“On one condition.” She poked his chest. It was all she could do not to gasp at the firmness of the muscles behind his t-shirt. She jerked her hand back as the urge to splay her hand across his chest hit her.
“Anything,” Austin agreed without hearing her terms.
“If thisdoesend up going to court, then I get to pay all legal fees.”
His brow furrowed, and a mixture of emotions raced across his face. He was trying to think of other options, Debbie was sure of it, but she was determined to hold out. He would never willingly let her help him financially, but he had more than his share of financial problems, so she needed to make him commit to letting her pay the legal bills if she was going to do this.
If there was one thing she’d learned from Sofia it was to use any advantage she had to get what she wanted. And right now, she wanted to help Austin and his kids, even though she might get her heart broken in the process.
CHAPTER19
Austin smoothed back his damp hair before knocking on Debbie’s door. He’d taken off from work early today to get a haircut and shower before coming over. He may as well have not bothered going into work at all for as effective as he was.
Dallas and Cody had taken the news that their mother wanted to see them much better than he’d expected. Neither of them really remembered Cheyenne, so it didn’t mean much to them.
They showed little emotion when Austin told them about their mother, but when he told them he and Debbie were engaged the boys went ballistic, cheering and jumping on the furniture like a couple of hyperactive monkeys.
“You mean we can swim everyday and watch a movie whenever we want?” Cody yelled as he jumped off the couch.
“Does this mean I’ll get my own room?” Dallas ran and did a flip over the end of the sofa.
Naturally the boys assumed they would all move into Debbie’s house after the wedding.
Except there isn’t going to be a wedding.
It had about killed Austin to agree to let Debbie pay any legal fees that might arise with a custody battle, but that didn’t mean he would accept handouts from her. He hoped this never went to court, and he certainly didn’t expect her to support his family.
That’s my job.
If he got into a relationship with Debbie, he had a feeling she’d expect to continue to live with the same level of comfort and convenience she did now. Like Cheyenne had when she came back to him. Austin could never afford that.
He was already in a relationship with Debbie, though. Sort of.
The door opened, and Austin’s mouth dropped open.
Debbie wore a blue satin and lace dress that made her eyes brighter and bluer than ever before. Her minimal makeup made her lips look redder and more kissable than he’d ever seen. The sweetheart neckline of her dress surrounded a sapphire and diamond pendant that probably cost more than Austin made in a year. The reminder of her wealth caused a tightness in his chest.
The hi-lo hemline of her dress and silver strappy heels showed off her slender legs and complimented her curves. Her heavenly perfume hit him, ramping up his attraction. How did she always make the expensive fragrances smell so good when they had always been so nauseating on Cheyenne.
Debbie grimaced. “It’s too much isn’t it?”
Austin snapped his mouth closed. “No. You look great.”
“I needed a little confidence boost, I guess.” She gave him a shy smile as she smoothed the dress over her hips.
He smiled back as he adjusted his sports coat. He only ever dressed this nice for church. “Me too.”
Cheyenne and Tucker would probably be dressed in a suit and evening gown that cost thousands of dollars each, but Austin didn’t care. He’d let Cheyenne know long ago he wasn’t impressed by money. That hadn’t changed.
His only goal tonight—he still couldn’t believe he’d let Debbie talk him into meeting with them twenty-four hours after they showed up at his house—was to let Tucker and Cheyenne see how wealthy his fiancé was and for him and Debbie to present a unified front.
Guilt rushed through him, tying him in knots, every time he stopped to think about how he was using Debbie and her wealth to impress his ex-wife.
“So why did you ring the doorbell?” Debbie asked as she led him into the house.
“Well, I know I’ve let myself in a couple of times but it’s your house, so—”
Debbie grabbed his arm. “You’re my fiancé now, so you don’t need to knock.” She lowered her voice to a tone he found rather seductive. “If we want to convince Cheyenne, we need to act the part.”
