Something thrilling to look forward to and embrace if she dared.
After her husband’s betrayal, she’d shied away from men and any hint at something intimate. She’d refused to trust any man with her heart, and all she’d done was put up a wall to keep everyone out and her alone. Not anymore.
She stared across the table and straight into Owen’s amazing blue eyes. She read the challenge and accepted it.
“I have a feeling I’m going to be in desperate need of a glass of wine by the end of the day. I can’t wait.”
“Me either,” he said in his casual way that wasn’t casual at all. Owen reminded her of a predator stalking his prey, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Funny, for the first time in years, she felt wanted in a way that went beyond sex. Though she knew he wanted that, something about the way he stared and studied her told her he wanted a hell of a lot more. She wanted to surrender to him all he silently asked, because Owen wasn’t the type of man to demand what he wanted. Either she gave of herself freely, or he’d back off, because he didn’t want anything she wasn’t willing to give with her whole heart.
“Eat your food. We need to leave soon so I can get you to work on time.”
“I’m so sorry, you must be late. I didn’t think. You probably start work much earlier.”
“It’s no problem. My assistant is covering the office. I don’t have to be in court until two.”
“What kind of case are your working on?”
“I represent all kinds of people and cases, but today it’s a shoplifting charge. One of my client’s daughters is quite the klepto. She’s been caught five times. God knows how many times she didn’t get caught. So far, she hasn’t had to serve jail time. Her father usually buys her way out of it, but this time she took a twelve-hundred-dollar sapphire ring.”
“Her father can afford to buy her whatever she wants and doesn’t understand her compulsion to steal,” Claire guessed.
“Exactly, but he loves her and wants to see her get the help she needs. I’m trying to work out a plea deal. We’ll see how it goes and if the judge will be lenient.”
“You care about her.”
“She’s a sweet kid who doesn’t deserve to sit in juvenile detention for three months because she can’t control her impulses. She needs a psychiatrist and tools to help her fight her compulsion. She knows it’s wrong, she just can’t help herself.”
“You’ll do the best you can. If you talk to the prosecutor and explain her to him the way you did to me, he’ll give you the deal.”
“Thanks for the optimism, but the prosecutor on this case is looking for convictions, not necessarily what is best for the accused.”
“You’ll convince him. If not, you’ll convince the judge.”
“Maybe I should take you with me to court. One look at you, and they’ll be putty in your hands.”
“I doubt it.”
“Why? I am.”
“Hardly. You’re just worried Dale will come back here.”
“You know that’s not the only reason I’m here.”
“I’m still trying to figure you out.”
“No. You’re convinced I’m lying just because I’m talking. Take your ex-colored glasses off and see me. Don’t judge me based on your asshole ex’s actions. I’m not him. Listen to the words coming out of my mouth and know they are the truth. I won’t lie or manipulate you to get what I want. That’s not my way. At least, not anymore. Back in the day, when I was that guy my cousin, Dylan, talked about, yeah, I’d say anything to get a woman in my bed and out as quickly as possible. I’m not that guy anymore. I’ve seen what two people who love each other can share.”
“Your brother, Brody, and Rain.”
“Yes. They’ve had a hell of time getting to where they are now, but two things hold them together more than anything else. They love each other fiercely, and they are honest with each other always.
“Growing up with my old man, well, let’s just say I learned
After her husband’s betrayal, she’d shied away from men and any hint at something intimate. She’d refused to trust any man with her heart, and all she’d done was put up a wall to keep everyone out and her alone. Not anymore.
She stared across the table and straight into Owen’s amazing blue eyes. She read the challenge and accepted it.
“I have a feeling I’m going to be in desperate need of a glass of wine by the end of the day. I can’t wait.”
“Me either,” he said in his casual way that wasn’t casual at all. Owen reminded her of a predator stalking his prey, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Funny, for the first time in years, she felt wanted in a way that went beyond sex. Though she knew he wanted that, something about the way he stared and studied her told her he wanted a hell of a lot more. She wanted to surrender to him all he silently asked, because Owen wasn’t the type of man to demand what he wanted. Either she gave of herself freely, or he’d back off, because he didn’t want anything she wasn’t willing to give with her whole heart.
“Eat your food. We need to leave soon so I can get you to work on time.”
“I’m so sorry, you must be late. I didn’t think. You probably start work much earlier.”
“It’s no problem. My assistant is covering the office. I don’t have to be in court until two.”
“What kind of case are your working on?”
“I represent all kinds of people and cases, but today it’s a shoplifting charge. One of my client’s daughters is quite the klepto. She’s been caught five times. God knows how many times she didn’t get caught. So far, she hasn’t had to serve jail time. Her father usually buys her way out of it, but this time she took a twelve-hundred-dollar sapphire ring.”
“Her father can afford to buy her whatever she wants and doesn’t understand her compulsion to steal,” Claire guessed.
“Exactly, but he loves her and wants to see her get the help she needs. I’m trying to work out a plea deal. We’ll see how it goes and if the judge will be lenient.”
“You care about her.”
“She’s a sweet kid who doesn’t deserve to sit in juvenile detention for three months because she can’t control her impulses. She needs a psychiatrist and tools to help her fight her compulsion. She knows it’s wrong, she just can’t help herself.”
“You’ll do the best you can. If you talk to the prosecutor and explain her to him the way you did to me, he’ll give you the deal.”
“Thanks for the optimism, but the prosecutor on this case is looking for convictions, not necessarily what is best for the accused.”
“You’ll convince him. If not, you’ll convince the judge.”
“Maybe I should take you with me to court. One look at you, and they’ll be putty in your hands.”
“I doubt it.”
“Why? I am.”
“Hardly. You’re just worried Dale will come back here.”
“You know that’s not the only reason I’m here.”
“I’m still trying to figure you out.”
“No. You’re convinced I’m lying just because I’m talking. Take your ex-colored glasses off and see me. Don’t judge me based on your asshole ex’s actions. I’m not him. Listen to the words coming out of my mouth and know they are the truth. I won’t lie or manipulate you to get what I want. That’s not my way. At least, not anymore. Back in the day, when I was that guy my cousin, Dylan, talked about, yeah, I’d say anything to get a woman in my bed and out as quickly as possible. I’m not that guy anymore. I’ve seen what two people who love each other can share.”
“Your brother, Brody, and Rain.”
“Yes. They’ve had a hell of time getting to where they are now, but two things hold them together more than anything else. They love each other fiercely, and they are honest with each other always.
“Growing up with my old man, well, let’s just say I learned
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