Page 29 of Passion Restored

“I can’t believe I just had sex with you with your family right outside.”

Owen pulled out of her, and she winced. When he turned her around and cupped her face, kissing her softly, she leaned into him. “I honestly can’t believe it either, but only Tessa and Murphy heard, and if they had heard more than the tail end of it, they’d have said something. Every single adult outside has had sex before, Liz. It’s okay that we did this. It’s really okay. We just couldn’t wait, and yeah, I’ll get ribbed for it, but I’m always getting ribbed for something.”

Liz kept her eyes closed. “But they have kids out there.”

“Who didn’t hear or see anything and were most likely kept distracted by sugar. Now let me get us cleaned up and take care of the condom. Then we’ll go out there, get a drink and a burger, and enjoy the rest of the evening. Okay?” He kissed her again, and this time when he pulled back, she opened her eyes. “Don’t regret this, Liz. Don’t pull away because you’re embarrassed. I’ll kick their asses if they make you feel like what we did was wrong.”

She pressed her lips together and did her best not to say something she would regret but she knew it was too late. He’d seen it in her eyes. He let his hands fall and took a step back.

“I see.”

She shook her head. “No, you don’t see. Because I don’t. I just…this was fast for me, Owen. I need time to think.” She pulled up her jeans, wincing at how sore she knew she’d be later. “I’m going home. I’m not running from you, but from them. I don’t want it to be awkward.”

Owen shook his head. “It’ll be more awkward now, but I’m not going to make you do anything you don’t want to do.” He leaned forward as if to kiss her, then thought better of it. “Find me when you’re ready to talk.” And with that, he walked back to the bathroom attached to his room, and Liz pulled down her shirt.

She knew she was being an idiot and making a mistake, but she couldn’t think. She needed space to process what had just happened, and sitting with his family wasn’t going to help that.

She just hoped that when she figured it out, Owen wouldn’t hate her for it.

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