Road to Desire (12 page)

Austin chuckled as he took my hand and walked me to the elevator bay, where we stepped into a car and rode to the tenth floor. He led me down the hall to a door directly at the end and unlocked it. Pushing it open, he stepped back for me to precede him inside.

I walked inside and was assaulted by total, complete, and utter beauty. What Austin had failed to mention was his condo was in an exclusive building with an incredible view of the water. I gravitated toward the large picture windows that spanned his living room.

I didn’t notice the hardwood floors, huge great room with fireplace, and open kitchen with granite countertops until way later in the evening. I was transfixed by the view of the water as the sun began to set.

Austin stood in front of me and unzipped my jacket, grinning as he removed it from my body as gently as he would a child. I couldn’t stop looking at the way the clouds played off the water, and was amazed that boats would be out on such a chilly day.

My phone pealed in the quiet and I grabbed my purse and slid out my phone. “Hello?”

“Hey, hon,” Emily said.

“Well, hi. How’s my favorite sister?”

She giggled. “Doing well. You got a minute?”

“Of course.”

“Got info back on Austin.”

I glanced at him in the kitchen pulling down cooking utensils. “What did you find?”

“He was arrested when he was nineteen.”

“Yep. I know.”

“Well, that’s it, sis. Nothing else is flagging. He’s a model citizen, doesn’t even have any speeding tickets.”

I don’t know why, but this news relieved me. I didn’t even realize I’d been concerned until now. “Awesome.”

“Okay, gotta help Amelia with her homework. Love you.”

“Love you too. ’Bye.” I hung up and tapped the phone against my palm.

“Wine?” Austin asked.

I glanced at him and then back out at the water. “Yes, please.”

I heard the pop of the cork and turned toward the sound, equally as impressed with his kitchen filled with top of the line stainless steel appliances. He’d removed his jacket and cut and stood in just a tight thermal shirt and his signature jeans. “Who was on the phone?”

“My sister.”

“Everything okay?” he asked, and grabbed a glass from an upper cabinet, pouring my favorite wine into it.

I grimaced. “Full disclosure…she kind of did a background check on you.”

He chuckled. “I’d have been disappointed if she didn’t. I like that they watch out for you.”

I grinned. “She only found your arrest.”

He nodded. “Told ya, babe. The club’s clean. Individually and collectively.”

“Yes you did.”

“Were you worried?”

“Not really,” I said, and walked toward him. “But it’s still nice to know my family isn’t going to be.”

He leaned down to kiss me quickly. “I’ve got you, baby.”

“I know.” I set my wine down. “Can I help?”

“Nah, I’m all set. Just make yourself at home.”

I walked back to the window. “This place is amazing.”

“I like it.”

“How long have you lived here?”

“I bought it three years ago.”

“You own it?” I asked, surprised.

He chuckled. “Yeah, babe. I own it.”

“Sorry. I shouldn’t sound so surprised.”

Austin handed me the wine glass I’d left on the counter and then grabbed a beer for himself. He took my hand and led me to the huge sectional in the great room, pulling me down beside him. “I get why you’re surprised, babe.”

“You do?”

He nodded. “I have a pretty chaotic life, Dani, so when I come home, I want some form of order. I’ve always been like this. I like nice things and my sister helped me put a little bit of a feminine touch on things, mostly so she could feel comfortable here. Or so she said.”

I giggled. “I must meet her.”

“She’ll be here for Thanksgiving. She’s threatened her old man if he doesn’t make it happen, she’s coming alone.”

I craned my neck to look up at him. “Is that allowed? Threatening your biker badass man into doing your bidding?”

“It won’t work for you, but it sometimes works for others.”

I snorted. “Oh, I see how it is.”

He gave me a gentle squeeze. “Hope you’re in the mood for steaks.”

“I’m a vegetarian,” I said, and bit my lip to keep from giggling.

“Fuck me,” he snapped. “You are?”

“Nope.” I glanced at him again. “But thanks for being so easy.”

Now, this is where I finally figured out that I had to stop shock bombing him because every time I did, I ended up on my back, his hands on my waist, and the very real threat of peeing my pants way too close a reality.

Then, before I actually did soil my drawers, I was kissed to the point of breathlessness, and left wanting more and more. I smiled against his lips and ran my fingers through his hair. “This is really hard.”

“Ya think?” he said with a groan. “We can take care of that right now, baby. My bed’s incredible.”

“It’s been a week,” I said.

“So?”

“So, it’s too soon, Austin. I need to know this is going to last before we jump into bed. I’m not like Kim. I can’t have sex and move on.”

He dropped his forehead to mine and then ran his nose against mine. “We might need to stick to public outings then.” He sounded mad.

“Whatever you need,” I said.

Austin climbed off me and left me lying on the sofa. I stayed put, listening to him opening cabinets, and then slamming them closed. This lasted for a little while… until I felt like I could talk to him without yelling or crying. I sat up and unzipped my boots, removing them before padding into the kitchen.

“Can we talk?” I asked, leaning against the island.

“Nothin’ to talk about, Dani.” Austin opened the fridge and pulled out steaks.

“I disagree. I feel like wanting to wait has made you feel like I don’t want you.”

He smirked. “Not even close.”

“So we’re okay?”

“Yeah, babe, we’re okay.”

“Why don’t I believe you?”

He sighed, pausing his chore of seasoning the meat, and studied me. “We’re okay, baby. That’s part of the problem. You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever met and I’m having to wait to taste every part of you. The more I know you, the harder it gets… literally. I go to sleep hard, I wake up hard, I jack off in the shower and I’m still fuckin’ hard. I hear your voice, I’m hard, I see you smile or hear you laugh, and I’m fuckin’
hard
, Dani. It’s becoming a problem.”

I forced myself not to squeal in glee. “I’m the sexiest woman you’ve ever met?”

He shook his head. “I’m standing here talking about my very real medical issue, and you pull that from the conversation.”

I bit my lip. “Sorry. No one’s ever said that about me before.”

“Then you’ve been hangin’ around assholes.”

I smiled. “You’re probably not wrong.”

Austin wiped his hands on a towel and pulled me close, slipping his hands to my bottom and spreading his legs a bit to get down to my level. “You need to be patient with me. I’m gonna get pissed, and I’m probably gonna growl or say somethin’ stupid, but it’s only because waiting for you is killing me.”

“What have you done with other girlfriends?”

He dropped his head back and then focused on me again. “Never had to wait, Dani.”

“What? Never? They’ve just jumped into bed with you?”

“Pretty much.”

“Wow. I don’t really know what to say to that.”

“Different worlds, baby.” He smiled. “And you finding your way to mine just rocked it.”

I giggled. “You have such a way with words.”

He kissed my nose. “Now, I’m gonna rock yours with these steaks.”

“Rock away, honey.”

He let me go and true to his word, rocked my world before he took me home and kissed me chastely on my porch. That part had pretty much sucked my world, but I had to stick to my guns or I’d be pregnant the second he touched me.

T
HE SATURDAY MORNING
of Girls’ night out, I was awoken by the shrill, annoying ring of my burner phone. It was just over a week since I’d figured out I was in trouble and, although I hadn’t seen Austin as often as I would have liked, it was enough to confirm my doom. I was falling hard and fast for the man.

“Hello?” I answered, sleepily.

“Did I wake you?” Austin asked.

I smiled. “Yeah, you did.”

“Damn, baby, if this is how you sound in the morning, I’m gonna wake you every day.”

“Charmer.” I giggled. “What time is it?”

“Ten.”

“Honey,” I said with a groan. “It’s too early.”

“So, if I’m at your door with breakfast, you’d tell me fuck off?”

I yawned. “You’re not really at my door with breakfast, are you?”

“I’m really at your door with breakfast.”

I sat up, my hair falling around my face. “Seriously?”

“Yeah, babe, I’m here.”

“Crap, honey, I’m a mess. I have bed head and haven’t brushed my teeth.”

He laughed. “I don’t care. Come let me in.”

“I will unlock the door, but you have to give me time to get back to my room so I can at least clean up.”

“Babe, I don’t care what you look like.”

“But I do. Promise me.”

“I will give you ten seconds.”

“Generous,” I droned.

“Baby, I got hot coffee and fresh bagels. How long you gonna make me wait?”

I threw the covers off and slid from the mattress. “Poppy seed?”

“You like poppy seed?”

“I love poppy seed.”

“Well, shit. I have one of those and a plain. I was kinda hoping you’d go for the plain.”

I pulled on a pair of sweats… hard to do with one hand, then made my way to the front door. “You can have the poppy seed,” I said.

“Gorgeous
and
generous,” he said.

“Okay, I’m unlocking. Count to ten and then come in.”

“You’re assuming I
can
count to ten,” he challenged.

“Hey, you’re the one with the high IQ.” I giggled. “Ready?”

“Ready, baby.”

I glanced in the peephole, saw him standing outside, and bit my lip as I turned the locks and made a mad dash back to my bedroom. I closed the door and stepped into the bathroom. The way my apartment was set up was that there was a pocket door from my bedroom into the bathroom and a door from the hallway into the same bathroom. I locked the door that led to the hallway and then went about making myself presentable.

After washing my face, brushing my teeth, and pulling my hair into a simple pony tail, I pulled on fresh undies and a pair of yoga pants that I knew did great things for my butt. I donned a shelf cami and a T-shirt and then made my way to the kitchen.

Austin was rummaging through my fridge, but he’d laid the breakfast goodies on a paper bag and when I saw the logo, I clapped my hands. “Noah’s?”

He closed the fridge and faced me, letting out a quiet, “Fuck,” before rushing me. His mouth slammed onto mine and his tongue swept inside, making me hungry in a completely different way. I slid my hands up his chest and stroked his neck, letting the feeling of his body pressed against mine sink in. He broke the kiss and I grinned. “Well, good morning to you too.”

“God, baby, you’re gorgeous.”

“You certainly make me feel that way.”

He kissed me one more time and then let me go. “I didn’t know how you liked your coffee, so I just grabbed black.”

“Three sugars and lots of cream,” I said.

“Good thing I brought lots of cream, then.” He held up little containers of half-and-half.

“What about you?

He smiled. “Just black, babe.”

“You’re easy.”

He chuckled and grabbed the plain bagel. “Depends on who you ask.”

I giggled.

“You still have nothing in your fridge,” he pointed out.

“I know. You’ve been a bad influence and distraction. I really need to go shopping.” I grabbed the sugar from the cabinet above the dishwasher and spooned some into my cup.

Austin handed me a bagel.

“I thought you wanted the poppy seed,” I said as Austin spread cream cheese on the plain one.

He shook his head. “It’s all you, babe.”

“You’re pulling out all the charm today, aren’t you?”

He leaned down to kiss me quickly. “Not just today. You’ll see.”

“Promises, promises.” I giggled and followed him to the table. “What are you doing here? I thought we weren’t seeing each other today.”

“I moved a few things around so I could drive you and your friend tonight.”

“What?”

“I’m your shuttle service,” he said. “Wherever you need to go, I’ll take you.”

“I don’t need you to drive me,” I pointed out. “I have a car that runs better than ever, thanks to you.”

He took a sip of his coffee. “Yeah, but if I take you, you can drink whatever you want and not worry about driving.”

“There is that.” I raised an eyebrow. “We might be really late, though. We typically are.”

Austin smiled. “What time do you want me to pick you up?”

“I haven’t worked that out yet. Kim knows not to call me before eleven. Even if she were dying, she’d have to wait until after then to let me know.”

He shot me a sexy little smirk. “I’m not apologizing for wakin’ you, babe. It made my day.”

I lifted my bagel. “I’ll take this as one even so.”

“Knock yourself out.”

“You really want to drive us tonight?”

He nodded.

“You’re sure you’re not busy?”

“Nothin’ I can’t move, baby.”

I tilted my head and smiled. “What’s your game, mister?”

Austin laughed. “Just want to take care of my woman. Make sure she’s safe.”

I leaned forward and kissed him quickly. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

We sat silently chewing for a few minutes before my phone pealed from the bedroom. I rose to my feet. “That might be Kim.” I rushed for my room and grabbed the phone just in time. “This is Dani.”

“Someone’s awake early,” Kim said. “I was expecting to leave a message.”

“Austin brought me breakfast.”

“Wow, you really must like this guy. No one wakes you on the weekend without feeling your wrath.”

I giggled. “I’m not
that
bad.”

“You keep telling yourself that, honey.”

“So what’s the plan for tonight?” I asked, and headed back to the dining area. Austin had moved to my sofa, his booted feet up on my coffee table, the remote in his hand.

“How about I pick you up at nine and we head to Blush?”

“Hoping if we get there a little earlier, we’ll be able to get in?”

Kim laughed. “That’s the plan.”

“I like it. Just one change.”

“What?”

“Austin wants to drive. So, how about we pick you up?”

“He’s crashing girls’ night?” she asked.

“Nope. He’s just designated driver. He’ll drop us wherever we want to go and pick us up when we’re done. It means we can drink and not worry about grabbing a cab.”

“But he’s not staying.”

I glanced at Austin. “Nope, he’s not staying. It’s just us.”

He raised an eyebrow and cocked his head.

“Sounds good to me,” Kim said.

“Awesome. We’ll see you at nine.”

“Perfect.”

I hung up and looked at Austin. “What?”

“What if I want to stay?”

I shook my head and grabbed my bagel, flopping down beside him on the couch. “Resist the urge. It’s girls’ night out and girls’ night out is sacred.”

“Where am I taking you?”

“Blush.”

“No.”

“What?”

“Sorry, let me rephrase,” he said. “Hell, no.”

I paused mid-chew. “You’re joking.”

“You’re not going to Blush, Dani. It’s a meat market.”

“It’s the most exclusive club in Portland and we’ve never been able to get in.”

“No mystery there, babe. They probably know who you are.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He scowled.

“Tell me,” I demanded.

“Damn it,” he said, but didn’t elaborate.

I set my bagel on the coffee table and turned to face him. “Austin, what aren’t you telling me?”

“Club business.”

“So, this is how it’s going to go every time you don’t want to tell me something? You’re going to hide behind ‘club business’?”

“Babe, I can’t tell you. You just have to pick somewhere else to go.”

“No. We want to go to Blush and since girls’ night out is sacred, you don’t get a say in it. If you want to drive us, you can take us where we want to go.”

“Blush is off the table, Dani.”

“Then we’ll get a cab.”

He studied me. “I’m driving you, babe,
and
you’re going somewhere other than Blush.”

I threw my hands up in frustration. “You are not the boss of me, Austin!”