Page 64 of Austin

The look in Edward’s cold eyes is not one of a man who is merely defending himself. It’s that of a ruthless elite who will stomp on anyone in his path. Even if it’s his own son.

I have known Austin for only a few weeks, but one thing I can guarantee you is, he is no liar. Now, I have no doubt that his father is all of those things Austin described and more.

“How dare you,” I say in a low tone to the man sitting beside me. “I don’t know you, Mr. Sexton, so with all due respect, forgive me when I say you are the most ignorant man I have ever met. And I was raised in a trailer by an alcoholic who liked to beat on children, so, yes, I have quite the experience.” My gaze wanders up onto Edward’s wrist and the Rolex resting comfortably in its obnoxious sapphire glory. “Austin is the reason you can wear a forty-thousand-dollar watch and buy your wife diamonds. I might not have worked at Sexton Media long, but in that time, I have yet to see or hear of Edward Sexton. What I have witnessed is the son you so equally dismissed as skirting from his responsibilities work to the bone to close deals and secure one of the most sought-after interviews in the country.”

“A few hours in the office hardly counts as to the bone,” Missy replies out the side of her mouth.

“A simpleminded man would take a day to do what Austin could accomplish in an hour. A dense woman would have her assistant do it,” I spit.

Edward lets out a low laugh that’s not really a laugh. It’s the most condescending sound I’ve ever heard. “You must be keeping this one up nice.”

“I don’t need to be kept by a man. I only choose those who are worthy.” I grab hold of Austin’s hand and grip it tight into mine. “A teenager who goes to college is hardly someone skirting from their responsibilities. A grown man who expects an eighteen-year-old to go to work to cover his slack is.”

“Watch it.” Edward seems to have forgotten his need to keep that fake smile running on his face for the sake of appearances.

I don’t stop. “A man who enrolls in the military to fight for our country is heroic. A man who wants to sell his business because he has no idea how to run it is a coward.”

This gets Edwards attention. “How do you know about the sale?”

“Your wife likes to talk,” Austin chimes in.

“I have every right to have you fired,” Missy says to me with a downward mouth.

Austin squeezes my hand as he stands up to his stepmother. “Try it, Missy.”

“You don’t want to try me,” she states coolly.

But Austin doesn’t seem to care. “If your threats were valid, you would have accomplished something already.”

“And for your first course …” The waiter is back with a huge tray and starts setting plates before each of us.

I think back, confused, only to realize we never ordered. The Sextons must preset everything. Regardless, it doesn’t matter.

“We’re not staying.” I stand from my seat, and Austin rises with me.

“You can’t just get up from the table like that.” Edward shifts as he looks over his shoulder.

Austin places a hand on my back. “If there’s one thing you need to know about Jalynn, it’s that she doesn’t take kindly to orders.”

“You tolerate that?” Edward sounds disgusted.

To my surprise, Austin grins. “I don’t just tolerate it; I fucking love it.” He places his other hand on me and runs his fingers down my arm as he escorts me away from the table. “Come on, baby. Let’s get out of here.”

“Where are we going?”

“To a race.”

15

AUSTIN

We drive to a warehouse where I keep my Camaro to switch cars and then drive to the race. When we pull up it’s the same magnetic hum, a simmering in the air that’s stewing like a volcano ready to burst with excitement. The crowd turns in my direction, and I wonder if Jalynn can read their thoughts as easily as I can—the fuck me eyes of women and the fuck you glares of men.

A strange sting hits me in the gut. Every girl here has tried to get with me, but I haven’t wanted a single one. The women I’ve bedded have all been the results of cocktail parties and bar nights. One-night stands and short flings have been my style, and I’m not ashamed I’ve even had a few restroom quickies where most of our clothing was still on.

I keep a change of clothes in my Camaro, so even though I was able to change after dinner tonight, Jalynn’s still looking unbelievable in that tight black dress that’s riding high on her thighs. It has me thinking about everything I want to do to her, how I want to savor every fucking inch of her.

I walk over to her side of the car, but she throws the door open before my hand is on the handle and stands.