Page 67 of Pucking Tangled
“I heard you,” he confessed. “Last night. Early this morning. And I could see it all over your face when you came to breakfast.”
She bit her lip, Unshed tears filling her eyes.
“Was it just his turn?” Casey asked. “Was that all it was?”
Mia blew out a harsh breath. “No.”
“Then what the hell am I supposed to do now?” His resolve snapped and his voice rose. “Just keep pretending I’m fine? Keep being your best friend while the rest of them take turns touching you?”
She flinched like his words were a slap across the face.
Owen stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder—grounding him, or maybe he was really holding him back. “Easy,” he said softly. “She doesn’t deserve your pain.”
Casey looked away, regret filling his soul. “I know.”
Mia’s voice was barely above a whisper as she told him, “I don’t want to bejustyour best friend, Casey.”
He looked at her again. His anger wavered, giving way to the aching in his soul.
“I think that you’ve been mine for a long time,” she said. “Even before I realized it.”
The air crackled between them.
He leaned forward, reaching for her hands, and pulled her into his lap. “I don’t want to be the last one in line,” his voice cracked with deep emotion. “I don’t want to be the safe choice. I want you to want me the way I want you. Recklessly.”
She swallowed hard and her cheeks flushed. “I do.”
He hesitated—just for a second—and then kissed her.
He kissed her the way he’d dreamt about for far too long.
It wasn’t soft.
It wasfierce.
Desperate.
Hungry.
Like he’d die if he couldn’t feel her. His hands cradled her face and his thumbs brushed her cheeks as he tried to memorize every single touch.
Owen stayed silent behind him.
Watching.
Waiting.
Casey finally pulled back, breathing hard.
His erection strained against shorts, begging forherattention.
Owen cleared his throat. “Is there room for two?”
Mia looked at him with wild eyes.
Casey didn’t move.
Didn’t argue.
