Page 43 of Ink & Stardust

“I... Uh...” I start, words failing me as I watch Owen remove his shirt, revealing his muscular and very fit physique.

Shit.

It’s not that I hate my body or anything. I’m just not exactly used to showing it off to random people. The thought of doing so has my insides churning and I have to breathe through the tiny pricks of panic collecting in my chest.

When Owen hands me his shirt, a basic white tee that smells like his cologne, I get an idea. Without a word, I pull it over my head. As expected, it’s quite big on me, giving me room to work as I remove my light blue top underneath, pulling it through one of the armholes before handing it over.

“Well, that’s one way to do it.” Maisie chuckles at my side.

Owen throws it over his head, fighting to get the material over his shoulders, which he eventually does.

It isn’t until he straightens that I get a good look at him and once I do, I buckle in laughter. I can’t help it. The shirt that comes to the waistband of my jean shorts doesn’t even reach the middle of his abdomen, and the cap sleeves are so tight around his armpits that he ends up ripping the material to make it work.

Even though I actually really liked the top, I’m too busy laughing to care that he just ruined it. Perhaps if I had realized what a top swap party actually entailed, I would have worn something I didn’t care to have destroyed. That’s what I get for not asking enough questions, a mistake I won’t make a second time.

“How do I look?” He holds his arms out and I’m struck by just how handsome he actually is. It’s no wonder I was attracted to him almost instantly. He really is a good-looking guy.

Not that I have any intention of going there with him. We tried that once and it didn’t go so well. Though if I’m honest with myself, it’s a bit hypocritical of me to hold such things against him when Kai has done that and probably worse and yet it didn’t stop me from sticking my tongue down his throat the first chance I got.

Then again, Owen Grady is no Kai Elliot.

“Amazing.” I smile, taking his arm when he offers it.

“I’ll catch up with you in a few,” Maisie tells me, and I nod, throwing her one last look over my shoulder before Owen leads me away.

“You look incredible in my shirt.” Owen waits until we’ve reached the kitchen to say, releasing my arm.

I snort, looking down to see the shirt completely covers my shorts.

“Looks like I’m not wearing any pants,” I state flatly.

“I don’t see a problem with that.” He winks, turning to grab two plastic cups. “Beer good?”

“That’s fine.” I nod.

He fills both cups at the keg, and I keep a close eye on both drinks to make sure nothing gets slipped into one or both. Not that I don’t trust Owen. He’s never given me reason to think he’d do such a thing, but one can never be too careful.

When he turns and hands me a cup, I feel satisfied that it’s safe to drink.

“Not sure what good deed I did that you, of all people, would draw my name, but I’m sure glad you did.” He grins, his dimple making another appearance.

“Me too,” I agree, and I mean it. Again, I’d rather be here with him than with a complete stranger.

“To happy accidents.” He taps his cup against mine.

“To happy accidents.” I return the sentiment, waiting until he lifts his cup and drinks before doing the same.

“You any good at pool?” he asks, offering me his arm a second time.

“Not really.” I smile, slipping my arm through his.

“But you know how to play?” He leads me from the kitchen.

“I do.”

“Well, there’s no way you can be worse than my last partner. He was terrible.” He chuckles, excusing us through a thick crowd as we enter the back room.

My gaze jumps to the couches where Kai was sitting that first night, disappointment settling in my gut when the spot sits vacant. Not that I actually expected him to be there or anything...

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