Page 111 of Heist

Chapter Thirty

Patrick laid on his side watching Austin sleep. A dim lamp lit the room since the sun had already set in Colorado. Since getting that text message the night before, his insides had been twisted in knots. He wanted nothing more than to hide away at the club with his girl and forget about everything, but he knew they couldn’t do that forever.

Sooner or later the real world was going to come knocking. Tonight, though, he had every intention of capturing her attention and bending her to his will in the dungeon. Everything else could wait.

She stirred beneath the blankets and he trailed a hand down her bare shoulder. “Hey, baby girl,” he murmured when she opened her eyes and blinked against the light.

“Hi,” she said, ducking her head. He thought it was cute that she still got shy around him sometimes. “What time is it?” She stretched and the blanket fell away from her naked breasts as she rolled onto her back. He hummed as he lowered his head and tugged one nipple into his mouth. He felt her tense as her breath caught.

“Almost seven,” he said when he pulled away from her again.

“Shit, we should get ready to go downstairs,” she said, bolting upright.

“Calm down. I told everyone we would be a little late getting down there tonight. You needed some sleep and so did I.”

She relaxed and propped pillows up behind her. “Do we have anything specific planned tonight?”

“I’ve got a few ideas,” he said with a wink. “I’m still hesitant to play in the dungeon for fear of outing you”

Austin gave him a shake of her head. “I’ve been thinking about that. Lance cleared everyone of being the leak as best he could, but even if he hadn’t, I’m OK with being outed. I’ve already been connected to multiple known members of Solitaire and people are going to talk. There’s nothing we can do about that. I’m not going to offer any information to reporters, but if they want to speculate, I say we let them.”

Patrick was sitting up now, and he furrowed his brow at her. “Are you sure? I don’t want you doing anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

Austin picked up his hand and squeezed. “I’m sure. I enjoy playing in the dungeon and I want to play with you.”

He rolled off the bed. “Let’s get dressed then.”

Austin tossed the covers off her legs and swung them off the side of the mattress. “Can we talk about the phone call I got on the plane before we go downstairs?”

Patrick’s chest felt heavy. He was purposely avoiding hearing what the D.A. had to say. “Not right now, please? I just want to enjoy a night with you before we have to deal with this.” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth. “I know. It’s irresponsible, but please give me this, Austin.”

Her shoulders sagged, but she pushed herself off the bed and walked to him. “Yes, Sir. I’ll set it aside for the evening. But it’s important, Patrick.”

He kissed her forehead. “Good. Get dressed, check your phone, and then let’s go downstairs and party with our friends.”

“Shit, my phone,” Austin said, running to the table she’d set it on when they came in the room.

“I haven’t heard it ring,” he said as he pulled jeans over his hips.

The phone was already to her ear. “Victoria, hi. I’m sorry I missed your call, I was on a plane.”

Patrick strained to hear what the woman on the other end of the call was saying but couldn’t make anything out.

“Excellent,” Austin said after a long pause. “E-mail me if they deliver anything. I have an engagement tonight, but I’ll be available by phone again tomorrow morning.”

When she set the phone down, she gave him a smile. “Judge is giving us a hearing regarding discovery. We still need to talk but I feel like a little burden has been lifted off my shoulders”

“Good,” Patrick said. “Now, I’m already dressed and you’re still naked. Hurry up, baby girl. I think I’m going to fuck your ass tonight.”

• • •

Austin sucked in a deep breath at Patrick’s declaration. She’d known this day would come and had even started looking forward to it. That didn’t stop the nerves from pooling in her gut. She stood in front of her suitcase and dug for the black lace dress she intended to wear. It was mostly see-through but had coverage in all the right places to be street legal if she wanted it to be. Street legal wasn’t necessary in the club though.

She slipped the dress over her head and twirled for Patrick when it fell into place.

“I’m the luckiest man in the world,” he said, capturing her wrist and pulling her to him.

She breathed his scent in and tried to shove the fear of losing him from her mind. Tonight, was theirs.

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