by SJ McCoy
“You can have the job if you want it.” Amber spoke before she knew what she was saying.
Her sister and her grandmother both looked at her.
“Would you quit with that?” said Jade. “This is what gets you into trouble. This job makes perfect sense for you. I don’t need it.” She smiled at Lenny. “I’m not even very good at it. Why would you give it away?”
Amber blew out a sigh. “I’m sorry. I know you’re right. But I hate the thought of you not having a job.”
“But it’d be okay to leave yourself without one?” asked Lenny. “Even though you’re the one who wants to stay here.”
Amber shrugged. “I don’t know. I need to get over that, don’t I?”
They both nodded at her. “You really do.”
“You need to start putting yourself first, sis. Like I told you. Figure out what you want and go for it. Let other people fall into place around you. If they can’t, that’s their problem, not yours.” Jade smiled. “You’re doing great here. I told you Milo had stolen your shine. But lately, you’ve gotten it back. Between working here and seeing Austin. You’re happy. Don’t give that up; don’t give it away.”
“I know you’re right. I am happy. But I want you to be happy, too.”
Jade laughed. “And what makes you think that working here would make me happy?”
Lenny laughed with her. “Or me?”
“I just … I want to make sure you’re taken care of.”
“I know. But I can take care of myself. You should focus on taking care of yourself.” Jade smiled. “Or maybe letting Austin take care of you. Did she tell you that she’s staying with him for the week, Lenny?”
“She did.” Lenny smiled. “And my guess is that it won’t just be for the week.”
Amber dropped her gaze. She wasn’t ready to tell them that Austin had already talked about her staying after her parents visit.
Lenny patted her arm. “Either you don’t know it or you’re not ready to admit it. But I think your sister did you a favor.”
Amber couldn’t help but agree. If it weren’t for Jade, she might be back in Bakersfield by now. She might have buckled under Milo’s insistence that her parents needed her back. Instead, she was staying with Austin—and wishing that their fake engagement was real.
~ ~ ~
“What time will you be finished?” Austin couldn’t wait to get home and see Amber. He’d left the office early and it occurred to him that she might not be able to do the same.
He could hear the smile in her voice. “We’re just closing up now. How about you?”
“I’m done. Do you want to meet me? We could have dinner before we head home?”
“Okay, sure. Where?”
“The Boathouse?”
“Great. I’ll be there in a few.”
Austin smiled to himself as he walked across the deck of the restaurant. This felt good. It felt right. His stride faltered when he saw Nadia sitting with some of her friends. Luckily, she didn’t see him, and he made his way inside. That—being with her—had never felt right. There’d been plenty of times when she’d called him and told—told not asked—him to meet her here for dinner after work. In the last couple years, he’d rarely ever made it, whether he was able to or not.
He shook his head. He didn’t need to think about that anymore. It’d taken him too long, but he’d ended it. He’d freed himself of her and her expectations and demands. Now, he was with Amber. He knew that she’d never demand anything of him.
“Austin!” He smiled when he saw Kenzie waving at him from behind the bar.
“Hey, Kenzie. Are we still on for tomorrow?”
She grinned. “You bet your ass we are. I’m so excited. You’re really going to sell the place to us?”
He nodded happily. He was giving them a great deal on the place, too.
She raised an eyebrow at him. “I know you. We’re not a charity case you know. You don’t have to feel like you’re playing Monopoly with Dallas and you have to help us out.”
He had to smile, wondering if she’d somehow managed to read his mind. “I’m happy to help you out.”
She frowned. “Just don’t screw yourself over in the process?”
“I won’t.” The way she said it made him think about Amber. He wasn’t as bad as her. Yes, he liked to help people, but like he’d told her, he didn’t screw himself over. He tried to make sure that everything he did was a win-win for all concerned.
“What are you doing here, anyway? It’s not like you on a Monday.”
“I’m meeting Amber for dinner.”
“Aww. Did you two get together, then? I like her. She’s a sweetheart. She’s just what you need. Not like her.” She jerked her head to where Nadia was standing in the doorway that led in from the deck.
Austin blew out a sigh. “She couldn’t be more different, I’m happy to say.” He just hoped that Nadia hadn’t come in to see him. He was relieved when she made her way to the ladies’ room.
A few minutes later, Amber appeared in the same spot. The sight of her made his heart race and his palms sweat. He’d never reacted like that to Nadia when they first started seeing each other. He pursed his lips. He had reacted like that toward the end, though—whenever she started to bitch him out.
Amber smiled when she spotted him, and she chased all thoughts of Nadia out of his head.
He got down from his stool and closed his arms around her when she reached him. He dropped a kiss on her lips and smiled. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Her eyes shone as she smiled back at him.
“What can I get you, sugar?” asked Kenzie. “You guys go grab a table, and I’ll bring it over. You want menus, right?”
Amber nodded happily. “Please, Kenzie.”
Kenzie laughed. “You two are just adorable together.”
“Aren’t they?” Austin turned, surprised to see Jade standing behind him. “Have you guys told Kenzie your happy news yet?”
Amber shook her head rapidly and gave Jade a warning look.
They’d talked yesterday about whether they should tell people about the whole engagement thing but hadn’t reached a decision. Austin had been relieved that Amber didn’t want to lie to everyone. There was no way that she—or he—would tell their friends the same story they were telling her parents. But they hadn’t figured out if they wanted to let them in on the lie either.
Kenzie gave them a puzzled look. Austin knew she was sharp, and she confirmed it when she shot a glance at Amber’s left hand. “You’re not …” She looked up and a mischievous smile crossed her face. “Oh, my God! Are you guys engaged?” She spoke so loudly that a few heads turned in their direction.
Austin’s heart sank when he saw that Nadia’s was one of them. She was making her way back outside and she stood frozen to the spot glaring at him.
Amber shook her head at Kenzie. “No! That isn’t …”
Unfortunately, Jade spotted Nadia at the same time Austin did and she gave her an evil look before turning back to Kenzie and saying in a loud voice. “Aren’t they just the perfect couple?”
Nadia turned and stalked back outside.
Kenzie laughed. “Sorry, guys. I couldn’t resist. When Jade said you had happy news, that’s what I thought she meant. And when I saw that bitch …”
Jade chuckled. “I’m sorry, too. You two are too nice to get it, but it’s hard to resist having a dig at someone like her.”
Amber shook her head sadly. “I’m not stupid. I understand why you did it. But I wish you hadn’t.” She looked at Jade. “We hadn’t decided what we were going to tell people—or even if we were. Now you can almost guarantee that word will get out.”
Kenzie frowned. “I thought I was just messing with her head. Are you saying that you are? That you guys are engaged?” She grinned at Austin. “Damn. You’re a dark horse. Way to go!”
He couldn’t help smiling, even though he knew he shouldn’t. “It’s not what you think.”
Kenzie’s smile
faded. “What is it then? You’ve got me confused.”
Amber blew out a sigh. “Jade told my parents that I was engaged to Austin, because she was trying to help me out. They’re coming next weekend, and we …” She glanced up at him. “We’re going to pretend that we are.”
Kenzie gave them a long appraising look. “Hmm. That’s a shame.”
“What is?” Austin felt bad. It sounded like she was disappointed in him for lying.
She shrugged. “I thought you really were. I should have known though. There’s no ring.” She smiled at Austin. “And knowing you, it’d be quite a ring.”
Austin nodded. If nothing else, this conversation had made him realize that he’d have to do something about a ring before the weekend.
Chapter Eighteen
Amber smiled when she got out of the car. She could see Roscoe bouncing up and down behind the front door. She hurried up the steps to open it and let him out. He jumped around her a couple of times and then stuck his nose up her skirt.
She laughed and pushed him away. “I can’t say we don’t know each other well enough for that anymore, but still, you shouldn’t do it.”
He panted at her and wagged his tail.
“Come on, do you need to take care of business?”
He pricked his ears at that and trotted away to the stand of trees. Amber let out a happy sigh as she watched him. As the week had gone on, she couldn’t help wishing that this really was her life. Austin was wonderful. The more time she spent with him, the more wonderful he was. Roscoe was a sweetheart, there was no denying he was a perv, just like Austin called him. But he was affectionate with it. She loved that dog. She looked around. She loved this place. Her heart raced. As much as she tried to avoid facing the thought, she knew that she loved Austin. He was the sweetest, kindest man she’d ever known. She sighed again.
“Come on. Roscoe. Let’s get you a walk before Austin gets back.”
He came bounding back to her on her full alert, looking around for Austin.
“He’ll be here soon.”
He had to show a house at five-thirty tonight. He’d told her he’d be back as soon as he could. She planned to make dinner for him. This was the first time she’d been home before him. He’d given her a key on Sunday, so she had no worries about that. It felt strange, though, to be here without him; strange, but good.
She walked up the path that led to the treehouse. Roscoe had been cooped up in the house all afternoon, and she wanted him to get a run. It was always the first thing Austin did when he got home.
When they reached the clearing, she looked up at the treehouse. If she wanted to let herself get carried away she could imagine kids playing up there—her kids, Austin’s kids. She felt the heat in her cheeks and looked around. There was no one out here, and they couldn’t hear what she was thinking even if there were. But still. It was a ridiculous thing to think—to wish for. He was amazing. But he wasn’t really her fiancé.
Her phone rang and she pulled it out of her purse, hoping that it might be him saying he was on his way home already. It wasn’t. She didn’t recognize the number.
“Hello?”
“Hi, sweetheart.”
A shudder ran down her spine at the sound of Milo’s voice. She couldn’t speak.
“Are you surprised to hear from me?”
“Yes. What do you want?”
“That’s no way to talk to me. I want what I’ve always wanted. I want you.”
“It’s not going to happen, Milo. We’re over. I’ve told you enough times. And you can’t get to me anymore. My parents don’t expect me to come home. They know that I’m happy here.”
“With your fiancé?” There was an edge to his voice that she didn’t like.
“Yes.”
“Austin.”
“Yes.”
“You really think that a guy like that is going to marry you?”
She hesitated for a moment. She wished!
Milo laughed. “There. See. Your silence says it all. You know, don’t you?”
“Know what?”
“That you’re better off with me. I checked him out. I wanted to make sure you were with someone who’d be good to you.”
Amber made a face. As if!
“He’s a big deal in that little town where you are. He’s not going to settle for someone like you.”
Amber frowned. “What do you mean?” Dammit. She shouldn’t let him draw her in.
“I mean, a guy with that kind of money isn’t going to settle down with a girl like you. You’re—”
He was about to put her down. She knew it. “Why do you think we’re engaged if he doesn’t want to settle down with me?”
Milo laughed. “So, naïve. You’re the kind of girl who needs to think it’s serious before she’ll put out, right? He’s just telling you what you want to hear so that he can fuck you. And believe me, he’ll only fuck you till he gets bored of you.”
Was that really how he thought it worked? “You’ve got it all wrong, Milo. He’s not like you.”
“I know. I want more than that from you. I want to marry you.”
She laughed. “You don’t want me. You don’t even mind him fucking me. You only want to marry me so that you’ll get more control of the business—and so that I’ll do more of the work and make your life easier.”
Milo was quiet for a long moment. “He told you what I said?”
“Yes, he did! Because he cares about me, and he doesn’t lie to me—unlike you.”
Milo laughed. “Whatever you say, Amber. Don’t worry, though. I’ll still take you back when he dumps you.”
“He’s not going to dump me. He loves me and he’s going to marry me! I wish you’d get that through your head and leave me alone.” She hit the end call button and stared at the phone. What was his problem? Why wouldn’t he just accept that she was done with him? She blew out a sigh and patted Roscoe’s head. He’d come to stand beside her while she talked and was leaning against her legs looking up at her.
“It’s okay. Don’t look at me like that. I’m okay.”
Roscoe let out a low whine.
“Honestly.” She scratched his ears. “Everything’s okay. Come on. Let’s go back to the house and start dinner.
~ ~ ~
Austin smiled when he saw Amber’s car parked in the garage. He loved the idea that he was coming home to her at the end of the day. He loved the thought that this could really be his life.
He patted his pocket. If she wanted to wear the ring after this weekend, maybe it would be his life. He got out of the SUV and opened the door to the kitchen. The sight of her standing at the stove stirring something made his heart leap into his mouth.
Roscoe let out a happy little yip when he saw him and came running.
“Hey, buddy.” He scratched his ears. “I missed you, too.” He went to Amber and slid his arms around her waist as she smiled up at him. “Not as much as I missed you, though.”
He dropped a kiss on her lips. He only meant it to be a peck, but her arms came up around his neck and she pressed herself against him. His lips crushed against hers and he tasted her, kissing her deeply as he walked her away from the stove and backed her up against the cabinets. He closed his hands around her ass and rocked his hips against hers.
She let out a needy little moan that had him aching for her. He glanced over at the breakfast table and walked her over to it, pushing her skirt up around her waist as they went. She fumbled with his zipper and pushed his pants down.
They’d made a lot of love over the last few days. He’d taken his time getting to know her, learning what pleased her. This time there was an urgency between them. This was about need. He lay her back on the table and hooked his fingers inside her panties, pulling them down and off. He circled her clit with his thumb until she moaned and writhed, and then thrust two fingers deep and hard inside her. She gasped and her eyes widened as they locked with his. He grasped her hips and positioned himself between her legs, then thru
st deep and hard. Damn! She felt so good. So hot and wet and tight as she closed around him.
“Austin!”
He smiled as he drove deeper, loving the way his name sounded on her lips. “Do I feel good?”
“Yes! Oh, God! Yes!”
Their bodies melded into one as she moved with him, taking everything he had to give. He tensed as he realized that he wanted to give her everything he had, everything he was.
“Amber!” he gasped as he tensed and let himself go. Waves of pleasure crashed through him, making him see stars as he came hard. She clenched around him, drawing him deeper as they flew away together to a place he’d never been.
When they stilled, he leaned forward, covering her body with his as he kissed her. He lifted his head and looking into her eyes. I love you, Amber. The words echoed so loudly in his head that he wondered if he’d said them out loud. Her eyes told him that he hadn’t. He wanted to, but he’d decided that he shouldn’t, not yet. Not until the weekend and her parents’ visit was behind them.
He brushed his hand over her cheek and she smiled.
“Well, I wasn’t expecting that.”
“I didn’t plan it. I couldn’t help myself.”
Her smile faded. “We’re about more than that, though, aren’t we?”
He got up and she sat up beside him. “You know we are, don’t you? I needed you to know that before we ever went there.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry. Of course, I know.”
Austin’s heart sank. To him, that had been something special. He hated that she thought it was only about the physical.
He put his arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry.”
“No!” She shook her head rapidly and he was stunned to see tears in her eyes.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
She shook her head again. “It’s not you. It’s … Milo. He called me. I guess I let him get inside my head again.”
Austin sighed. “What did he say?”
She shrugged. “He told me that you were only engaged to me because girls like me don’t put out unless we think it’s going somewhere.” She looked up into his eyes. “I know it’s stupid. I know you’re not engaged to me because you want to sleep with me.” She let out a little laugh. “You’re not even engaged to me! And you were the one who wouldn’t sleep with me unless it meant something, unless it was part of something bigger. It’s just …” She looked up into his eyes. “I guess I shouldn’t be blaming him. It’s me. I … I’ve been getting carried away with this whole thing. I want it to mean more, to be more. I want …” She shrugged again and looked away. “I think this whole thing has gotten blown out of proportion. I’ve gotten caught up in wishing it was real, and that’s not fair to you. We’d only gone out a few times before this whole engagement thing came up.”