She looks at Austin, then to me, then back to Austin again. “No, my schedule changed recently, so I’ll be coming in every Wednesday only from now on.”
“Just one day a week, then?” Austin double-checks as she nods. There’s a look on her face when she looks at him, though, that makes me realize what that kiss was for. He wasn’t kissing me to kissme, he was kissing me to get Amy to leave him alone. Or at least that’s my best guesstimate.
Amy’s gone a few moments later, leaving us alone with that kiss hanging in the air between us. As soon as I hear her car pulling away, I place a hand on my hip and point a finger.
“You did that on purpose.”
The grin he serves me is a wicked one. “But it was fun, right?”
“Yes. No. Yes.” I shake my arms in the air. “Argh! Not the point, Austin. You used me as a make-out red herring so Amy would think you have a girlfriend. Am I right?”
“Yes, but there’s a reason,” Austin explains, his expression sheepish. “She’s got a crush and at first it was cute. Unassuming. I thought nothing of it, but she’s gotten worse recently and has been really over the top with showing up when she’s not scheduled. She brings me things, like dinner, when she’s ‘passing by’ but come on. We live in the country. You don’t just swing by when you’re coming here.”
He has a point. “Go on,” I encourage him.
“She’s only supposed to come one day a week, but she shows up at least twice a week. Does it under the guise of ‘someone needs to check on you.’”
“You didn’t think telling her the truth was better?”
He hangs his head. “Now I do.”
I look around the room, at the now-finished bookcase. The smell of freshly dusted furniture and cedarwood fills the air. Looking back over at Austin, I find him staring at me with this sexy smile draped across his beautiful, full, bright red lips. Those lips were on mine mere moments ago and I want that warmth back.
I want to be irked that he used me to get Amy’s attention, but when he’s trying to ward off unwanted advances, how mad can I really be?
“You need to start drawing better boundaries, Austin.” I point out the window in the direction of the lane. “You can begin by letting Amy know you aren’t interested and then let her go.”
“Are you wanting me to let her go because you’re jealous?” He winks as he takes a step.
“No.” I hold my hand out to stop him. “I think you need to nip it in the bud so no one is hurt.”
“She’s the one with the crush,” he starts to whine, and I roll my eyes.
“Be the bigger person, okay?”
He takes another step. If I was to put my hand out now, my fingers would rest on his chest. His firm, tight, strong chest. The thought of letting my fingertips glide slowly across his bare chest sends a thrill through my system. I’m still in that daydream when he takes the last step, his body slamming into mine as he puts his arms around my waist again, and pulls me close.
“I don’t know why you’re doing this, Austin. It’s not like I’m going to let you kiss me again,” I whisper, not trusting my own words.
Hooded eyes meet mine, his hand slowly rising to cup the side of my face, then delicately stroking my cheek as his fingertips dance along my jawline. Shivers dance across my flesh and I fight back an audible groan.
“That’s fine,” he whispers, too. “How about I just do this?”
He leans in, his breath warm against my ear, sending a cascade of chills down my spine. His lips hover just above my skin, close enough to feel the heat of his breath, but not quite touching. He trails the ghost of a kiss along the curve of my neck, his mouth so close that every nerve in my body is on fire with anticipation.
His hand, still cradling my face, moves with agonizing slowness, the pad of his thumb brushing over my bottom lip, leaving me trembling under his touch. He’s toying with me, pushing me to the edge without giving me what I want, what I need.
Until I can’t stand it any longer—and that time is now.
Not even thinking—and not wanting to anymore, if I’m being honest—I let my hands fly up and land on top of his, stopping them cold. I slam my eyes into his as I put one hand on either side of his face and pull him closer.
He wants a kiss? I’ll give him one he’ll never forget.
THIRTEEN
Austin
Iam not prepared. I am not ready, not one bit, when Bex suddenly steps closer. The look in her eyes shifts—soft but determined—and it’s enough to make my heart skip a beat.
