"Hey!" Claire said as she walked into the lab. Her eyes widened with surprise when she saw Delta back in the nest with the others. "Oh, she's out of the hospital!" She exclaimed, her eyes meeting Owen's.

"Yup." Owen answered, reaching out and petting the raptor. "Longest two days of my life." He huffed, leaning back in his chair.

"Claire." Andrew greeted her as he walked into the room. "I didn't think you were scheduled down here today."

"I'm not." She answered quickly and looked down at the box in her hands. "Owen's protective gear came in, so I figured I'd bring it down." Her eyes met Owen's and he smiled.

"Thanks." He said standing up, but Andrew beat him to her, taking the box out of her hands.

"Perfect timing. The raptors should be ready to move in a few days." Andrew informed her.

Claire nodded, glancing over his shoulder at the four raptors moving around, the small nest becoming too small for them as she watched them climb over each other.

"Well, I have to get back." Claire waved and turned to leave, Andrew following after her.

Owen stood up the moment the door closed behind them. It took everything he had in him to not follow after them and just come out and tell Andrew that him and Claire were involved. Owen wasn't ever the jealous type, but he found himself very cautious of Andrew around Claire. Sure, Owen never actually told Andrew he was interested in her, but he was hoping— especially after they've kissed more than once— that Claire would have been the one to tell Andrew she was with someone else and to leave her alone. The way he's been following her around let him know that she hasn't said anything about them to Andrew.

"Hey," Andrew said softly and turned to place the box on the table nearby. "Have lunch with me today." He offered, reaching out and taking Claire's hand.

"Oh, I actually have that lunch meeting today." Claire pointed out, she went to continue, but Andrew cut her off.

"Crap! The one for the new hatchlings in the nursery?" Andrew asked, remembering he was scheduled to be there as well.

Claire nodded.

"I forgot about that. I'll be there as well. Save me a seat."

"Um… sure." Claire said and motioned behind her, towards the elevators. "I have to get going."

"Sure, sure." Andrew motioned for her to go on. "I'll see you at lunch." He called after her as she stepped into the elevator.

"Yes!" Andrew cheered as he walked back into the lab, stepping beside Owen to check over Delta.

"Good news?" Owen asked, an eyebrow raised in question, his heart beating heavy in his chest.

"Having lunch with Claire? That's always good news." Andrew informed him, a wide grin plastered on his face.

Owen crossed his arms against his chest. "She said— you're having lunch together?" He didn't bother to hide the frustration in his voice.

Andrew nodded, his focus mostly on Delta.

Damn it! Owen mouthed, waving a fist in front of him, wishing he had something to punch.

"It's weird though, she hasn't said anything about the banquet tomorrow night." Andrew thought as he settled Delta back down with her siblings.

"The banquet?" Owen repeated through clenched teeth. She had asked him to go with her.

"Yeah one is held every year before the development of a new species is started. We've gone together the last two years."

"I really should try and get some work done." Owen cut him off before he could continue.

"Sure! See you for rounds after lunch." Andrew said, waving over his shoulder.

"Whatever." Owen muttered too low for Andrew to hear.

XXX

Claire stepped outside for her morning run, standing off to the side and waited for Owen. She paced in front of the main doors and waited, but there was no sign of him.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket and sent him a quick text. You're late.

A few minutes went by without an answer, so she sent him another text. Everything ok?

She was relieved when she saw the three small dots indicating he was typing out a reply. Claire watched, for what seemed like hours, as the dots appeared and disappeared. Finally his answer came through. Tired. Was all he sent back.

Claire raised an eyebrow as she stared down at his response. Clearly there was a lot more he wanted to say. Fine. She replied. She can play his game, too.

Putting her phone back in her pocket, she cursed under her breath when she realized she didn't bring down her headphones. Since Owen started running with her she's been leaving her headphones home.

Turning to face the trail, she huffed, too angry to bypass her run today. She took off in a sprint, the sound of her sneakers hitting the pavement echoed in her ears. Her mind immediately searched through the last few days to see why Owen would be blowing her off, but she couldn't find anything.

Slowing her sprint to a steady run, Claire thought back to the night at the animal hospital with the two of them shut in the dark room. That was the last real conversation they had and she couldn't find anything that would have made him angry. In fact the last thing that happened was them ready to tear each other's clothes off. She blushed at the memory, but it was a good one. At least it was for her.

What if Owen felt differently? What if he realized he made a mistake?

Claire shook her head, trying to clear her mind. This was the whole reason why she refused to let herself fall for another man. They barely had a relationship and her heart was shattering. Realizing she let him in to quickly. No way was she going to allow herself to be hurt again, so she closed off her heart, throwing herself into another sprint as hot tears stung her eyes.

XXX

Refusing to be the one to reach out, Claire dressed for the banquet, the unknown eating away at her. Would Owen be there?

Adjusting her strapless dress in the mirror and repositioning one of the pins in her updo, Claire couldn't stall anymore. Owen knew what time she had to be there. She couldn't be late. Not with Simon being there.

Picking up her clutch and touching up her red lipstick before heading to the door, Claire opened it slowly, peeking out to see if maybe Owen was waiting in the hall.

Nothing.

Claire took the elevator down to the lobby and again, he was no where to be seen.

Hesitating in the parking lot, Claire noticed Owen's motorcycle was still there. Her eyes narrowed as she looked back at the resort. She could just go knock on his door, but… no. She wasn't going to back down. Especially when she didn't know what or if she did anything wrong.

Pulling up to the formal building, Claire parked and looked around. The large facility was mainly used for weddings, banquets, and staff parties. It was set back on a hill, the large front windows overlooking the park below.

"Claire!" Simon called out as soon as she stepped inside. "You look stunning." He smiled.

"Thanks." She replied.

"Are you ready for the presentation?" He asked, looking down at her hands that only held her small clutch. No briefcase in sight.

Claire followed his gaze, glancing back up at him quickly. "I have it memorized. Plus Zara dropped off the slides earlier for me." She informed him.

"My Claire," Simon sighed. "Always prepared."

"That's me!" Claire did her best to smile.

"Champaign is on ice. Go get yourself a glass. I will be doing a quick toast before the investors get here."

"A toast?" Claire asked as she walked with Simon towards the bar.

"Yes, we've had some great advances in the park and I want to thank all of you guys." He said, handing Claire a glass and taking one for himself.

"Hey, Claire." Andrew's breath caught when she turned to look at him. "Wow," he sighed. "You look absolutely beautiful."

"Thanks." Claire said, turning back towards Simon. She couldn't help but feel angry towards Andrew. He was just another man who hurt her.

Luckily before Andrew could say anything Simon clinked his glass and moved to stand in the middle of the room. It was still early and the only ones there were managers and some lab workers. Claire listened intently as Simon spoke, completely ignoring Andrew who had stepped closer to her.

Simon raised his glass and took a sip which was followed by everyone else in the room. Claire downed hers, turning to place her empty glass on the tray and took a full one and quickly walked away from Andrew.

In no time the investors all arrived and Claire quickly gathered herself to present to them. The four glasses of champaign kicking into action, but Claire was cool, calm and collected. As always.

By the time she was just finishing up her presentation, her eyes found him. Owen stood back by the entrance, leaning against a pillar, his arms folded against his chest. He was starring right back at her.

Claire ended her presentation and introduced Simon to finish the night before everyone was let loose to mingle, drink and eat. Stepping off the platform, Claire made her way back to the bar, reaching for more champaign.

Owen stepped beside her, requesting a beer from the bartender. Claire stiffened at the sound of his voice. She turned slowing, setting her empty glass down. "You came." She said, her voice emotionless.

Owen nodded, taking a drink.

Claire let her eyes wander, taking in Owen's outfit. Khaki pants and a button down shirt. Her eyes landing on his workbooks and scrunching up her nose.

"You didn't specify what I had to wear." Owen pointed out with a weak shrug.

"No." Claire shook her head. "It's fine."

"You look amazing." He said, his eyes lingering on her collarbone.

Claire turned, reaching for more champaign.

"What's wrong with you?" Owen wondered, leaning against the bar to try and look around her.

"Me?" She hissed, aware of the company around them. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Owen refused to meet her eyes, his gaze looking around the room and his eyes narrowing when he spotted Andrew standing with Simon and talking to a few investors.

"I need to ask you something." Owen said, ignoring her question.

"About?" Claire asked, her patience clearly running thin.

"You and Andrew…" Owen trailed off when Claire quickly looked around her, shifting uncomfortably. "You ok?" He asked, watching her reaction closely.

"I'm fine. Just not the person to be talking about here." She whispered.

"I just want to know what happened when you left with him to check Delta's bloodwork the other day. And you had lunch with him yesterday."

"Happened?" Claire repeated, surprised by the question. "What do you mean and the lunch was a meeting. There were many of us there."

"Do you still love him?" He asked, completely avoiding the whole conversation he had in his head. That was really the only thing he wanted to know. For the last two days he held back, waiting to see if Claire would show her interest in him, but she didn't. He waited for her to tell Andrew about them, but she didn't.

"Why are you asking me that?" Claire hissed, slamming her empty glass down on the bar, her hands flying to her hips.

Owen shrugged, not liking her reaction. "Just want to know. He sure as hell still has a thing for you."

"No." She answered, her voice sending chills down Owen's spine. He knew he pissed her off.

"So why don't you tell him?" Owen suggested.

Claire folded her arms against her chest, shifting her weight from one leg to the other. "Tell him what?" She snapped.

"About us." Owen said, shrugging matter of factly.

"Us?" Claire gasped. "We kissed, Owen." She hissed, looking around, her cheeks flushing red when she noticed how close they were to other's. She hoped the music was loud enough to drown them out.

"Three times." Owen nodded. "Every time initiated by you."

Claire tilted her head, eyes flaring at him. "No! You kissed me back in the ultrasound room! The other two… fine. I did." She hissed. "But—"

Owen shook his head slowly. "Your hands were on me first in the ultrasound room."

Claire growled, her temper flaring. "I hate you for making me have this conversation here!" She yelled, a little louder than she may have wanted, but she stormed by him to leave.

"Hey, wait!" He called out, reaching for her arm to stop her from walking away.

She raised an eyebrow in response.

"Look, I'm sorry I started this conversation here. I just need to know what's going on. Andrew said some things that sat wrong with me the last few days." Owen explained.

Claire's eyes grew wide. "Andrew told you what? He was talking about me? About him and I?"

"Oh!" Owen gasped remembering that she didn't knew they have been talking.

"Owen!" Claire yelled, turning her head to search out Andrew in the crowd. She had to remind herself this was a business gathering, so beating the crap out of the Senior Veterinarian would be frowned upon and not a good look for her.

"Ok, fine." Owen huffed, his head hanging in defeat. "I knew about you and Andrew. I've known for a while. It's really my fault, though." Owen spoke fast when he saw the shock settling in on Claire's face. "Please, it wasn't Andrew's fault. I kind of pressured him into talking. I like you Claire," he reached up, running his fingers through his hair, unable to meet her eyes. "I like you a lot. I've been so hesitant because I'm not going to stand in your way if you choose him." Owen fell silent, his gaze stuck on a spot on the floor, not wanting to see what reaction she had.

Claire stood, frozen as she watched him closely. Everything he just said, clearly was a struggle to get out and she could tell it wasn't something he did often. He looked vulnerable and she wanted to throw herself at him.

Reaching out, Claire squeezed his arm reassuringly. "I have no interest in Andrew. I don't know what he's told you, or what his intentions are, but…" She trailed off, biting her bottom lip. This time it was her avoiding his eyes. "I like you, Owen. I wa— I want you not him."

Owen growled deep in his chest and stepped towards her. "You done here?" He asked, his eyes going dark with the need to get closer to her.

Claire nodded, reaching for her clutch that was sitting between them on the bar.

They made it to Claire's car before Owen couldn't hold back anymore. He reached for her arm, tugging hard causing her to spin around. His arms locked around her waist and he pressed her back into the car, crushing his lips against hers.

They pulled apart, both panting as they tried to catch their breath. Claire looked up, her eyes meeting Owen's. "Take me home." She demanded, holding her keys up.

Owen took them, his head tilting in confusion.

"You made me drink a little too much." She said, raising her hand, holding her pointer and thumb an inch apart and chuckled at herself.

"I made you drink? I only saw you drink one or two glasses of champaign.

Claire scrunched up her nose as she shook her head. "I had a lot more."

"Good thing I had Barry drop me off before his shift." He said, opening the passenger door for Claire.

XXX

Andrew was on his way back to the bar when he hesitated, watching Owen step close to Claire. Why was Owen even there in the first place? He went to approach them, but Claire turned quickly followed by Owen as they made their way to the door. Andrew hesitated for a moment, but moved to follow after them. Owen was his friend? He confided in him about Claire. "There's no way." Andrew mumbled to himself as he burst through the front door.

He saw the headlights pulling out of the parking spot and caught a quick flash of Owen in the driver's seat. In Claire's driver's seat.

XXX

The moment the elevator doors shut and it started to ascend to Claire's floor, Owen made a move he always desperately wanted to do. He lunged for Claire, and giddy yelp coming from her as they stumbled backwards until her back hit the wall. His hands roamed her back, a hand grazing her ass the motion pulling a soft moan from Claire.

Once the elevator doors dinged open, the two stumbled out. It was Owen that pulled away, looking around the empty hallway. The moment his lips left hers, Claire moved to kiss his neck, her tongue against his skin making his knees shake. "Don't you have a rule on someone seeing you… like this?" Owen managed to get out before her kisses on his neck had him diving back in, needing her lips on his.

"Mmm," Claire hummed into his mouth. "All… managers… are… at… the… banquet. As… long… as… the… open… bar… holds… out, no… one… will… be… home… until… later." She mumbled against his lips.

They stood against her door, neither wanting to break the kiss. Claire's arms were locked around his neck the keycard in her clutch forgotten.

"You going to invite me in, or are we doing this right here." Owen mumbled, moving his lips to her neck. He could feel Claire blindly fiddling with her clutch against his neck until she dropped one hand, reaching behind her. He heard the door click just as she threw it open. Without the door behind her, she stumbled backwards and Owen stepped with her, both of them unwilling to part.

They kicked off their shoes without breaking the kiss and Claire's hands immediately moved to Owen's shirt. "Wait," Owen said, reaching for Claire's hands, stilling them on the buttons. "Are you sure about this? You've drank tonight and I—"

"Oh, shut up, Owen! Stop trying to be a goody-two-shoes." She huffed and tugged his shirt open, buttons clattering to the floor. That was the last moment Owen Grady showed his gentleman nature for her. With a heavy growl he slipped his hands to the back of her thighs and lifted her up. She immediately locked her legs around his hips.

"Bedroom." She demanded and stretched her arm out, pointing at the door down the hall.

Together they fell on the bed, Claire immediately moving to straddle his hips, her dress bunched up around her waist. Owen's hands rubbed softly along her bare legs. He sat up, his hands dipping under her skirt, smiling when he realized she just had a thong on underneath.

She giggled softly, enjoying the feel of his hands on her. She leaned in to kiss him as her own hands worked to finish removing his shirt. At the same time, his slid up her back, following the line if her zipper and tugging it down.

The dress fell down to her waist and Owen smiled wider when he saw she didn't even have a bra on.

She slipped off of him, standing up just long enough to let the dress fall to her feet before crawling back up his body.

He held her tight against him as she kissed him. His head spun with the realization that he had Claire, naked, in his arms. He wanted to savor the moment, but the way she moved above him had him realizing that wasn't what was on her mind.

Quickly flipping them over so Owen hovered over her, her legs locked around his thighs as she fiddled with his belt.

They moved together, both of them in sync with with other. Within moments they both knew what the other needed. Their limbs tangled together, both desperately trying to get even closer to the other.

It was hours before Owen slumped down onto his back, Claire following, collapsing on top of him, her head on his shoulder. They panted together, bodies completely spent, but neither dared to part.