Page 108 of Falling For You

The coolness of his skin against mine, the heat of his lips against me, and the heaviness of his body sent a shiver of something unexpected.

I craved all of this man—the mental, physical, and everything in between.

He ran his hands along my bare legs, sending a wave of goosebumps over me as his lips followed his fingers.

Owen’s warm breath skated over my thighs as he came back over me. I opened my eyes to see him studying me.

“You’re so beautiful.” His voice was gruff as he slowly moved some hair from my shoulders.

“Please don’t make me wait any longer,” I said, feeling my body heat under his. “Don’t make me beg.”

His lips curled slightly. “I might like to hear what that sounds like sometime.”

I giggled as his mouth came down on mine, harder and needier than before. My fingers dug into his back as he moved slowly into me, finding the rhythm we needed. His fingers worked in between to match my breathing as I ground into him.

Owen growled a little throaty sound as my hips rolled into him at the same time he pushed deeper. The surge of emotion nearly outweighed the explosive sensations pulsating through me as I wrapped my legs around his waist.

“So amazing,” he whispered with each continued thrust as my body arched into his.

For the first time in my life, it felt like I was becoming one with another human.

A moan escaped as my body exploded in pleasure. Owen buried his lips along my shoulder as his body shuddered against mine.

And then we both collapsed, breathing hard and realizing there was no turning back.

Because here, in this cabin, with Owen by my side—I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be. And when he finally had to leave Buttercup Lake, I knew it wouldn’t be the end of us.

It was finally the beginning.

Chapter Thirty

Owen

I woke up to Violet’s soft breathing. Her head rested on my chest, her dark hair fanning like silk across the pillow behind her.

The early morning light filtered through the curtains, and for a moment, I just lay there, trying to memorize every second of this—of her.

I wasn’t ready to leave.

Her tiny cabin, cozy and warm, was decorated for the holidays, and the scent of pine from the Christmas tree downstairs filled the loft. Before everything happened last night, I took in her decorations, and they were perfectly Vi.

The ornaments were mismatched, clearly collected over the years, each telling a story. A string of lights draped across the stone near the woodstove, their soft twinkle adding a touch of whimsy to the space. She hung stockings with care, even though it was just Violet here most of the time.

It felt like home. More than any place I’d ever been.

I looked down at her, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest as she slept.

Vi’s expression was so peaceful.

God, she was beautiful. And at this moment, Vi looked so content, like she belonged here, like we belonged here.

Together.

But in a few hours, I’d be on a plane.

And while I was looking forward to finishing things up, the idea of leaving Violet, even briefly, made my chest tighten. It wasn’t just about the time apart—it was the feeling that I didn’t want to be anywhere else but right here with her for the first time in my life.

I shifted slightly, careful not to wake her, though part of me wanted to stay like this for as long as possible. The warmth of her body against mine, the soft weight of her resting on my chest.

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