Romancing Austin

by Riley Bancroft, Evelyn Berry, Cara Carnes, Jax Garren, Irene Preston, Rebecca Royce, Chandra Ryan

  “I’m surprised you told him,” Holt said, taking a step toward her and folding his arms.

  “Why wouldn’t I have?”

  “Took you this long.” His brown eyes held no emotion.

  She couldn’t get a read on him. “I had no reason to seek him out to let him know that I got married. He’s not part of my life anymore.”

  “True. However, you haven’t told anyone before now.”

  She was so tired of the roundabout. Everything always led back to her wanting to keep the marriage on the down low until the storm blew over. Well, it was time to embrace the storm. “What is this between you and I? I mean we got married for an arrangement. Then after yesterday—where do we stand? Do you want me to tell everyone about our marriage?”

  “What are you seeking?” He tilted his head as if studying her. “A definition of our relations?”

  When he looked at her in that manner, she couldn’t think fast enough. The wheels in his head were turning while observing her body language and dissecting her words, making her palms sweat. She always tried to stay one step ahead of him, but she needed to throw all her cards out on the table and be real with him. “Yes. I want to know where you and I stand. What is our relationship status now?”

  “We discussed this when I was inside of you. You said you were mine and I said I was yours.”

  She wanted to drop her jaw at his ambiguous explanation, but she didn’t. She needed to meet him head on. To remember who she used to be, bold and headstrong, before Adam wore her down to a shell of a person. “So, we are together then? A couple?”

  He turned his head to look out of the bedroom window. “You’re my wife, are you not?”

  “Based on a business arrangement, yes.” Heat flushed through her body. “But, I’m talking about now.”

  A slight smirk crossed his lips, and he met her gaze. “You are still my wife.”

  Chloe ripped off the comforter, got off the bed, gripping her phone in the other hand and stalked over to him. “Enough with these cryptic responses, I want a solid answer. What are we to each other now, emotionally, not just on paper?” Her cell buzzed in her palm and she kept her stare on him, dreading that Adam would be calling again.

  Holt raised his brows.

  Frustrated, she looked at the screen; her mom’s name flashed on it. Releasing a sigh of relief she said, “It’s my mom. I’ll call her back in a minute after we’re done talking about this.”

  “Talk to your mother. We have plenty of time to finish our conversation.” He brushed his knuckles over her cheek.

  She leaned into his touch, aching for so much more.

  “Besides, you need to finalize Ashley’s travel arrangements to make sure she gets into town and we sign her.”

  “I will.”

  “There’s a dress for you in the closet to wear for Dex’s party. Be ready to leave at ten tonight.” He dropped his hand, turning to go into the bathroom.

  “Will I see you before then?” she asked with exasperation.

  “South by Southwest starts today. I have to make sure we have everything in order, and I want Dex at our record label.”

  Something about the way he said “our” record label, made her pulse speed up. Not because she wanted ownership in the business, but because it was something they shared together and he admitted it—giving her a sense of purpose since everything else in her life had shattered.

  When he walked away from her though, she cringed inside because she’d started to realize whenever he’d distanced himself from her. He would disappear all day, and she wouldn’t see him again until the party. That’s why he gave her the instructions about when to be ready.

  All she wanted was for him to console her. To confirm that they had so much more than a business arrangement…since they’d slept with each other. Maybe with the kind of man he seemed to be, it was too soon. She just needed to stay the course and see what his true feelings were—if he showed them.

  —

  Holt waited for her by the front door and unbuttoned the cuffs of his black dress shirt, rolling them halfway up his forearms, exposing the tattoos on his left arm. He dreaded comingling in crowds, but he wanted Dex at his record label and he didn’t trust anyone else to procure the rocker—besides Chloe. However, he wouldn’t send her into the wolves den alone, especially since her ex was in town.

  Glancing at his watch, he realized he was early. He instructed her to be ready at ten to depart for the party, but the control side of him insisted he be prepared to leave before the designated time. An issue he struggled with in his adult life, thanks to his overbearing and extremely strict—suffocating—parents. For his entire childhood, he strove to please them. It was never enough and probably the reason he didn’t like people in general. They’re so wicked and self-serving. Always out for themselves.

  Every time he found himself in a social situation, he felt foreign in his own skin. Preferring to be an observer more than a participant—except with Chloe. From the first moment he saw her, he sensed a difference in her.

  His chest tightened as he remembered that night. He’d been at a booth in the back of the bar when she came in. They made eye contact, the briefest of seconds, but enough for them to share a visceral connection, electricity arcing between them. Heels clicking on the stairs redirected his attention to the present.

  Chloe strode down in the long sleeve, tight black dress he’d picked out for her. It wasn’t revealing, but hugged her curves in all the right places and ended just at mid-thigh to show off her glorious legs. Perfect for a music party, yet still professional. Those sexy red heels though, he would have to fuck her while she wore those. Her brown hair cascaded over her shoulders in curled waves, but her mouth, those sensual lips were colored the same deep crimson of her shoes.

  How amazing would her mouth look as he fed her his cock? The red stain of her lipstick on his pelvis as she deep throated him. “Absolutely beautiful, my love.” It was the first time he added my to the sweet names he called her, but she was his.

  Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she glanced away, smiling. “Thank you. You look pretty amazing yourself.”

  He reached out for her, prompting her to take his hand as she took the final steps down. When their hands met, the restlessness inside of him ceased she always had a way of calming him. “I only look amazing when you’re by my side.”

  Her cheeks turned a shade rosier. “You can be very charming, sometimes. You know that?”

  “Only with you.” He meant it. Because of his wealth at such an early age, women had constantly thrown themselves at him. Until her, he’d never desired anything more than casual sex. “Shall we?” He opened the front door for her and followed her out.

  A black Bentley Mulsanne waited in the driveway. His driver hopped out of the front seat and promptly opened the back doors for them.

  Holt helped her into the left side first, and then walked around the back of the car to slide into his seat on the right. The middle console separated them from sitting side by side in the backseat. He pressed a button on the backrest panel between their seats, opening the frosted glass door of the hidden cooler and pulled out a champagne bottle. He popped the cork out of the window. After filling two crystal champagne glasses from the cooler, he handed one to Chloe. Meeting her gaze, he let his fingers linger next to hers on the stem of the glass. “To us. An amazing team.”

  A brief hint of sadness flickered over her features before she steeled them with an air of false confidence. “To us.”

  He let go of her glass and moved his hand to her face, lightly cupping her chin. “What are you holding back? Always tell me what you’re feeling. We can’t work through things if you don’t communicate with me.”

  “I’m thinking about tonight. How exactly do you want me to help sway Dex to sign with your label?” She fidgeted with her champagne glass before taking a sip.

  “Our label, love. Don’t forget your name is on it too, now.” Holt leaned his elbow on the armr
est between them and took a swig of his own drink. “Be yourself and use what you’ve learned so far. You were able to hook Ashley and convince her to fly into town. I’ll handle the numbers side of it, should the moment arise. Our main agenda here is to get Dex to an agreement on paper tonight.”

  “Why the rush? I mean this seems like a sudden interest. Is it because of the rumors that you heard about him leaving his label?”

  He nodded. “Partly. I want to jump on this opportunity before others do.” He wasn’t used to exposing himself to people and sharing every detail, but he trusted her enough to marry her and put the company in her name. He might as well tell her everything. “Mainly, because Dex is signed with the asshole who’s trying to destroy our record company and since Dex’s career is on the upswing, I want to take that away from the competition.”

  Chloe turned in her seat, facing him more. “So, you don’t care about Dex at all? You just want revenge?”

  “It’s a game and sometimes, you do what you have to. It’s not personal.” True, it sounded harsh, but in reality, entertainment was more like a sport. “To survive, you have to outwit your opponent by using any tactics at your disposal or be devoured in the process.”

  “But Dex is a person with real feelings.” She furrowed her brows.

  “Yes, and that’s where you come in. I’m not made of the same fabric as everyone else, love and what I lack, you make up for.” He’d been ruined a long time ago, but being near Chloe made him whole.

  “So, I will take care of the personal side while you handle the business end of it?”

  “Precisely.” He took another swig of his champagne as the car rolled up to the lavish 360 Condominium building on Nueces Street. “I have no doubt that your professional charm will serve us well.” Holt placed his glass back in the cooler along with hers. His door opened, courtesy of the driver, and he hopped out then went to Chloe’s side to assist her.

  She reached for his outstretched hand, a half smile on her face. Her gorgeous legs were hot as hell as she climbed out wearing those sexy red heels.

  Yes, he needed to fuck her in them—and soon. Everything about her set him on fire. He wanted to be inside her, but he also wanted to simply listen to her talk, like the nights she would read to him. The sound of her soft voice soothed him and yet it excited him too. Twining their fingers together, he caressed the back of her hand with his thumb and her hand quivered. They walked together toward the entrance of the glass high-rise.

  The doorman opened the front door and nodded as if he didn’t give a damn, waving them inside.

  He squeezed her hand. “Don’t be nervous, love. You will be brilliant,” he reassured her.

  “I’m not nervous,” she said, but her tone suggested otherwise.

  Something was most definitely off with her.

  A bizarre ass sculpture hung from the ceiling in the lobby as they made their way to the elevators and headed to the forty-third floor. Hopefully, the visit would be a quick in and out procedure. He’d personally spoke to Dex’s assistant, Lana earlier and she’d assured him Dex wanted to hear his proposal.

  The doors to the elevator opened to the two story condo as music blasted inside. A two story wall of windows encircled the place and the Austin city lights twinkled beyond. The room was packed with partygoers already and bodyguards stood off to the side, apparently not bothering to check who was coming in.

  Another reason to make this a short visit.

  A server wandered by with champagne and Chloe took two glasses off the tray. She took a big sip and handed the other glass to him. “I needed one more.”

  He eyed her while taking a drink, dissecting her words. Why did she need another drink? Was she nervous? No, something else bothered her. Perhaps it was her ex, Adam, being in town. He’d always been good at figuring people out, but Chloe was more complex than most of the women he’d been with. Part of her seemed innocent while another part seemed so sophisticated. For Holt she was his puzzle to put together. He looked forward to solidifying their relationship as he planned on keeping her with him. He scanned the room and found Dex.

  The rocker was lounged out on a white modern couch, his leg kicked up on top of the coffee table while surrounded by two beautiful ladies. His army green shirt rolled up along his arms to reveal his tattoos. He laughed boisterously and ran his hands through his black hair before removing his sunglasses.

  “Do you want to talk to him now?” Chloe asked.

  “Yes.” He strode toward Dex while still holding her hand, determined to get the night over with. As they approached the musician, Holt made eye contact and nodded. “Dex.”

  “Oh hey, mate. Feel free to drink all you want, but no autographs or pictures or I’ll have my guys escort you out.” Dex’s New Zealand accent was clear, though he’d lived in New York for the last ten years.

  “That’s a shame you won’t be autographing anything. I guess I will take my record label offer to the next award winning singer.” He wasn’t about to acquiesce to this punk, even though he wanted to sign him. There were those who believed they were alphas because they threw their weight around, then there were actual alphas who understood power and how to use it. Dex was the former and Holt was the later. He turned to walk away.

  “Slow your roll, mate. We’re just here to have a good time. Isn’t that right ladies?” He smiled like a goon at the girls next to him.

  “I’m Chloe Davenport of XTC records,” Chloe announced, letting go of his hand and stepping forward to shake Dex’s hand.

  Dex tilted his head to the side, a smirk on his lips. “A lovely lady.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it.

  Holt kept himself from growling and snatching her back. Yes, she was an asset to him, but she was also his, He let out a slow breath…he needed to let her do her job.

  Chloe smiled at Dex. “If you have a second, Mr. Michaelson and I would love to have a word with you. I’m sure you will be thoroughly entertained by our offer.”

  “I’m already thoroughly entertained, sugar.” Dex stood grinning at Holt’s wife. “Tell me, love, is there a Mr. Davenport?”

  Holt fought off the jealous jolt he just felt. He needed to stay calm, though and ignore the flirtatious display Dex was putting on. They needed to seal the deal and go home.

  “No,” Chloe responded. “But I am married. Can we talk in private on one of the balconies really quick? We don’t want to keep you from your party.”

  4

  A few minutes later, Chloe left Holt with Dex on the balcony and excused herself to the restroom. Once she maneuvered the two males into toning down their testosterone, they eased a bit and got straight to business. When she left them, they seemed to be coming to terms, and she didn’t need to stick around for the business side of things. Holt would make the monetary offer and negotiate on short terms, having Dex sign off on them tonight, until he could come in and finalize everything.

  She meandered through the magnificent and modernized condo looking for the restroom when a hand latched on to the back of her arm. She turned and her stomach churned. The last person on Earth she wanted to see.

  His perfectly chiseled face with a sexy goatee, a neck adorned with tattoos, she knew all too well. Messy, spiked black hair, like he’d just had a wild romp.

  She clasped her neck, prickles of dread cascading through her. Time slowed to a near stop.

  “Leaving so soon?” Adam asked with a hint of harshness.

  “How—what are you doing here?” she asked desperately, trying to free herself from his grip.

  “Doesn’t matter, baby. We need to talk.” He narrowed his blue eyes on her. Blue eyes that seemed to look deep into her soul at one point in time, but no longer held any love.

  “No. We don’t,” she snapped. It was all she needed to say, as if moving and changing her number wasn’t hint enough.

  “Yeah, we do. That little husband of yours is the one who contacted me to come and find you.”

  The world seemed to jerk to
a halt—giving Chloe a major case of vertigo. “I’m sorry—what?” She must’ve stumbled because Adam caught her.

  He propped her against the wall, closing them in together. “I’ve gotcha, baby.” His spearmint breath wafted in the air.

  Seeing him again left her raw, but hearing her husband had sent him gutted her. Holt would never—would he? “Tell me,” she said. Because deep inside, she knew someone had to tip Adam off to be able to hunt her down.

  “I received an anonymous phone call, told me where you were, that you got married.”

  “That’s—that’s all?” Chloe’s bottom lip trembled.

  “Nah, gave me your address, your phone number, told me where you’d be tonight too. That if I wanted you back I should make my move.” He gazed at her mouth and pressed harder against her.

  Pressure swelled behind her eyes as tears threatened to emerge. “To make your move? On me?” So many emotions, too many. She didn’t know who to believe, what to think.

  Her husband wouldn’t sic her ex on her then sleep with her. What would there be to gain from that? She lost everything if she had an affair due to the pre-nup. Sleeping with Adam wasn’t an option in any way, not after everything he’d put her through. So what was Holt’s motive? He would get the company back, so technically, he would be back at square one. It made no sense.

  A tear escaped and slid down her check. What hurt more than anything was the distance he’d placed between them since they had sex, since he’d claimed her. So much dark emptiness swam inside her. She felt numb. All of the breath in her lungs released on a whoosh and she desperately tried to breathe.

  “Baby, it’s okay. I’m here,” Adam said, not soothingly enough as he led her down the hallway.

  Tears blinded her vision. She didn’t care where they were going. Holt had broken her heart, just as she feared…Why? Did he have sex with her because he knew they were going to go their separate ways? It didn’t make any sense.