Every December [Soon to be Self Published]

Chapter 6

Austin

To say that I have opportunities for one-night stands is an understatement. To say that Hartley didn't have the same chances is laughable. Still, I do what any guy in my position would do. Type in my phone, 'Lydia Caley Annapolis.'

There she is. The links take me to her professional info. She is who she says. Slight smile on that mouth. Hair meant to be messy after sex. Alluring eyes. This is a mindfuck I am supposed to be alone. Not thinking about how Lydia looks beneath her clothes. Her warm skin. Her soft mouth. To be Austin, minus the fame.

If only I had insisted on driving her to her friend's house.

But that moment on the couch? Lydia's lips were achingly close and tempting me beyond sanity, surprised even me. All I wanted was to feel her mouth on mine. To take. To taste. To know the slide of her tongue wrapping around mine.

Tension spreads beneath my skin. The feel of her hands on me, needing me, pushing into my skin. No cameras. No one waiting for a statement. She required my full attention because she thinks I'm a guy named A.J. Whatever the case, she shouldn't be alone tonight with her ankle. While she's getting x-rays, I have business I should have done two days ago.

Checking my phone...no Lydia yet.

Time to make a snap decision. A quick stop to Target. Hurry through the store. No eye contact. Pick up three different chargers because Lydia had mentioned she didn't have one. Just because the lone backpack. Brielle would be desperate for clothes. Does Lydia even have a change of clothes? No idea what size my houseguest is. Brielle is petite, way too skinny and a bony cheeks. Lydia still a lightweight but taller with more give, more curves, and breasts I might have wondered about beneath her top. Hips my hands dug into. Hips made for gripping.

My gaze drifts to a woman staring at me and I turn my back to her and find myself surrounded by an explosion of sweaters and leggings in horrible patterns like cats with Santa hats and snow globes. All of it gets a huff and an eye roll. Lydia gets black leggings and plain sweaters courtesy of a man preferring lace that rips and silk that crumples in my fist.

The screen on my phone lights up. I answer it before more of Lydia invades my thoughts. The number belongs to my cleaning lady. "Yes?" I say with a huff.

"Austin. It's Meg."

"Meg." Shoot. I forgot. "Sorry. You were supposed to come over today, weren't you?"

"Are you okay? We're here, anyway and you're not."

"Sorry, something came up. Can we reschedule?"

"The earliest I can get there is next week. I'm booked. Holiday parties and all."  

"Next week is fine." After being sick, the place could use a good cleaning. Meg has been scouring my house since I bought it. "I apologize I wasn't there."

"Save your apologies. Things happen. And-I hope you're feeling well, Austin."

She doesn't say more. She rarely comments on my profession. The fact that she mentioned something means she's keeping up on the rumors.

Since there's no update from Lydia, I go back home. Lydia's backpack is off the side of the driveway and stop the car and jump out to grab it. I should have done this earlier. We were in a hurry.

I carry everything inside to the guest room and open the zipper on her backpack, accidentally losing my grip and her world spills out. A tiny clank clank clank-something skidding across the floor. My eyes follow the sound to the piece of jewelry. A diamond ring.