Begin Again - Jennifer Probst Page 0,49

would have never paid for their crime. Even worse, they’d keep doing it over and over again, because no one stops them.”

He blew out a breath. “I haven’t even tried the case yet, Chloe. I may not win.”

She tilted her head and studied him. “You already won, because you haven’t given up. If you lose this one, we’ll be keeping a close eye on them, and be ready to pounce. We’ll get justice eventually.”

He stared at her stubborn conviction, the gleam of determination in her blue eyes, the fierce energy that radiated from her figure, so like her father. God, she was such a warrior, refusing to surrender, but would living this life with him one day cause burnout? Would she crave stability and security more than the fight for justice?

“Owen, tell me what’s going on.” She took his hand and pressed it against her heart. “You can tell me anything.”

He hesitated, wanting to spill his fears to the woman he trusted more than anyone.

Instead, he shot her a smile and shook his head. “Nothing, babe. Let me think a bit and we can talk more later. For now, I think we need to deal with the process of getting Gus-Gus to bed. Can you help me?”

The disappointment in her gaze hurt more than he anticipated. As if she sensed he hid something important from her. But she forced her own smile. “Sure.”

After they settled Gus-Gus, he made love to her, wringing out her orgasms, claiming her with a fierce hunger and possession that almost broke him apart. And after, he whispered the only thing he could make sure he gave her.

“I love you.”

Once again, she held him close but didn’t answer.

Chapter Fifteen

Chloe squeezed her pink stress ball and wondered what was haunting Owen.

They’d been steadily building a new foundation between them separate from the past. For the first time, she sensed an even stronger connection with the people they’d grown into and was beginning to understand more about why he’d needed to leave.

She liked being with a man who walked his own path. Watching him in his element, pursuing his own passions on his own terms, was a heady aphrodisiac. He’d changed in all ways except one.

His heart. It was still loving, kind, and open.

And it was still hers.

She sighed and glanced over at his empty desk. She hadn’t given him the words yet, and she wasn’t sure why. She knew she loved him, but when she opened her mouth, a strange fear struck her mute. He never pushed, but there was an underlying tension beginning to grow between them. And when he shared the possibility of taking the law firm job, she couldn’t help being shocked. He’d always told her how happy he was with his job and the transfer; he bubbled over with ideas to recruit more lawyers for not-for-profit and compose new intern programs.

Transferring to a private firm where he’d be forced to prosecute a few handpicked cases from rich clients stole away his freedom. When she looked into his eyes, it was clear he had doubts and didn’t want to take it. Why did he keep talking about money? Neither of them had ever focused on money as a goal. Had something suddenly changed she couldn’t figure out?

Chloe grabbed her phone and dialed.

“Hi, sweetheart. You got me for five minutes before my next meeting. I’m walking there now.”

“Oh, it’s nothing, Dad. Just wanted to say hello.”

She heard a whooshing sound, then his voice low in the phone. “Bull. I can hear from your tone, you never call me in the middle of the day to just say hi. Is it Owen?”

She laughed, rubbing her temple. “Yes, but not how you think it is. We’re still deliriously happy. It’s just, something weird is going on with him and I thought I’d get your perspective.”

“Shoot.”

She explained the job offer, Owen’s reaction, and the mention of money. “He kept looking at me funny and repeating that the money was good, and the job was secure.”

“Nothing wrong with that. Maybe he’s trying to show you he’s serious about your relationship. That he can take care of you for the future.”

She practically gagged, then heard a loud yell from Alyssa. “Ouch, okay, sorry. Chloe? Alyssa said that was egotistical and chauvinistic and that you need no one to take care of yourself but you.”

A smile curved her lips. “Good. She’s right.”

“I know. But maybe Owen is stuck on a battle plan. You know instead of trying to woo you to