Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“What?”
“Austin and Xander just walked in.”
She glanced over her shoulder toward the door.
“Don’t look!” I said, horrified.
“Sorry.” She stared straight ahead. “But they spotted us. And judging from the look on Austin’s face, he is not happy.”
“Ladies.” Xander came up and clapped us on the shoulders. “How are we tonight?”
“Good,” Ari answered.
I said nothing. But in the mirror over the bar, I could see Austin’s dark hair right behind me. His wide shoulders. His angry expression.
The bartender set two beers in front of us.
“Can we get this round?” Xander asked.
“Actually, someone already offered,” said Ari.
Austin’s arm shot out so fast and spanked his credit card on the bar, it was a blur. “I’m getting it.”
For some reason, it really bothered me. I looked back at him, eyes narrowed. “Gee, thanks.”
“Two more,” he ordered over Xander’s shoulder.
Ari sighed.
“Should we get a table?” Xander asked, looking around. “Might be tough. Crowded in here.”
“We actually promised those guys over there we’d be back in a minute,” I said, sliding away from the bar. I tried not to let my body touch Austin’s, but there were so many people, my ass brushed his crotch.
I thought I heard him growl.
“Come on, Ari.” I grabbed her arm and tugged her back toward the table of guys I couldn’t care less about. But if Austin wanted something to be jealous about, I could put on a show. I’d been putting on a show all week, pretending everything was fine.
So I sat a little too close to a ginger-haired guy whose name I forgot immediately. I laughed too hard at his jokes. I smiled a lot in his direction. I hoped Austin was watching.
After I finished my beer, I excused myself to use the ladies’ room. Ari offered to go with me, but I assured her I was fine. Following the signs, I made my way to the back hall and was just about to enter the restroom when someone grabbed my arm.
“Hey.”
I spun around, totally unsurprised to see Austin there with a frown on his face. “Do you mind?” I shook my arm free. “I’m going to the bathroom.”
“I’ll wait.” He folded his arms over his chest.
“Why?”
“You shouldn’t be alone in this place.”
“That’s why you’re waiting?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t bother. I told you once before, I don’t need to be rescued.” I turned away from him and went to push the bathroom door open, but found myself being dragged out the back door and hauled around the side of the place—exactly where we’d stood two weeks ago. “Austin, what the hell?”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he caged me against the side of the old barn and crushed his lips to mine.
I wanted to resist, I really did. But I couldn’t—all week long, I’d ached for this kiss, this closeness with him. My arms circled his neck instinctively. My mouth opened wide. My defenses slipped.
He broke it off, breathing hard, his lips hovering over mine. “You gave my stuff back.”
“It wasn’t mine to keep.”
His mouth claimed mine again, his tongue hot and possessive, demanding mine answer in kind. I gave myself over to him, rising up on my toes, pressing my chest against his, frustrating noises coming from my throat. What was this?
“The kids are gone tonight.” His voice was low and urgent. “Come home with me.”
Oh god, I wanted to. I wanted him. But then what? Were we just going to sneak around, jumping into bed when the kids were out of the house? Exchanging hot text messages? Stealing kisses when no one was looking?
That wasn’t going to work—I couldn’t guard my heart that way.
But his kiss was draining all my defenses.
I needed air. I needed sense. I needed space between us. Placing my hands on his pecs, I pushed him back. “Wait. Wait. I can’t do this. We’ve hardly talked all week.”
“Because you ignored me. You acted like nothing mattered.”
“I’m a good actress.”
“But why?”
“I’m protecting myself, Austin!”
His jaw clenched. “You don’t need to protect yourself from me.”
“You don’t understand,” I told him, fighting tears. “I can’t fall for you.”
That seemed to get through. “Fall for me?”
“Yes. Actually, you know what? The problem isn’t that I can’t fall for you—it’s that I could. And if we keep doing this, I’m afraid that’s what’s going to happen.”
He swallowed. “I don’t want you to be afraid.”
“I know you don’t. But you have to trust that I’m doing the right thing for both of us.” I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.
“You said you weren’t looking for a relationship.” He said it softly, no accusatory bite.
“I wasn’t, Austin. But things between us got intense, and I . . .” I shook my head. “Look, I’m sorry I returned your clothes like that. It was childish.”
He exhaled, his shoulders slumping. “I’m sorry for getting jealous and acting like I own you. I know I don’t.”