THREE
Austin wiped the steamed mirror in the bathroom after he’d taken a shower the next morning. Once the glass cleared and he could see his reflection, he frowned. He hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep last night, and it was all Brittany’s fault. Or perhaps, it was Derek’s fault. His friend had set Austin up, for his own entertainment, when he’d specifically asked him not to. Because of that—and the way the date had ended—Austin couldn’t sleep.
Could Brittany have been Derek’s birthday joke? Austin wouldn’t have put it past his friend. But one way or another, he needed to know now. He also needed to find Brittany and apologize.
As he dressed, his head replayed everything that had happened yesterday afternoon, and one question stood out more than the others. If she hadn’t been from Derek, then why had she come to see him? Andwhywas the door opened, as she had mentioned? He’d locked the door before going in to take a shower…hadn’t he? But he’d been so tired, it was likely he’d forgotten.
With a deep sigh, he groaned. He needed to talk to Derek—today if possible. Lately, the women Derek found for Austin was just what he’d wanted. He wasn’t interested in a serious relationship. The type of women he dated were mainly one-night stands. But his friend had mentioned playing a joke on him…
Austin fisted his hands. Was Brittany the joke? Was she sent here to get him interested enough to want to see her again, and again, and again? Curse Derek if that was his plan.
Without wanting them to, old feelings resurfaced. Emotions he had buried years ago. Gnashing his teeth, he thought back on his painful past. Why had he been so enthralled with Brittany, to the point that he couldn’t stop thinking about her? Women were only good for one thing. Not only did his fiancée teach him this painful lesson several years ago, but his very own mother had proven to him women could never be trusted.
Austin’s brain must have been running on empty yesterday due to exhaustion. That’s the only reason he’d acted in such a way.
He wrapped the tie around his neck and proceeded to tie it as he stared in the full-length mirror in his room. Once again, images of Brittany haunted him. She’d kissed him so passionately, how could he forget such an earth-shattering moment? Her long, black hair glided like silk against his fingers, and her amazing rusty brown eyes had darkened mere seconds before they’d kissed.
She’d certainly accomplished making him feel so much desire for her in such a short amount of time. He had his share of women over the past fifteen years, but none of them had stayed on his mind like Brittany had. The question waswhy?
He’d thought she was different, but he couldn’t put his finger on what exactly made her that way. A smile tugged on his lips. Immediately after meeting her, he could tell she was more refined, mainly by her actions.
Right after work today, he’d seek out the answers he needed. He’d contact Derek, and if he couldn’t get in touch with his friend, he’d certainly look for Brittany. He wanted another chance at her charming presence, and definitely her sultry kisses. No way could he let that beautiful woman hate him.
Pursuing Brittany would be a challenge, but one he was willing to take on. He needed a little excitement in his life, and this would definitely be the key.
He grabbed his keys, his cell, and his wallet, and then headed downstairs. During the ride on the elevator, he realized he couldn’t wait until after work to talk to Derek. He must call him now.
Austin dialed his friend’s number and waited for him to answer.
The other line clicked on. “This is Derek.”
“Hey, it’s Reeder. I want to thank you for your birthday gift.”
There was a lengthy pause on the other end of the phone instead of the laughter Austin had expected.
“What birthday gift are you talking about?”
Austin chuckled. “You know what I’m talking about. I have to admit, though, she’s one sensual woman. I’m surprised you didn’t keep her for yourself.”
“Reeder, I’m serious. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Confusion filled his head. “I’m talking about Brittany—the woman you sent me yesterday afternoon.”
“I didn’t send you a woman.”
“Quit joking. I know she came from you. In fact, she told me you had sent her.”
“Reeder, I don’t have any women friends named Brittany.”
The elevator doors opened and he walked out, into the underground parking. His nearly new, cherry red, Porsche was parked in his normal space. “She goes by Britt. She’s about five foot, four inches tall. Her body is very slender, but toned. Her eyes are brown and she has long, black hair.”
“Are you kidding me?” Derek snipped. “Reeder, I promise, I didn’t send anyone to you. You told me not to because of your business deal…so I didn’t.”
Finally, Austin realized his friend was telling the truth. His gut clenched and confusion filled his head. “How can that be?” he shouted as he clicked open his car and climbed in. “She was at my place yesterday. I asked her if you sent her and she said yes.”
“She’s lying! I didn’t send her. I swear it.”
Austin closed the door and started his car. “So if you didn’t send her, who did?”
