Page 114 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“No. He didn’t know what he was doing. It was the effects of anesthesia wearing off.”

Apparently, Owen isn’t taking my word for it, as his hands slide down my arms and over my stomach. I release a small gasp when his fingers trail over my belly, and his pupils dilate, his gaze fixed on mine. “Are you in pain?”

“No,” I shout, a bit too fast. “I don’t need anything.”

He clears his throat, those stormy orbs searching my face for deception, his fingers still resting on my stomach. Coincidence, right? It has to be a coincidence. “I hate that this happened to you.”

Does he mean the punch to the face or the baby? At this point, and with that glare, I can’t tell. My only option is to play it off. “Hell, I’m thrilled. I’ll blend right in at Wicked Chucks.”

“You’re going to the concert tomorrow?”

I nod, glad to be on a different conversation path.

“The dinner is tomorrow.”

Crap. It’s not that I forgot about the dinner. I just hopedhewould forget they invited me, and I could discreetly decline the invitation. I’m a strong chick. Hell, I can take a punch to the face, but it will be a punch in the heart to spend an evening with Charlotte and Owen. Add in that I now have a nice bruise on my cheek, and it’s fodder for a soap opera. “Yeah, I know.”

Owen stares at his hands, idly playing with my fingers. “I really want you there, Tally.”

Oh God, don’t do this to me. Please don’t make me feel guilty about evading this situation.Then his eyes meet mine, and I lose what little spine I have.

“Please, Tally.”

“Why do you need me there?”

His hand squeezes mine. “Because I don’t think I can survive this dinner without knowing you’re in the room.”

“But Owen,she’sgoing to be there.”

“I know, and I want to be withyou.”

I pull my hand from his grasp. I need to put some space between us. Fast.“I can’t. Please don’t ask me to do this.”

“I know I’m asking a lot of you, but this is a big deal for me, and you’re the most important person in my life. I want those things interconnected.”

I hate him. Truly, I hate him. Okay, I love him, but I hate that I’m being guilted into attending a soiree of elegant people while I bumble about in ill-fitting heels and a smashed cheek. “You suck,” I pout, grabbing my glasses off the bedside table.

Even worse? The smile crossing Owen’s features almost makes the idea of tomorrow night tolerable. Almost. He moves closer to me, pushing my thighs apart to stand in between them. “I can.”

“No, sir, there’s nocanabout it. You suck. End of story.”

“Does that mean you’ll be there?”

“Yes,” I huff, hating how good his fingers feel as they wrap around my ass and pull me against his erection.

He buries his face in my neck, nipping gently. “I’ll make it up to you. Any way you want. Even better, any wayIwant.”

I bite back a moan as he grinds himself against me. Holy hell, but I’m hot for this man. “I’ll figure out a repayment schedule.”

“Don’t forget to tack on interest payments.” Another nip as his hands knead my ass, my body buzzing from his touch.

“Rest assured, I’ll demand repayment in full.” I push my hands against his chest, feeling the muscles flex under my fingers. “But I’m leaving early. I’m not missing the entire concert.”

“Deal.”

“Lu! I just heard! Holy crap, are you okay? How’s the ba—” Stefani barges into the bay, her eyes widening at the sight of me wrapped in Owen’s arms. “—battery on your phone? I heard you dropped it.”

I squeeze my eyes shut in horror because a five-year-old could see through that save. “Yep, my phone is fine.”

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