“Been staring?” he teased, fluttering the lashes on the very eyes I’d been trying to avoid as much as possible.
Everyone had a weakness. A part of the human body that was their downfall. Mine were eyes. They were the windows to the soul. They had the ability to express so many emotions without much movement. Austin’s eyes were nothing short of spectacular. The depth of the blue was only rivaled by the intensity of the pain, no doubt from his past, he’d tried to hide.
“No,” I shot back, lying.
Based on the way his mouth curved, he knew I was lying too. “Whatever you need to tell yourself.”
My phone vibrated next to my plate, pulling me away from the look of satisfaction on his face. “They’re here,” I said as soon as I saw the text from roadside assistance.
For the first time, I didn’t want them to be early, but like all things, nothing was ever what we wanted, but what the world decided to give us.
“I got to run.” I climbed down from the stool, grabbing my phone to text back the person waiting outside. “Thanks for dinner.”
“Tomorrow,” he reminded me, not asking, but telling me.
“Tomorrow,” I replied, pitching my thumb over my shoulder as I backed away from him like if I didn’t start moving, he’d capture me in his orbit and I’d be unable to escape.
“Want me to come outside with you?”
I shook my head, placing my hands out in front of me. “No. No. I got this. Trust me.”
He dipped his chin, giving me the out I so badly wanted and needed. “Give ’em hell, Dynasty.”
God, he was gorgeous and older. Maybe ten years older than me, but he wore it well. Unless you were close enough, the fine lines around his eyes weren’t noticeable. Maybe it was his past that left the markings on his face, making him appear older than he really was. Life could do that. Stress could be a bigger bitch than time.
The heat back in my cheeks, I turned, giving Austin my back and heading for the door like my ass was on fire. No man had ever left me feeling even a little off-kilter. No one before him, that was.
It was hard to explain something I’d never felt before. It was like he knew me, but he didn’t. Like he had me all figured out when he couldn’t possibly after only one meal. But there was still something that had me running for the parking lot.
As I touched the door handle, I turned, giving him one last look.
“Fuck,” I muttered, hating myself as soon as his eyes locked on me.
He winked and waved, making it very clear he caught me.
“Fuckin’ fabulous.”
Why did I do that?
I’d never been a look-back girl. Not under any circumstances and definitely not when it came to a man.
I was drawn to those pretty blue eyes, the cocky smirk, and arrogant attitude. He was the perfect combination to be my next great mistake.
It didn’t take a genius to know I had a pattern and a type. Love them and leave them was my pattern, but Austin didn’t completely fit the mold of the previous guys I’d been with.
Sure, he was cocky and arrogant, a trait I’d found myself drawn to time and time again. But I usually stuck to the jocks, forgoing the military type because I wasn’t looking for another father figure. I’d had enough bossing around my entire life. And I sure as hell wasn’t about to sign up for a lifetime subscription.
Chapter Four
Austin
“How long you going to stare at that clock?”
Leaning over, I rested my elbows on my knees, trying to catch my breath. “Fuck off, old-timer.”
Walter, a man I’d met a decade ago, who also owned the gym, laughed as he dead-lifted more weight than should be possible at his age. “She’s got your balls all twisted. She must be something.”
“She does not.”
