Page 49 of Wish You Were Mine (Kings of Eden Falls #3)
OWEN
I’d just started my car after my dinner with the Archibalds and was waiting for it to warm up a bit when my phone buzzed in the cupholder beside me.
Theo’s sister: Do you have plans for the rest of the night? I was thinking we should maybe touch base about what happened last night.
I stared at the message, my pulse instantly picking up speed.
Because I knew exactly what she was talking about.
Our kiss.
The moment when I’d officially crossed over the line and kissed my student.
Not just kissed…but passionately made out with in her brother’s pantry.
Me: I was just planning to hang out at home. And since I can’t exactly be seen going to your place without raising suspicions…do you want to come to mine instead?
Me: You know, unless we’re going full sketchy and meeting in a dimly lit parking lot somewhere.
When I looked up, her parents’ car rolled past mine, and there she was—Lucy in the backseat, her profile illuminated as my headlights caught the window. Her head was tipped back slightly, lips parted in a quiet smile, like she’d just laughed at the ridiculous parking lot joke I’d texted her.
And being the simple man that I was, I smiled too. Because there was something deeply satisfying about being the reason her face lit up like that.
Theo’s sister: I’ll come to your place.
The moment I got home, I moved like a man on a mission.
Clothes I’d dropped on the bedroom floor before dinner were shoved into the hamper.
I wiped down the bathroom counter, brushed my teeth, reapplied deodorant, and gave myself a light mist of cologne.
Just enough to smell good. Not enough to seem like I was trying too hard.
As I passed my bedroom, I paused in the doorway.
Should I tidy that up more?
Fluff the pillows? Straighten the comforter? Maybe light a candle?
No, that was definitely too much.
Lucy wouldn’t be stepping foot in my bedroom.
At least…I wasn’t planning on it.
I shook my head, trying to steer my thoughts away from every scenario that involved Lucy and my bed.
This was just a check-in.
Two adults having a conversation.
Totally innocent .
You know…unless she was open to picking up where we’d left off last night.
And before I could stop it, the scene played out in vivid detail in my mind?—
Lucy sitting on the edge of my bed, that yellow dress riding up just enough to make me shaky.
I’d kneel in front of her, my hands skimming up her calves as I slowly unfastened those strappy heels—slow and reverent—because helping her undress would feel like a privilege.
She’d watch me with a hunger in her blue eyes that would fill me with an ache of hope and longing.
I’d press a kiss to the inside of her knee, and her breath would catch.
Then I’d rise, pull her gently into my arms, and kiss her—deep, slow, and hungry. Until the world outside the room faded away.
Her fingers would fist the fabric of my shirt, tugging it up with quiet urgency, and I’d help her pull it over my head and toss it aside.
Then her hands would roam—tentative at first, then bolder—fingertips tracing along my chest, my ribs, my back, like she wanted to memorize the shape of me.
And through it all, her laugh would slip between kisses—soft and breathless—like she already knew exactly where this was headed…and couldn’t wait to get there.
I’d lay her back against my pillows, crawl over her, and feel her arch into me as our bodies pressed together, her thighs framing my hips. Every inch of her, soft and warm and mine.
I blinked hard. Okay. Time to stop.
I dragged a hand down my face and forced the scene out of my head before it went even further.
This wasn’t that kind of night.
Probably .
But…maybe.
Get it together, Park.
I shut my bedroom door before I could entertain any further thoughts.
Just as I started pacing, my phone buzzed.
Theo’s sister: Just pulled in. Coming up.
I texted her back:
Me: I left the door unlocked. Just come in. Less risk of being spotted that way.
Then I settled onto the couch, doing my best to give the impression of someone who looked cool and casual and definitely not like he was a complete ball of nerves.
A gust of cold air swept in as the door opened, and I looked over.
Then looked again.
“Are you wearing a wig?” I asked after Lucy stepped inside and shut the door, flipping the hood off her coat and revealing a cascade of glossy dark curls that definitely hadn’t been there at dinner.
“Thought it might be smart to show up in a disguise.” With a playful toss of her head, she asked, “Do you like it?”
I took her in, the unfamiliar look stealing my words for a second. She looked gorgeous—just different. Still her, but not.
“It’s cute,” I said honestly, then added with a half-smile, “but I think I prefer your natural hair.”
“Well, technically, my hair isn’t natural since I bleached it. So…” She raised a brow.
Crap.
“I, uh…” I cleared my throat. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. ”
“Don’t worry.” She laughed, shaking her head. “This is just the cheap wig I got for Halloween last year. I get what you meant.”
“Okay, good.” I exhaled. “Because honestly, you’re gorgeous no matter what you’re wearing. Or how your hair is done.”
Her gaze softened. “Thank you.”
“You were incredible today, by the way.” I stood, suddenly too restless to sit. “I didn’t really get to say it earlier, with your parents and Theo right there, but you honestly blew me away, Lucy.”
“Thanks.” Her smile spread, soft and a little bashful. “It really was a good meet.”
I hesitated, the urge to pull her into my arms suddenly tugging at me. But instead of doing that, I cleared my throat and asked, “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Let me guess.” She arched a brow, teasing. “Water or ice water?”
“Actually, I’ve upgraded.” I chuckled. “There’s sparkling water in the fridge now, too.”
“Oooh, fancy.”
“So…” I said, giving her a look. “What will it be?”
“Well, since the tall drink of water I was trying not to stare at in the crowd all afternoon doesn’t seem to be on the menu…” She smirked. “I guess I’ll go with ice water.”
She’d been staring at me during her meet?
The idea landed like a spark across my skin.
But trying to play it cool, I turned toward the kitchen and said, “Maybe we can do something about that tall drink of water a little later.”