“Did she say she was there as your birthday gift?”
As he backed out of the parking space, his mind tried to recall her specific words. “I think so.”
“Man, I don’t know what to say. She didn’t come from me.”
Austin gritted his teeth. This couldn’t be right. Did he dream what had happened yesterday? No, he’d tasted her sweet lips all night long.
“Well, I want to find her. I won’t rest unless I know why she was in my penthouse.” He gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Derek, I know you can find her, too. I don’t know what it is about you, but you have a woman-radar. You know how to find the ones I like.”
Silence stretched on the other end of the phone. Austin waited for his friend to answer. During the wait, he tried to think of some bribes for his friend just in case he said no. Finally, a ragged sigh came from Derek.
“Fine. I’ll try and find her, but I need you to describe her the best you can. Tell me any of the outward flaws or interesting features she may have that will help me notice her.”
A smile stretched across Austin’s mouth. He couldn’t help it. Thinking about her, made him this way. “She’s very beautiful. Her wavy, jet black hair, tumbles over her shoulders to her lower back, and she has the most amazing brown eyes I’ve ever seen. Her hands are immaculately delicate with long nails, but not the fake kind women like to wear nowadays. She’s probably in her mid-twenties, and she’s about five foot, four inches tall, with very shapely legs. Her chest is not too large, yet not too small. And her body is toned—as if she works out a lot.”
Derek chuckled. “But that could describe a thousand of girls.”
“No, Brittany is one in a million. Her lips are slightly pouty, just the way a man likes just before he devours them, and she has a cute little button nose. Although her eyes are brown, they’re really not quite that color, but almost rusty instead.”
“Rusty?”
Austin’s smile widened the longer he pictured her. “I know it sounds funny, but when you see her, you’ll see what I’m talking about.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Besides having the best bod I’ve ever seen, I think I’ve covered every inch of her. When she came to see me, she wore a red, silk dress with a matching jacket. The skirt of the dress was short, showing off her shapely legs. Her hair had been pulled back in a bun. She looked like she was going to some fancy party. I don’t know if that will help you to find her, but that’s about all of it in a nutshell.”
“Thanks. Although I still expect it will be difficult to find her, I promise I’ll try really hard. I suppose I owe you one since I didn’t get you a birthday present.”
Austin chuckled. “Thanks, Derek.”
After Austin hung up, he thought about what he’d just said. Had he really sounded like a love-struck boy just now? Of course, somehow he’d led the poor woman astray, and he wanted a second chance at passion.
Unbeknownst to him, the woman had gotten under his skin, and he actually liked the feeling. But he couldn’t get soft at this crucial point in his life. Especially not now, since he’d be signing the papers to purchase the Sheridan Hotel tomorrow. He needed to stay focused and strong...then after everything was over, he could let the eagerness fill him again.
Today was already starting out good, and hopefully he’d have some better news after work.
~*~*~*~
Brittany took a fortifying breath as she smoothed out the tiny wrinkles from the fresh black slacks and lavender blouse she’d dressed in. This time she looked presentable to go to work. Although she’d told Kurt she’d meet him back at their office in one hour, her headache had grown worse, and she just couldn’t attempt to talk to him—or anyone—about what had happened with Austin Reeder. The moments of pleasure she’d had with Austin were too fresh, and she couldn’t face anyone.
However, today was a new day, and she’d put the past behind her and start over fresh. Now as she stood at the cement stairs leading into Seattle’s West Precinct, she hoped her body didn’t magnify the transgression she’d done with Mr. Reeder from the day before. Did she still look like a woman who’d just experienced the best kiss of her life? More importantly, did she look like someone who had been very attracted to a murder suspect?
As she walked into the building, her co-workers looked up at her, nodded a greeting, and then returned to their work. So far, so good. Meeting Kurt this morning would be different, she was sure.
He’d been on his computer when she walked into the room. His eyes were fixed on the monitor, and he twirled a lock of sandy colored hair around a finger. He did this unconsciously, and she’d always liked to tease him about it. But she wasn’t in the teasing mood today.
He didn’t notice her until she was almost to her desk. When his gaze met hers, he pushed away from his desk and stood. His tall frame stood over her by a good five inches.
“How are you feeling?”
She gave him a one-shoulder shrug. “Better, I think.”
“Are you ready to tell me what happened?”
She really wasn’t, but…she had to tell him at some point. “Yes.”
“Here?” He pointed to their desks. “Or somewhere in private?”
