Page 26 of His Secret Wish

She pushed that thought aside. Tonight was not about doubts or truths or anything else but the moment.

“Shall we?” She held out her hand, indicating she wanted to dance some more.

“Of course, my love. Anything you want.” The conviction in his voice made her heart squeeze hard. She almost believed him.

It’s just an act. It’s just an act. It’s just an act.

The reminder slipped through her, making her both happy and sad at the same time. But it was definitely her new mantra for the rest of the weekend. Going with the flow was all well and good, but she couldn’t let her heart get involved. No matter what happened. Because getting her heart trampled again was the last thing she wanted. Or needed.

Keeping things just physical was the safest thing to do.

She led him back to the makeshift dance floor. He pulled her into his arms again, and it felt like coming home. An idea that she pushed aside. Her focus needed to be on the here and now.

They danced for what felt like forever, one song bleeding into the next. Her skin prickled with sweat, and she could see a sheen on his temples. Somewhere along the way another button on his shirt had come undone, and sweat dotted his chest.

No one had asked to cut in during all that time. She didn’t know if it was because she was giving off a do not touch vibe, or if it was because it was obvious to everyone here they were completely into one another, but she was grateful. She and Owen had spent so much time apart, she felt like she needed this moment of just being together.

“Do you want to get some air?” He leaned down so he could speak directly in her ear. His breath on her sweaty skin made her tingle.

“Yeah.” She grabbed his hand and led him through the living room and into the kitchen. There were some folks sitting around the table, having some drinks and snacks, but she didn’t do anything other than wave to them on their way through.

She led him out the door and onto the back porch. The rain was coming down in buckets, but the porch was covered, so they weren’t going to get wet. It was also deserted, everyone else deciding to stay inside. The music was just loud enough to still be heard back here because the kitchen windows were open to let the breeze in.

The air was cool, the smell of spring rain and dirt heavy in the air. She relished the coolness against her skin. She’d discarded her shawl earlier in the evening, and was only wearing a soft cotton sundress. The off-the-shoulder style left her shoulders bare. Not that the lightweight fabric was much of a barrier against the breeze.

She walked to the railing, leaned her hands against it to stare out at the land. Even though it was dark, and the rain was falling, she could still make out the buildings and trees that stretched out along the backside of the property. Then again, maybe it was all in her mind. She’d spent so many summers here, the layout and land was burned into her brain.

Sort of like the Callahan land.

Owen stepped up behind her, the heat from his body like a furnace against her back. It was such a strange dichotomy, the cool air against her front, the heat against her back. He placed his hands next to hers on the railing, caging her in.

But she didn’t feel caged or blocked or cornered. She felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.

“What are you thinking?” He brushed his cheek against hers. His five o’clock shadow was scratchy against her skin, but in the absolute best way.

She leaned into him. “Nothing really. Just trying to live in the moment.”

He hummed, nuzzling the spot behind her ear. She moaned, tilting her head to give him better access. He took full advantage, pressing his lips to the spot, brushing it with his tongue.

Goosebumps chased themselves down her spine. Her eyes fluttered closed. He trailed little kisses down the side of her neck, across her bare shoulder. His lips were hot where they pressed against her skin. He nipped her with his teeth, and she jumped a little, the slight sting sliding south, making her ache.

She turned in his arms to face him, her breath coming faster than she wanted. It was a dead giveaway that she was turned on, and he knew it, if the cheeky half smile that slid across his face was any indication.

“Tell me if you’re going to say no.” His voice was low, rough around the edges. “I’ll understand.”

For a second, for preservation’s sake, the idea of telling him goodnight and going up to bed, alone, crossed her mind. But just as quickly as it came, she swept it away. Living in the moment.

She pushed up on her toes and pressed her lips to his. The need to wrap herself around him, climb him like a ladder, overwhelmed her, but she refused to give in. At least not at this moment.

He pulled her flush against him. His erection was hard against her stomach, and she moaned and held him tight. He brushed his tongue against her mouth, coaxing her to open for him. Like he needed to do all that much coaxing.

She opened her mouth, and then his tongue was there, invading, conquering, laying claim. He brushed it against hers, making her drunk on his taste.

He kissed her like he was a starving man, and she was an all-you-can-eat buffet. It was all-consuming and completely overwhelming. His hand pressed against the small of her back, holding her flush against him. Pushing him against his hot, hard erection.

She slipped her hands into the silky strands of his hair, tilting his head to deepen the kiss. And now it was her turn to take. She pressed her tongue against his, sliding against him, sparring with him. The kiss turned hotter, wetter. More intense.

Someone in the kitchen laughed, tearing a hole in the spell they’d created. She pulled her mouth from his, her heart beating against her chest like it wanted to escape. The breath was sawing in and out of his lungs, his broad chest rubbing against her breasts with each hard inhale.