Page 30

TWENTY-SIX

Ellie

NOW

T here was a warm body wrapped around mine, and I snuggled backwards, those muscular arms tightening around me. A face nuzzled against my neck, and I felt something hard press up against my ass. My eyes flew open when I realized exactly whose body was covering mine.

“Good morning,” a voice rasped against my ear. Owen . Because he was home. And I’d fallen asleep in his bed last night.

I rolled over to find him staring at me, his eyes full of amusement. “Hi,” I whispered.

“Imagine my surprise, coming home last night and finding you in my bed.”

Humming, I shut my eyes, basking in his warmth for another few moments. In a minute, I’d have to get up, and the spell would be broken. Thankfully, I had nowhere to go today and nothing to do.

“Did you miss me, Daisy?” Owen’s fingers brushed under my chin.

My voice was all breath when I responded, “Maybe.” I’d told him as much when we’d texted the other night, but this felt different. More real. Watching his games on TV hadn’t been enough, apparently, since I’d been sleeping in his room every night since he’d been gone. “I wanted to feel close to you,” I admitted. “And your door was open and I just…” made myself at home.

“Mmm.” He pressed his forehead against mine. “Well, I like you here. In my house and in my bed.”

I thought about my text to him. When you get home… I think I’m ready to talk. And I was. There were things I should have confessed to him a long time ago.

“I like being here,” I admitted. “I already don’t want to move out when my apartment is fixed.”

He brushed the hair off my forehead. “So don’t. Stay with me.”

“Owen…” I murmured. This was already a bad idea. So was sleeping in his bed.

But I couldn’t help myself.

He kissed my nose before sitting up, climbing out of bed in only his boxer briefs. Owen was sporting an impressive erection, and my eyes zeroed in on it. He’d just had all of that pressed up against me, and my mouth watered.

“Ellie,” he scolded me, an amused expression on his face as he pulled on a t-shirt.

I sat up, the covers falling off of me, revealing my choice of sleep attire. Owen’s eyes filled with heat, and I did my best to look sheepish.

“You’re wearing my shirt?” He let out a low groan. “Do you know what you do to me?”

I bit my lip, eyes darting down to the tent in his boxers. “I think I have some idea.”

He smoothed his hand over his face. “We should, uh… Do you want some breakfast?”

Blinking, I shook my head. “No.” I wasn’t hungry for food.

Climbing onto my knees, I dragged his shirt up and off my body, freeing my breasts. The only thing I was wearing under his shirt—one that smelled like him—was a tiny pair of soft, lacy underwear in his favorite color. Light blue. I hadn’t worn them on purpose—certainly hadn’t expected this—but now, naked in front of him, I couldn’t help be thankful for it.

He stepped closer, and I cupped my tits, rubbing over my nipples. The air made them pebble, and Owen’s blatant perusal of my body made them tighten even more.

“What do you want, Ellie?” He stopped in front of me, hand reaching out and cupping the back of my neck, pulling our bodies together.

I moistened my lips with my tongue as he rested his forehead on mine.

“I want you,” I admitted.

“Me too,” he murmured, brushing back the front pieces of my hair. “So bad. You have no fucking clue, Ellie. It’s been so hard trying to keep my hands off of you.”

“So don’t,” I begged. “I can’t stop wanting you. I tried, but?—”

He brushed his lips over my throat, and I let out a small moan as he kissed up my neck, but not bringing our mouths together. Not yet.

No, he was apparently going to torture me.

He stepped back, pulling his shirt off before dropping it to the floor. Five months ago, I didn’t have a chance to appreciate his body. God, he was beautiful. He always had been, but now he was all man. I couldn’t stop myself from running my fingers down his muscular torso, chiseled and well-defined after years of playing professional hockey. I traced his abs with my finger tip lightly, and Owen shuddered, revealing his forearm with the movement.

Finally, I got a look at the tattoo I’d glimpsed last week when he’d been in the shower.

It was a daisy.

He had a daisy tattooed on his upper arm.

Somehow I knew, without asking what it meant, that he had it for me. He’d always called me Daisy. Of all the people in my life, he was the only one to make my middle name sound like a nickname of endearment. My Daisy. That nickname always made my heart melt.

“When did you get this?” I asked, running my fingers over it in awe. The lifework was thin, but detailed—exactly the style of tattoo I’d always loved. We’d talked about getting matching ones when we were younger, but obviously nothing had ever come of it.

When we’d slept together after our graduation party, we’d been in a hurry, and by the time we’d stripped each other of our clothes, it had been dark. There hadn’t been a time to see his tattoo. But maybe that was by design, too. Back then, we’d both been holding back. Keeping things from each other.

Now, it was time to confess those truths. To move on—together.

He swallowed roughly. “I got it once I signed my NHL contract.”

I shut my eyes, processing that news. After we’d broken up. “Why?”

His warm hand cupped my cheek, rubbing tenderly over my cheekbone. “You know why, Ellie.”

Shaking my head, I looked down at the comforter, picking at a loose thread in the dark blue fabric. “After everything I did… I never imagined you’d still want me, Owen.” Maybe I’d hoped for it, had moved back up here chasing after it, but I hadn’t dreamed that he’d still want me like this.

“What did you imagine?” He brushed a piece of hair behind my ear. “That I’d be able to move on from you? Never.”

Each touch was so gentle. Tender. He ran his thumb over my face, like he was memorizing it solely based on feel. Owen brushed over my lower lip, and I shuddered.

“One night wasn’t enough,” I admitted.

“No,” he agreed. “It’ll never be enough for the two of us, El. ”

Fluttering my eyelashes, I sat back on my heels as he climbed onto the bed on top of me, his much larger frame caging me in. “Why’s that?” The murmur was hardly audible, but I knew he’d heard me.

“Fuck.” He grabbed my waist, hoisting me backwards towards the headboard. His breath caught as his fingers ran down my side. “Ellie.”

“Mhm?” I hummed, even though I knew exactly what he’d find on my skin.

His voice was a rasp against my skin when he asked, “Why do you have my number tattooed on you?”

“You know why, Owen,” I said, repeating the sentiment.

“Tell me anyway,” he begged.

I shut my eyes, picturing the moment I’d gotten it. My little secret number eight, hidden under my bra line on my side. “So you’d always be with me.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, tilting my head up and brushing my lips against his.

Because I’d always been his, even with the years apart. Even though there was so much distance between us, I’d always worn his number.

Owen’s mouth met mine, soft at first, but it merged into something desperate. Needy . I let the kiss say everything I hadn’t.

Rocking my hips, I was all too aware that the only thing separating us was our thin underwear. Mine was damp already, and I desperately wanted—needed—more.

“I need to touch you,” he said with one more nip of my lips. “Can I please touch you, Ellie baby?”

“Yes,” I whispered. I needed it just as badly. Every part of me ached for his touch, his embrace, his warmth. He was the only man for me. He’d always been the only man for me.

“Lie back and let me take care of you,” he murmured.

Gently laying me down so my head rested against the pillows, he transferred that tender touch down my body, his fingers brushing over my collarbones and then my nipples before replacing them with his mouth. He ran his tongue over the hardened peaks. Owen nipped and sucked, driving me wild with his tongue and his teeth.

“Didn’t get to taste you before,” he murmured as he pulled away. “To memorize your body. I’m not making that mistake again.” He kissed down my stomach before reaching my thighs. I was so hopelessly turned on, and I knew it would be obvious as soon as he touched me. But I wanted this so badly.

I moaned in agreement as he pulled my legs apart, pressing his thumb over my drenched panties.

“Were these for me?” He asked, looking reverently at the fabric as he ran his knuckle over my entrance.

“They’re pretty,” I said, lamely, at a loss for words as he kissed my inner thigh.

“They are,” he mused. “Though you’ve always looked beautiful in blue.”

Owen pressed down, letting the fabric gather my wetness as he rubbed against my clit. His heated gaze was almost… reverent as he pulled my panties to the side and ran his finger through my slit. “Fuck, you’re so wet,” he rasped.

I let out a small moan, and then he hooked his fingers into the lacy waistband of the underwear before dragging them down. “Up,” he commanded, tapping on my hips. I lifted them to help him pull them off my body.

He sat back, his eyes trailing down in a blatant perusal of my naked body, like he was drinking me in. “You’ve always been the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

Owen settled himself in between my thighs, his mouth replacing where his fingers had just been. He used one hand to keep my legs spread apart, holding me open.

“Please,” I begged. I didn’t know what I was asking for, I just knew I wanted it.

He gave me a smug look as he bent down, nipping at my inner thigh. “Patience, baby. I’m going to take my time this time. Give us what we both want.”

“Oh,” I squeaked as he ran his tongue up my entrance, circling my clit once, twice. “ Yes, ” I cried.

He groaned as he dipped his tongue inside of my slit, lapping up all of my juices. “So sweet,” he muttered.

Fuck, but that shouldn’t have been so hot. I reached down, thrusting my hands into his hair, pushing him further against my aching pussy. He was eating me out like a man starved, but it wasn’t enough. I needed more. “Owen.” I tugged at his hair, trying to get his attention as he licked and sucked.

“Hmm?” He hummed against my clit, the sensation sending a wave of pleasure through me.

“I need more,” I whined, bucking my hips against his mouth.

In response, he pressed his thumb against my clit, rubbing back and forth as he continued lapping at me with his tongue.

Shutting my eyes, I focused on the sensation. At how close I was to an orgasm. It had been so long, and my vibrator didn’t compare to Owen’s attention. Not one bit.

He squeezed my thigh, making me look down at him. At his eyes, focused on me as he licked one more time before pulling back. “Eyes open, Daisy. I want you to watch as I make you come.”

I wanted that too. He slid one finger inside of me, groaning as he felt how wet I was, and then another.

And then his lips were back on my clit, sucking and giving me the most delicious pressure as he crooked his fingers inside of me, making me come faster than I ever had before. I let out a low moan as I toppled over the edge, squeezing around Owen’s fingers as I practically saw stars.

After a moment, he pulled his fingers out and brought them up to his lips to suck them clean. I decided right then and there that there was nothing sexier than Owen licking my release off his hand .

Except for the sight of him reaching down, palming his cock, his erection straining through the thin fabric of his boxers. He squeezed lightly as I watched him through lidded eyes, still feeling like I was floating after my orgasm.

“Come here,” I whispered, stretching my arms out towards him.

He didn’t hesitate, crawling over on top of me and pressing his lips to mine, letting me taste myself on his tongue.

I wrapped my arms around his back as we kissed, feeling like somehow we still weren’t close enough. Like I needed more. Raking my nails down his back, I slid them down to his ass, cupping that hockey butt I was quickly growing obsessed with. Any time he wore those slutty running shorts around the apartment or after a workout, I had a hard time taking my eyes off of it. Though I’d never been able to take my eyes off of him.

“Ellie,” he groaned, resting his head in the crook of my neck. “Fuck, baby. I’m trying so hard to hold back. To make this last.”

In response, I slid my hand into his boxers, wrapping my hand around his shaft. “You don’t have to hold back.”

I pumped him slowly, enjoying the look of desperation unravel on his face.

“Tell me what you want, and I’ll do it.”

“I want this inside of me,” I whispered, running my thumb over the crown. “Please. Don’t make me beg.” I fluttered my eyelashes, letting go of him so he could push his boxers off, kicking them off towards the door.

His cock was oozing pre-cum, and I dipped my head down to lick the bead off of his tip.

Owen let out a groan. “Fuck.”

Dragging my tongue down his shaft, I frowned when his hand cupped my chin, tilting my face so our eyes would meet.

“Why do you look like the world is about to end?”

“I don’t… have any condoms.” He sighed .

I sat up, blinking. “You don’t?” It was crazy to me to think that in an apartment of a single professional hockey player, there wasn’t a single box of condoms for the girls I was sure he hooked up with. Then again, he had promised me that there wouldn’t be anyone else while I was living here. I just thought that was out of respect for me, though. “Like, they’re all expired, or…”

He ran his fingers through his hair, looking towards the window. “I’ve never brought a woman back here, Ellie,” he confessed.

“Never?” My eyes grew wide. “But…”

“I…” Owen’s voice was rough. “I haven’t been with anyone else.”

“Since May, when we… hooked up?” He shook his head no. “But…” I froze. “Owen. It’s been…”

“Five years.” He nodded. “I know.”

My eyes widened. “And you haven’t… You never ?”

He leaned forward, cupping the side of my face with his hand. That shaggy dirty blonde hair of his that I loved brushed over his forehead with the movement, and the look on his face was so endearing, I wanted to pull him into my arms and never let go. “I never wanted to. Didn’t want anyone else… Not if they weren’t you.”

“Oh.” My eyes filled with tears. I didn’t expect that from him. Not from a hotshot hockey player, or from an NHL player. Especially not when we were broken up, and I’d broken his heart.

“I thought…” I blinked, the emotion overwhelming me. What did I think? That without me in his life, as a professional hockey player, he’d have his pick of any girl he wanted? Yes. That was what I’d thought. That he’d have puck bunnies warming his bed. That he would be sleeping with any girl he wanted.

It had driven me crazy for the last few years, and I didn’t want to think that way anymore .

But here he was, telling me he hadn’t. That he’d never wanted anyone else. That he’d always wanted me.

“I haven’t either,” I said, voice low. A sacred promise, somehow. It felt like more .

Owen rested his forehead against mine. “I need to feel you,” he murmured. “Need to know you’re mine. At least for now. For however long I have you.” I knew what he was asking—and I wanted it more than anything. We’d only gotten to do this twice, but the first time barely counted. After all, it had been years, and I wasn’t the same girl now that I’d been back then, terrified of ruining his entire life by being a clingy girlfriend.

I nodded. “I’m on birth control. And I’m okay with it, if you are.” Going bare. Feeling him inside of me, claiming in a way no one else had.

There had never been another man. It had always been him. My first and only.

“I’m all clear. I get physicals with the team every year,” he said, holding himself still.

“ Yes,” I agreed. Because I’d give him anything he wanted if he asked for it. “Make me yours, Owen. Only yours.”

“Mine,” he agreed, cupping my face in his hands.

He kissed me tenderly before positioning himself in between my thighs and notching his tip at my entrance.

Those brown eyes I’d known my whole life looked up at me, like he was making sure I was okay.

I nodded. “Let me feel you inside me, Owen. Give it to me.”

Owen pushed in slowly, giving me time to adjust to his size. He’d always been big, and no amount of time could change that.

This time, I was going to savor it. Because I knew, down to the depths of my soul, that this wasn’t a one-time thing for us. It never would be. Not after this. Not after baring our souls to each other.

I wanted this too badly to hold back anymore.