Over 200 followers, wow guys, really wow. I don't know if that's a lot, but when I started I had none and I kinda expected it to stay around that range. Thanks for all the support!

This one's for ya'll!

Owen grabbed me by the hand dragging me behind him as he ran in-between the server racks. He opened the door to a small supply closet thrusting me inside following closely behind shutting the door. There was hardly space for one person in here much less two.

Owen and I were plastered together in the tiny space. I had my hands on his chest, my fingers curled around his tuxedo jacket pulling him against me trying to create space where there was none. His arms were wrapped around my waist and our legs were pinned between each others creating some pretty outstanding sensations. I could feel his heart pounding in his chest and I closed my eyes trying to think of the least sexy thing I could conjure up. I concentrated on taking mental stock of the contents of the supply closet. Mops, brooms and computer parts definitely weren't sexy, right?

I could sense him looking at me, and opened my eyes coming face to face with a very sexy looking Owen. There was enough light filtering in the closet I could see the blue in his eyes had darkened and looked almost black. His breathing was slightly erratic as he looked at me raising his eyebrows suggestively.

"You cannot be serious?" I whispered in exasperation. "Explain to me exactly how that would work?"

I knew right away saying something was a mistake. Owen's the type of man that will come crashing through the sexual innuendo door like the Kool Aid Man if you leave it open even the slightest bit.

Owen flashed me his 100-watt smile, "I'm not saying it wouldn't take creativity."

I almost fainted. Hell, I almost gave him the go ahead. Sex in a closet with Owen, I felt like everything else after that would just be icing on the cake.

"Uh, Jo. This is an open mic," Lowery said in my ear apologetically.

I pointed at my ear looking at Owen who didn't seem to give a rat's ass who heard what went on in here. I rolled my eyes so hard I saw my brain. Men.

We both turned towards the door as we heard talking in the server room. It was Watson and another technician looking for his missing access card. Thank everything holy I'd dropped that card on the desk when we first came in. I heard Watson shout triumphantly upon finding the card on the front desk, and we both breathed a sigh of relief. The voices trailed off and I was almost positive I heard the door opening then closing again. We gave it another couple of minutes just to be sure it was safe. It had absolutely nothing at all to do with being pressed up against a particularly handsome wall of solid muscle.

"All clear Jo," Lowery supplied in my ear. He sure knew how to ruin the moment.

I cracked open the door squeezing out past Owen who took a few more minutes to collect himself in the closet. Good to know I'm not the only one who thought it was a little hot in there. Once Owen exited the closet we made our way out of the lab.

I started walking back down the hall to rejoin the party when Owen's hand clamped down on my arm. I looked at him questioningly as he appeared to be listening to Barry in his ear comm.

"Three investors just exited the banquet hall headed this general direction," he said filling me in on Barry's observation.

"Lowery?"

"I heard, I'm working on it," he said typing furiously on his keyboard, "Ok, I see them. Obviously looking for the outdoor balcony if the cigars are any indication."

I sighed in relief; the balcony was on the opposite end of the hall from the server room. I was about to relay the information to Owen when Lowery's voice boomed in my ear.

"Jo, these guys have had a few too many and they took a wrong turn. They're headed straight for you."

Could we not catch a break tonight? I looked frantically at Owen who could already tell by my expression we were screwed. We both searched the hallway in vain for somewhere to hide. We couldn't get back into the server room without the access card.

I heard deep laughter filter down the hallway from around the corner. Crap, they were almost on top of us. They may be a little tipsy, but I'm sure it wouldn't go unnoticed we were in a section of the building we had no business being in. There was nothing down this hall but the server room.

"Don't hit me ok?" Owen said tentatively.

Before I had a chance to ask him what the hell he was talking about he pushed me into the corner of the hallway pinning me against the wall. The wall was cold against my exposed back and I tried to think what Owen was planning. There was a small nook back here that was somewhat shaded, but there was no way they wouldn't see us.

"What…"

I said adios to rational thought as Owen's body pressed flat against mine. One arm snaked around my waist while the other settled on the base of my neck as his lips pressed down on mine. I responded instinctively, grabbing the lapels of his jacket pulling him to me. He kissed me like our lives depended on it, like I was the air he needed to breathe. His hands drifted down my back cupping my ass and I let out a small whimper. Owen growled in his chest nipping at my lips as we both struggled for control of the kiss and our bodies.

The things this man could do to me should be illegal. My hands fisted into his hair as we continued to explore each other's bodies. I'm by no means a nun, but being kissed by Owen was life altering. It was like experiencing it all for the first time. It felt like I had been waiting my entire life to feel like I did at this very moment.

I completely forgot the reason we were necking like teenagers in a hallway until I heard a not so subtle throat clearing from behind us. Owen broke our kiss resting his forehead against mine as we both struggled to slow our breathing. He ran his hand tenderly down the side of my face placing a gently kiss on my lips before turning to face the men currently looking highly amused in the hallway. He kept his body in front of mine shielding me from the men as I adjusted my dress.

"Forgive us son, we were looking for the balcony, but seem to have gotten lost," an older man said smiling at Owen.

"No problem sir, it's just back this way," Owen returned, grabbing my hand and leading me down the hallway.

"Oh to be young and in love," one of the other men said grinning at me clearly intoxicated, "I'm surprised the two of you waited this long with the way you looked on the dance floor."

I stumbled at his words looking at him my eyes wide. Did he say in love?

Owen laughed genuinely. "Yes sir. She keeps me on my toes. The balcony is just at the other end of this hall," he told them pointing.

The three men laughed loudly slapping Owen on the back as they passed. They eyed me with salacious grins on their faces and it was all I could do to plaster a smile on my face. I could not analyze the meaning of any of this right now. It was too overwhelming.

Owen led me back into the banquet hall where the party was in full swing. I felt disconnected from everything as I was having a hard time tearing my mind away from that hallway. I must have looked like a deer caught in the headlights because Owen whispered in my ear he was going to get us some drinks. I shook my head absentmindedly. Yes, alcohol, that was exactly what I needed to dilute the thoughts racing through my mind.

Simon stepped on stage informing everyone dinner would be served soon. Guests wandered towards the double doors at the far end of the banquet hall filtering through to the dining room a low murmur of conversation floating through the room. I scanned the crowd looking for Owen.

"Jo, you look beautiful." I turned towards the voice coming face to face with Claire. She looked magnificent in a black strapless mermaid gown. Her red hair was pulled back in an elegant twist, and her lips were painted blood red. Her body was all curves in all the right places. I tried not to feel inferior standing in front her polished grace, but it was hard considering I was pretty sure I was still sporting a pretty impressive "I just had my world rocked" look. It must feel good to have your shit together. Personally, I wouldn't know, but I bet it felt good.

"Thanks, you too. Really, wow." Jeez, I was a loser.

"So, you and Owen?" she asked, a small smile pulling at her lips.

"Me and Owen what?"

She sipped her wine slowly eyeing me, "I didn't realize you were dating."

Dating is not really how I would describe it. More like we had issues keeping our hands to ourselves when in each other's generally vicinity. Either we were trying to kill each other or we were having trouble keeping our clothes on.

"I don't think we are…it's not really like that." I stuttered uncomfortably.

Claire smiled like she knew a secret, "Jo, it's pretty obvious to everyone except you and Owen how you feel about each other. I think it could be good for both of you."

I frowned at her words shaking my head, "I'm not really sure what to say. Especially to someone who dated Owen."

"That was hardly a date," she replied rolling her eyes. Wow, that was one bad date. "Be happy, you deserve it."

Awkward sauce, this was just too weird. I smiled at her giving her a double thumbs up. Thankfully, Claire was whisked away to continue running the universe (when I grew up I wanted to be just like her) while I was left to contemplate our conversation. I wondered slowly towards the dining room thinking about things better left untouched, especially tonight.

I found our table in the very back of the dinning room, thank you Simon. Barry was already seated talking quietly with Hamada while Vivian was chatting amicable with another control room employee I didn't know. I felt Owen come up behind me pulling my chair out for me. I smiled at him as I sat down and he placed a glass of wine in front of me.

As Owen took his own seat beside me I resisted the urge to chug the wine just to take the edge off. Having Owen next to me was agony as I kept replaying our kiss in my mind like a broken record. I could feel his hands on my body and his lips on mine. My body was simultaneously hot and cold all at the same time. I felt like a live wire, every sensation amplified to the 1,000th degree. As a result my dress felt like sandpaper against my skin, and I couldn't resist twisting and shifting in my seat attempting to scratch an itch I couldn't quite reach. The conversation floated around me, but I didn't hear anything. I closed my eyes breathing deep wishing this party would hurry up and end.

I felt Owen's hand graze my leg under the table and it was a minor miracle I didn't catapult backwards out of my chair straight onto the floor. He grabbed my hand giving what I thought was a sympathetic squeeze as he continued talking with Barry and Hamada who seemed unaware of my current predicament. I clung to Owen's hand like a lifeline as I sipped my wine pretending to enjoy the party. Maybe if I drank enough I could numb all sensation.

Because this was Simon's party, and he could never do anything half assed, there were about 50 dinner courses. After every course we had to "cleanse our palate". Why that involved what appeared to be sorbet I had no idea. I was fine cleansing my palate with copious amounts of wine.

The food was probably award wining, but I couldn't remember tasting a morsel. My entire awareness was trained on the man next to me. He seemed to be as miserable as I was throughout the entire affair, shifting, sighing and twitching every few minutes. To anyone who didn't know him he looked calm and unaffected, but the hard line in his jaw and the stiff set of his shoulders betrayed his unaffected demeanor. After what felt like hours coffee was served signaling the officially end to dinner and the party. I'm sure the unofficial party would continue well into the morning hours, but I'd rather rip my own fingernails off one by one than stay here a minute longer.

"Well, I'm beat. Gonna call it a night. See you guys later," I said shooting out my seat like a rocket. I was so on edge I'm sure I looked like a crack addict jonesing for a fix.

Owen abruptly stood up, "I'll give you a ride home. I'm not feeling too well."

Barry smiled at us smothering a laugh with his napkin as Hamada just shook his head. Owen grabbed my hand and we practically ran out the door. I swear I heard Hamada mutter, "Jesus, I hope those two just get it over with".

Owen helped me into his Jeep and we headed home my knee bouncing repeatedly the entire ride. Nothing but silence filled the Jeep. I racked my brain for something to say, but couldn't come up with anything that wasn't R rated. Owen seemed fine with no talking so I bit my tongue and kept my dirty thoughts all to myself. I was, however, worried he was going to crush the steering wheel he was gripping it so tight. Guess I wasn't the only one struggling for control.

I stared out the window confused as we passed by my house, "Owen?" I asked pointing as my camper flew by.

Owen just shook his head hard continuing to his bungalow. I sat back in the seat wordlessly. Guess I was walking home.

Owen stopped the Jeep suddenly by his house jumping out. Unsure what was happening I opted to just stay in the car. The door was yanked open and Owen pulled me out leading me into his bungalow. I'm not usually real good at being compliant, but was making an extra effort since he seemed ready to snap.

I stood uncomfortably in Owen's living room as he shrugged off his jacket and bow tie. He was starting to worry me. I bit my lip shifting my weight from one foot to another.

"Owen?" I said quietly.

He held his hand up, "Just give me a second."

I blew out an exasperated breath. My patience rivaled that of a toddler most of the time. I tried to stay calm and quite by counting to 10, reciting the alphabet, even running through the process of breaking down and cleaning my gun. That all took about 30 seconds and I was officially biting my tongue to keep from saying anything.

I opened my mouth to speak just as Owen turned seeming to come to some kind of internal conclusion. He closed the distance between us searching my face. I raised my eyebrows at him because in all honesty I needed a decoder ring for this silent conversation.

"God you're beautiful," he said pushing my hair back behind my shoulder.

Oh, well, if that was what he was debating this whole time I was happy to wait. I felt like putty when I was with this man. Probably not a good thing, but I couldn't bring myself to care. He pulled me to him kissing me softly, almost like a question. I didn't know what the question entailed, but my answer was an unequivocal yes.

I tried to deepen the kiss, but Owen pulled away looking down. Ok, now I was officially confused.

"Jo, I want this. I want you," he said in a pained voice. That was the best news I'd heard all night. Let's get this party started. "But it can't just be one time. I…I can't have you then let you go."

I stepped back putting distance between us, "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying I want you. All your flaws, mistakes, smiles, jokes, sarcasm, everything. I want it all."

I gaped at him unable to form a response while my heart swelled. All my life I had waited for someone to want me, to accept me, and now the man in front of me was saying just that. I was equal parts exhilarated and petrified. Never having anyone care about me made it easy to never put myself out there. Now, I had a decision to make. Believe Owen's statement and take a leap of faith or do what I did best and run like hell.

I don't think there was ever a decision to make. Owen was as essential to my life as my breathing - effortless, natural. Somewhere, somehow he had invaded my life and taken my heart. Walking away from him would be paramount to death. I needed him, and what's more, I wanted him.

I walked towards him throwing my arms around his neck. His arms automatically went around my waist as I pressed my lips to his. I was vaguely aware it was the first time I had ever initiated a kiss. He effortlessly lifted me in his arms walking us to his bedroom. He laid me gently on the bed hovering over me.

"Are you sure? There's no going back after this," he asked looking me in the eye.

"I'm sure," I said breathlessly.

I pulled him down, his weight heaven as it pressed me into the mattress. A smile touched his lips as he kissed me with so much passion I swear the world tilted off its axis. My heart was pounding in my chest as heat spread through my body. He kissed my cheek, trailing down my neck as I tilted my head back. He nipped and sucked at the pulse in my neck as my hands weaved into his hair pulling at him. I needed more, needed him closer.

I didn't know where he ended and I began. I was lost in a sea of sensation. I felt Owen slipping the straps of my dress down as I wiggled allowing him to disrobe me. I would normally feel self-conscious laid bare, but I had abandoned modesty somewhere in the living room. I tugged and pulled at his shirt attempted to even the playing field. Owen pulled hard at the buttons on his shirt tearing them free, and tossing his shirt aside. Apparently buttons were too time consuming.

I rubbed my hands down his chest to his hard abs almost salivating, "It's about time."

He chuckled softly and then we were kissing again. His hands were everywhere moving with finely tuned precision. We took our time exploring each other. My awareness faded to nothing but him as our bodies became one. I felt like I was free falling out of an airplane. Nothing else mattered except right here, right now, with Owen.

For tonight, everything was perfect.

SaphiraRyuuka: Hope it was worth the wait. Thanks for reading!

Kat: Thanks! Enjoy :)

Storylover00: Thanks again for another review :) Hope you liked this one.

musa22lbl: Thanks for the idea about an Owen POV. I was thinking of doing a companion piece to this one when I was done in his POV so we can see his wheels turning during all this craziness. That is if I have time ;)

Mystery Guest: Hope the wait wasn't too bad and you liked the conclusion.

Malfoy-Whitlock-21: Thanks for the great review...it means a lot! Hope you enjoyed how this played out.

sarahmichellegellarfan1: Thanks! FYI, love your avatar pic...just saw the movie a few days ago and loved it!

Desert Vulpes Zerda: I agree, I feel like that when I have to get ready for stuff like the gala. It doesn't happen often, but I need sedation when it does to make it through. Thanks for sticking with me!

animagirl: I did have a great one, thanks! Hope yours was amaze balls too :) Thanks for continuing to read and review!

angelicedg: Your review was almost omnipotent...LOL! Hope you liked how it all played out :)