CHAPTER FIVE

Danielle

I dropped my head back and stared at the ceiling. “If you must know, an ex stole my savings and my identity. I have spent the last four years trying to clear my name and get him prosecuted, and now I’m lucky enough to get a hundred bucks a month in restitution. He apparently spent the money he stole… or more likely, hid it… and spent thirty days in county. Bonus, he got three years’ probation. I, on the other hand, have a credit rating that’s in the toilet and have to use the credit card my daddy gave me in order to deal with emergencies, which this certainly is; however, I don’t really want him having to pay five-grand for a car that’s not even worth that much.” I groaned. I couldn’t believe I’d just shared all of that with a virtual stranger, particularly because outside of my family and the asshole who stole my money, Kim was the only other human being who knew the story. “Sorry. Too much information.”

“How much did he steal?” Austin asked…no, demanded.

“I’m sorry?”

“How much did the asshole steal from you?” He sounded angry.

“It’s not important,” I whispered.

“Dani. How much did he steal?”

“Fifty-four thousand, six-hundred, seventy-eight dollars and sixteen cents,” I blurted. “And that’s just what he took out of savings. He charged another sixty-grand to credit cards he opened in my name.”

“Fuck me. Seriously?”

“Seriously. I’d been saving for a house.” I felt tears slip down my cheeks as the memories of Steven’s betrayal flooded back. “Anyway, it’s not your problem. Um, I’ll talk to my dad and figure out what to do about my car. I really appreciate all your help. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. ’Bye.” I hung up and shoved my face into a throw pillow to scream. I didn’t have long to wallow in self-pity when the phone jingled in my hand. “Hello?”

“What was the bastard’s name?” Austin demanded.

“Excuse me?”

“The asshole who stole your money. What’s his name?”

“Why?”

“Babe, what’s his name?” he repeated, his voice pitched low.

“Steven.”

“Steven what?”

“No one.”

“Dani, give me his fucking name.”

“No,” I stressed. “It’s none of your business.” I heard him take a deep breath and then there was a knock at my door. I frowned. “I should go, there’s someone at my door.”

“Yeah, you should open it, darlin’.”

“I’m not opening my door at ten o’clock at night, Austin. Despite my persona, I’m not an idiot.”

He chuckled. “Open it, babe.”

I frowned and rose to my feet, making my way to the door, and peeking through the peephole. I hung up with a sigh and opened the door. “What are you doing here?”

Austin’s eyes did a full sweep of my body, and then he smiled and slid his hand to my neck. Pushing me further into the room, he kicked the door shut and leaned down to cover my mouth with his. He stroked my pulse as his other arm wrapped tightly around my waist and pulled me tight against him. His tongue pressed against my lips and I opened for him, my heart racing, my knees weak, and all I could do was grip his jacket and hold on for the ride.

It took a minute for me to come back to reality, and to my utter horror I remembered what I was wearing. Dark blue camisole with a shelf bra that did nothing to support my overly large breasts, a pair of ratty plaid pajama pants, my hair pulled into a messy bun on top of my head and not a stitch of makeup. I hadn’t brushed my teeth, probably had nasty wine breath, and here I was kissing the hottest guy on the planet who I’d just met less than three hours ago.

I pushed at his chest. You know, the one that felt like granite under my fingertips? He didn’t budge, so I pushed again.

“Not done, baby,” he said, smiling against my lips.

“But you need to be,” I whispered, admittedly, somewhat half-heartedly.

His hand slipped to my cheek as he leaned back and frowned. “Didn’t feel like I needed to stop, darlin’.”

I licked my lips and nodded. “But you do all the same.”

Austin stepped back with a smile.

I crossed my arms over my chest in an effort to hide the effect he had on my body. “What are you doing here?”

He shrugged as his eyes swept my apartment. “Nice place.”

“Thank you.”

“You live here when the asshole stole your money?”

I shook my head. “No. I had to move out of my other place. This place is way cheaper.”

“And you don’t want to live at home?”

“No,” I said. “I’m not running to my parents because I made an error in judgment. They raised me to be independent and being an adult means life sucks sometimes. They do what they can, which I’m very grateful for, but I need to work this out on my own.”

“How did you manage to get this place?”

“I know the owner.”

His eyes came back to me. “Meaning?”

I sighed. “Meaning, he knows I’m good for the rent, so he waived the credit check.”

Austin scowled. “Tell me his name.”

“The manager?”

He stepped toward me. “No.”

I rolled my eyes and tried to put distance between us. My back hit the wall of my tiny foyer. “I’m not telling you Steven’s last name, Austin.”

He gently grabbed my arm and pulled me back toward him. “I’m not leaving here until you do.”

I smirked. “Hope you like sleeping on a couch, then.”

Austin gave me his panty-dropping grin again. “Your bed’ll do just fine.”

“You are not sleeping in my bed, Austin.”

He chuckled. “We’ll see.”

“What are you doing here?” I asked again, trying to ignore his thumb stroking the pulse on my wrist.

“No fuckin’ clue.”

“We’re back to rude, I see.”

He laughed. “Shit, you’re funny.”

“I wasn’t trying to be funny.”

“I know, baby.”

I couldn’t stop a shiver. “Don’t call me ‘baby.’”

“You like it.”

“Doesn’t mean you should do it,” I challenged. “You’re gorgeous, you know you’re gorgeous, but the fact remains, I don’t know you and I don’t really know why you’re here.”

His smile grew. “I’m gorgeous, huh?”

“Poor choice of words, apparently.”

“Let’s stop talkin’, then.” He leaned down and kissed me again, and I couldn’t do anything about it. Don’t get me wrong, I could if I’d wanted to, but let’s be honest, I had never been kissed like this, let alone looked at the way he looked at me. He wasn’t anyone I would have thought would find me attractive. I was far more school librarian than biker chick and typically only received interest from nerds.

“What’s his last name?” he asked when he broke the kiss.

“Mills,” I answered, my eyes still closed, my breath still labored. “Crap!” I snapped when I came to my senses and looked up at him. He was once again grinning. “I mean, Millson,” I improvised.

“Nice try.” He stroked my cheek. “I’ll see you soon.”

“You will?”

He nodded. “’Night, baby.”

He kissed me one more time and then walked out the door, leaving me standing next to the door in shock. I closed the door, locked it, and grabbed my wine on my way to the kitchen. After dumping the glass, I dialed Kim.

“Hey, lady.”

“Ohmigod.”

“What?” she asked.

“You’re never going to guess what just happened.” I filled her in on my entire night, including details about Austin “Booker” Carver.

“He just showed up and then gave you a mind-blowing kiss?”

I nodded and realized she couldn’t see me. “Yes. Two,” I said… well, whispered with breathy desire is probably a better description. “Maybe three.”

“And he’s like a biker dude?”

“Yes.” God, again, breathy desire. I was losing it.

“Oh, honey, you’re screwed.”

“Crap? Am I?” I asked.

“Why did he want Steve’s name?”

“No clue, Kimmie. But he seemed pissed. Which is weird because he doesn’t know Steve… or me.”

Kim hummed, but didn’t say anything further.

“What?” I demanded.

“I think you’ve got a man who has decided to claim you.”

“What?” I asked. “What does that mean?”

“I think you should have Elliot check this guy out.”

“Kim! Stop speaking in riddles.” I shoved my wine glass in the dishwasher and slammed the door a little harder than I should have. “You know I’m not good at this kind of stuff.”

“Just have your brother do a background check on him, Dani. Then go from there.”

“Why do I need to get Elliot involved in this?”