’m counting on it. Now take me to
your berth
.”

“Now you’re talking my language.”

***

Waking up in Owen’s bed was one of her favorite things in the world. Of course she liked it much better when he was there and waking up meant wonderful morning sex. But they’d had plenty of wonderful sex the night before, and Kim was a little worried about walking today.

He’d brought her to his berth on the boat, and then he’d taken her not too gently. It was amazing, thrilling to be possessed so completely by a man. Kim was getting worked up just thinking about it—thinking about him.

She heard Owen’s voice, deep and full. He sounded like he was on the phone. Kim thought about getting up and going to him, but she decided to spend a few more minutes in the big bed and think about her gorgeous man.

“No, anything that needs to be done can wait.” She wondered who he was talking to. “It’s not that important. . . . I’m staying home today. Yeah. If you need me you have my cell, but . . . right. Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He said the final words as he walked into his room, wearing just a pair of very worn Levi’s with the button at the waistband popped open. He looked amazing. “Oh, wow.”

His words came out on a ragged breath, and that was when Kim realized she was giving him quite a show. She didn’t have any clothes on and the bedding was pooled at her waist, giving him quite the view of her breasts. “God, you’re beautiful, Kim.”

“I’m sure I’m a mess.”

“You’re hot. Sexy. You look like you’ve had a night of really great sex.”

She smiled and reached for him. “Well, that is the truth.”

He laughed as he sat on the bed facing her, and ran his hand over one side of her body, then the other. Just being near him had the desire warming in her belly, the heat gathering between her legs. “I don’t want to hurt you. We were pretty busy last night.”

Ah, no. “I’m fine.”

“Yeah?” Owen held her shoulders and eased her onto the mattress, pulling the sheets down so he could see everything. “This is the best way to start the day.”

Kim laughed at the comment as he shucked off his jeans and revealed a very impressive erection. He leaned over her and she nudged him back. “Lay on your back,” she said.

“Oh, really?”

He didn’t hesitate for a second, followed her directions and laid back. Kim straddled his legs and let her hands run over his chest, his arms, his big powerful thighs. This was all new to Kim. She’d never taken the lead with sex before and it was a little intimidating, but looking at Owen, the possibilities seemed endless.

She raised herself up and left a trail of kisses around his neck and collarbone, down his chest; she kept going down, across the flat plane of his belly. When she reached his hard-on, she licked her lips and looked up at him. His mouth was slightly open in surprise and encouragement. He knew what she was thinking about doing and Owen wasn’t going to stop her. Good.

She swirled her tongue around the salty tip of his penis and smiled up at him. Enjoying the look of total surrender. Grasping her own hair and throwing it over her shoulder, she locked eyes with him, smiled, and then took him in her mouth. He sucked in a breath and took hold of her hair.

“Oh, God, Kim . . .”

He didn’t pull but he held on and he watched her. She stayed right where she was, licking and sucking and watching him completely unravel. She felt everything start to tighten, and that was when Owen pulled her up and moved her so she was straddling his hips.

“I want to come inside you.”

Kim kissed his neck and chin. Then, going up on her knees, Kim lowered herself onto him, realizing only after he was fully sheathed that there was nothing between them. No condom, and it felt amazing. “I guess I should tell you, I’m on the pill.”

He thrust up inside her. “No diseases for me.”

That was good, he moved again, and it was her turn to hiss out a breath. “So good, Owen.”

They settled into a rhythm, a steady give and take of bodies—hot, magical, and Kim loved how he felt in her and against her. But mostly it was her heart and mind that filled. Owen had changed her, had taken her to a place where she could feel so comfortable and bold, not only with her own body, but with him.

There was no hesitancy when he pushed inside her, claiming her with every thrust. “I love you, Kim. Always.”

“I love you, too.”

He’d given her that, too, the chance to be in love when she never thought she would be again. Kim thought her heart, her ability to feel, had died with Tom, but Owen had given it back to her. He’d given her everything.

Watching his face consumed with the power of their lovemaking was a heady thing, and Kim leaned in to kiss his lips. It was gentle, soft, a reminder for him to look at her as their bodies melted into each other.

Owen opened his eyes and their gazes met, beat for beat, movement for movement, breath for breath, they sailed over the edge together, holding on, protecting each other, and laying claim to the other’s soul.

Kim knew her work at Reliance was only temporary. She sat in the makeshift office she’d been using the past couple of days and thought about all the people she’d been helping, and it dawned on her that she liked talking to adults and solving problems. There was no doubt that she missed Anna while she was doing this project for Owen and Harper, but helping their social worker develop a set of contacts at the VA was proving to be an incredibly rewarding challenge. She was making a difference, and Kim felt more like herself than she had in a year. She had Owen to thank for that.

She should have been thinking about the conference call she’d just had with the patient advocate at the VA hospital, but instead she couldn’t get that sexy CIO, who was in a sales meeting a few doors down, off her mind. He’d become everything to her so quickly it was a little mind-boggling. But Kim couldn’t deny she was happy. She’d never been happier.

Casey had been wandering from office to office because the Japanese banking executive they were talking to about the newest version of the software wasn’t fond of dogs.

Kim reached out and petted the puppy, who was sitting next to her chair. “What am I going to do about him, Case?”

The dog didn’t answer.

She and Owen had settled into the best of routines. It had been almost two weeks since they’d committed to each other and the past few days she’d been helping Helen establish a network for the returning vets. It was going really well, and pretty soon Reliance would have a model program for not only veterans, but their families.

Thinking about veterans, her mind drifted back to her own sexy marine. At night she either slept at Owen’s or he was at the cottage, for which he took a lot of shit from Harper.

They’d had dinners out, breakfasts in, and time on the boat. Everything about them was right. Everything. Except Kim’s worry that something was going to go terribly wrong. She didn’t know why she felt this way, and she spent more time than she should tamping down her doubts.

Helen walked into her office and the old lady, who was as sweet as could be, shuffled to a stop and cocked her head. “You’re
tinking
again.”

“Occupational hazard.”

Helen walked to the chair on the opposite side of her desk and sat. “I
tink
you should just tell him something is worrying you.”

“I’m a big chicken, Helen. We’ve established that.”

“Well, you have to get over it.”

“Get over it. That’s your sage advice.”

“Yup.”

“Nothing I should reflect on?”

“Nope.”

“What kind of therapist are you, anyway?”

Helen laughed. “A realistic one who isn’t going to lie to you. Talk to him. If you don’t, then something will go wrong.”

“You’re right, of course.”

“Of course I am. You have all the power and you have someone who really cares about you. Be brave, Kim. He’s not the other man who hurt you, stop acting like he is.”

Whoa. That was a low blow and Kim didn’t know what to say. She was hurt. She’d had her heart ripped out . . .

“It was a year ago, my dear. It’s time to let it go and move on. You can’t blame the man you once knew for your unhappiness now.”

“I’m not unhappy, but I just don’t know how I can forget it.”

“Until you do, you’ll never be able to give everything you have to Owen. And doesn’t he deserve that?”

He did. He deserved everything from her and she hadn’t given him the most important thing: her whole heart. Kim had held back a little piece, the very piece that was warning her something wasn’t quite right.

Casey, who’d laid down on her pillow under the window, popped up and scurried toward the door. She stopped, listened, and then took off down the hallway. The meeting must be over because somewhere in the building, Owen had whistled for his dog. And that was Kim’s cue.

Kim stood, straightened her dress, and took a breath. Helen, likewise, stood. “You’re braver than you think, Kim.”

“Helen, why is it you’re the only one who’s leveled with me?”

She shrugged and raised her hands as if she was making an offering. “I’m an old lady. I can get away
wit
it. Not everyone can.”

Helen left and Kim had a second to think about what she was going to do. Either she got rid of the doubt or she let it nag at her. Hearing a ping on her phone, she saw a text from her sister. Something about her prom, which was that night. It was a busy weekend for Olivia. But it gave Kim an idea. An idea that would show Owen she was ready to let him in and she was ready to face down the ghosts of the past year.

She was going to bring him home. Sure, he’d met her mother and sisters. Since the weekend in Cutchogue, Joey had been around more and Owen had gotten to know her better than any of the other members of the family. But to have him there beside her in front of all of her family and friends? That would mean something to him.

First, she was going to talk to Owen. His office was on the other side of the building, so that would give her plenty of time to think of what she was going to say. He said his door was always open, that it wasn’t a problem if they talked at the office.

The walk was longer than she thought. Some people nodded or said hello as she went, and then she started to get nervous. What would people think of her just waltzing in there like she was important to him or something? She was crossing through the lobby, and Carol smiled and waved.

“Hi, Kim! Taking a stroll?”

“Yeah, you could say that.”

“Meeting’s over, in case you wanted to know.”

“Thanks.” God, she hated this. She was the boss’s girlfriend. That woman.

It wasn’t much longer and she was in the common area of the executive suite at Reliance.

There were six desks, occupied by the very busy assistants, and for a second, she thought she could leave without being noticed. What she had to say wasn’t all that important and she could wait.

“Can I help you, Ms. Torres?”

She turned back and saw Owen’s assistant, Marla, looking right at her. “Do you want me to see if he’s free?”

“Uh, um . . .” Kim glanced at Owen’s door and saw it was closed. “I don’t want to bother him.”

Marla crooked a finger and indicated Kim should come closer. The assistant had a grin on her face that was positively conspiratorial. “He told me that if you came down here, I was to interrupt him.”

“He did?”

“He did.” Marla stood, smiled. “You don’t want to get me in trouble now, do you?”

Kim didn’t even have a chance to answer. Marla was knocking on Owen’s door before she could even nod. She watched as Marla poked her head in the room and then stepped back as Nate and Jason came out. Each of them smiled knowingly at her. Why did this have to be so embarrassing?

“You can go in, Kim.”

It felt like all the assistants were watching her, and taking a quick look around, she saw that they were. And they were grinning.

Straightening her back, Kim walked right in and then jumped when she heard the office door click shut. It only took a second for her to realize two things. One, she was totally overwhelmed by this space. No matter how many times she saw it, it never failed to impress her. It was big, beautiful, and meant to intimidate if necessary. Second, Owen wasn’t in the room. So here she was, nervous, embarrassed, and alone.

“Hey beautiful, you come here often?”

“Oh!” Kim turned, startled by Owen’s voice floating in from behind her. But her heart totally stopped when she saw him. He leaned into the doorjamb of the adjoining conference room, looking every bit the confident executive. His dark suit was perfectly tailored over a white shirt and his blue tie set off the blue of his eyes. He’d shaved today—she knew that because she’d watched him—but a shadow was already appearing on his jaw. “How was your meeting?”

“Great. We got the account. He was very impressed.”

“Well, how could he not be impressed? Congratulations.”

He left the doorway and approached her. It was times like this that Kim was so aware of his size, how she melted from the heat that came off his body. How she craved his touch.

“So,” he said, while slipping a hand around her waist. “What brings you here?”

“Um. I wanted to ask you something.”

At this point she was dying because he’d pressed his hips against her and she felt his erection hard against her belly. It was so wrong, but Kim was completely thrilled that he couldn’t see her without wanting her. At least her feelings were reciprocated. God knew, she wanted him. Badly.

His lips brushed her cheek. “What did you want to ask? I’m going to say yes. But ask anyway.”

Kim smiled. “You don’t even know what I want.”

His warm laugh filled her. “I’m hoping you want me.”

“More than you know,” she said. “But we are at work.”

“So? There are locks on the doors. Give me something more to think about than working.”

This was too much. Pushing away from him, Kim circled away and took up position behind a big leather chair. At least now there was some distance between them, and if he came for her again, she’d have a chance to outmaneuver him. “Stay there,” she said.

“Why?”

“Because we have to talk.”

“You can’t talk when I touch you?”

“Not coherently.”

He laughed, and she was so annoyed with herself. The man drove her to distraction.

It was too bad she was set on behaving, because letting him make love to her on that big desk totally turned her on. Everything about him got her motor running. But that wasn’t why she was here. If only it was that easy.

“Okay,” he ground out, clearly frustrated. “What’s on your mind?”

“Tonight is my sister Olivia’s prom. And they’re taking pictures at my parents’ house.”

He came toward her but kept the chair between them. “Okay. And?”

“I’d like to know if—” She paused. “If you would like to come with me and meet the male half of my family? My mother also wants to see you again. For an interrogation, I’m sure.”

Nothing. He stood there, stunned and speechless. Okay. She guessed that was a no.

“It’s fine. You don’t have to. It’s too much and it’s too soon. You shouldn’t have to deal with . . .”

Yeah, the chair did her no good at all. When Owen decided he wanted her, he moved like a shot, grabbing Kim’s hand and pulling around and down onto his lap as he sank into the chair.

“You want me to meet your dad and your brothers?”

She nodded.

“And you didn’t think I’d want to go?”

“No,” she squeaked out. “I mean. I wasn’t sure. It’s still new between us and I would understand . . .”

He put a finger over her lips and Kim stopped talking. Owen’s crystal-blue eyes were locked on hers, and she fell right into them as she always did. “I want to go. I can handle any interrogation for you. No question about it. Just tell me what to expect. Give me a family recap.”

“All right. My dad is a very nice man, but he works too hard and he’s very protective. Even of me, and I’ve proven I can take care of myself.”

“That sounds perfectly reasonable to me. Your dad’s a math teacher?”

“Yes. Over thirty years doing that, and he directs the stage crew. He was going to retire this year, but Livy is going to Yale, so a few more years for him.”

“He should let me pay for Yale. Then he could retire if he wanted.”

They’d actually had a bit of an argument one night when he overheard her talking to her sister about student loans. Owen thought it was ridiculous that Kim or her family should stress about money when he had so much he didn’t know what to do with it.

“Okay, here’s a dad tip, don’t bring that up. He has his pride, and as well-meaning as you are, Owen, it would embarrass him.”

“It’s only money, but I understand. It sounds like he’s got his priorities straight. What about your brothers?”

“Jimmy is a city fireman. He just got engaged. He’s the shortest of my brothers. About your height.” She’d warned Owen that her family ran tall. Her dad was six-two. Her brothers and her one sister were tall, but there was definitely a short gene running around the DNA. “Jeff is an accountant, he works for one of the banks in the city. He’ll get there, but it will be late. And Mike is in college. He’s starting his last year in September.”

“Is he going to be there, too, or is he still away?”

“He’ll be there. Everyone will be there. My grandmother, my grandpa. Aunts, uncles. It’s an event.”

Owen leaned in and kissed her soundly. “Sounds like fun.”

Kim was relieved, but still, there was so much to worry about. She rested her head on his shoulder, absorbing a little of his strength so she could tell him the rest.

“What’s wrong, Kim? Tell me.”

“There’s a chance Tom’s family will be there. They live next door, and since it’s not just our family, but all the kids in her prom group, their families, they’ll be milling around for pictures and stuff. They could be extremely difficult.”

He held her close, and she could almost hear him thinking. “I suppose we could say we’re just friends. That could ease some tension, right?”

It could, but the thought of it made her more upset. “No. No. I don’t want to hide you or how I feel about you. I mean . . . I love you, and . . .”

Kim reached up and stroked his face, feeling so blessed at the warmth and kindness she saw there, knowing that it was all for her. “Do you honestly think I could hide, for even one second, how much I love you?” She kissed him. “Not a chance. No one would believe me.”

He kissed her again, this time with so much sweetness her body tingled from it. “Thank you for that,” he whispered.

“I don’t deserve you, Owen.”

He reached for her hands and held them. “No. I’m the lucky one.” He held her close. “We’ll figure it all out. It’s going to be okay.”

“I’m so worried Mr. or Mrs. Albanese is going to go off. One of his sisters could, too. It depends on who’s there, and I don’t know. I don’t want anyone to ruin Livy’s day. Jenna will try to run interference, but you just never know.”

“Then why ask me?”

“Because it matters to me. I want everyone to know I’m with you, Owen. I don’t want there to be any doubt about that.”