Falling for Owen (17 page)

“Excellent idea. Claire, let’s move this into my office. We’ll discuss the project and terms.”

“Like I said, I’m not convinced this is a worthwhile venture to pursue.”

Stubborn woman.
Well, she could make this as hard as she liked. He wasn’t giving up.

“I’m willing to go over the details at length.”

He turned to Shannon, who sat quietly staring at them. “I’m sorry to cut things short, but as I said, I’ve got a full schedule.”

Shannon gathered up her lunch and stuffed it into one of the bags, leaving his untouched food on the table. She stood and gave him a soft smile.

“I’m so glad we had a few minutes alone together to talk.” She placed her hand on his arm, stood on tiptoe and brushed a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for taking the time for lunch.”

Stunned by her actions and what she implied, he didn’t respond, but watched her walk out the door.

Claire took a step to follow Shannon out, but he snagged her wrist and pulled her down the hall to his office.

“Owen, I need to get back to the shop.”

He didn’t say a word, just pulled her past his office door and slammed it behind them. He dropped the bucket on the corner of his desk and turned to her.

“It’s not what it looked like.”

Her eyes narrowed.
Shit.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was coming. She just showed up.”

One side of her mouth tilted in a
whatever
scowl.

“Claire, really, I . . . Fuck it.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She didn’t respond at first. He didn’t expect her to, so he convinced her with soft brushes of his mouth to hers, his hands gently kneading her lower back until she settled against him. He gave her the time she needed to feel how happy he was to see her.

She planted both hands on his chest and pushed him away, but only to arm’s length and stared up at him.

“Let me make our previous conversation very clear,” he began, interrupting her before she said even one word. “This thing between us is worth your time and effort. I am not playing games. I want you. Only you. Shannon is a client and a nice lady. I didn’t want to upset her for no good reason when she’s been through so much and showed up here with lunch to show her appreciation for everything I’ve done for her.”

“She has a crush on you.”

“She’s my client and nothing more to me. You, on the other hand, have my full and undivided attention.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes. Always. I may have been a real bastard in the past moving from one woman to the next, but they never overlapped.”

“Except for Molly. You saw other people while you were seeing her.”

“I fucked Molly on occasion. We did not have a relationship. That was as much her preference as mine.” He ran his hand over his head and through his hair and let out a frustrated sigh. “I am seeing you exclusively. That will not change. Ever. No matter where this thing goes, I’d never do that to you, Claire.”

She stood staring at him, giving him no indication she believed him. “What? Do you want it in writing? I can draw up a contract. We’ll sign. You can state the terms. My balls in a jar if I ever cheat on you.”

That brought a smile to her face. She closed the distance between them, wrapped her arms around his neck, and stood on tiptoe to hug him close. Her chin on his shoulder, she said, “This is my hang-up, and you didn’t do anything wrong. I’m sorry for acting like a shrew.”

“No apology necessary. I told you I didn’t have time for anything today and you came here to bring me lunch and caught me with another woman.”

She stepped back, and he let her have her space. “No. That isn’t what happened at all. You were having lunch with a client and being the nice guy that you are. I’m sorry to keep you even longer. I’ll let you get back to work. Enjoy your lunch.”

Still not convinced. He needed to prove he meant what he said. “What did you bring me?”

“It’s in the bucket. You’ll see.”

“Show me.” He stood his ground in front of his office door, her escape route. No way she left this office before she truly believed in him and what they had together.

“It’s just a sandwich, fruit, chips, cookies, and a couple of sodas.”

“Yeah, what kind of sandwich?”

“A turkey club with Havarti. No sprouts.”

That made him chuckle. “Sounds good. What kind of cookies?”

“Peanut butter, chocolate chip. Janine likes those, so share with her.”

He smiled. “We talked about those at dinner. They’re my favorite.”

“I made them for you.”

“Just for me.” He closed the distance between them.

“Yes.” The word came out breathy.

His proximity got to her. He reached for her, tracing his fingers over her cheek and down her neck. The pulse point jackhammered under his fingertips.

“I love the way you packed it up. The Giants are my favorite.”

“I know.”

“You know all those little things about me, but you still don’t see what is right in front of you. You are my favorite, Claire. No one else.” He kissed her on the forehead, turned, and sat on his desk. She turned to face him, and he dug through the bucket for a cookie, took a bite, and let out a satisfied groan when the sweet treat melted on his tongue. “God, these are so good. You spoil me.”

That earned him a smile and a thoughtful look. “You spoiled me last night.”

“I didn’t do anything but stop by for my goodnight kiss.”

“You stopped by for that and to make sure I was okay.”

“I needed to know you were okay,” he confirmed.

She stepped between his legs and pressed her hands gently to both sides of his face, staring at him, studying his eyes. “Yes, I believe you.”

Not just for last night, but about Shannon too, he understood. “That’s because I’m telling you the truth. I’ll always tell you the truth.”

She leaned in close and kissed his cheek. The side of her head pressed to his and she held him for a moment. He rubbed his hands up her back and down in long sweeps, letting her know how much he liked having her close and wishing they had more time.

As if on cue, Janine knocked on his door. “Mr. McBride . . .”

She used his last name, which meant his next client had arrived for their meeting, which he was not prepared for due to the interruptions and his aching arousal.

“Mr. Calloway is here to see you.”

“I’ll be right out.”

“Have a good day,” Claire said next to his ear, her lips brushing his cheek with another light kiss. He wanted much more, but she stepped out of his embrace, and he let her because he needed to cool off and get a handle on his raging desire for her.

“Any day I get to see you is a good day.”

She smiled. This time, it didn’t hold any hesitation.

“Please tell Janine I need five minutes.”

“To eat your lunch?” she asked, pointing to the bucket of food.

“No, to stop thinking about you and sex.”

Her gaze raked over him, stopping momentarily on the bulge in his slacks before shooting back up to his face.

“Run, while you still have a chance,” he teased, though his voice held a deadly serious note.

“You’ll only catch me, won’t you?”

“Yes,” he confirmed, telling her just how much he wanted her and nothing was going to stop him from getting her.

“I’ll see you Saturday at the game.”

He sighed. Saturday seemed so far away. He wanted to ditch the rest of his appointments, cancel dinner with his client, and go home with Claire and take her to bed. Not going to happen.

“I’d walk you out, but . . .” He shrugged and she giggled.

“Why don’t you eat half your sandwich and think about baseball.”

“I could try, but all I ever think about these days is you.”

Chapter Eighteen

C
LAIRE LEFT
O
WEN’S
office with a shake of her head and a chuckle at his predicament. She had to admit, the thought of him hot and wanting her made her feel sexy and wanted in a way she hadn’t felt for a long time. She liked that they could have a serious conversation one minute and laugh and tease the next. She especially appreciated his honesty. Not only about his lunch with Shannon and what it really meant, but about his feelings for her.

With a light heart and a smile on her face, she stopped by Janine’s desk. “He’s, ah, finishing up some paperwork for me. He’ll need another five minutes.”

Janine smiled up at her. “No problem. Did you settle the misunderstanding?”

“The partnership still stands.”

Janine winked and nodded with satisfaction. “Wonderful. I’ll see you at your next appointment.”

“What does his Monday look like?”

Janine clicked a few keys on the computer and stared at the screen for several seconds. “Looks like he’s in the office from eleven to one with no appointments. He’ll probably work on paperwork and catch up on his casework.”

“Thank you so much.”

Claire turned to leave and spotted the older gentleman waiting in one of the chairs in the sitting area, his leather briefcase on the coffee table, a stack of papers in his lap. He glanced up at her.

“My apologies for cutting into your appointment time. I’m sure he’ll be out in just a minute.”

“I never mind waiting on a beautiful woman.”

She beamed him a smile, and he returned to reading his papers.

She opened the front door and turned back to see Owen standing by Janine’s desk, smiling at her.

“Goodbye, Claire, I’ll see you soon.”

That promise sent a shiver up her spine.

She stepped out, but before the door closed behind her she heard Owen’s deep voice. “Sorry about the wait, Mr. Calloway.”

“She was worth it.”

“Yes, she is.” His voice turned husky. “Come on back.”

Claire went down the stairs, smiling like a lunatic. She rounded the corner to the small parking lot and dug her keys out of her bag. Ten feet from her car the smile died on her lips. She sucked in a breath and scanned the parking lot, turned and studied the street. Her heart pounded hard against her chest, the sound filling her ears. Nothing. No one.

Someone had slashed her tires.

Dale.

She couldn’t escape him.

Hands shaking, she gripped the keys tighter, the car key sticking out between two fingers to use as a weapon if she needed it. She cautiously approached her car and walked around to the other side. Those tires were flat as pancakes, too.

“Damnit.”

Furious. Scared. She sucked in a deep breath to calm her nerves and slow her racing heart. She squelched the overwhelming desire to run back into Owen’s office and straight into his arms. She’d been on her own for too long to go cowering back inside to get Owen to help her out with yet another Dale-created mess.

You are a strong independent woman
, she reminded herself.
Not Shannon, chasing after Owen to solve every little problem.

She pulled out her cell phone and dialed 911, giving them her name and Owen’s office address.

Someone touched her arm. She whirled around to confront her attacker, but stopped short with a gasp.

“What?” she asked, surprised to see the woman jogger standing behind her. She hadn’t heard her approach.

“Sorry I scared you. Do you need some help?” she asked, her gaze straying to the flat tires.

“No. I’m on the phone with the police.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

Claire tried a reassuring smile, but even she felt it fell short. The woman jogged off to finish her run, leaving Claire a mass of raw nerves.

“Yes, I’m sorry. Someone startled me. My tires have been slashed. I need to make a report,” she told the dispatcher.

The rush of fear subsided to weariness. She pulled the tailgate down on Owen’s truck and hopped up to wait for the police. Disheartened, she called for a tow truck, then she called Gayle.

“Claire’s Café and Bookstore, this is Gayle.”

“It’s me. I’m going to be late getting back.”

“Take your time. Told you Owen would want to have lunch with you.”

“He’s in a meeting. Someone slashed all my tires. I’m waiting for the cops and a tow truck.”

“Are you okay? Do you need me to come and get you?”

“I’m fine,” she said, despite her voice cracking on the last word.

“Does Owen know what happened? Why isn’t he with you?”

“He’s with his client. He’ll know soon enough when his parking lot is overflowing with people and cars.”

“Do you think this has to do with the other night?”

“I don’t know for sure, but who else would slash my tires?”