WARNING! This chapter has mature sexual content. It's not explicit, but for mature audiences only.
It wasn't until after lunch when Claire was able to make it down to the lab to pick up Owen.
"Hey Claire!" Andrew called out, waving at her from the incubator, housing a bunch of eggs.
She smiled at him, but continued through the lab towards the back room where she knew Owen was.
"Wait!" He yelled, rushing after her.
Claire kept her pace, glancing over her shoulder briefly to see Andrew jogging across the lab towards her. "Dr. Carter, I'm on a tight schedule today and I'm already behind as it is. If this is an emergency than you better just come out with it. If not then make an appointment with my assistant." She knew she sounded way more professional than she needed, but she wasn't interested in playing games and she wasn't about to have that conversation at work.
Andrew fell into step beside Claire, his eyes growing wide at the seriousness of her tone. "Not an emergency, but I got assigned the raptors since I've been the one working with them the most. I was asked by Mr. Masrani to check the paddock with you and Owen so I know how the harnesses work.
Claire stopped walking, spinning around to face Andrew. Her face twisting in anger. "You what?" She hissed, looking around briefly, hoping her voice was low enough to not put attention on them.
Andrew smiled, stepping around her and walked into the back room.
Owen stood up when he heard Claire's heels storming in after Andrew. "I don't have time for this!" Claire snapped at Andrew before turned towards Owen. "Let's go."
Owen approached Claire cautiously, his eyes moving back and forth between her and Andrew. "Did I miss something."
"No." Claire growled and turned to walk out of the room, storming through the lab. She didn't bother to look behind her to see if either of them were following her.
"What happened?" Owen asked as him and Andrew walked slightly behind Claire.
Andrew shrugged, his eyes focused on Claire's back. "Just told her I was assigned to the raptors and was instructed by Masrani to get to know the holding pen for the girls."
"I thought that other vet was going to be working with them." Owen stated, following Andrew's gaze and then snapping his focus back on him. "You've got to stop fucking with her." Owen warned, his voice too low for Claire to hear.
"Excuse me?" Andrew stopped, turning to face Owen head on, his eyes narrowing.
"You heard me." Owen said, squaring his shoulders and standing straight. He was a few inches taller than Andrew and almost laughed at the way he was trying to make himself grow a few more inches to meet his height. "Claire's a grown ass woman, trust me," Owen chuckled, "I know. She can make her own decisions."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Andrew's voice rose slightly, anger making his ears burn red.
"Whatever you want it to mean." Owen shrugged and turned to continue after Claire who was already out the door and rounding the building to the parking lot.
"She'll take me back." Andrew called after him, picking up his pace to catch up to Owen.
"Like I said, she can make her own decisions."
"Hey!" Claire yelled at them across the parking lot. She made it to her car and was now fuming that they weren't right behind her.
Andrew rounded the car first, Owen making no attempt to race him like they were kids fighting for the front seat. He happily slid in behind Claire, not even bothering to look in Andrew's direction.
The ride out to the paddock was silent, Andrew fiddled with the radio, happy that Claire didn't stop him. It was something they always did. Passenger gets to choose the music.
Owen leaned forward, his hand sliding between the door and Claire's seat and stretched his arm out so his fingers could slide along her leg. He felt her jump slightly and glance down, but her focus went back to the road, and her leg relaxing back into his touch. He didn't try anything further. The touch wasn't meant to be a tease. His thumb rubbed against her thigh in a soothing circle. He simply wanted to calm her down.
Claire's shoulders relaxed and he saw her lean back against her seat, her muscles relaxing under his touch.
Resting his head against the back of Claire's seat, he turned to look out the window, trying to pretend they were alone.
"You'll have some ride to work every morning." Andrew broke the silence, glancing over his shoulder at Owen.
He turned his head to look at Andrew, but made no move to sit up or move his hand, hidden from Andrew's view. "What do you mean?" Owen responded.
"Coming from the resort to all the way out here."
Owen raised an eyebrow, still confused. "I don't live at the resort. I have my own place."
"Oh, right!" Andrew chuckled. "I remember hearing that you refused housing. You going to live like a caveman?"
Owen's thumb stopped its soothing rubs and he laid his palm flat against Claire's leg. Her hand dropped from the steering wheel and laid over his. Now it was her turn to try and keep him calm.
"Nope. I actually like what I've got. I like to get my hands dirty, do my own handy work. I don't need to call maintenance whenever something doesn't work." Owen caught Andrew's eye and smirked. "No offense." He added.
Turning his attention from Owen, Andrew glanced at Claire who remained silent and turned his head to look out the window.
Claire squeezed Owen's hand before bringing her hand back up to the steering wheel while Owen continued his soft strokes on her thigh.
"Wow," Owen gasped, sliding to the center of the back seat so he could lean through the opening between Claire and Andrew as the paddock came into view. "It's bigger than I thought."
"You requested space." Claire reminded him, putting the car in park and turning in her seat to look at him. Their faces were close enough that Owen would just have to lean in slightly to kiss her. The way her eyes flickered down to his lips before turning away to get out of the car had Owen convinced she was thinking the same thing.
"Hi there!" One of the guards called out, waving as the three exited the car.
"Officer Spencer." Claire smiled warmly and gestured back towards the paddock. "I'm just here to do a last inspection before the raptors are transferred."
"We've got all the electric fencing and barriers in place. Have a look around." He told her and turned back to walk around the front of the paddock.
"This is awesome," Owen said excitedly, pointing to the catwalk with one hand and reaching for Claire's with the other. "Come check this out."
She let him tug her alone as she glanced around at the large platform. "This is high." Claire's voice shook as she dropped Owen's hand and wrapping her arm around his bicep.
"Are you scared of heights?" Owen chuckled, reaching across him with his free hand and patting her arms that were tightly wrapped around his.
"When I'm standing on a walkway that I can see through. Yes." She hissed, looking down through the holes in the catwalk.
"I won't let you fall." Owen said, patting her arm once more. "See, look," He gestured around them at the way the walkway circled around the permitter of the paddock and a few that bridged out towards the center. "The girls will be all the way down there and most of my training will be done from here."
"Pretty neat." Andrew said coming up behind them. "Where are the harnesses?" He asked and then reached out to pat Claire's back, already know why she was clinging to Owen.
"Want me to help you down?"
Claire shook her head, afraid to move.
Owen laughed. "Come on." Owen sighed, realizing she wasn't going to tempt letting him go. They made it back to the stairs and Claire let out a sigh of relief the moment her hand landed on the railing.
Andrew turned around as he walked slowly down the stairs and reached a hand back for Claire. "You got it?"
"I'm fine." Claire huffed, not liking how vulnerable she just was and refused to take his hand in order to hold on to some of her dignity.
Andrew and Claire followed Owen over to the holding harnesses and explained how they work. "The girls are too small for them right now, and they still respond well to me handling them, so we will continue hands on training with them inside." Owen explained as he made his way to the indoor section of the paddock.
"What about your safety bunker?" Claire asked, once they made their way back towards Claire's car. She turned back to the paddock, trying to find a second building.
"Around the other side. We pulled in the back way. The main entrance is around this way." Again, Claire and Andrew followed him. Claire's shoulders relaxing when she spotted a long building just to the side of the paddock. She followed Owen inside and he pointed at a heavy steel door. "Bunker," he stated and continued down the hall. "The rest are offices."
"Ok," Claire sighed and turned towards Owen with a smile. "I approve. Now I just need the security release."
Owen nodded. "Hoskins swore it was sent over to your office before he left."
"I haven't been in my office, so I'll check when we get back." She said and glanced down at her watch. "Which we need to go. I have a conference call in twenty minutes and it's going to take us longer than that to get back."
The ride back to the resort was silent, Owen's hand finding its way back to Claire's thigh as the three of them rode in silence.
XXX
It was late by the time Claire finished work, the day feeling like it was never going to end. She was packing up her bag when her phone dinged over on her desk. Reaching for it, Claire smiled when she saw Owen's name and unlocked her phone to read the text. Settled the girls in for the night. Took them forever to settle down with the new open space. You home?
Claire smiled down at her phone, happy that Hoskins held up his end of the promise and Claire was able to sign the release to have the raptors move to the paddock. That's great! I'm leaving now. Dinner?
You'll beat me back, so get comfy and I'll pick something up. Owen's response was almost immediate.
Something quick and easy. I'm more tired than I am hungry. Claire send the message and packed the last few files into her bag before slinging it over her shoulder, picking up her phone as Owen's response came through.
If you're tired I can just go to my room. I have to pack up my stuff anyway.
Claire's eyes grew wide as reality hit her. The raptors were out of the nursery, so Owen wasn't going to be in the resort with her. He wouldn't be conveniently close enough to get up and join her for her morning runs. Did this mean whatever they had started was over?
Her phone dinged in her hands, making her jump, pulling her from her negative thoughts. Hello?
Her fingers moved quickly as she pounded out her text. My apartment. She send the text and left her office, saying a quick goodnight to Zara before leaving.
Claire made it to her apartment half hour before Owen text her, letting her know he was entering the resort. There's an envelope for you at the front desk. She sent the text with shaky hands.
Knowing Owen didn't have easy access to the manager suites on the top few floors of the resort, and he weaseled his way up only once before. It'll be a little more harder with him not being around to wait for the delivery guy to help him sneak up. The spare keycard for her apartment was in the envelope for Owen and Claire hoped the gesture didn't set him off in a panic.
Starring down at her phone, Claire didn't realize how long it had been since she sent the text to Owen, but she jumped when she heard the automatic lock on the door click and the doorknob turn. "Hello?" Owen called out, poking his head through the crack of the door, eyes immediately finding Claire.
"Hey," She said shyly, looking down at her bare feet.
Owen toed his shoes off and moved to place the bag of food on the counter before turning to Claire, holding the keycard out to her. "Thanks." He said, handing it over.
Claire swallowed hard and shifted uncomfortably. "It wasn't for you to give back to me."
Owen's eyes widened as he stared at Claire, unable to hide the shock on his face.
Taking a deep breath, Claire stepped around Owen, no longer confident enough to have this conversation face to face. "I mean, I know you'll talk your way up here anyway, so I figured to just give you access." She mumbled as she unloaded the contents of the bag and concentrating on sorting out their meals, that she didn't hear Owen approach her until his arms wound around her waist.
Dropping his lips to her neck, he hummed against her skin when she tilted her head to give him better access. "Thanks." He repeated and she turned in his arms, catching him as he took out his wallet, slipping the card into an empty slot.
The fact that he immediately tucked it away eased Claire's worries. It was a silent acknowledgment that he wasn't ready to just walk away, forgetting what they had going on.
She threw her arms around his neck at the same time his hands landed roughly on her hips. Their lips meeting in a fierce battle to try and gain control. Tightening his grip on her hips, Owen lifted Claire onto the counter with ease and she spread her legs enough to let Owen settle between them.
Owen pulled back, leaning back so he could see Claire's flustered face. "Thought you were tired."
Claire giggled as she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer to her. "You should see it as a good thing. You've got a head start on trying to get me to sleep in tomorrow morning."
"Oh, I get it." Owen shook his head slowly as he clicked his tongue. "You underestimate me, Claire."
She smiled, leaning forward to peck his lips quickly before twisting to grab her salad. Owen grabbed for it, taking it out of her hands and placing it back down on the counter beside her hip. "You said you weren't that hungry." He said and wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her off the counter and turned towards her bedroom.
Claire pressed her lips to his neck as he carried her, giggling against his skin when one of his hands squeezed her ass.
Owen laughed as he pulled a startled squeal from Claire when he let her go, causing her to fall onto the mattress. He crawled onto the bed, moving up Claire's body, his face falling serious as he met her eyes. He wanted to blurt out his feeling for her, he wanted to keep her pinned beneath his body, never letting her go.
Her eyes stayed locked with his, so many words shared between them, but no one spoke. Reaching up, Claire ran her fingers through Owen's hair as he reached between them to run his index finger along the waistband of her pants. The motion making Claire push her head back in the mattress, her eyes fluttered closed as she moved her hips towards him.
Taking Claire's response as permission to move on, Owen shifted so he could balance on his knees over her, his hands slipping under her oversized t-shirt, palms laying flat against her stomach. He could feel her breathing quicken as he slid his hands up her torso, pulling her shirt up as he moved higher. Owen smiled down at her when his hands grazed over bare breasts, making her writhe below him.
Understanding that Owen wanted to take his time, Claire reached for the hem of her shirt, tugging it over her head. She watched as his eyes wondered, his hands sliding across every inch of exposed skin.
He had made her feel beautiful last night, but this was different. He was marveling over every part of her as if he was inspecting the rarest diamond in the world. With every touch that slid across her skin, he woke up every fiber in her body. Her core was screaming for him to touch her, to allow her to fall off the edge, but she was enjoying the attention he was giving her.
Owen leaned down, his mouth replacing his hands and Claire's hands moved back to his hair, but she didn't grab a fist full and guide him where she needed him most. She ran her fingers softly through his hair, allowing him to keep control.
The way Claire's fingers worked their way through his hair, fingernails scratching lightly across his scalp had Owen humming against Claire's breasts.
Moving down further, Owen slid down her body, pulling her pants off along the way.
Owen smiled against her as he worked her body in ways she had never experienced. She had had oral sex before, but not with a man who seemed to know every spot to hit. He teased her and gave her exactly what she wanted until her back was arched off the mattress and she was calling out his name.
He moved up to lay beside her, watching her as she fought to catch her breath.
"Do you know how beautiful you are?" Owen asked, as he watched her chest rise and fall as she panted. Her eyes were closed, marveling in the feeling of her body coming down from its high.
Claire smiled, her eyes blinking open and she turned to face him. "Do you know how good you are?" She asked, a soft blush forming on her cheeks.
Owen shrugged and leaned in to kiss her softly. "You're just easy to read." He said, trailing his fingers from her lips and down her body to her thigh.
Moving her leg, fitting it against his thigh, Claire reached out to tug on his shirt. "You're still dressed." She complained and a small pout forming on her lips.
Owen chuckled and wrapped his fingers around her wrist, pulling her hand away from him. "It's not about me right now."
Claire shifted so she was sitting up to better face him, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "Well, I'm ready for it to be." She said and tried reaching for his belt buckle.
"Not yet." He reached for her hands once more, this time she fought him, a sly smile spreading across her face.
She had given up control already and she wasn't going to do it again. Claire slipped her hands free and flung a leg over his hip so she was straddling his lap. Owen hummed as her lips moved along his neck and she wrapped herself around him, pressing herself flush against him.
Owen wrapped his arms around her waist and held her against him as he shifted Claire back down on her back. She fought against his touch, refusing to let herself lie under him. She fought for the control Owen was refusing to give up.
Huffing loudly, Claire let out a loud groan when Owen's fingers wrapped around her wrists once more. This time, though, he pinned them over her head. "You're stubborn, aren't you?" Owen pointed out, ducking down to kiss her. Her need for him showing heavily as she tried to keep his lips against her, but without her hands she could only do so much.
Bucking her hips against his, he smiled against her lips when she moaned, feeling him through his jeans. Fighting against his hands, Claire twisted her wrists, desperate to reach for his pants.
Owen matched her movement, holding both her wrists in one hand to reach between them and helped her reach her second climax of the night.
"Damn you." Claire panted, her body flat against the mattress, muscles feeling like jello.
Owen slid down her body planting light kisses across her belly. He heard her stomach gurgle and peeked up at her. "How about some dinner." He suggested and reached for her hands to help her sit up.
She wanted to fight him. To keep him on the bed, but her limbs were like spaghetti and she couldn't seem to get them to move. She had no strength to pull him back. Instead, she slumped back down, back flopping against the mattress.
"You're not tired already. Are you?" Owen asked, turning back to look at Claire.
Claire pushed herself up on her elbows so she could see him at the foot of the bed. Her eyes traveled down to the bulge in his jeans. "You just going to ignore that?"
"For now."
"That's got to be painful."
"A little."
Claire shifted so she was on her hands and knees. "So come here."
Owen shook his head and pointed with his thumb over his shoulder. "Dinner first."
Grabbing her bathrobe, she dragged her feet as she followed Owen into the kitchen. Claire immediately reached for a glass, filling it with water as Owen brought their meals to the table.
"What's your favorite ice cream?" Owen wondered and grabbed his cell phone off the counter before turning back to the table.
"Rocky Road." Claire answered, taking a bite of her salad. "Why?"
"We'll just stick with chocolate." He said and hit the number for room service on his phone.
"Why?" Claire repeated. She watched him as he spoke his order into the phone, giving them her apartment number. "Dessert?"
Owen shrugged and took a bite of his salad. "Something like that."
They ate in silence, both of them sneaking a peek at the other and smiling when one of them got caught. Claire could see Owen shifting uncomfortably as he ate and immediately knew what his problem was. She watched him out of the corner of her eye as she poked around at her salad. Leaning back in her chair, her robe slipped open and she heard Owen clear his throat. Looking up at him she caught his eyes locked on her chest.
Taking advantage of the moment, she got up and walked around the table. Owen knew she was coming for him and he slid his chair back enough for her to climb onto his lap. She had his shirt off before he could protest. Also he was losing his strength to keep himself at bay.
Owen slipped his arms around Claire's waist, holding her against him. He felt his self control slipping feeling her chest flush against his. Skin on skin.
The knock on the door halted Claire's movement on Owen's lap, his hands sliding across her hips and lifted her onto the table. "He'll put it by the door if we don't answer." Claire offered, trying to reach for Owen as he adjusted himself before moving to open the door.
He opened the door, ignoring Claire and immediately regretted it.
Andrew stood, smile fading with the bag of ice cream in his hand. His eyes immediately focused on the fact that Owen was shirtless. Answering Claire's door.