Austin shook his head. “It’s always about the money with you, isn’t it, Cheyenne?”
She pouted. “You know I can’t live an impoverished life, Austin. I’m sure Debbie understands how I feel. Once you have money, it’s difficult to go without.”
“Even at our poorest, we never lived inpoverty,” Austin said through clenched teeth. He hated how inadequate she made him feel.
Debbie piped up. “I think you’re confusing ability with desire. It’s not that you aren’t capable of living a lesser lifestyle, Cheyenne, it’s that you aren’t willing to. And the fact that you expect to use your children to accomplish your selfish purposes proves how truly shallow you are.”
Austin put his arm across the back of Debbie’s chair. It was his turn to settle Debbie down. The woman was so passionate about children, especially his children, that it must kill her to discover their own mother doesn’t feel the same way about them.
“Debbie’s right. It’s horribly inappropriate for you to use the children this way. Showing up after five years of no contact, using them for a weekend, then disappearing again. What kind of message does that send to the kids?”
Tears filled Cheyenne’s eyes. “I do want to see them and spend time with them, but I… I know I’m not a good mother. I don’t have much patience, and even though I know it’s selfish, I enjoy my freedom.” She dabbed at her eyes with her napkin. “I felt really guilty after I left, but I never pursued shared custody because I didn’t want to subject the kids to my poor mothering skills. And I—“ She looked at Austin and sucked in a deep breath before continuing. “I didn’t want to come to resent them again. It was easier to stay out of their lives, knowing you’d take good care of them.”
“Maybe you need to see your children again,” Debbie said quietly.
Austin’s rib cage tightened, squeezing the air from his lungs.
What is Debbie doing?
He withdrew his arm from the back of her chair and scowled at her.
She put a hand on his thigh and looked at Cheyenne. “The boys aren’t needy toddlers anymore, and Savannah is almost an adult. You might find you feel differently now.”
Heat filled Austin’s veins at Debbie’s betrayal. He scooted his chair back and bolted to his feet so fast everyone jumped. “Would you excuse us for a minute?” He grabbed Debbie’s hand and practically dragged her from the dining room.
When he spotted Amy in the kitchen near the sink, he kept walking and pulled Debbie into the sitting room. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Twin furrows formed between Debbie’s brows as she tugged her hand from his. “She’s their mother, Austin. No matter how neglectful she’s been, she should see that her children are healthy and happy.” Her scowl turned to a grin. “Once Cheyenne spends a few hours with Dallas and Cody, she’ll see how energetic and rambunctious they are. I mean, they only get loud and boisterous when there’s something exciting going on.”
And Cheyenne would hate that.
Austin laughed. “You are a genius, you know that?” He grabbed her hand again and drew her toward him. “It was amazing the way you put Cheyenne in her place at every turn. I can’t believe I ever thought you were as bad as her.”
“I’m just glad things didn’t get really nasty.”
He tucked a lock of loose hair behind her ear and dragged his finger along her jaw. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
Debbie’s breath hitched as rosy spots colored her cheeks, making her all the more attractive. She put her hands on his chest.
His heart thudded hard and fast against her palm. This woman brought out the strongest emotions in him. Ones he didn’t want to fight. “I’d like to kiss you now, if that’s okay?” His voice came out husky and rough.
“But we don’t have an audience.” Her words were breathless.
“Good.” He wrapped one hand around her waist and the other behind her neck before lowering his lips to hers.
CHAPTER20
Debbie melted against Austin as his lips covered hers. She’d been wanting this all week. Ever since he gave her that glimpse of heaven in the pantry. She felt like an adrenaline junkie, craving that next big rush.
Every time Austin touched her or held her, her blood heated, and her limbs vibrated with an intoxicating awareness. More. She only wanted more of Austin. Of his kisses. His arms holding her.
Austin deepened the kiss and the stress of the day slipped away. She wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him. She hadn’t kissed a man with this kind of passion for over a decade, and it did all kinds of crazy things to her nervous system.
She’d thought she could be happy if she could adopt a couple of children, but it suddenly became clear in order to fill the emptiness in her life, she needed a man. And not just any man.
She needed a hardworking and strong man who respected women, and loved children. One who could drive her crazy with his ki—
A masculine cough sounded behind Debbie, and Austin pulled back but didn’t release her.
