Page 37 of Begin Again

Owen groaned, growing bigger within her grip. “You don’t fight fair.”

“Never did.”

“Neither do I.” With one quick motion, he pushed her knees up, spread her legs wide, and dipped his mouth to her weeping center.

“Oh, God!”

He licked her, long and slow and sweet, murmuring sexy words as he pushed her straight to the edge. Curling two fingers, he pushed into her tight channel while his tongue played her like a beautiful instrument.

“Come, Chloe.”

His lips wrapped around her throbbing clit, and he sucked hard.

She came with a scream ripped from the back of her throat. Pleasure broke over her, tearing her apart at the same time she flew to ecstatic heights. He murmured his approval, still tasting her, then quickly donned a condom and surged inside.

Blinking, her mind foggy from the orgasm, she stared into his hungry blue eyes, treasuring the familiar quirk to his lips. “You’re so damn beautiful,” he said, dropping a kiss on her swollen lips. “I’ve replayed this a million times in my head—the image of you and your orgasms, the way you give me everything you are. You’re in my blood, babe. In my very soul.” Buried deep, cock pulsing in demand, he uttered the words that brought her right to the brink, as she softened and opened to him, the final barrier laying in rubble around her heart. “I’ve never stopped loving you.”

Then he began to move, each stroke claiming her all over again. She clung to his shoulders and arched upward to meet him stride for stride. Her clit scraped against his erection, her nipples rubbed against the rough hair of his chest, all while his mouth took hers in a wild, passionate kiss, his tongue repeating the motions of his driving hips, and then she exploded again, letting the orgasm wash over her and claim her in its grip.

He followed her over with a groan, his head thrown back as he released, and then he was gathering her in his arms, holding tight, and the past met the present and merged together, finally at peace.

fourteen

He pressed slow, sleepy kisses over the sensitive curve of her neck. “Was it the dog?”

Chloe stretched her leg against him and let out a soft laugh against his damp chest. “No, but it helped.”

“The cupcakes? My sexy charm? My riding skills?”

She studied him from under lowered lashes, savoring the delicious, musky scent of him. “It was the mix tape.”

Owen stared at her in shock. “You’re kidding. It’s a playlist. Not a mix tape.”

“Same thing. It touched me. Confirmed you remembered me.”

His face softened, his large hand cupping her breast. “Babe, I couldn’t forget you if I tried. I’m sorry if I ever made you believe that, but I’m here now.” He paused, a frown creasing his brow. “How do you want to move forward? I don’t know if I’d be able to handle pretending to be just friends when we’re back in the office.”

“I don’t want that either. I’m done fighting, Owen.” Though he’d already expressed he loved her, the words still got stuck in her throat. She wasn’t ready yet, but she didn’t want to go backwards. “We’re dating exclusively. We’re in a relationship. Let’s start there.”

He smiled with a gentleness that always touched her heart. “I can do that.”

“Good. Now let’s move on to more important things.” She crawled on top of him, staring down at his naked body with pure hunger. He was all lean muscle and golden hair spread out for her enjoyment. His immediate erection sent a surge of power through her, and she lowered herself down, her hair brushing his chest, savoring his sucked-in breath. “Catching up.”

She took her time with his body, tasting and touching, relishing every moan and needy arch. Kneeling between his legs, she took him deep in her mouth, sucking, tasting, her hands stroking his thighs until his control finally snapped, and he lifted her up, face frantic with need.

Chloe fit him with the condom and lowered herself down inch by slow inch until she’d taken him completely. The overwhelming feeling of being possessed completely washed over her, and she suddenly blinked back tears, moving on him and over him at a steady pace. He cupped her face, his thumb brushing back one of her tears, a guttural groan emitting from his throat.

But she didn’t stop. She rode him and he captured every tear on her cheek, his gaze trapping hers, refusing to let go even as they both orgasmed together.

Then they fell into a tangle of limbs and slept.

Two weeks later, Owen settled with Gus-Gus on the couch, pulling at the ragged chew rope in an endless game of tug of war. The chubby pup grit his sharp teeth with motivation, confident he’d be the winner against the rope, seemingly having no clue Owen was the one who controlled it.

The pup’s teeth slid from the grip, and he tumbled onto his back, hind legs kicking as he tried to right himself like a turtle on its shell. Owen laughed and tickled his belly, and it dissolved into a complete love fest. The paw had completely healed and the pup was in full terror mode.

“I think we need to move, buddy,” he said with a sigh. “This place isn’t dog friendly, and I have a feeling you’re going to be the first of many.” Owen always knew he’d eventually need a place where he could have a few rescue pets comfortably. This had been a temporary place, but the fancy building was overly expensive, and he wanted simple. Of course, everything in New York was high-priced, and eventually he’d have to confront his salary and make a decision he didn’t want.

The interview with Mario’s firm had gone well. Too well. They’d offered him the job today. Besides being generously paid, he’d be involved in many high-profile cases. It seemed to be a no-brainer, even though it would be hard to leave the Animal Defense Fund, but something inside him made him hesitate and ask for time to think about it.