Never More Lonely - 4. Chapter 4

Pale yellow light is seeping in through the window when I wake up. Owen said he was planning on sleeping in but he's not in bed beside me, he's standing by the window.

I slip from the bed and pad up behind him. Rubbing my face against his shoulder, I give him a tight hug. "Why don't you tell me what's bothering you?"

The urge to hold my breath is hard to overcome as I wait. I start to let him go. His hands come up, trapping mine.

"Stay." His voice is rough and his hands are hard against my wrists.

I freeze, waiting, my heart beating harshly. I wonder if he can feel it against his back.

"I don't want to help you pick out an apartment so you can move away from me."

"Owen." I bang my head against his shoulder. "I never planned to move away from you. I wanted you to come with me to pick our new place. Maybe somewhere a little farther out of the city and closer to the scrub you love so much."

He turns and stares hard into my eyes. "Really?"

"Yes, you big idiot. Do you really think I would move all this way to not be with you? Have you lost your ability to actually talk to me away from the computer screen? Why didn't you say something last night?"

Owen let me go, one hand going up to rub at his head. "I don't know."

"Well that's really fucking stupid." My voice rises. "I told you before; I'm not going anywhere now that I'm here, not unless you're coming to."

"You're going to manage a whole office, Cooper. You were a suit to work; I wear jeans and a hard hat."

I roll my eyes. "You run more people on your job-site in your jeans and hardhat than I do in my office. Do you think I care if you're the boss of a bunch of chippies? You could wear a white shirt and sit in your work trailer; I know you could. You choose to get out there and work with your guys. I admire that." I knew exactly what was bothering Owen now, and I wasn't about to let him keep thinking he was inferior in any way.

I take a step closer, pushing my erection against him. "Besides, do you know how hot your body is? And it's all from hard work, not fake muscle gained at the gym." My heart is racing again.

Owen's hands come up and pull me hard against him. I shudder as the underside of my cock slides up and down as his hands flex.

"That so?"

"Yes," I gasp. "Now, are you going to fuck me so we can shower and meet the real estate agent on time?"

His hands grab my ass. "Hell yeah."

***

We're a little late but not too much. It isn't even because of the hot, sweaty sex where Owen showed exactly how happy he was that I'd figured out why he was being an idiot and told him off. We were late because he found out that the area we were heading to was near a trail he loved hiking.

I'd pulled out slacks and a button up shirt, thinking to make a good impression on the agent. As soon as Owen started talking about this huge rock at the top of the hill that had a view of not just one, but three different mountains, I hung them up and grabbed some jeans and a polo. I didn't have hiking boots but Owen said tennis shoes would work as he pulled on a dark red polo that hugged his wide shoulders.

"It's an easy trail," he'd reassured me.

I tugged him down for a kiss. "You know, you're even hotter in person. The computer just didn't do your shoulders justice." I gripped them and gave him a squeeze.

The temptation was too strong, so we left the apartment. Picking up Owen's camping gear from the storage area, along with a spare backpack for me, we loaded up with a few essentials. Then we sped off for the real estate agent. Owen's crazy driving got us there just a few minutes late, though my knuckles were white on the door handle when he cut off a semi truck.

"One piece, I'm shocked." My voice is shaky.

"Oh, you're fine. Don't be a wuss."

I ignore his jibe.

Several of the small houses our agent shows us could be good, but Owen and I can't seem to fall in love with any of them.

"How about I show you a few more tomorrow?" Sarah says. "I have two places with open houses, and if you're willing to move even farther out, I might have just what you're looking for."

"I don't mind," I say. "Owen?"

He shakes his head. "I don't mind. Besides, I'm hungry."

We shake Sarah's hand. She takes off in her car for her next appointment and we head over to a grocery store and pick up one of those deli chicken lunch deals.

I enjoy walking through the scrub with Owen. He points out plants that he knows and once a rabbit that froze when we did, waiting to see if we were predators.

Standing on top of the massive gray rock, the view is more incredible than I'd imagined. Owen stands behind me as I brace one arm against the rock. I lean into him.

We climb back down for lunch. The air is warm and Owen packed a blanket. I enjoy the sun baking down on my face until a shadow blocks it.

I look around but we are still alone. I pull Owen down on top of me.

He rolls until I'm on top. He kisses me. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For coming here, being with me."

I lick at his lips and say, "You're welcome," just to make him shut up. "Now, kiss me again."