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“Every time, babe.”

He kissed her, nipping at her lower lip, dipping his tongue in her sweet, wet heat and immediately went hard. He craved scooping her up and carrying her into bed, but he needed to have the dialogue with her now. “I have news to share.”

“Oh, I like news,” she murmured, dropping kisses on his jawline. “Tell me.”

“I got a new job offer. With Dooney and Finklestein Legal Associates.”

She stilled, then slowly drew back. A frown marred her brow. “What do you mean? I never knew you were interested in leaving the Animal Defense Fund.”

“I wasn’t. But I met Mario at the courthouse and they’ve been looking for a new associate. I’d be strictly animal law, of course, and the pay is double what I’m making. They have a good reputation.”

“Yes, they do. I don’t have an issue with that. I’m just surprised. Don’t they cater to the country club crowd?”

Frustration shot through him. “Rich people have a great deal of influence on changes in law.”

“I know. But I thought one of the things you were most passionate about is protecting and defending the ones who can’t pay. The ones who can’t afford the fancy-ass lawyers.”

His jaw clenched. He didn’t like the uneasy feelings her words brought up, or the challenge suddenly gleaming in her eyes. He spoke calmly. “I do, but I also need to be practical. This is a steady job where I can pick my clients, make money, and still make a difference. You know how not-for-profits run—one day the budget is cut and you’re out of a job.”

“Sure, but that’s another reason we’re so needed. There’s fewer and fewer people fighting for them. Look at the Spagarelli case. If it wasn’t for you and the Defense Fund pursuing, that couple 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.

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.