He pulled back to look at her. “You’re hardly soft spoken, and I love that about you.”
Hearing the L word out of his mouth sent a surge straight to her heart. Loving her and loving something about her weren’t the same thing, but maybe her sisters were right. Could she make him fall in love with her during this fake engagement?
Debbie didn’t want to lump herself in the same category as Cheyenne, but she was selfish. She wanted Austin’s attention. She wanted him to kiss her again.
She grinned. “No, I’m worried about who’s going to bail me out when I get arrested for assaulting Cheyenne.”
He threw back his head and laughed, and warmth flooded over her. His laughter was rich and full and made her feel light and bubbly.
“I certainly wouldn’t blame you if you did.” His arms slackened as though he intended to let her go.
Debbie didn’t release him. “Is that it?”
“What do you mean?”
“We have an audience that we are trying to convince we are in love, and you’re not going to see me for hours. Shouldn’t you be loath to let me go?”
Yep. I’m selfish alright.
He smiled as he tightened his embrace. “Right. We shouldn’t pass up this opportunity to convince them.”
Convince.
The word made her heart sink a little, but then Austin’s lips were on hers, and her pulse skyrocketed.
There was nothing hesitant about this kiss. His lips claimed hers and moved with a gentle yet determined motion that made a million little fireworks explode inside her body. Sparkler-like flashes of electricity raced along her nerve endings, filling her with the most incredible sensations. Weightlessness. Euphoria. Heaven.
Splaying her hands across his broad muscular back, she kissed him with everything she had, enjoying the moment, in case she never got another one.
Austin pulled her more firmly against his body, readily accepting all she offered and giving in return. He ran his hands up her back, leaving a trail of fire under her silk shirt. Burying one hand in her hair, he cupped her head. The other traveled back down to her hip.
“Ew, Dad.” Savannah’s voice came from inside the car. “Enough already.”
Austin’s lips turned up in a smile, effectively ending the kiss. He kept his head close to Debbie’s however. “I think we grossed her out.” His voice was rough and gravelly.
Another little shiver shot through her. This man did things to her that she hadn’t felt in a very long time. Things she wanted to feel more of.
“Yes, and if that wasn’t convincing, I don’t know what would be.” Her voice still sounded breathless.
He lifted his head and brought his hand up to stroke her cheek. “That was…”
“Nice,” she whispered.
“Yeah.”
“Dad, can we go already?” Savvy’s voice had taken on a note of impatience.
Austin’s hold on Debbie loosened. “Good luck.”
“I think I’m going to need it.” She climbed into the car and looked at Savannah slumped in the passenger seat. “Are you sure you don’t want to drive?”
“I’m not in the mood today. I’d probably wreck your car. That’s all I need withthemfollowing us.”
“I’m sorry I let it slip that we were shopping for a prom dress,” Debbie said as she backed out of the driveway, trusting Austin would lock up her house when he left.
“It’s okay.” Savannah shrugged. “It’s not like we’ve been able to connect on any other level. Shopping’s my mom’s favorite activity, so…who knows, it might end up being fun.” She didn’t sound very convinced.
“The lack of connection is not your fault. You know that, right?” Debbie put the Porsche into first gear and took off down the two-lane highway.
