&nbs
p; “You don’t know me at all,” I told her as I stepped forward and took a deep breath. I hated what she was saying about Rebecca and North Reed. She didn’t know anything about any of it.
“Of course, I do. We were together, Austin.” She tried to smile, but it just looked twisted to me. “I got to know you so well over the time that we spent together.”
How could she know me? I didn’t even know myself all that well, even now. I hated the man she was describing to me, even though I knew that she had it right. It made me sick inside.
“You’re too good for North Reed, Austin. I did stop by and have dinner at your place in Dallas, which is more your style. The food was delicious, and I think we could have a little fun there before going back to New York as the power couple that we are.” She gave the room a disdainful gaze before she looked back at me. “I mean, this is the best hotel that I could find for miles. But a bed is a bed, right?”
“You will never have me in any bed again, Mia. We are through.” She walked toward me. This woman used to make me drop to my knees, but now I could only see Rebecca in my mind. I loved her and only wanted her. “We agreed that we were through.”
“I miss you, Austin. I miss what we had.” She tilted her head and gave me the big eyes that got her way most of the time.
“Can’t get into the good places without me, Mia?” I asked.
She shook her head slowly. “I am the top model in the world, Austin. I can do anything that I want in any part of the world, but I want you by my side. I’ve had my fun fucking other people while we were apart, but my heart is set on you. We’re so good together.” Mia gave me the smile that she gave the press that won them over, but it did nothing for me. I regretted hooking up with her at all now.
“I don’t want to be with you, Mia. I’ve told you that several times over the last few weeks, and you just don’t get it.” I watched as she reached behind her to unclasp the bra, releasing it to the floor as I closed my eyes. “Stop making a fool of yourself. You’re better than this.”
“I can take it all away from you, Austin. I could ruin you.” Mia’s voice drifted across the room. I shook my head with a bitter laugh.
“I’m a billionaire, Mia. You’re a model. How could you possibly do that? One deal didn’t take me off the map like you seem to think. I just had other things going on in my life.”
“I did some digging. I know what you had going on. It’s so good to know people in the same circles.” I opened my eyes to glare at her, focusing on her face as she reached up to squeeze her full, fake breasts. “Such a sweet donation to the library and the local hospital. Austin Harris is such a kind-hearted man when it comes to the shit town that he was raised in. You could give this town all of your money and it wouldn’t save it, in my opinion.”
She threw herself at me. Mia’s lips were on mine for a second before I struggled to push her away, brushing my hand over her hard nipple. She moaned playfully against me. I gripped her shoulders and shoved her away from me just as her tongue brushed my lips, breathing hard as our gazes locked. “Get the fuck away from me and North Reed, Mia. You’re fucking out of your mind, and I will never get back together with you.”
“I am going to ruin you, Austin.” Mia smiled as she spoke the words, but there was pain in her eyes. “Mark my words.”
“Fuck you, Mia. I’m done with this.” I pushed her away completely and left the room, slamming the door as I walked out to my car. Why did I ever think that hooking up with her was a good idea?
Chapter Thirty-Six
Rebecca
Austin surprised me with a visit to the salon at the end of my shift, inviting me to dinner that evening. The women loved it and greeted him with warm smiles as they all shot me private looks that made me blush. I told them good night as he rushed me out, and I followed him to the steakhouse for a good meal.
“Austin, you seem a little keyed up,” I said as we sat down at our table. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I just wanted to see you,” he told me as he scooted closer and leaned in to kiss me softly. I appreciated this version of him after Saturday and kissed him back with a soft smile. His hands were all over me the entire meal, and I felt my desire rising through dinner. He kept kissing my lips and my neck. It wasn’t lost to me that most of the restaurant was keeping a close eye on us, but I was too lost in Austin to care.
He paid the check with a few bills and rushed me out of the restaurant to kiss me breathless by the car. “What has gotten into you?” I asked.
He pulled away and stared into my eyes. “I love you, Rebecca. That’s what’s gotten into me.” He sneaked another kiss, and my underwear dampened a little more. “Meet me at your place. I’d like to spend the night with you, Rebecca.”
“I’d love that.” I smiled at him and turned to walk back to my car, shaking my hips just a bit more than I normally would. I heard him whistle and laughed as I unlocked my door. We drove to my house, and I parked in the garage while he took the driveway so he could get back to his parents in the morning.
Once we were inside, Austin pressed me against the door and claimed my mouth hungrily. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer to me, needing this. I’d been so tense since Saturday, and a good, hard fuck would do me well right now.
Austin backed me up slowly and slipped my coat off as he kept kissing me. I did the same as I bumped into the couch and then ripped at the buttons on his shirt.
“I want you so bad,” I whispered.
He lifted me against him and carried me to my bedroom. Austin let go of me enough to let me slide down his muscular body and add even more to my lust before he ripped my shirt over my head. I gasped as he tore at the clasp of my bra and slid it back over my shoulders. He cupped me in his big hands. I moaned as he brushed against my nipple with his thumb.
“I love you,” Austin murmured. “I never should have left you behind.” He lowered me to the bed. “I’ll always regret that, Rebecca.” His lips traced my jaw before moving down my neck.
I smiled. That suggested to me that he didn’t want to go back to New York after all. Austin unbuttoned my jeans and slid them down my thighs, taking my soaked panties with them.