Piece by Piece (The Riggins Brothers #2) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,72

him out.”

“That’s sad for them, but at least you and Royce tried.”

“That we did. You in a place to head out early?”

Looking down at the clock, it’s thirty minutes until quitting time. “I don’t know. My boss might get upset.”

“Your boss says get your shit, we’re leaving,” he says, leaning over the desk for a kiss.

I stand from my chair and meet him halfway. “I guess it’s time to go then,” I say when I pull away from the kiss. “Let me call Sawyer and tell her.”

“Go on,” Royce says, coming out of his office. “We’re leaving for the day too,” he says, running his hands through his hair. “Turn off the phones, and let’s get out of here.”

“You heard the man,” Owen says.

Not needing to be told twice, I shut down my computer, turn the phones over to night mode, and grab my purse from my desk drawer, swiping my phone from the desk, following Owen to the elevator.

Before the elevator doors close, Owen has his arms around me, and I’m leaning into him. “What do you say we pick up dinner on the way home?”

“I don’t mind cooking.”

“I know, but I just want to hold you.” He kisses the top of my head. “I’m exhausted, and all I want to do is spend the rest of the evening with you in my arms.”

“How can I say no to that?”

“I was hoping you would say that. What sounds good?” We step off the elevator.

“Honestly, wings.” I grin up at him.

“Even better, they deliver. You can call and order when we get in the car, and it should be there not long after we get home.”

“Wings and my man. Sounds like a good night to me.”

“I love you.” He chuckles. My reply is to blow him a kiss as he opens the car door for me. Before we are even out of the garage, I have my phone to my ear ordering dinner.

“I’m going to grab a shower,” Owen says when we get home. “Here’s my wallet to pay for dinner.” He reaches into his pocket and hands me his wallet.

“I can—” I start, and he gives me a look that tells me not to argue.

“I’m buying dinner.” His shoulders are slumped, and he’s been quiet since we got home.

“You okay?”

“Yeah.” He sighs. “I’m just over today. I hate that we wasted so much time on this company, only to not have a deal in the end.”

“Go shower, wash the day away, and I’ll be here waiting for you.” That earns me a kiss, but not just any kiss. One that curls my toes as he heads to the shower. Not two minutes later, our food arrives. I leave it packed for now. I have other plans. When I enter our bedroom, I can hear the shower running. My man’s had a bad day, and it’s up to me to make it better. Stripping out of my clothes, I step into the bathroom. Owen has his arms braced on the shower wall, letting the water rain down on him. I slide in behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist. He places his hand over mine as I press a kiss to his back.

He turns and lifts me into his arms, pressing my back against the wall. “Having you here means everything to me. You mean everything to me,” he says, kissing my bare shoulder. “I love you, Layla.”

“I love you too.” His lips find mine, and I open for him, giving him all of me. When he slides into me, I sigh, relishing the feel of our connection. Slowly, he makes love to me in the shower. It’s as if he’s memorizing every touch, every sensation. It’s intimate, and as my orgasm crashes over me, I can’t help but think that my heart also feels as though it’s bursting—not from pleasure, but from love for this man.

“Stay here. Don’t even bother getting dressed,” Owen says, leaving the room with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.

Grabbing the hairdryer, I dry my hair enough that it’s not dripping wet and pull it up on top of my head in a messy bun. I’m turning off the bathroom light when he comes back into the room carrying dinner and a couple of bottles of beer.

“Dinner in bed?”

“Now you’re speaking my language.” I smile at him. He looks less stressed after our lovemaking, and I’m glad I could offer him that. He’s done so much for me. I want to be