Page 57 of Buried Roots

He pulls away, running a finger over my stomach before kissing his way down. He stops between my legs, and I lift my knees up. He nudges my thighs, and I spread my shaking legs.

“You okay with this?” he asks with concerned eyes.

“Oh my god, yes.” Maybe I shouldn’t, but I feel safe. Desire has taken over, but it’s more than that. I trust him.

His tongue finds the right spot instantly. He sucks and flicks it in a way that sends electric shocks through me, and I arch my back and groan.

He flicks harder, then softer, bringing me close to the edge and back. He knows exactly what to do until I’m unaware of everything except the ache between my legs. “Please.”

“Please what?” he whispers, sucking me again and forcing all my breath to escape.

“I need you inside me.” My whole body trembles.

“After I’m done.”

Then he uses his fingers and tongue to bring me to the edge and back. With each intentional thrust of his tongue, he’s giving me everything as he increases the rhythm until I explode, pleasure rippling inside me.

He gets up and takes the condom out of his jeans pocket, then bites the wrapper off before carefully rolling it on. God, he’s beautiful. Just watching him do that makes me ache more, if that’s possible.

I croak, “I’ll never be able to eat spaghetti without thinking of you like this again.”

He laughs and says, “Spaghetti night’s now forever my favorite.”

When he climbs back on top of me, he pulls me in so close his body scorches my skin. He moves over me, and I love the rhythm of his breathing in my ear. I pant, “Owen, please.”

“Not yet,” he whispers, pressing himself against my skin and stroking me ever so gently until I feel like I might lose my mind. When I can’t take another second, I say, “Do it already.”

I close my eyes and take in this moment I’ve fantasized about so many times.

Then, he pushes into me. Slowly at first, going deeper with each stroke. “You feel amazing,” he rasps.

His hips rock, slowly, smoothly. But my fingers dig into his back, begging him for more.

His eyes sear into mine, and for a moment, we share a look that expresses everything we feel about each other, which is miles past skin deep. My breath becomes jagged, and I wrap my legs around him and pull him in so tight there’s nothing left between us but sweat and desire. He moves in deeper until the only thing I’m able to do is cry out.

“God, Willow.” He keeps going, faster then slower, never completely satisfying me, and our moans tangle in the air.

There are none of my ever-present worries. There’s only his body perfectly forming to mine, waves of pleasure building and cascading. Owen tilts my hips up and appears to know exactly the spot to hit, just like he seems to understand everything else about me.

My breath catches in my throat when he’s about to drive me over the edge, but then I stop myself. I see that he’s close too, with the roaring heat in his eyes and the quivers of his body. “Come. I want you to come.” My voice is desperate.

That’s all it takes, and the muscles of his back go taut under my palms. He lets out a groan, and I cave in, arching my back as everything explodes in waves of pleasure inside me. “Oh, god, Owen.”

He heaves out breaths as he shudders, then his body goes limp. He blows out a long exhale. “Christ, Queens.”

“I know,” is all I say. Nothing has ever felt so good, so right, and somehow, I know he feels the same way.

He rolls off then pulls me close. I place my head on his chest and listen to the sound of his heartbeat as it slows.

20

The Old Friend

Thisweek,thedayshave been long with grueling work, and the sleeping has been short with Owen in my bed. I’m tired, but completely fulfilled and happy. Owen has been invaluable with the restoration, and today is Saturday—a day he needed off but didn’t say why. Maybe it’s because he’s been burning the candle at both ends now that he’s started training at the vet hospital with Dr. Thompson.

After showering and getting dressed, I step out the sliding back doors. I see the supplies for the new patio that’s going in tomorrow: pallets of brick, grout, wood, commercial saws, and buckets of tools—all ready to go.

It’ll be amazing, a crisp brick patio under the arched and artful pergola. I can’t wait to see it once the vines go in. It’s going to be quite the showcase for the celebration we’re having on August sixth, the day the appraiser officially makes the home a landmark—ifit passes inspection. I’m equal parts nervous and excited for it all.

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