Page 39 of Since Always

I don't want any of this.

"Cassidy," he whispers, and I jolt around, not having heard the door open behind me. He closes it and we stare at one another, not speaking. My chest is heaving as I try to get my breathing under control. I wipe my eyes.

"I'm sorry," I say, but then get angry. "No, I'm not. I am not sorry. This sucks, Owen. I hate this. I don't want to see you flirting with other women—"

"That was Stephanie's friend. I was just trying to be nice"

"You were doing a really convincing job."

His eyebrows rise. "Yeah, well, that kiss you gave the Hart kid was pretty convincing too."

My gaze falls to the floor between us.

"I didn't know you saw that."

"Well, I did. Once again, I got to watch you kiss someone else."

I look back up at him, and it's all there on his face. And I recognize it all because it's a mirror of my own anguish.

"Cass?"

I can't speak—there are no more words for us to say.

Without looking, Owen reaches behind him and twists the lock on the door. He then lunges forward and grabs me in his arms, his mouth crashing down on mine. I whimper. Is this really happening?

Suddenly, my arms are wrapping around him; running up his back, grabbing at his hair. His hands are clenched around my waist.

This is it. The moment I have been waiting for my entire life.

CHAPTER 12

Owen

I break from the kiss, but don't let go of her, every ounce of willpower that I have strung together in the past few days evaporating instantly. I need her undressed more than I need the air in my lungs right now. I spin her around, so she is facing away from me, pausing for a second to let her anticipation build before I touch her again. My lips drop to the nape of her neck, leaving a soft trail of kisses down to the fabric of her dress. My fingers find her zipper, and I slowly drag it down, across her skin. I slide the dress off her body, and she steps out of it, turning back around to face me, wearing only a strapless bra and thong.

My breath catches at her expression. It is filled with lust and wanting, and it destroys me.

She reaches back and unhooks the bra, letting her supple breasts fall free. I reach down to unbutton and rip off my shirt, and I watch as her eyes travel down my stomach, taking in my body.

I grab her by the waist again, and lift her so that I can lay her back on the bed. I use my thumbs to pull her panties down her slim legs and toss them across the room as I take in the piece of artwork laid bare in front of me. Goosebumps cover her soft skin as she awaits my touch, but I need a moment to savor this sight. To register that I am here. That she is here. That this is happening.

I undo my belt and pants and reach down to take off her heels without ever letting my eyes move from her body.

I climb onto the bed between her legs, leaning forward so that my face is just inches from hers.

"Touch me," she begs. It is the most sensual thing I have ever heard.

"Tell me," I say, wanting more. "Tell me what you want me to do to you."

“I—" she stammers a bit, but then her eyes set in determination. There’s my Cassidy. “I want to feel your mouth on me."

"And then?" I say, my mouth inching forward towards her.

"And then I want to feel you inside of me. I want you to fuck me, Owen. Please, fuck me."

My mouth devours her, both of us moaning into one another. I trail down to her breasts, letting my tongue circle her nipples, biting softly on each one as her body writhes beneath me.

I am reluctant to move, but I shuffle back off the bed so I can pull her to the edge of it. I drop to my knees on the floor, and move in, getting my first taste of her. She groans, and I can't help but let a small moan escape my own lips. I trace my tongue over her, sucking softly. She is grinding her hips into my face, and I am having a hard time pacing myself. I move my hand up and let my finger push inside of her, first one and then another.

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