Page 106 of My Real Love Affair

I put my hand on his back. “You didn’t cause a scene. We had fun well away from the people attending the gala.”

“That’s not how they’ll see it.” He turned to face me. “That’s never how they see it. When I do something spontaneous, it’s reckless. When Cash does it, it’s bold leadership. When I stand up for myself, I’m being difficult. When my father makes demands, he’s just trying to help.”

“That’s not fair to you.”

“No, it’s not.” He seemed to struggle with the words. “It’s also my fault. I’ve spent years proving them right. Being the playboy. The party boy. So now, even when I’m trying to be better and making attempts to change, they can’t see it. All they see is the pattern. The inevitable fuckup.”

My heart ached for him. “Austin it wasn’t that big of a deal.”

“You know the worst part?”

I slowly shook my head.

He let out a long sigh. “I have no room to change. I don’t think I have room to grow. They’ve already decided who I am and what I’m capable of. Nothing I do will ever change their minds.” He laughed, but it was bitter. “So why bother trying, right? Might as well livedownto their expectations.”

I took his hands in mine. “For what it’s worth, I had more fun tonight than I’ve had in years. I came here tonight thinking I would go home after a couple of hours with sore feet and a maxed-out social meter. But I ended up having a really good time.”

He looked at me with surprise. “You did?”

“Yes.” I rubbed his back. “Austin, you make everything feel lighter. Easier. You make me laugh when I want to take things too seriously. You make me feel like it’s okay to be imperfect. Like the world won’t end if I mess up. I loved being able to exist without constantly performing.”

He turned to look at me. I saw the pain in his eyes. The man wasn’t quite the party boy they all believed him to be. He had emotions. Feelings. People just didn’t take the time to see him for who he was.

“I trust you,” I continued, the words coming faster now. “I know that probably sounds crazy after everything that’s happened. But I do. I trust you with my heart, even though that terrifies me. Because being with you is easy. The easiest thing I’ve ever done.”

His gaze had gone heavy. The intensity made my knees weak. His dark eyes locked on mine with something that made my insides start to burn. I didn’t want to let myself hope, but I was certain I saw something there. Something electric. Passionate.

Was I crazy? Was I seeing something that didn’t exist?

“Did I say too much?” I asked, suddenly uncertain.

“No.” His voice was rough. Husky. Like he’d been drinking straight whiskey for years. “No, you said exactly enough.”

He stepped closer, and suddenly we were nose to nose, the air between us charged with desire.

“There aren’t any cameras here,” he said quietly. “No one watching. No one expecting anything. But I would really like to kiss you right now.”

My breath caught. “Then kiss me.”

He put the glass down on a table, taking mine as well. And then he turned back to look at me. I had not moved a muscle. I wasn’t sure I had even taken a breath.

He cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing my cheekbones. “This isn’t for show. This isn’t to prove anything to anyone.”

He kissed me.

Slow. Purposeful. Like he was savoring every second. His lips moved against mine with a tenderness that made my knees weak. I had to grab his shoulders to stay upright.

He made a sound low in his throat, his hands sliding from my face to my waist, pulling me closer. The hotel robes were soft between us, but I could feel the heat of him through the fabric. Could feel his heart beating as fast as mine.

“Melody,” he breathed against my lips. “Tell me this is okay. Tell me you want this.”

“I want this.” I pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. “I want you.”

Something shifted in his expression. The vulnerability from moments ago gave way to pure unadulterated need. It made my entire body flush.

“I’m all yours,” he said, and kissed me again.

This time there was nothing tentative about it. His mouth claimed mine with an intensity that stole my breath. His hands moved up my back, into my wet hair, tilting my head to deepen the kiss. I knew he was tall, but like this, he felt like a giant. His body was bent over mine as his mouth claimed me.