Page 42 of Entangled
The driver’s door opens, and out hops the one and only Austin. He’s even better looking in real life. I stifle a squeal and hustle after Henry to meet my teenage idol.
I collide with his back when he stops short. He glances over his shoulder at me. “Do I need to worry about you getting all stalkerish?”
“Of course not.” I catch the fleeting look of jealousy in his eyes, so I seize the opportunity to push his buttons. “Why do you ask? Is there something wrong, Sir Grumpypants?”
“No. Just making sure you don’t maul him. And I’m not grumpy,” he mumbles.
Austin walks around the front of his car. “Hey there. How y’all doin’?”
“He’s in a mood, but I’m wonderful, thank you.”
Austin grins and holds out his hand to me. “You must be Rowan.”
“I am.” I shake his hand a bit too enthusiastically—he’s Austin-fucking-Pines after all— then flush with embarrassment. “Sorry. I’ve been a fan since middle school.”
“Nothin’ to be sorry about. It’s a pleasure to meet you, darlin’.”
“Your music helped me during a really shitty time in my life.”
His warm smile reaches his eyes. “I’m so happy to hear that. Thank you for listening.” He nods toward Henry. “So, why’s he in a mood?”
“I’m not.” Henry crosses his arms over his chest and glowers.
“He’s tired. And I didn’t have any coffee to give him.” And he may or may not be slightly jealous.
“Sounds about right.” Austin chuckles and claps Henry on his shoulder. “What do you say, man? How about we get that truck started, so you can drag your sorry ass to work?”
“Good plan,” Henry grumbles, his scowl even deeper than before.
Austin glances between us. “I’ll give you two a minute alone. It was nice meetin’ you, Rowan.”
“You, too.” I wait until he’s out of earshot and poke Henry in the center of his chest. “No, seriously, what’s your problem?”
“Don’t have one.”
I roll my eyes. “If you’re jealous, just say so.”
“Maybe I am.” He shrugs, but his clenched jaw is far from the lackadaisical act he’s trying to pull off. “Doesn’t change anything.”
“Does this?” I grip his face and pull him in for a scorching kiss. Teeth clicking, tongues tangling, I give him everything I’ve got. We’re both panting when I finally pull back. “Better now?”
“Yeah.” His gaze darts to the growing bulge below his belt before meeting mine again. “Much better.”
“Good. Will I see you tonight?”Please say yes.
He grimaces. “Unless you’re having something delivered, probably not. I’m already running late, and I’m sure I’ll be out until midnight. I also need to get a new phone at some point because I have no fucking clue what happened to mine.”
Disappointment slumps my shoulders. “Oh, OK. That makes sense. Well, I hope your day goes smoothly.”
“Thanks.” He tilts my chin up. “Don’t worry, Princess. I’ll be back.”
Damn right you will.“Drive safely.” I stand on my tiptoes to kiss him again.
This time he deepens the kiss and tightens his arms around me in a bone-crushing hug. As much as I hate the thought of him leaving, I feel much better about where we stand. Exactly where that is? I don’t know. But I do know this: I’d spend an eternity in his arms.
* * *
Eugene sniffs my pillows,growling and hissing when he catches Henry’s scent.
