Page 45 of Passion Restored

Liz smiled. “You like the idea, then?”

Owen reached over their plates to trace the back of her hand with his finger, and she shivered. “Yeah, I do. I think your body was made for art.”

He’d whispered the words, but she still blushed at the idea that others could hear. While she liked to talk dirty and in detail, she preferred to do it behind closed doors. Owen didn’t seem to have that problem.

“Um…I was thinking of maybe something to do with healing, like a symbol, color, or flower that represents healing and rebirth. Probably on my hip or lower back since those parts are always hidden under my scrubs. I’ll have to do more research.”

Owen nodded before moving his hand back and taking a sip of his wine. They’d both ordered a glass of shiraz to go with their meals and would stop at one drink since they had to drive home later.

“Maya or Blake could do that for you. Hell, anyone at Montgomery Ink would make it work. Everyone at the shop has their specialties, but I think Callie, one of the other women who works there, is a flower whiz. She’s newer than the others, but from what I’ve seen, she knows what she’s doing.”

Liz took a bite of her meal before continuing, “Are all of your tattoos from that shop, then?”

Owen nodded. “I was late to the game with my ink because I spent so long researching exactly what I wanted. Then Jake met Maya in a bar, and they became best friends. Once I saw what she—as well as her brother and the rest of them—could do, I knew who would be doing my ink.” He snorted. “And it’s not like I could go anywhere else after that, or Maya would have kicked my ass.”

Liz smiled widely. “I think I love Maya and Blake because of that. They don’t take shit from anyone.”

Owen quirked a brow, the ring there small enough that most people missed it, but still there to show that he wasn’t always the man in the suit. “You don’t take it from anyone either, Liz.”

She shrugged, moving out of the way as the waiter took away their appetizer plates and set down their entrees.

“Did I say something wrong?” Owen asked.

She looked up at him and shook her head. “No, you didn’t. I just don’t really think I compare to either of them. They’re so strong.”

“And so are you. I know you don’t see yourself that way, but I can tell you that neither of them did either. About themselves. Hell, I’m pretty sure we all have days where we don’t feel like we can handle things. It’s how we work through those times and persevere that defines our strength.”

She tilted her head as she studied his face. “You’re much wiser than you let on, Gallagher.”

He grinned. “Yeah? I don’t always feel wise.” His grin fell, and she wanted to reach out and hold him. The table and food between them stopped her, but only just.

“It’s been a week since you got back,” she treaded carefully. “Is everything okay with you and your brothers?”

Owen looked down, playing with his food. It was so unlike him that she knew he was really worried. “I guess. I mean they keep saying they don’t blame me for what happened but I don’t know. Deals fall through all the time, but this one…this one hurt.”

She reached out and gripped his free hand. “Listen to your brothers, Owen. They’re telling you that they don’t blame you, and you know what, I bet they don’t. You all work so hard on a company you built with your own hands, and I am so proud of you guys. So you don’t have that one client, that’s fine. You’ll have twenty more. You guys have a wonderful reputation, and you’re going to make it. I’ve seen the work you guys do.”

“This one just hurts, you know?”

“I know,” she whispered. This one had been on him, and he was taking it personally. She couldn’t blame him for his feelings as she’d have been in the same boat, but it still hurt her to see him like this. “How about I let you work on a few things in my house? Would that make you feel better?” She didn’t know anything else she could do for him, and honestly, she needed to get over herself and ask for help in things she couldn’t do on her own. Tessa had already been on her for that and had wanted to ask the Gallaghers weeks ago.

Maybe it was time for Liz to listen.

He squeezed her hand, his eyes lightening. “You must feel sorry for me if you’re asking for help.”

“I’d flip you off, but we’re in a nice restaurant and I’m hungry.”

“You can fuck me later to make your point known,” Owen whispered.

Her heart sped up again, and her breath quickened. “Good.”

Owen had her on her knees in his bathroom as he thrust his hips into hers, their bodies in sync as they panted together. They might have both been clothed, but she knew she was close to coming from the friction alone. They’d finished their meals rather quickly at the restaurant, talking about things that mattered but weren’t going to lead them down roads better left untraveled, before paying with cash and practically running out of the building.

Anyone who looked at them would have known what they were racing off to do, but she hadn’t cared. The ride had been achingly long, and she’d literally had to sit on her hands so she wouldn’t reach over and undo Owen’s pants. There was no way she’d get them both into an accident because she couldn’t keep herself from touching him.

As soon as they’d pulled into his driveway since it would have been silly for him to park in hers as they were neighbors, they’d thrown themselves at each other, kissing, pulling, and kneading. Somehow, they’d made their way into his house, not making a decision on which bed to sleep in as it didn’t matter. She just needed him.

When he’d pressed her against the front door, she’d winced, her body sore from a long day’s work. Owen had taken one look at her and decreed that they’d be taking a bath to soak before they fucked like rabbits.

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