Begin Again: A Stay Novella
Page 14
“Do you really want that job at Mario’s firm?”
He jerked. She’d managed to surprise him. All his snappy answers and defenses had seemed to disappear along with his brain, so he just talked. “I like the benefits, and the pay, and the idea of it. But no, I really don’t want the job.”
She gave a sigh of relief. “Thank you for telling me the truth. Why were you considering it then? Was it because of me?”
He didn’t answer. Something told him not to say anything, but he was staring at her left breast, and the nipple was hard and almost falling out of the lace and he got confused. “A little.”
“Why?” she demanded. “I need to know why you’d think I wanted you to have that job.”
“I don’t want to mess up again, babe,” he finally said. “I can’t lose you, and I’m afraid you may eventually get frustrated with this type of living. You deserve a fat apartment, and designer clothes, and five-star restaurants on a regular basis. You deserve to stay home without struggle if we decide to have a baby one day. You deserve everything.”
The release of his secret fears gave him a rush of lightness. He practically slumped in the chair with shame and relief, but then suddenly, she was sitting on his lap. Her warm, curvy body wrapped around him and she cupped his cheeks, forcing him to look at her. “Look around you right now.”
“I can’t, you’re holding my face.”
“Okay, you don’t need to look. Want to know my dream? To get up every day and have a job that makes a difference. To be passionate about what I do and have my goal worthy.”
“You already have that.”
“Exactly. That was the first portion. The second is you. Having the man I love, fighting side by side for the same cause, loving me for who I am without ever asking me to change.”
“You have that, too.”
She smiled, and her scent filled his nostrils and he fell headfirst into ocean blue eyes that captured his very soul. “Exactly. I want dogs.”
“You have Gus-Gus and we can get more.”
“Yes. I think that covers it all. Money means nothing to me, Owen. I want us to love each other and be true to who we are—that’s what I truly need.”
“Then this was all in my head? You think I’ll always be enough?”
She made a fierce sound and then she was kissing him, her tongue plunging between his lips to make her own claim, and he gave her all of it, holding her tight against him. “You’re the man I love, Owen Salt. I love you with everything I am. The moment we danced that first time, my heart was never truly mine. It was just waiting for you.”
The words ripped him open and made him whole. He lifted her up and carried her into the bedroom, stumbling around Gus-Gus as he wove in between him, desperate to follow. He lay her on the bed, taking in her spectacular naked glory, and deposited the puppy outside the door.
“The things I’m going to do to you are too dirty for him to see,” he said with a low growl.
“Do them.”
And he did.
Epilogue
Chloe stepped back from the crowd, squinting in the flashing bulbs that exploded around her. A reporter jammed a mic at her, rattling off question after question as she walked down the steps of the courthouse and took her place by his side.
Owen was already speaking. “…proud of the verdict in a clear case of animal abuse and neglect. Hopefully, this will set a precedent for many other cases where we need to protect the helpless and be their voice.”
“Chloe, are you getting married?”
“Chloe—will you be working with Mr. Salt on further abuse cases?”
“Chloe—what designer will you be wearing for the Met Gala?”
Owen looked down at her and grinned, his hand firmly in hers. She gave her public dazzling smile she’d learned years ago. “One day; yes; and a vintage dress I scored at the Second Chance thrift shop. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to fighting for the animals, but I’m sure Mr. Salt will be happy to answer more questions.”
With a saucy wink, she squeezed Owen’s hand and made her exit, eventually spilling into the sidewalk crowd and losing herself in the city she loved and her father would always fight for.
It was nice for Owen to be in the spotlight for a change, and his work had been receiving a large amount of press, instituting a new wave for not-for-profit volunteers, interns, and employees. They had big plans, but today was special. It was the first stop in a long journey that would always end up with the man she loved.
Owen Salt.
She walked into the jewelry store where the portly man behind the counter rushed over to greet her. “May I help you?”
“I’m Chloe Lake, I have an appointment to look at rings.”
His face lit up. “Yes! Come this way, Ms. Lake, I have the most amazing ones to show you. Can I just tell you it’s so refreshing to see the number of women who are now proposing? About time the world realized there’s no reason to wait when you finally found the one.”
Chloe smiled, her insides fluttering with excitement. “Thank you, I agree.”
She’d never been one to wait on a happy ever after.
She was her father’s daughter. And she’d found her prince years ago, her first love, her forever love.
Tonight, she’d ask Owen to marry her and he’d say yes.
She couldn’t wait.
Second chances were sometimes the sweetest of all.
The End
* * * *
Also from 1001 Dark Nights and Jennifer Probst, discover Something Just Like This, The Marriage Arrangement, Somehow, Some Way and Searching for Mine.
Author’s Note
Animal rescue is a passion of mine. When I was writing about the Bishop farm, I knew my secondary characters were going to be just as important as my primary –with big personalities, conflicts, and their own healing journey. I loved writing about Phoenix, the abused rescue horse; Captain Hoof, his blind goat companion, and of course, Hei-Hei, my fabulous, cranky Polish chicken.
The moment Chloe showed up as an angry nineteen-year-old girl in The Start of Something Good, I knew she’d make a difference in the world of animal rescue. Watching Owen follow the same path was a sign they were always meant to be together. I’m grateful you followed me on this journey to watch our final couple find their happy ever after.
I’ve noted some organizations in this book that I personally donate time and money to. Sidewalk Angels supports pet rescue and other causes. Pets Alive has inspired many of my animal characters and does amazing work. I adopted my own two rescue dogs at Barking Back Rescue. I encourage you to donate to these or any local organizations who make a difference for our furry creatures.
I also want to thank Neil Abramson, an amazing writer who penned Unsaid and Just Life. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions and provide so much valuable information.
Finally, thanks to Liz Berry, MJ Rose, and Jillian Stein for allowing me to write in the 1001 Dark Nights world – it’s an honor!
www.petsalive.com
https://www.sidewalkangelsfoundation.org/
https://www.barkingback.org/
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THE BISHOP by Skye Warren
A Tanglewood Novella
TAKEN WITH YOU by Carrie Ann Ryan
A Fractured Connections Novella
DRAGON LOST by Donna Grant
A Dark Kings Novella
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A Sexy Series Novella
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An Arizona Vengeance Novella<
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A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
SACRIFICE OF DARKNESS by Alexandra Ivy
A Guardians of Eternity Novella
THE QUEEN by Jen Armentrout
A Wicked Novella
BEGIN AGAIN by Jennifer Probst
A Stay Novella
VIXEN by Rebecca Zanetti
A Dark Protectors/Rebels Novella
SLASH by Laurelin Paige
A Slay Series Novella
THE DEAD HEAT OF SUMMER by Heather Graham
A Krewe of Hunters Novella
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A Chaos Novella
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A More Than Words Novella
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A Stage Dive Novella
CHERISH ME by J. Kenner
A Stark Ever After Novella
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A With Me in Seattle Novella
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Discover More Jennifer Probst
Something Just Like This
A Stay Novella
Click here to purchase.
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Probst comes a new story in her Stay series.
Jonathan Lake is the beloved NYC mayor who’s making a run for governor. His widowed status and close relationship with his daughter casts him as the darling of the press, and the candidate to beat, but behind the flash of the cameras, things are spinning out of control. It all has to do with his strait laced, ruthlessly organized assistant. Her skills and reserved demeanor are perfect to run his campaign, but her brilliant brain has become a temptation he’s been fighting for too long. Can he convince her to take a chance on a long-term campaign for love or will his efforts end up in scandal?
Alyssa Block has admired the NYC mayor for a long time, but her secret crush is kept ruthlessly buried under a mountain of work. Besides, she’s not his type, and office scandals are not in her job description. But when they retreat to an upstate horse farm for a secluded weekend, the spark between them catches flame, and Jonathan sets those stinging blue eyes on winning her. Can she convince him to focus on the upcoming election, or will she succumb to the sweet promise of a different future?
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The Marriage Arrangement
A Marriage to a Billionaire Novella
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She had run from her demons…
Caterina Victoria Windsor fled her family winery after a humiliating broken engagement, and spent the past year in Italy rebuilding her world. But when Ripley Savage shows up with a plan to bring her back home, and an outrageous demand for her to marry him, she has no choice but to return to face her past. But when simple attraction begins to run deeper, Cat has to decide if she’s strong enough to trust again…and strong enough to stay…
He vowed to bring her back home to be his wife…
Rip Savage saved Windsor Winery, but the only way to make it truly his is to marry into the family. He’s not about to walk away from the only thing he’s ever wanted, even if he has to tame the spoiled brat who left her legacy and her father behind without a care. When he convinces her to agree to a marriage arrangement and return home, he never counted on the fierce sexual attraction between them to grow into something more. But when deeper emotions emerge, Rip has to fight for something he wants even more than Windsor Winery: his future wife.
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Somehow, Some Way
A Billionaire Builders Novella
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Bolivar Randy Heart (aka Brady) knows exactly what he wants next in life: the perfect wife. Raised in a strict traditional family household, he seeks a woman who is sweet, conservative, and eager to settle down. With his well-known protective and dominant streak, he needs a woman to offer him balance in a world where he relishes control.
Too bad the newly hired, gorgeous rehab addict is blasting through all his preconceptions and wrecking his ideals…one nail at a time…
Charlotte Grayson knows who she is and refuses to apologize. Growing up poor made her appreciate the simple things in life, and her new job at Pierce Brothers Construction is perfect to help her carve out a career in renovating houses. When an opportunity to transform a dilapidated house in a dangerous neighborhood pops up, she goes in full throttle. Unfortunately, she’s forced to work with the firm’s sexy architect who’s driving her crazy with his archaic views on women.
Too bad he’s beginning to tempt her to take a chance on more than just work…one stroke at a time…
Somehow, some way, they need to work together to renovate a house without killing each other…or surrendering to the white-hot chemistry knocking at the front door.
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Searching for Mine
A Searching For Novella
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The Ultimate Anti-Hero Meets His Match…
Connor Dunkle knows what he wants in a woman, and it’s the three B’s. Beauty. Body. Boobs. Other women need not apply. With his good looks and easygoing charm, he’s used to getting what he wants—and who. Until he comes face to face with the one woman who’s slowly making his life hell...and enjoying every moment...
Ella Blake is a single mom and a professor at the local Verily College who’s climbed up the ranks the hard way. Her ten-year-old son is a constant challenge, and her students are driving her crazy—namely Connor Dunkle, who’s failing her class and trying to charm his way into a better grade. Fuming at his chauvinistic tendencies, Ella teaches him the ultimate lesson by giving him a special project to help his grade. When sparks fly, neither of them are ready to face their true feelings, but will love teach them the ultimate lesson of all?
Something Just Like This
By Jennifer Probst
A Stay Novella
Click here to purchase.
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Probst comes a new story in her Stay series.
Jonathan Lake is the beloved NYC mayor who’s making a run for governor. His widowed status and close relationship with his daughter casts him as the darling of the press, and the candidate to beat, but behind the flash of the cameras, things are spinning out of control. It all has to do with his strait laced, ruthlessly organized assistant. Her skills and reserved demeanor are perfect to run his campaign, but her brilliant brain has become a temptation he’s been fighting for too long. Can he convince her to take a chance on a long-term campaign for love or will his efforts end up in scandal?
Alyssa Block has admired the NYC mayor for a long time, but her secret crush is kept ruthlessly buried under a mountain of work. Besides, she’s not his type, and office scandals are not in her job description. But when they retreat to an upstate horse farm for a secluded weekend, the spark between them catches flame, and Jonathan sets those stinging blue-eyes on winning her. Can she convince him to focus on the upcoming election, or will she succumb to the sweet promise of a different future?
* * * *
Chapter One
“I want you to run for governor.”
Jonathan Lake stared down at his clasped hands as the fateful words echoed in his head. Less than an hour ago, he’d had a closed-door meeting with the current governor, who informed him he was not seeking re-election. It’d be a shock to the party, but they’d already focused in on the candid
ate they believed had a solid shot at winning.
Him.
Oh, the shit was about to hit the proverbial fan. Once the story got out, it’d be a shark-feeding frenzy with him smack in the middle of the red waters. Did he really want this? He’d only been mayor for one term and was just beginning to settle into the job. New York City was a dirty bastard, but he loved every grimy, fierce, beautiful inch of it, from the concrete to the skyscrapers. Was he even ready to move on and take on the entire state?
His late wife’s voice whispered in his ear, even after all these years.
This is what you were meant for.
Pushing his fingers through his hair, he got up from his chair and began to pace his office. Thoughts whirled in his head, making him feel as if he’d overindulged in martinis at lunch. So much to think about. He’d call his daughter Chloe and get her feedback. And, of course, Mia, who handled his PR. He’d tell Bob, his campaign manager, in the morning. The former marine would be working his ass off nonstop for the next year—might as well give him one last evening free. But there was one woman on his mind. One who not only ran his schedule but also his entire life. The woman he trusted as fiercely as he did Chloe and Mia.
He strode over to the desk and hit the button. “Can you come in here, please?”
The clipped, cool voice echoed in the air. “Of course.”