CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Scarlett
A MONTH LATER
“Two days, that’s all,”I tell Austin.
“Yeah, but they might just offer you the job right then and there,” he says, trying to sound strong and supportive.
“My stuff is still here. You’re still here.”
Austin pulls my bag out of the back of his truck and places it down on the curb. “Mind if I ask you something?”
“What’s that?”
“I know you’ve mentioned not wanting to be chased, but I didn’t run you out of this place, did I?”
I grab ahold of his shirt and pull him toward me. “You couldn’t do that if you tried, Austin Trace. For the first time in my life, I’ve wanted to be with someone as much as humanly possible. I should never have told you not to chase me, but I shouldn’t force you to chase me, either.”
Austin combs his fingers through his messy hair. “Yeah, it would make things easier if women didn’t force us to chase, especially those who indicate they don’t want to be chased, when they secretly kind of do. Do you have any idea how confusing y’all are?”
I press up on my toes and gently touch my lips to his. “You have me all figured out, so you have nothing to worry about,” she says with a quick wink.
“Not really. I’m still learning as I go with you. Somehow, I think you’re the type of person I could know my entire life and still not have you figured out at the end.”
“Just how I like it. Got to keep a man guessing.”
“I’m going to miss you, darlin’.”
“How much?” I ask him with a smirk.
“A lot. So, in case you feel the same way about me, I bought you something so you don’t get too lonely. It’s in your carry-on bag.”
“What?” I place my hand down on the zipper of my shoulder bag, looking at him with question. “What is it?”
“You’ll see,” he says. His smile worries me, so I unzip the bag and shove my hand inside, feeling something long, smooth, and covered with silicone.Oh, God.
“Austin … ”
“I named it Betsy Blue, just for you,” he says, falling into a fit of laughter.
“You bought me a vibrator and named it Betsy Blue? Are you kidding me?” I pull my hand out of the bag and slap him. “What if it causes the metal detector to go off?”
“Take a picture?” He shrugs with a smile. “Just promise you’ll think of me when you use it.”
I put my hand over my eyes. “Well, I can assure you I won’t be thinking of a damn pig, Austin.”
“Good, then my plan worked,” he says. “Have a safe flight, darlin’.” Austin wraps his arm around me and pulls me into him real tight, giving me a kiss that steals my breath. His lips don’t break away from mine, but there’s a painful moan rumbling deep in his throat, one that rocks me to the core. “Come back to me.” His whispering words move through me, causing a dull pain my chest—something I haven’t really felt before.
“I will be back in two days. Two.” He kisses me once more and regret floods through me. I don’t want that interview, but I need to know if I’m worthy of the job.
Austin walks me to security and stands with me in line until he can’t go any further. “Call me when you land, darlin’.”
“I will.”
“Be careful with your arm. You haven’t started therapy yet. Got it?”
“I got it,” I tell him with a laugh. “Go, go, I’ll be fine.”
