“We met at a retreat a few years back.” Emma’s memories returned to the Austin she’d been introduced to back then. There was something different about him now. He wasn’t the arrogant guy he portrayed.
“When he was dating Georgia?” Jasmine reached out and took a few pretzels from the bowl in front of her.
“Yeah. She was there.” Why was this woman talking to her? For some reason, discussing Austin’s past made Emma feel uncomfortable. Desperate for something to do, she twirled her straw in her glass, making the ice clink against the sides.
“Georgia was an awful person. Broke Austin’s heart. If you’re not going to take things all the way with a guy, why keep him from the rest of the female population?” Jasmine sighed and flipped her long blond hair behind her shoulder. “It’s just selfish.”
Emma swallowed. There was truth to Jasmine’s words. Even though Emma was pretty sure, she was doing the same exact thing. “Yep,” she said.
“That’s not something you’re doing, is it?” Jasmine leaned closer to her. “Word on the street was, there was some sort of stipulation on his ranch that he needed to marry someone to get ownership.”
“What?” Emma faked a surprised look. “I had no idea. It was never mentioned to me.”
Jasmine pulled back and studied her. After a moment, she smiled. “Good. Cause, if you were doing that, I’d say shame on you.” She sighed. “Besides, I’d hate to be the one to go head to head with Alayna Maverick. That woman can sniff out a fake a mile away.”
What was with this town and Austin’s grandma? A small nagging feeling tugged at the back of her mind. Should she really be worried? Austin seemed pretty confident that she should be. But what did he know? Emma finished off her Coke and slipped off the stool. “Well, Austin and I are in love. I’m not going anywhere.” She grabbed her purse and gave Jasmine a small smile.
“I hope so,” Jasmine said. “For your sake, I hope so.”
Emma just nodded and headed for the front door. She’d had just about enough of this Tavern to last her a lifetime. Right now, she wanted to get back to Austin’s ranch and get this whole trip over with. Not only was she about to meet Austin’s grandmother—who seemed to have this town of locals terrified, but against her better judgement, she was starting to have feelings for her fake husband.
Pushing on the door, she stepped into the night air. It’d cooled in the absence of the sun, but humidity still clung to the air. She rounded the corner of the building and leaned against it, letting her head fall back to rest on the brick.
What a fool she’d been to come here. Why had she allowed her heart to open up to Austin? Especially when he’d pretty much told her over and over again that it wasn’t going to work. Right now, she needed to forget her heart and listen to her head. And her head was saying, if what the town felt about Alayna was true, they needed to get their story straight before she got here.
Her phone chimed. Pulling it from her purse, she glanced down at it. Vincent had texted her back. She read the first few words that scrolled across her screen.
I’d be lying if I said I’m sorry to hear that. . .
Did she want to know what the rest of the message said? Truth was, Austin had terrible reception at his ranch. If she wanted to know or have a chance to respond, right now would be the time to do it. But, the longer she stared at his words, the less she wanted to know what they said. If she answered, she’d be opening the door to a past she’d decided to close a long time ago.
“Important message?”
Emma squealed and jumped at the deep tone of Austin’s voice. He was standing a few feet away with his hands in his front pockets. He looked nervous, like he didn’t know how she was going to respond.
“No,” she said, slipping her phone into her purse and turning to look at him. “Feel better?”
Austin’s cheeks reddened. “Yeah, sorry about that.” Then a look of embarrassment passed over his face. “Oh, no. That wasn’t what you thought it was. I wasn’t. . . you know, using the bathroom.” He cleared his throat as he turned and squinted toward the road. “I’m feeling just fine.”
Emma snorted as she rubbed her upper arms with her hands. “I get it. You’re completely healthy. Although, while you were in the bathroom, Jasmine was sneaking around, asking questions about you. About us.” She eyed him, waiting for a response.
“Really? What did you say?”
“That you had some bad fish.”
He ran his hand through his hair. “Good call.”
“Although, she’s been the second person here to warn me about your grandmother. I’m starting to think you’re not being truthful about all of this.” She raised her eyebrows. It was time for him to come clean.
He sighed. “Well. Gran. . . She’s particular. She has a way of doing things. After my dad left, she took my mom and me in and cared for us. My dad—her son—caused her a lot of grief. I guess, she’s trying to make up for that.”
Emma pushed her purse strap up higher on her shoulder. “Well, if that’s the case, then we need to get started making sure she’ll believe us.”
Austin reached out and brushed his fingers against her arm. “Wait,” he said.
Emma hesitated and then turned to look at him. There was an uneasy look on his face. What was going on?
“If you want to call it quits, I understand.” He focused on the ground where he kicked a rock with his shoe.
What was he saying? Emma took a step back. “What are you trying to say?”
He cleared his throat. “I guess I just wanted to let you back out if you wanted to. What I asked you to do—it wasn’t right.” He glanced over at her like he wasn’t sure what she was going to do with what he’d said.
“You don’t have faith in me, do you?”
He parted his lips as he stared at her. “That’s not what I’m saying.”
Emma snorted. “So, it’s true. Your grandmother is a Blood Hound and you think she’s going to find out about our fake marriage.” Heat coursed through her body at his words. Why his statement frustrated her, she didn’t quite understand. But she knew that there was nothing in the world that would keep her from meeting his grandmother. That would keep her from fulfilling her end of their plan.
Having enough of his ridiculous words, she made her way over to his truck. “Come on, husband,” she said, pulling open the side door and climbing in. “It’s time we get our house ready for guests.” She shut the door and buckled.
He watched her. She could see his jaw muscles twitch from where she sat. She could tell she’d made him uncomfortable, but she wasn’t going to let him out of this deal now. Not when they’d come this far. She was going to help him. She could do that.
He scrubbed his face with his hand and then made his way over to the truck. He pulled open the door and climbed in. After he started his truck, he turned to look at her. “I don’t doubt you,” he said. His voice was low as if he were struggling with what he was going to say.
Emma glanced over at him. “Then why did you say that? Why are you backing out?”
He reached out and grasped the steering wheel. “Em, I don’t want to hurt you.”
Her stomach lightened as she studied him. He didn’t want to hurt her? “Why would you hurt me?”
He twisted in his seat to meet her gaze head on. The movement brought him closer to her.
“Because, I hurt people. That’s what I do.”
She wasn’t going to let him beat himself up about his mother. It wasn’t his fault. “Austin,” she said, reaching out and touching his forearm. She could feel him twitch under her fingertips, but she didn’t pull away. “None of that was your fault. You aren’t going to hurt me. Don’t worry about it. I’ve got your back.”
He brought his gaze up to meet hers. There was so much uncertainty there that it took her breath away.
“Are you sure?”
Emma nodded. “Definitely. Now, let’s get back to the ranch so we can prep. I have you grandmother to win over.”
He reached over and started his truck. Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to his dark house. Emma let her gaze roam around the familiar white siding and shudders. It was cute and quaint and she couldn’t help but have a soft spot for it. Maybe it was because it was adorable. Or perhaps, it was because it was owned by Austin. Someone who was starting to worm his way into her heart and mind.
She pulled open the door and hopped out of the truck. For the first time, she felt hopeful. If she could help Austin get what he wanted, she’d do that. Focusing on someone else and their issues helped her relax. It was better than focusing on her own problems.
She glanced over at Austin and gave him a smile. “Race you,” she said, grabbing onto her purse and sprinting across the yard.
Austin let out a laughed which grew louder the closer he got. Once she raced up the stairs, she felt his hand on her arm. She slowed, spinning to see him inches from her. Taking a step back didn’t help her get away from him. She was halted by the front door.
He studied her, keeping her pinned between his body and the door. “Thanks,” he said as he leaned closer to her.
Her heart picked up speed as he neared. What was he going to do? Kiss her? Emotions erupted through her body as he inched closer. For the first time, she knew so clearly what she wanted. And it was to kiss Austin. Not to please a judge, but to show him how much she cared for him.
“Austin, I—”
The click of the lock behind her broke through her sentence. A moment later, the pressure of the door on her back released as he opened the door.
Turning, she saw the foyer of his house and instantly felt like an idiot. He hadn’t come closer to kiss her. He was trying to unlock the door. Embarrassment burned through her as she stumbled into the house. How could she have been such an idiot? How quickly had she been willing to throw away her resolve to keep him at arm’s length. What was happening to her?
Austin shut the door behind him and then slipped off his shoes. “You were saying something?” he asked, glancing over at her.
Emma cleared her throat. “Nothing. I wasn’t going to say anything.”
Austin looked as if he didn’t believe her, but thankfully, didn’t push it further. He yawned and stretched.
“I’m beat and we’ve got lots to do tomorrow. I’m gonna hit the hay.” He made his way over to the staircase and took them two at a time.
Emma stayed, standing in the foyer as he disappeared. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She needed to get a grip. This was a fake marriage. She had a fake husband. There was no reason to lose her head or her emotions over this.
Pushing down any feeling that had surfaced because of Austin, Emma followed after him. Maybe after a good night sleep, she’d feel better. As she shut her bedroom door behind her, a small feeling of doubt settled in her chest. One that said, she wasn’t sure she could keep lying to herself. She wasn’t that good an actress.
Chapter Twelve
Austin
Austin stretched out on his bed, studying the ceiling above him. He rested his hand on his chest as he tried to calm his mind enough to focus on sleep. But no amount of counting sheep or taking deep breaths was helping him relax. Every part his mind kept going back to Emma and the moments they’d had together.
Sure, it had had it’s up and downs but he couldn’t help but feel closer to her. And for a moment, he allowed himself to hope she felt closer to him as well.
A soft knock drew his attention away from the ceiling and over to the door. His heart picked up speed at the thought that perhaps, it was Emma. Then he pushed that away. If it were she, it probably had nothing to do with him.
He tossed his covers off his body and stood. On his way over to the door, he grabbed his shirt he’d discarded earlier. Even though she’d already seen his chest, he wasn’t sure he was ready for that to happen again. Not when his felt so confused about her.
He turned the handle and pulled the door from the jam, exposing Emma. His heart picked up speed as he took her in. The evening light shone from the window down the hall, highlighting the smoothness of her skin. She had on a loose T-shirt where the neck had been cut. It slipped down her side shoulder, exposing the hollows of her neck.
Forcing his gaze to hers, he pushed out all the thoughts that flowed through his mind. They were just friends, helping each other out. They weren’t husband and wife. He was crazy to even think that.
“You need something?” he asked, praying that his voice would come out normal.
She narrowed her eyes as she bit her lower lip. In the softness of the light, her lips looked full. He tried not to think back on their kiss they shared in front of the judge. The one he’d tried to play it cool afterward, even though, after she pulled away, all he wanted to do was pull her back.
“I was thinking,” she said, shifting her weight to the other side. Her leggings hugged her curves and he was struggling to keep his mind right. “If we’re going to convince your grandmother that we’re married and she’s coming tomorrow, maybe we should. . . you know. . .” She nodded toward his bedroom.
“Sleep together?”
Her eyes widened. “Well, not like sleep together, sleep together. Just sleep in the same bed. . . together.”
Austin raised his eyebrows. “How does this not go against our no shenanigans deal.”
Her cheeks turned pink as she brought up her hand and started to twirl her hair with her finger. “It’s a stupid idea. I’m so sorry I brought it up.” She turned to leave but Austin shot his hand out.
“Wait,” he said, the volume of his voice surprising even him. Taking a deep breath, he steadied his nerves. “I think it’s a great idea. I mean, if you don’t have a problem with it.” He dropped his hand when he noticed he was still holding onto her arm.
A smile played on the edges of her lips. He really needed to stop staring at her mouth. Even if it looked crafted by the Gods.
“Okay.” She nodded toward her open door. “I’ll go grab my suitcase and come right back.” She turned and made her way down the hall. Austin tried not to stare at the sultry way her hips swished.
Maybe he should go back into his room and wait. Leaving the door, he walked back inside where he started to pace. What is he doing? Why did he say yes to having Emma sleep in the same bed with him? Was he crazy?
He paused and scrubbed his face with his hand. He was crazy. That was the only explanation for it. Only an insane person would allow a woman that attractive into his bed. Maybe he should call it off. Tell her that this was probably a bad idea. Just as he moved to make his way to the door, he stopped.
Emma had appeared with her suitcase trailing behind her. When she gave him her sweet smile, all his fears disappeared. She hesitated but then stepped into the room.
“Do I have a dresser?” she asked, glancing around.
“Dresser?”
“How’s it going to look to your grandmother if I’m living out of my suitcase.”
Austin nodded. He hadn’t thought of that before. All his mind seemed focused on was how beautiful Emma looked in the moonlight that spilled in from his window. He walked over to his nightstand and switched on the light. Nothing could happen with the lights on. It would help ground him in the now, not the thoughts of what could be.
As the light filled the room, he turned back around. Emma was watching him with a curious expression on her face.
“To see better,” he said.
She nodded.
Desperate for a distraction, Austin made his way over to his dresser and pulled open a middle drawer. In one swift movement, he scooped up his jeans. “Here,” he said, waving toward the now empty drawer.
“Thanks,” she said and rolled over her suitcase.
Not sure what to do, Austin just stood there, watching her remove her items from her suitcase and arrange them neatly inside. He dropped his gaze when she got to her underwear, even though it intrigued him that a lot of them contained lace. But when his thoughts turned to her wearing t
hem, he cleared his throat and moved a few feet away. Just as he did, the ring box that he’d stashed in the drawer when he’d come home from Las Vegas fell to the floor.
Emma paused, glancing down at it. “What’s this?” she asked, stooping down to pick it up.
“Nothing,” he said, shifting the pants to one arm and extending his hand. Emma studied him and then handed it over.
As if she’d sensed his reaction, she shot him a smile. “Your room’s sweet,” she said as she pushed the drawer closed and turned to look at him.
Thankful she’d moved one, he shot her a confused look. “Sweet?” He would have said manly or butch. But sweet?
“Yeah. I wouldn’t have guessed it was your room.” She smiled as she made her way over to his bed and sat down. He swallowed when he realized just what he’d gotten himself into. She was going to be inches away from him. Was it too late to back out now?
Ignoring his feeling of fear, he dumped the clothes in his arms onto the nearby rocking chair and then moved over to the pair of antlers hanging from the wall and waved at them. “These are cute?”
She nodded. “Fine. I’ll give you those. But the rocking chair and the quilt? Don’t really say twenty-nine-year-old man.” She grinned over at him.
Okay. He’d give her that. “The chair was my grandfathers and the quilt”—he made his way over to the bed where he let his fingers trace the stitching—“My mom made that.”
Her expression softened as she watched him. “I’m sorry. It has to be hard. Losing both of them.” She sighed. “I’m hard on my mom, but I would never want her gone. Not when she’s just about my only family.”
Despite his better judgement, Austin sat down next to her. She was tiny and his weight caused her to tip toward him. Her thigh brushed his and the sensation sent electricity coursing through his veins. When he glanced over at her, he saw that her expression had turned serious. There was a depth to her gaze that was drawing him in.
Marrying a Cowboy (A Fake Marriage Series Book 1) Page 9