“Okay.” When he leaned in to kiss her, she met him halfway. “So that’s yes to the tattoos?”

“That’s yes to the tattoos. It’s yes to everything.”

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

“I’m so happy for Adam and Abby!” Laura said as she walked along the sidewalk with Owen’s arm draped across her shoulders. His mother had chosen to sit out the engagement party, preferring to stay home with Holden so they could have some time to themselves.

“They’re great together. I’m happy for them, too.”

“She’s been really wanting this. She’s never actually said so, but I can just tell by the look on her face when everyone is talking about weddings and husbands and babies that she wanted in on it all.”

“It’s nice to see good people get what they want.”

“Yes, it is.”

Though he was participating in the conversation and had done the same with their friends at the party, he was distracted and distant and not fully present. “Want to take a walk on the beach? I’m sure your mom won’t mind a little more time with Holden.”

“If you want.”

She stopped walking and turned to him. “I’m asking if you want to.”

“I’d rather take a nap than a walk.”

Now that sounded like the Owen she knew and loved. “Is that so?” she asked, smiling up at him.

His gaze took a greedy, hungry journey over her face as he nodded.

Holding his hand, Laura went up the stairs and into the lobby, where they greeted the young woman working at the reception desk on the way upstairs to their apartment. She released him only so he could use his key in the door. Inside, they found a note from Sarah that said she and Charlie had taken Holden to Charlie’s house for a couple of hours and would be back after dinner.

“Have I mentioned how much I adore your mother?” Laura asked.

“A few times.”

“Never more so than right now.”

“Is that right?”

“Uh-huh.” She unbuttoned the dress shirt he’d worn in deference to the location of the party at one of the fancier venues on the island. Pulling the shirttails from the waistband of his khakis, she pushed it over his broad shoulders and tugged it down his arms until it was on the floor behind him. Next, she unbuckled his belt and unbuttoned his pants.

The whole time, he kept his hands by his sides, waiting and watching her undress him.

“What’s on your mind, love?” she asked.

“Not a single thing besides wondering what Laura is up to.”