39. Promises
Chapter thirty-nine
Promises
Charlie
My eyes sweep over the place where Owen spent almost six months on his own. It’s a little overwhelming, almost sad. He was alone here, trying to fight his demons. I hate it. It kills me that I could have been here with him, helping him get through it all. And I really do understand why he did it. Some things you have to do by yourself. My divorce, I did that on my own because I wanted to, I was also embarrassed, humiliated and didn't want anyone to know. I wholeheartedly understand why he did it. That said, it doesn’t mean I have to agree with it, or how he went about doing it. He did it for himself, I admire him for that.
On our way back, Owen got me a burger and fries. I had to hold back a chuckle while I ate, remembering Xander's words, 'extra sass', my dark web code name 'xxSass29' a huge hint to what he's been doing for me in my search to take down this organisation. 'AVxtail/9' is Xander, I have no doubt about it, looking out for me in only a way Xander can. After inhaling the food, I fell asleep, only to be woken when Owen’s hand brushed the side of my face. I’ve missed him so much. It’s odd how you can feel so lost in one moment, then feel so complete in the next. I can’t stop smiling.
I can already see all eyes are on us from the windows. Spotting Millie and Jack, I give them a small wave.
“Where are you taking me?”
He stops and stands in front of me, his hands grazing my hips. Sucking in the air between us, I can already taste him, his lips so close to mine.
My hand comes to his waist, his warmth permeating his black t-shirt. I hold on, digging my fingers in to get a better grip. Pulling him closer, I want to make sure this is real.
“I’m going to take care of you. Angel.” Kiss. “You need more food.” Kiss. “Shower.” Kiss . “Or bath.” Kiss. “Rest. I’m at your service.” Nothing has changed. The way this man makes my body hum, is… overpowering? Inevitable? Uncontrollable.
I never want to let these feeling go. I’ve not felt this since before he left.
It's only him.
“Owen, you don’t need to do this. I can sort myself out. Just show me where it all is.” I’m saying the words, I know I don’t really mean them. Do I want him to take care of me? Huh, I guess I do.
Kissing me again, this time with so much more passion than should be allowed in an open space, my body wants to do to all the sexy, kinky fuckery things to him. My back arches and I press myself into him, just to feel more of him.
“After watching what you have been through in the last three days, I’m not leaving your side until you are clean, well fed, satisfied, and fast asleep.” I have a feeling that even then he would stay with me.
I kiss him again. I feel like he’s holding back and right now, I don’t want him to. Gripping his dark tussled hair with both hands, I pull him deeper.
What was I thinking, saying I wanted to take it slow?
“It all sounds too good to be true, but I think you may be missing one very small little thing.” I glance down at his dick standing to attention, pressing eagerly into my stomach.
“There is nothing small about that, Angel.” He grins, grinding his length into me, jumping up I wrap my legs around him. I can’t help myself. It’s been a long time since anyone has touched me, since he touched me.
“Have you been with anyone else?” I blurt out, frowning at myself. I don’t want to know if he has, but I also need to know.
“Angel, there has been no one. Only my hand and the memories of you to keep me company at night.” I feel the truth in his words. Bringing my legs back to the ground, steadying myself, my fingers stroke down the side of his cheek, loving the rough stubble under my soft fingers. “Same.”
His heavy green eyes meet mine. “I’m sorry, Charlie.”
“Don’t be sorry… just take care of me.” A slow smile spreads across his face, and he steps away from me, gripping my hand and bringing it to his lips, placing a soft kiss on my split knuckles that sends sparks that only Owen can ignite in me, to my heart and core.
We make our way up the small steps, at the back of the lodge, quickly realising I have no idea where I’m going. “Show me the way.” He doesn’t miss a beat, grabbing me by the waist, hauling me up. I wrap myself around him again, my long legs encompassing his hips. My feet resting on his perfect arse, something else I can’t wait to get my hands on.
Scanning his palm on the sensor by the door, Owen takes me up two flights of stairs to a huge bedroom I’m assuming it’s his by the way it’s decorated—masculine, and fresh. Not surprising at all.
“Owen—” I don’t get to say another word as his lips descend on mine like the air I breathe is his only saviour. It’s only when I reluctantly pull away, needing air, that I realise we’re in the most stunning bathroom I have ever set foot in. Deep green rustic tiles, dark wooden countertops, two sinks, and a huge walk-in shower surrounded by a gold-edged screen. On the other side, just below a huge, very modern-looking sash window, is a beautiful rolltop bath, standing proud.
Placing me gently on the edge of the bath, he starts the water running, using the back of his hand to check the temperature. He adds some oil to the water that smells just like him: warm spices and fresh air.
When he crouches down in front of me, I take him in properly.
His hair is a little longer than I remember. I raise my hand to run my fingers through his silky soft waves, then I glide my fingers over the rough stubble on his chin. It feels nice, scratchy in a good way. Darker circles blemish his olive skin under his eyes and worry lines dominate the corners. I want to take it all away. I want to smooth those lines—the ones I know I have made—I want to take back what I did. I want to do it all without letting him know I was ever in any trouble. But right now, I have him next to me, and that’s all I have wanted this past year.
He’s still my everything.
When our eyes meet, I’m not sure I can look away. My thoughts just stumble to a stop. The forest of green seems to change from light to dark and somehow, I can feel everything he is trying to tell me.
“Charlie? I know it’s been a long time, I want to…” His brows pinch as if he’s trying to figure out the words he wants to say.
Leaning forward, I touch my forehead with his. “What do you need, Owen?”
“I need to take care of you. I felt so lost when I knew you were missing. Just having you in my home, in my hands, doesn’t seem like enough.” His voice wavers. I know the feeling.
“Then take care of me. Do what you need to do,” I say before kissing his lips softly.
“Can I undress you?” he asks on a breath. I’ve never seen this side of him. It’s humbling.
“Yes.” When his fingers stroke down my arms, my eyes close, savouring the sensation he’s creating.
Shit, I’ve missed the way his hands tail over my body so much . His fingers graze my side, and he lifts my top over my head, throwing it to the other side of the room. Looking back up to me, our eyes meet again as he places a soft kiss on every bruise he can see, healing me in ways only Owen can.
Untying the laces on my trainers, he slips them off with my socks. Skimming his fingers back up my legs, he slips off my joggers. They also fly across the room and I can’t help but let out a small laugh when they hit the sink and stay there.
Owen takes off my sports bra and adds it to the pile. His hands work their way down my arms, making me gasp as a shiver runs through me. Taking my hands he pulls me to stand. Turning me to face the bath, he places a kiss in between my shoulder blades but doesn’t make a move to touch me anywhere else. I don’t know if I’m disappointed or relieved.
He comes to stand between me and the bathtub, the flowing water forgotten, replacing my view of the woods with his delicious body. I realise he’s taken off his jeans and t-shirt, standing in just his boxers and it’s the best sight I have seen in a long time. One I want to see over and over again. Sitting himself on the edge of the bath, his hands find my hips and draw me between his open legs.
With a shaky hand, I trace the flames of his tattoo that lick their way up his broad chest. I let out a gasp when he places a hot kiss on my lower stomach, kneeling slightly, he lowers his head and kisses the apex of my thighs over my knickers. His eyes looking up at me.
I want more of him, my skin feverish for all the things we have missed out on in the last year. His touch is so gentle, my nipples harden from the shivers he’s creating over my body. Digging my teeth into my lower lip to stifle the whimper that’s trying to force its way out. He backs away slightly, reaching behind him to stop the hot water that’s close to overflowing.
Standing, he holds my hand, helping me in. Before I can lower myself, he steps in behind me, guiding us both down, my back against his warm chest. Water breaking over the side, spilling to the floor. I sigh as the warmth of the water sinks into my skin.
We stay like this for a while, his fingers touching me lazily. My head rolls to the side, my own hand trailing the length of his legs I’m so willingly wrapped between. I can feel his hardness growing against my back.
Water droplets cool against my skin as he moves his hand up and over my collarbone.
“I need to touch you, Angel.” His words are a deep rumble in my ear. I feel the need pouring off him. I don’t say anything, taking his hand and placing it over my breast. He sucks in a breath at the same time I do.
It’s only the smallest of touches, but it sets me alight. Lightning races down to my core, setting off fireworks in its trail. I arch my back and his legs sweep underneath mine, opening me for him, holding me in place.
“Touch me,” I tell him. I need him more than anything right now. He doesn’t hang around. His other hand comes between my legs and strokes my already aching centre. My hips move of their own accord, rocking to get the friction I need.
“Greedy, aren’t you, Angel?” His fingers slide against my clit, slowly circling, sending delicious shivers over my body. Pinching my nipple between his rough fingers, I let out a moan I can’t hold back any longer.
“Fuck… that sound. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed that noise.” Pressing my clit harder, he gains speed. I’m a mess, whimpering. “Louder,” he commands, and I love the tone he’s using. I’m practically panting, my hands gripping the side of the tub for dear life as his fingers find my entrance and slide in deep.
“Fuck,” I cry.
“That’s it, louder. I want everyone to know that you’re mine.” His fingers push deeper, not moving, while his thumb continues its attack on my clit.
“More,” I demand. The water mimics our movements, its heat a caress on my skin.
“More what, Angel? Tell me what you need.”
I don’t even know if I can form words at this point, my body answering for me as I start to ride his hand.
“Fuck, deeper…” His hand leaves my breast after one last squeeze of my nipple, moving down my stomach, holding me in place. Kissing the side of my neck just where I like it, that’s all it takes, I’m lost in a sea of feelings, the warmth of the water, the heat of being back in Owen's strong arms, the burning desire I have in my chest, the tightening of the abdomen, as his fingers work their magic, his intoxicating scent washing over me with every inhale. Sensations envelop my entire body in a heady mix I never want to miss out on again.
Pressing my stomach harder, grinding into me, his groans are my sweet release. He doesn’t stop, drawing every last bit of my orgasm out of me, coaxing me to give him more. My body shakes with the force of it and a scream erupts from my soul before I start falling back to reality.
Before I have any chance of recovery, Owen’s lifting me out of the tub, holding me to him, bridal style.
“Charlie… I need to…” Lowering his head to mine, I kiss him with everything I have.
“I need you too,” I tell him between kisses. There’s nothing after that, no words.
Laying me gently on the bed, burying himself deep within me in one fluid motion, gripping his shoulders, holding him to me. “Ohh,” I rasp at the sudden intrusion his thick cock filling me so tightly. He’s so big, stretching me. He feels so good, perfect, so fucking perfect. My breaths are taken from me as he captures my lips in a mouth-watering kiss. The sting I felt a moment ago lost as it turns to pleasure. The need we have for each other, for what we have missed, for what we want, and so much more.
His movements are slow, loving, and tender. I’ve never felt anything more for someone as I do him. This man that wants to rescue me when I don’t need to be rescued.
When he speeds up his thrusts driven by his own need, I grip on to his broad shoulders as he takes me higher with him. His muscles ripple beneath my fingers with each lustful movement. My legs wrap tightly around his waist, keeping him as close as I can.
“Harder.”
Grunting at my command, he drives in harder, deeper, making me ache, the beginnings of my next orgasm igniting. His hand comes up to my throat, his thumb finding his treasured pulse point, a sensation I’ve missed so fucking much my breath hitches.
“Fuck, that’s it,” I pant.
“Promise me you will always run to me.” The emotion behind his words floors me. His voice trembles as he says each one. They spark tears to roll down my cheek.
“I’ll promise… if you promise me one thing in return?” My words are breathy, barely above a whisper, but I know he hears me as his beautiful green eyes lock with mine.
“Anything,” he growls.
“Never hide your thoughts from me.”
His hot breath whispers over my skin. “Never again, Angel.”
“No matter what,” I repeat the words he said over a year ago. My body still in his grip, his weight baring down on me. He’s so deep I’ll feel him for days. Just how I like it.
He fucks into me one last time. My walls contract and I let out a cry of pleasure as we come together.