Falling for Owen

by Jennifer Ryan

  All of a sudden she felt foolish, but it didn’t stop her from staying in Owen’s arms. She shifted on her feet, and he slid his big hands down her back to her waist, hoisting her up onto the counter. His warm hands settled on her thighs, spreading them wide so he could stand between them. Close. Intimate. Their eyes met, and he reached up and swiped his thumbs across both her cheeks, taking away the tears.

  She got hold of herself enough to say, “Your brother is huge.”

  “You just faced off with an ex–Army Ranger. He could take you out with one lethal smile.”

  “He wasn’t smiling.”

  “He doesn’t much, since he got home. Unless he’s with Rain. She’s bringing him back to himself, but it’s a long and slow process when you’ve seen and done the kinds of things he has during the war.”

  “You admire him.”

  “He’s a tough guy with a big heart. He suffers from PTSD, so wielding a knife in front of him, or sneaking up on him—not a good idea, sweetheart, if you want to live.”

  “You really were protecting me.”

  “I don’t think he’d hurt you, definitely not on purpose, but you never know what will set him off. He gets lost in flashbacks. He may not have seen you, but an enemy his mind is still fighting. I didn’t want to take a chance. Like I said, he’s better now that he’s back with Rain and the girls.”

  “What if that other man comes back?” Tears clogged her throat and made her words stilted and shaky.

  Owen cupped her face. Their gazes locked. They held their breath. She thought he’d kiss her, but he never moved. Despite standing between her thighs, he maintained a protective yet safe distance. He didn’t crowd her, or press into her like a lover. No, he stayed on that side of the boundary of comfort versus intimacy.

  “It’s late,” she mumbled to break the lengthening silence.

  He didn’t move away, but the ready-to-pounce muscles relaxed and an ease came over him. She wondered how he held himself back like that, when all she wanted to do is leap into him and every hot encounter his eyes promised.

  “Yeah, too late to pretend I don’t want you, and you don’t want me.”

  “I don’t even know you.”

  “Yeah, you do, or you wouldn’t have let me back into your house tonight. We’ll get to the details over time.”

  “You’re not a man who takes no for an answer.”

  “Sweetheart, you never said no, either with words or actions, judging by the way you’re holding tight to me right now.”

  She unfisted her hands from his shirt, like she’d been holding on to a snake. He wanted her back. Bad.

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I’m not. Get used to me hanging around, because I’ll be watching out for you until they find Dale and lock him up for hurting you.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “He threatened your life. I take that very seriously, especially from a guy like him, who is willing to come here and nearly run you over with his car in the dead of night.”

  “Bad choice of words.”

  “Sorry.”

  “He was looking for you.”

  “Yeah, drunk and stupid he showed up to take me on with nothing but his bad attitude. Sweetheart, I’d have demolished him if I was here. When he sobers up, he’ll realize that, and next time he might not be so stupid and come better prepared.”

  “You really think he’ll be back.”

  “If he wises up, no. But Dale has yet to prove he uses his brain for more than basic survival.”

  “Great.” She leaned her head to his shoulder and sighed heavily.

  “See, you’re already getting used to having me around.”

  She bolted upright again and glared at him, making him laugh. He’d pushed far enough and gave her some space, taking the mug beside her and going to the ancient fridge and filling it with milk. He put the mug in the microwave and set the timer.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Taking care of you. You’ll get used to that, too.”

  “Owen.”

  “Claire, relax. Take a breath. It’s been a long night. The sun will be up in about two hours. I feel guilty as hell about what happened and you getting hurt. Let me do this for you.”

  She planted her hands on the counter and let her head fall between her shoulders. She didn’t so much acquiesce as she didn’t argue further, which gave him an opening to get to know her better.

  He stirred chocolate mix into the mug of hot milk, grabbed the whip-cream can from the fridge, and squirted a generous mound on top. Just for fun, he squirted a heap into his mouth and ate it up, smiling. She smiled back and took the mug, licking the sweet cloud and sighing.

  “Better?” he asked.

  “Getting there. Thanks.”

  “Stay put. Let me help Brody with the door. It shouldn’t take but a couple of minutes, and I’ll be right back.”

  “I don’t have any wood.”

  “He’s renovating the cabin up at Clear Water Ranch. He brought some with him.”

  “Well, ask him what I owe for the wood and his help. I’m happy to pay.”

  “Claire, relax. I’ll take care of everything.”

  “But . . .”

  He stared her down until she relented and took a sip of her hot chocolate. He left her sitting on the counter, cup in hand, a resigned look on her face, but not a trace of fear. Not anymore, but it would come again when she tried to sleep. He’d stay and chase away the ghosts if they intruded again tonight. This morning? God, he needed some sleep. If he hurried, maybe he’d get to bed by five, sleep until eight. He’d pulled all-nighters before, he could do it again.

  “Got your girl squared away?” Brody asked when he stepped out onto the back patio.

  “She’s not my girl. I just met her. Besides, after what happened tonight, she’ll probably kick me out of her life for good.”

  “Don’t bet on it. She’s been checking you out for the last few minutes from the kitchen window.”

  Owen wanted to turn and look, but stayed put. His cocky smile gave away too much, and Brody laughed at him.

  “You two looked real cozy in the kitchen. She’s a little banged up and on edge, but she’s got fight and heart. She’s a beautiful woman. Why aren’t you seeing her?”

  Owen laughed. “Because up until a couple months ago I was taking care of your soon-to-be fiancée and children.” Everyone knew Brody and Rain were getting married, but his thick-headed brother had yet to ask her officially, making it a running gag between them.

  “Don’t put your lack of a love life on me. Rain can take care of those girls, herself, and an army all on her own. While I thank you for all you did while I was gone, you’re the one who didn’t put yourself out there. I’m just saying, she seems like a nice woman. You should take her to dinner.”

  “Yes, I’ll take her to dinner, and she’ll completely forget that bastard attacked her because of me.”

  “You take on too much for your clients. You’re not to blame for what happened. Don’t feel guilty for something that you didn’t do and couldn’t have prevented. Do everything you can to find that guy and put him where he belongs, but don’t blame yourself that she got hurt.”

  “I like her,” Owen admitted.

  Brody had a piece of plywood at his feet and a tape measure stretched across it. He marked a spot and grabbed the skill saw. He tossed the extension cord to him. Owen stepped back into the dining room and plugged it in on the side wall. He walked back out to help Brody hold the wood while he cut it.

  “What if he comes after her again?”

  “Do what you can legally to keep him away. If that doesn’t work, put him down.”

  “Rain hasn’t smoothed out all your rough edges, I see.”

  “You woke me up in the middle of the night, took me out of Rain’s bed, and your girl pulled a knife on me. Sorry if I’m not more agreeable.”

  “I appreciate you coming over to help me out.”

  “I�
�m just giving you a hard time. You knew I’d come. I owe you for taking care of my girls. Did she nick you?” Brody cocked his head to indicate the three-inch gash in his shirt.

  “She missed, thank God. I don’t think she realized she took a swipe at me.”

  “Adrenaline. She’s going to have a hard crash. Soon.”

  “Yeah, so let’s get this done so we can both get some sleep.”

  “You’re staying with her tonight.”

  “I just can’t take a chance Dale gets a bug up his ass and comes back.”

  “Is Dylan trying to track him down?”

  “Yeah, but who knows where Dale went after he harassed Shannon at her place.”

  “If you need my help keeping an eye on Claire, say the word and I’m there.”

  “Thanks. I’m going to keep my eye on her until this thing is resolved.”

  “As good excuse as any to spend time with her.”

  Owen ignored Brody’s knowing smile and hefted the heavy board and took it over to the door. Brody brought the drill and screws. They made quick work of the task.

  “That should work for now.” Owen stood back and surveyed their work, satisfied. “I’ll call her insurance company and get the door replaced tomorrow first thing.”

  “You need to talk to your client. If this guy is fixated on you and her and now Claire, you need to warn your client about saying something that could make this worse.”

  “I’m afraid she may have already said something about us.”

  Brody’s eyes narrowed on him.

  “Nothing is going on with my client,” Owen defended. “Well, on my part anyway. I’ve stood between her and the ex and helped her get away from him. She’s grateful and sees me as her protector. She’s started to rely on me and pushed for me to help her with things outside my scope of lawyerly duties.”

  “Put a stop to it now. Set her straight.”

  “I’ve tried to gently nudge her to do things on her own.”

  “Give her a shove. You don’t need her life dragging yours down.”

  “I will. I’m also going to make damn sure nothing else happens to Claire. She didn’t deserve this.”

  “No, she didn’t, but it’s not your fault.”

  “You said that already.”

  “Apparently you need to hear it again because I can see the guilt written all over your face.”

  “Thanks for your help. Go home.”

  “I’m headed that way.” Brody stopped in the middle of rolling up the extension cord around his hand and arm. “Owen, don’t ever think you don’t deserve what I’ve found with Rain and the girls. Whatever we did in our past, that doesn’t mean we can’t make something good for our future.”

  “We aren’t who we used to be. We’ve changed.” Owen spoke the words, but deep down he wasn’t so sure that dark part of himself didn’t still exist, just waiting to come out and screw everything up in his life like he’d done so many times.

  “We have. Remember when we sat at Rain’s kitchen table when I came back and you said Rain had let you be a part of a real family. It doesn’t have to be the way we grew up with the old man swapping one woman for the next, using them up and tossing them out.”

  “I’m nothing like the old man. I don’t use women for nothing but sex and treat them like shit.”

  “Never said you did. I’m just saying you can have what I have if you want it.”

  “I just met this woman. I’m not planning a wedding.”

  “I’m just saying change your perspective. Go into a relationship looking for forever, instead of just tonight, and you might find what you’re really looking for. Don’t be stubborn like me and waste years because you think you don’t deserve it.”

  Owen didn’t say anything. What could he say? He and Brody shared a past that they’d both had to work damn hard to overcome. At some point, they’d each decided to stop walking the road to destruction and take a new path toward something better. Law school and opening his own practice gave Owen a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, but he still felt like he was missing something in his life. He’d found a piece of it being a part of Rain and the girl’s lives. With Brody back, he still felt a part of their family, but he wanted his own. He loved spending time with Dawn and Autumn, but he envied his brother every time the girls called Brody “Dad.”

  “It’s late. I’m out of here. Go put your girl to bed.” Brody cocked his head toward the kitchen window. Claire still sat on the counter, her head down between her shoulders, eyes drooping.

  Tonight—well, early morning now—he’d put her to bed and watch over her. Some things were inevitable. He wished she hadn’t suffered that terrible scare, or her injuries, but Dale’s reckless move brought him here tonight. Claire made him want to stay.

  Chapter Seven

  * * *

  THE FRONT DOOR shut and the locks clicked into place. Claire tracked Owen’s movements through the small house by his heavy footfalls on the wood floors. He kicked the box next to the sofa on his way to the dining room. She’d done the same thing a hundred times, always with a silent promise she’d get around to moving it. Owen took care of it for her. The box landed on another with a scrape of cardboard. It made her smile. Such a small thing, but it meant a lot to her.

  Funny, she’d lived alone for a while now and thought she’d gotten used to it. Not so much. Having him moving around her house, her things, made her realize how lonely she’d been for company. How nice it was to share a space and find comfort in another’s presence.

  She hadn’t moved since he’d set her on the counter and gone out to help his brother board up the sliding door. Their deep, muffled voices carried into the house, though she couldn’t make out the words. The familiar, easy way they talked spoke of their close bond. She didn’t have any siblings and wished many times for a sister or brother to lean on and confide in when times were tough. As close as she was to her parents, they sometimes didn’t understand her need for independence. They too often wanted to fix her problems for her, instead of letting her do things her way.

  The lights went out in the dining room and Owen entered the kitchen, stopping several feet away. She leaned on her hands, her head bent nearly to her chest. She could only see his feet and legs.

  “Claire, you’re exhausted. Why didn’t you just go up to bed?”

  “The meds kicked in. Too tired to move.”

  Unexpected and exciting, he plucked her right off the counter and settled her in his arms and against his broad, hard chest. Too tired to make a fuss and exert her independence, she gave in to something else entirely and snuggled closer, nestling her face in his neck and settling her head on his strong shoulder.

  His chest rumbled with a laugh. “You’re like a contented cat, snuggling in for the night.”

  “Deep down, I’m fine on my own. The meds have made me mushy and weak.”

  “Not weak. After the night you’ve had, you just need a hug.”

  He squeezed her to his chest. She tried to hide the wince of pain, but he felt her stiffen in his arms.

  “Sorry, overstepped.”

  They reached the top of the stairs, and he stopped.

  “No, you didn’t. I didn’t realize how banged up I got. I feel like I got hit by a car,” she joked. “The meds are helping out considerably.

  “My room’s on the right.”

  Owen walked down the hall and entered her room, stopping just inside and looking around.

  “Wow. It’s like another house in here.”

  “I moved in over a year ago, but I spent all my time opening the shop and running it. A couple of months ago, I started on the house. I spend so much time at the shop, the most time I spend here is sleeping, so I redid the master bedroom first. I’ve upgraded the bathroom, but I still need to add the finishing touches.”

  “You added the flower pots on the back patio with the lounge and table set.”

  “I like to drink my coffee out there in the morning when the weather is nice.”<
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  “You spend a lot of time working, so spending the morning outside is relaxing.”

  “Yes. Sounds like the same is true for you, too.”

  He nodded. “I spend most evenings outside reading over briefs and preparing for court. I take care of the horses and barn cats. It gets me out of my head.”

  “You can put me down now.”

  “I knew you’d say that.”

  She laughed, and he set her on her bed.

  “Can I get you anything?” he asked.

  “I’ll be fine. Thanks for helping clean up and taking care of the door. If you’ll just lock up on your way out, I’d appreciate it.”

  “I’m not leaving. I’ll crash on your couch for a couple of hours. I’ll drive you to work. What time do you need to be there?”

  “You don’t need to do that.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Owen, it’s not your fault that guy got the wrong address.”

  “It doesn’t change the fact he threatened you and is still on the loose. Until they catch him, I’m keeping a close eye on you.”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but the determined look in his eyes settled her and made her stop. Tonight, she didn’t want to be alone, and having him in the house while she slept made her feel better.

  Settled into the pillow, she gave up the fight to stay awake and closed her eyes. “I need to be at the shop by ten thirty.”

  He pulled the blanket at the end of the bed over her and tucked her in. She sighed, content to have him close and in her space. After what her husband did to her, she’d kept men at a distance. Maybe she needed to stop putting all men in the same category as her ex.

  Owen brushed his hand over her head. “Goodnight, Claire.”

  “There’s a blanket in the hall closet,” she mumbled.

  “I’ll find it.”

  “Leave the light on in the hall.”

  “You got it, sweetheart.”

  She peeked through her lashes, watching him walk to the door and turn back to look at her before he turned off the lights.

  “Owen.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Thanks.”

  He closed the distance between them, planted both hands on the bed beside her shoulders, and leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. He pushed back up and leaned over her, his gaze locked with hers. Something intense vibrated around them and the moment stretched.