Page 33 of Alpha's Second Chance

Despite the still-healing wounds, his body was still just as hot as ever. I wanted to touch him. I lifted one hand, and reached out to touch his still-damp chest. Then my eyes spotted the stitches in his shoulder. I yanked my hand back. I had no business touching him until he was well.

He grabbed my hand in his.“Eve.”

I blinked as he took a slow step toward me. Before I knew it, he leaned in and mouthed at my neck. “I saw you looking at me,” he said.

I moaned as his lips skimmed my jaw. “I don’t want to hurt you,” I breathed.

“It would hurt if you didn’t touch me.”

I opened my eyes to see the crooked smile on his face. “That was corny. I was really turned on, and now I’m trying not to laugh.”

“It’s true though. I want you to touch me.”

“Are you sure?”

He lifted his eyebrows and gestured downward. “Doesn’t it look like I’m sure?”

I wrapped my arms around him carefully, very aware of his hardness pressed between us.

He gave me a quick kiss on the mouth. “Are you okay?” He held my face in his hands. “Were you injured at all?”

“Not one bit.”

“Thank God.” He leaned his forehead against mine, a gesture I’d watched him do many times before. It had seemed sweet when we were kids, now it seemed poignant. I didn’t ever want to take it for granted.

“I don’t know what I’d have done,” he said. “I don’t want to live without you anymore.” He exhaled quickly. “It’s not easy for me to be upfront about my feelings,” he said, the words spilling out. “I’d rather say nothing. But after what you’ve been through, I want you to know.”

He’d been through just as much as I had, and then some. “I don’t want to live without you either.”

His hands dropped down to cup my backside. His lips skimmed over my cheek. “Are you okay with this right now?”

I nodded. I heard what he wasn’t saying:I need you. I needed him too.

“Do you know how much I want you,” he asked.

“I think I have an idea.”

“I like you in my clothes,” he said. “But I want you naked. Let’s get you undressed,” he said.

I pulled off the t-shirt and sweatpants of his that I was wearing. He kissed me, stepping backward and walking me to the bed.

He smoothed his hands over my hair. “You are amazing.”

“You’re pretty awesome yourself.”

“Are you sure you’re feeling okay enough for this?” Owen’s injuries wouldn't scare me off, but I hated the thought of him being in pain for this.

“I feel great,” he said. “I feel a lot better than I look.” He ran his hands down my spine. “Any requests?”

“I want you to take what you need.” I blinked, a little shocked I’d gotten the words out. I meant every word. But who’d have thought I’d ever speak those words to a male?

“You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Then, and now,” he said.

I prided myself on not being sentimental or emotional. But Owen’s words sliced through any barriers I had left. His honesty was refreshing, and I wanted to make him happy. “Tell me what you want,” I insisted.

Owen’s growl rumbled low in his chest. “Turn around. Lie face down on the bed. I need to see this lovely bottom.”

My blood sizzled. I never thought I’d like being spoken to so frankly. When the words came from Owen, I loved it. I did as he asked. I lay across the bed, with my chest pressed flat against the mattress. “Your bottom is the perfect height for me like this.”

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