Chapter 3
OWEN
Her big doe eyes are looking at me like I’ve just scared the hell out of her. I try to breathe.
She’s okay.
She’s fine.
She’s alive.
Every second of the drive, worry and fear mounted on top of one another. Crazy scenarios played out in my head of the ways she could be hurt. Or what if someone stopped to help her?
“You okay, baby?” The term of endearment slips trough my lips like it’s the most natural thing, and I am not going to take it back.
I’m done holding my emotions back when it comes to her.
Thinking that there was a slight possibility I’d lost her was too much for me.
I’d become the man she needed me to be. Anything to have her as mine.
“I, umm, I…” she stutters, and I take account of her.
Like every time my eyes catch sight of her, my heart flips on its side.
She’s so damn pretty. But as I look past my attraction, I notice she’s pale.
Her body is trembling, and her teeth are chattering.
Wearing jeans and a thin cotton long sleeve shirt, no gloves.
She’s utterly unprepared for this weather.
Shit. That’s when I realize her putt-putt of a car is not even on. Something inside of my kicks into overdrive as I swoop into action, undoing her seatbelt and grabbing her.
“O-Owen, wha-what are you—"
“Shut it,” I clip, cutting her off unapologetically. Her arm wraps around my neck, and I swallow hard trying to ignore how good she fucking feels in my arms. Her eyes widen further. I hate that I just yelled at her, but to say I’m on edge would be the understatement of the year.
I’m angry.
Not at her exactly, but what was she thinking going out in this weather?
In that deathtrap she calls a car, nonetheless!
Does she have any idea of what could have happened?
Why the hell didn’t Eli insist on her driving the bakery truck to and from work!
He should know better, too. And I’ll be giving him a piece of my mind soon enough.
I carry her out of her car, and the moment I stand to my full height, she cuddles into me, and I swear to god, my feet falter below me.
I’ve never had this close to me outside of my dreams. My steps stutter to a halt at her wrapped up in my arms. The wind starts to pick up, and the snow feels like it’s starting to fall harder.
Heavier. Snowflakes land on her dark hair and stand out against the chocolate background of her tresses.
I should have brought a blanket to cover her up. She doesn’t even have a hoodie on.
“I got you, baby,” I whisper to the top of her head, shielding her body as much as possible with my own, as I make my way to my truck.
Relief starts to flow freely in my veins with every careful step I take.
The last thing she needs is for me to slip in this snow.
Thankfully, it’s still fresh and hasn’t turned icy yet.
I finally reach the passenger side of my truck, and even though I hate the idea of letting her out of my arms, I know she needs to warm up. And fast.
“Th-tha-thank y-you, Ow-Oww-Owen.” She’s trembling, her voice whisper soft.
I nod, not moving from blocking the wind as I reach for a spare blanket in the backseat of the cab. Without a word, her eyes trained on me with every second that ticks away, I cover her up with the small throw. But I know it won’t be enough. So, I take off my flannel and wrap it around her.
“What are you…?” I shoot her a look that has her shutting up. It’s fucking cold as balls, but I woud rather freeze mine off that risk Tessa even catching a whiff of a cold. Her soft warm browns meet mine as she smiles. I want to lean in and kiss her.
But I don’t.
She’s still trembling and freezing. The last thing she needs is me pawing at her. I slam the door and walk my half-naked ass around my truck to get into the driver’s side. The heater is on full blast. It feels good against my cold skin.
“Warm enough?” I rasp as I look at her. She nods. I put the truck in Drive and get going. I’m going slower than I usually do, but that is to be expected.
I have precious cargo in my truck after all.