A twinge of guilt raced upward from his abdomen, tightening his chest, over the reminder that he was using her.
Debbie’s velvety red lips parted in a smile as her hands slid up behind his neck to play with the hair there. “Your hair looks nice.” Her voice was soft and sincere.
Again, Austin couldn’t help thinking how seductive it sounded. Electric tingles raced down his spine at her touch. He lowered his head.
Her brothers are going to kill me!
The thought came out of nowhere.
He released Debbie and jerked back.
Her eyes shot open, and a frown covered her face. “Is something wrong?”
“No. I’m sorry.” Austin rubbed the back of his neck where his skin still tingled. “I just… Maybe we should save the displays of affection for our intended audience. You know, since this is only pretend.”
Debbie’s face fell. “Right, of course.” Her voice was tight. “We don’t actually need practice. I mean, it’s not like we haven’t kissed before.”
She thinks I don’t want to kiss her.
Nothing could be further from the truth. He’d thought about the kiss they shared in the pantry a lot this week and desperately wanted to do it again. But he didn’t want to kiss Debbie solely because Cheyenne had pushed him into this situation.
He grabbed her hand and tugged her toward him. “Debbie I—“
The ringing of the doorbell cut off his words.
He swore under his breath. Austin didn’t want to eat dinner with Cheyenne and Tucker and have to act civil. He wanted to spend time with Debbie. Alone.
Maybe they could find some common ground, besides the kids, to build a relationship on. Something that didn’t make the massive discrepancy in their financial statuses feel so insurmountable.
Debbie pulled him toward the front door. “That’ll be our guests.” She stopped at the edge of the kitchen and gave him a push. “Go open the door like it’s your own home. I’ll come right behind you and greet them.”
Austin’s shoulders bunched as he approached the front door. He certainly didn’t feel at home. He paused to roll his shoulders and erase the scowl from his face before opening the door.
“Austin.” Cheyenne pranced in on four-inch heels. “I have to say, I’m shocked. I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. And I can’t believe you’re actually engaged to whoever owns this gorgeous home.”
“That would be me,” Debbie said as she slid her hand into his.
He tightened his fingers around hers as his chest swelled with gratitude for this woman’s willingness to stand beside him through this ordeal. He didn’t know what he’d do if he had to face Cheyenne and Tucker alone.
Debbie introduced herself to their guests and invited them into the sitting room before he could find the words to make introductions.
He put an arm around Debbie as they sat on the sofa. She leaned into him, like he’d hoped she would.
Cheyenne perched on the edge of the love seat. Her green satin dress hugged her figure so tightly, she might pop a seam if she tried to sit back and relax. She looked at him. “Looks like you have a thing for redheads.”
Austin took his time admiring Debbie’s deep red curls that reminded him of ripe cherries. Most of her hair was pulled up in a sophisticated style this evening, but he reached out and wrapped one of the loose locks around his finger.
“I think you may be right.”
Debbie put a hand on his thigh and gave him a dazzling smile. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was in love with him.
It’s just an act. We’re both playing a part.
That’s why he fingered her hair. Not because he’d dreamed about burying his fingers in it a million times this week.
“So, how long have you two been engaged?” Tucker asked.
“Not long,” Debbie answered before Austin could decide what to say. “But the attraction between us was pretty instantaneous. At least on my part.” Debbie smiled at him again.
