He hesitates, then nods. "Fine. I'll grab some blankets and stuff from the truck."

Before he can turn away, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down into a heated kiss. He's momentarily surprised, but his hands land on my hips, and he tugs me closer.

After a moment, I pull back enough to speak against his lips. "You're doing it again."

"What?" he asks, sounding dazed.

I smirk. "Rescuing me."

His eyes fill with something primal, possessive. "Trust me, Lena. I'm not doing this out of some misplaced sense of heroism. You know damn well what's going on here. You're important to me.”

"Then prove it," I breathe.

He growls deep in his chest and crushes his mouth to mine, kissing me fiercely. His hands grip my hips tightly as he walks us backward until my back hits the wall. My fingers tangle in his hair as he kisses along my jawline and down my neck, sucking on that sensitive spot just below my ear.

I sigh softly, pressing against him, desperate for more contact. He’s pinning me between the wall and his muscular body, caging me in with his arms. I'm wearing barely anything—a matching silk pajama set with just a tank and shorts—and I can feel every inch of him, hot and hard.

"You're so fucking beautiful, Lena," he murmurs, nipping at my earlobe. "So fucking sexy."

His hands trail down my sides, reaching the hem of my tank top and sliding underneath. I gasp as his rough palms graze my bare skin, sliding up to cup my breasts. I’m spinning out, aching for relief.

"Owen..." I breathe, tangling my fingers in his hair. "Please."

He groans, pressing a heated kiss against my neck. "Are you sure?"

I nod frantically, tugging on his hair. "Yes. I need you. Now."

He kisses me again, deeper this time, his tongue stroking mine in a way that sends sparks of pleasure shooting through my entire body. I can't believe this is happening, but I know one thing for sure—it's about damn time he stopped pretending this isn't where we've been destined to end up after our tryst on the attic floor.

I reach down and grab the hem of his t-shirt, pulling it off in one quick motion. I run my hands over his broad shoulders and muscled chest, feeling his skin grow warm beneath my touch.

Owen makes a satisfied groan as he slides his fingers into my hair, tilting my head back so he can kiss a hot path down my neck. His other hand moves lower, gripping my ass firmly, pressing me against him even harder. I can feel his erection straining against his jeans, and the knowledge that I'm turning him on makes my heart race even faster.

His hand slides around my hip, dipping under the hem of my pajamas, finding bare skin. He lets out a low growl as he discovers there's nothing underneath.

"Fuck," he mutters, cupping my ass roughly before sliding his hand down between my thighs to cup my pussy possessively. "You're driving me crazy, Lena. Where is the bedroom? I refuse to fuck you on the floor again."

"Upstairs," I manage to say through gritted teeth. "Second door on the left."

He kisses me fiercely, then scoops me up in his arms and carries me toward the stairs. We make it halfway up before he loses patience and sets me on my feet, pushing my back against the wall.

He kisses me hard, sliding two fingers deep inside me, working them in and out slowly as he sucks on my tongue. I moan, digging my nails into his shoulders, desperately needing more.

He breaks away from the kiss, trailing his lips down my neck and chest until he reaches my breasts. He shoves my tank top up, exposing my bare skin. I'm not wearing a bra, and the hungry look in his eyes as he leans down to suck one nipple into his mouth nearly makes me come right there.

I cry out, tangling my fingers in his hair. His free hand moves lower, grabbing my ass roughly to drag me even harder against him.

The stairs are old and smaller than I'm comfortable with, even if my mind is a haze of lust. "Bedroom, Owen. Bedroom."

He groans in frustration but steps back, pulling me with him up the rest of the stairs. We're kissing again by the time we get to my room, fumbling our way toward the bed.

I tug at his jeans, desperate to feel his skin on mine, and he helps me push them down before stepping out of them. Then his hands are everywhere, touching me, teasing me, driving me crazy with desire.

We fall onto the bed together, and there's no hesitation now, no holding back. He makes quick work of my silky pajamas, and his lips are immediately on my skin, starting right below my belly button, before he licks a line over my hip bone.

"Oh God," I gasp, arching against him. "Keep going.”

He doesn't respond, too busy sliding lower until he reaches my inner thigh. His beard tickles my skin as he kisses his way higher, closer to where I need him most. And when his tongue finally flicks against my clit, I nearly come undone.