Chapter 17 #2
I follow his gaze toward the windows where turquoise waves sparkle beneath the clear sky.
“What do you think about a beach day?" he suggests.
I answer by brushing my nose against his and nodding.
In one fluid motion, he pivots, pressing my back against the wall.
His mouth claims mine in a deep kiss that steals the air from my lungs as our bodies fit together like we’ve done this a thousand times.
I sink into him, my hands gripping his shoulders as his palms slide down my waist, pulling me closer.
He groans against my lips, like it takes all his effort to hold himself back.
And when we finally break apart, it’s not because we’re done.
It’s a promise for more later.
Paradise sprawls out before us as lazy waves roll in from the teal-blue ocean and kiss the shore. The sea breeze carries in the tropical smell of salt, coconut, and sunscreen.
I sink deeper into my chair with my legs sprawled out, pina colada in one hand, and my Kindle in the other. The glass is freezing against my fingers, dripping everywhere, but I'm too focused on fake-reading to care.
How the hell am I supposed to actually read when Owen is right next to me looking like that?
Along with everyone else on the beach, I can’t help but shamelessly check him out.
I hold my Kindle directly in front of my face and sneak a glance at Owen out of the corner of my eye. He's all stretched out with his muscular arms behind his head, skin bare and sun-kissed, while staring at the ocean like he hasn't got a single care in the world.
Thank God for my sunglasses, or he’d totally catch me eye-fucking him.
Ugh.
He’s so freaking hot.
Like, offensively hot.
His bright orange trunks hang so low on his hips that I have to force myself not to stare at the sharp lines disappearing beneath the waistband. I know where those lines lead… and God, I can’t stop thinking about it.
I bite the inside of my cheek and drop my eyes back to my Kindle, attempting to read the same sentence for the hundredth time.
I’m such a mess, sitting here trying to act normal when every cell in my body is on fire because Owen is literally two feet away in nothing but swim shorts.
I’m still trying to process that last night actually happened.
After years of pining after him in secret, I finally know what it’s like for Owen to want me back.
It's invigorating and devastating all at once.
"Hey, can I ask you something?"
Owen’s voice snaps me back to reality. I glance over and lower my Kindle on my lap.
"Sure,” I reply. “What’s up?”
He twists toward me, one hand shielding his sunglasses from the brutal glare.
"Were your parents hardcore Sopranos fans?"
I arch a brow.
"Meadow," he clarifies, lips quirking up. “Like Tony Soprano's daughter?"
I know exactly where this is going.
When you’re named Meadow, it’s just a right of passage.
"Not that I’m aware of,” I chuckle lightly. “Zero mafia connections in my family tree. They just fell in love with the name and thought it was unique."
“Hmm,” he gives a playful grunt. "I always wondered—I’d never met a Meadow until you.”
"Yep,” I sigh. “No interesting lore behind my name, unfortunately. My parents just liked it.”
To his point, I’ve never met a Meadow either. I’ve always kind of liked having a unique name.
“And for the record,” I add against the rim of my glass, “I've probably answered that question five million times."
"I’m sure you have," Owen chuckles as his expression softens. "It really is a beautiful name—suits you perfectly."
"Thanks," I mutter as my pulse stutters against my neck.
I shift, angling myself closer to fully face him.
"What about you?" I ask. "Is there a story behind your name?"
My heart drops as Owen’s entire expression transforms in less than a second.
His carefree demeanor vanishes into mist, his muscles tensing as his focus drifts toward the waves.
Oh no.
Did I say something wrong?
“I’m, uh... I’m named after my father's little brother," he finally responds, voice flat. "My uncle."
“He was only twenty-five,” he adds weakly. “He died in a car wreck. He was hit by a drunk driver and was killed instantly.”
Oh my God.
Twenty-five years old?
That’s heartbreaking.
I reach my hand across the space between us and wrap my fingers around his wrist.
“Owen… I’m so sorry.”
He shrugs like he’s unfortunately had this conversation a million times.
“It’s okay. I never got to meet him,” he replies, staring off into the distance. “But everyone who knew him talks about how amazing he was. Apparently, he was the type of person who lit up every room he walked into.”
“Just like you,” I whisper, watching the sunlight dance in Owen’s eyes as he tries to hide the ache in his chest.
Leaning in, I murmur, “I’d say you’re doing him proud.”
His brows pinch together with emotion.
“You think so?”
“I know so,” I grin. “You’re magnetic, Owen. You should see the way people smile when you’re around. Everything about you is contagious in the best way possible.”
His gaze flickers across my face, raw and unguarded.
My eyes lower to his lips as he leans in, cradles my cheeks in his palms, and presses his mouth to mine in a long, slow kiss.
When he finally pulls back, my lips feel all swollen and tingly.
“Thank you,” he breathes against my mouth. “That means more to me than you know.”
“Good,” I rasp, pressing my lips to his in another kiss. “And I hope you believe it. You’re amazing, Owen.”
His eyes dart between mine, like he can’t decide if he wants to wrap me in his arms or kiss me.
He steals the air from my lungs when he does both, pulling me into his lap and sliding his lips against mine in a toe-curling kiss. An involuntary moan comes from deep in my throat as I thread my fingers into his golden locks.
“Mmmm,” Owen rumbles between kisses. “We’d better go get in the water. If I keep kissing you, I’m going to have Security called on me for having this place turned into a nude beach.”
I throw my head back, bursting out in laughter.
"We definitely can’t have that on our permanent records," I tease, stealing one final taste of him.
We push ourselves up from our loungers, and Owen threads his fingers through mine, tugging me toward the waves.
Ahead of us, the Caribbean glistens beneath the scorching sun, calling us into its embrace.
Seconds later, we're submerged to our waists, my fingers still intertwined with Owen's. I release his hand to duck under the surface and cool off.
When I emerge, dark, wet strands cling to my face. Owen hasn't moved an inch—his gaze zeroed in on me with an intensity that takes my breath away.
He’s not just staring—he's consuming me with those emerald eyes.
He moves closer, palms finding the curve of my hips and pulling me against his body until there's no space between us.
"Look at you, Meadow," he murmurs, his voice husky. His eyes track every glistening bead of water rolling down my skin.
My pulse races wildly beneath my ribs. He gives a slight shake of his head, his thumb tracing lazy patterns along my side that leave goosebumps in their wake.
"You have no idea how goddamn stunning you are. But I swear to make sure you know it. I’m going to make sure you never question it again."
Crimson rushes to my cheeks.
The way he watches me is so heartwrenching, like I’m the only thing that matters to him.
"You’re… staring," I whisper, my skin hot beneath his gaze.
His lips curve into a slow, dangerous smile. "And I don’t plan to stop."
The world around us disappears until nothing exists beyond the water between us. Owen’s gaze drops to my mouth, seconds before he erases the gap and captures my lips in an unhurried kiss that sends heat waves flooding through my veins.
He kisses me like this isn’t temporary, like whatever is happening between us doesn’t end when this week does.
And for the first time since we stepped into this, I let myself believe it might not.