by Claire Adams
I settled under my covers once the phone was quiet, imagining the time that we’d spent together with a big smile. I was going to enjoy this to the fullest because there wouldn’t be another man like Austin in my future. Not living here in North Reed. I looked forward to Christmas over there with a loving family and even his assistant, who I had yet to meet.
I turned onto my side and breathed in the spicy scent of the cologne that Austin wore, smiling to myself. I let myself relax enough to fall asleep.
Chapter Nineteen
Austin
I met up with Preston in his hotel room to go over the deal. We’d both slept in today. He showed up at my parents with some beer the night before. Preston was up before I was and in contact with the folks in Singapore.
I sat at his desk, sipping a bottle of water, and looked at his laptop. “So how does it look now?”
“They seem to be coming to their senses. I don’t think you’ll have to go running off anywhere all of a sudden. I wouldn’t want you to miss Christmas with your family.”
“I don’t think Mom wants that either,” I said as I looked at him. “She didn’t even bat an eyelash when you showed up with that six pack, and she doesn’t even like alcohol in the house. You’ve won her over.”
Preston held up his hands. “I had no idea, Austin. I never would’ve shown up with it if you warned me.”
I shrugged. “She got over it quickly once you dropped that accent on her. Did you have to charm my mom? I half expected her to offer to run away with you.”
“She is way too in love with your father. That much was clear. I also noticed how much she’s missed you. She was happy because you were last night.” Preston said.
I nodded and reached for my water. I wanted some coffee since I still felt tired.
“You seem much more chipper here, lighter,” Preston said. “I think being home in North Reed suits you.”
“It’s definitely a slower pace here. I can sit outside and just breathe in the fresh air, you know? There isn’t that sound of traffic and people all goddamn day and night. There’s less complication here and no Mia.”
I explained that she called me, asking to get back together, but I told her no.
“That is a very good thing,” Preston said. “Mia is definitely trouble. And the girls here seem sweet and genuine. Not like the women in the city. You never really know what those women are after. Maybe that’s why you’re so happy here, seeing that you’re spending time with Rebecca.”
I stared at him. “How do you know anything about Rebecca?” I wanted to ask how he knew anything about any of the local women, but Preston merely smiled at me.
“I have been to Jake’s a few times and people talk. I heard all about how you and she used to be together back in school. Once you two went shopping together at the market, that sealed the deal.” My mouth dropped open, and he chuckled. “I saw the two of you driving by as I was leaving this week, as well. I did the math.”
“You went to Jake’s Bar and Grill? That place is straight up country. How the hell did you even survive in there?”
Preston laughed. “The accent works on the waitresses. I just settled in and got to talking. I like the vibe there, Austin. You don’t need to know anyone to get in, there’s no cover, and the drinks are cheap. It’s easy.” Preston smiled. “The lads had a lot of questions about you. They wanted to know all about New York and the women. I guess you were on the news with the deal, and they asked me a ton of questions about that.” I frowned at him. “I didn’t offer too much. I know you like your privacy when you can get it.”
“Thank you,” I said sincerely, appreciating that he didn’t tell them everything.
“It was my turn to ask questions when Rebecca came up in the conversation,” Preston added. “She sounds like a sweet girl.”
“She is. She and her sister are coming to Christmas dinner with us.”
He sat down and stretched. “Very nice. I can’t wait to meet them. Is this the sister who works at the local library? I’m proud of you for using your money for good, Austin. That was selfless of you. Small town living suits you.”
“I’m not staying,” I assured Preston.
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Does she know that?” His voice was serious as he looked at me.
“I’m not making her any promises, Preston. I wouldn’t do that to her.” He nodded. “She’s a good woman, and I’m not going to lie to her.”
“Just stay on the same page. You have a history with her, and I sense that it’s a rather intense one. Don’t let the feelings get out of control with Rebecca.” Preston reached for his own water.
“I know. I’ve thought of all of that. She’s just not like Mia or any of the others.”
I didn’t know where I stood with Rebecca. I didn’t know if I wanted to leave her in a few weeks without any chance of seeing her again. I didn’t know what the fuck I wanted to do.
“You seem happy here. Your family seems happy with you being here. If you wanted to, you could still do business remotely from here and travel as needed.”
I shook my head. “Not with this new deal. That’s going to make me have to leave North Reed, as well as America in general.”
“So, maybe you offer Rebecca a new life altogether? Would she go for that?” Preston asked me.
I frowned. “She’s a small-town girl, Preston. She loves this town, and now her sister is going to be staying here. I can’t imagine her packing up and leaving to go to New York, much less anywhere else. I just need to enjoy the time that I have before I go back to reality.” I shrugged again and rolled my neck. “Want to go and get some coffee? I am wiped out.”
We both grabbed our phones, and I drove us to the local coffee shop. Preston walked inside and took in the various couches and tables, along with the books that lined the shelves. “This is nothing like the corner Starbucks in the city, is it?”
“No. This place begs for you to make yourself comfortable and stay a while. They have great pastries, too.” I led him to the front counter, and the moment he spoke to order, the eyes of the two teenage girls went wide.
“I’ve never heard an accent like that in real life,” the blonde said. “Nobody comes to North Reed.”
The brunette beside her spoke up. “That’s Austin Harris, Brittany. He went to our high school.” She looked from Preston to me and blinked. “You live in New York, don’t you?”
“I do.” I held a finger to my lips. “Don’t tell anyone that I’m here. I’m visiting my family and want a break from the press. Can you do that for me?” I winked at her and gave her my crooked smile that always got my way.
“Sure, Mr. Harris.” The girls took our orders, and one went to make the drinks while the other rushed to get the pastries. I dropped a generous tip into the purple jar and waited with Preston at the end of the counter, before taking our cups and plates to a table near the roaring fire.
I sipped the strong brew gratefully and closed my eyes. “I used to come here in high school with Rebecca a lot. We’d order coffee and just talk and laugh for hours. Sometimes, some of our friends would come with us.” I smiled at the memory of holding her hand under the table, both of us thinking about finding somewhere private to go where we could fool around.
Rebecca was great back then, and now she was an animal in bed. How the hell was I supposed to leave that behind?
“It sounds like a good way to grow up. I didn’t live in a large town myself. This reminds me a little of it, though I’d forgotten all about that life once I moved to New York.” Preston looked at me. “I don’t think it would be a bad choice to stay here, Austin. Your family could use your help, and they damn sure don’t want your cash as much as they want you. I noticed that within a few hours.”
“I know. Preston. I fucking know that. I offered to find someone to take care of the house and yard for them, but Mom said Dad wouldn’t have it. He’s got a bad heart and is supposed to be taking it easy. He looked so tired the other night. I worry that
he’s pushing himself too much.” I shook my head. “I have so much going on already. What am I supposed to do?”
“I can’t answer that for you. Sleep on it and spend the next few days with the people you care about the most. It’s entirely possible that you’ll be fine leaving in another week or so.” Preston’s eyes looked worried. “Just don’t lead any of them on. Don’t make promises that you can’t keep.”
“I know,” I said, and I reached for my cup. “I know.”
I worried about Rebecca and my family, but what about the promises I needed to keep to myself? What path should I take for my own well-being?
Fuck me.
We finished the pastries and drinks and waved to the girls before we left. Preston chuckled as we walked out the door, admitting that he’d slept with a girl the first night he went to Jake’s. Preston wasn’t as cocky as I used to be with women, and he treated them well, but when he told me her name, I responded with laughter. It was the girl who Rebecca had been jealous of back in school, and she was quite easy, from what I’d heard.
“I hope you used protection. She has a reputation around town, and you will be the big story among her friends now. I hope that you can live with that.”
“I will take pride in it. She was a cheeky girl, and we had a great time. I have no regrets.” Preston grinned at me. “Will you?”
“No. No matter what happens, Rebecca is terrific. Reuniting with her is worth all of it, even if I end up leaving again. I mean, I live in New York. My business is there. What options do I have?” I stared at him. “I asked her to come with me before, when I went to college. I was willing to give her everything that she wanted if she would live that life with me. The only thing Rebecca wanted was to stay here with her family, Preston. She wanted to stay a small-town girl. I don’t think that’s changed this many years later.” I shook my head. “I saved the library to make Rebecca happy, but now I know that it will keep her here.”
“Just enjoy every moment that you have here. Think about everything and decide later, since you aren’t leaving right away. Life has a way of changing when you least expect it.” Preston shrugged. “Don’t run from it. Embrace it. You aren’t the same boy who left North Reed, Austin, and you don’t need to think like him.”
I dropped him off at the hotel, telling him to let me know if anything changed. I drove past Rebecca’s house, seeing all her lights out, and continued home. Once I was home, I got out and stood in the driveway. I looked at the soft layer of snow over the countryside and breathed in the fresh air. I compared it to New York and admitted that I loved both places.
What was I going to do?
Chapter Twenty
Rebecca
I was glad that I decorated for the holidays at the last minute with Kim after all. My heart wasn’t in it at first. I’d been so worried about Kim and the fact that my parents weren’t going to be here. I hadn’t exactly been filled with Christmas cheer.
That changed when Austin showed up out of nowhere, and we seemed to have the same connection as before. I felt so much better about the holidays and seeing his family again just made me remember the good times here.
Now, it was Christmas Eve, and every Christmas light was on in the house. Austin cooked for me, filling my kitchen with amazing smells. I sipped on a glass of wine and watched him. I thought he was sexy before, but seeing him cooking lobster tails and veggies in my kitchen was a complete turn on for me.
Before he left, he could barely throw together a grilled cheese sandwich, even though his mom was one of the best cooks in the world. I used to tease him so much about that. Now, here he was making me lobster. I was drinking some of the best wine I’d ever had, courtesy of his shopping trip before coming over. I felt like a spoiled girl for a change. I smiled as he gave the tray of Brussel sprouts in the oven a quick shake.
Austin didn’t need to do all of this. I loved him already. Didn’t he know that?
“When did you start cooking? I don’t remember it being your thing when you were here before.”
He grinned at me. “Another perk of living in New York. I go out to eat a lot, and I got to know some of the great chefs after a while. We got to the point where they’d show me how to fix some of their specialties in their kitchens or even their homes. I paid attention. Cooking with Bobby Flay is an amazing experience.” His voice was filled with awe.
“Bobby Flay?” I asked. “Who’s that?”
He looked at me with a raised eyebrow. “Don’t you watch the Food Network?” Austin asked.
I shook my head slowly. “Is that a show?”
Austin barked out a laugh. “It’s a channel. Do you have cable, Rebecca?”
I bit my lip. I felt so out of touch next to Austin. I sipped my wine, needing the liquid courage. “Dad got some kind of streaming box thing. It’s not cable, but it works through the Wi-Fi here.” I waved my hand vaguely. “I might have that channel, but I don’t watch too much television. I read more than anything.”
“As you’ve always loved to do,” he teased me. He opened the oven and pulled out the tray full of Brussels sprouts and bacon. “I am going to get you into some of my things, Rebecca. Mark my words.”
Austin took two plates from the cupboard and set them down. Then he set the massive lobster tails on them and heaped some of the vegetables next to them. He’d also fixed a simple salad, and he put some of that on the plate and drizzled some dressing over the lettuce.
The final addition was a small dish of something that he brought to the table, placing it between where we would be sitting. Austin set the plates on the table and lit the candles that he’d brought over.
He looked over at me. “Ready to eat?”
“I am. Everything looks amazing.” I smiled shyly as I walked over to the table, pressing down my long black skirt that I’d paired with a red sweater.
After everything we’d done together since he came back, there was no question this was a date. I wanted to impress him, even though I didn’t think it would be enough to convince him to stay with me. I wished that were the case, but I went with Kim’s plan and took it one day at a time. I was going to enjoy every moment I had with Austin.
“I don’t think I’ve had any of these dishes before, other than salad,” I said.
“Well, I think you’re in for a treat,” Austin said. He took his seat and cracked open his beer. “This is the only part of the meal that’s North Reed.” He winked at me.
I laughed and took my own seat. “I am glad to see you still have that part of you,” I said as our eyes locked.
“Always,” he drawled.
Heat flooded my thighs. I swallowed thickly and sipped the wine again, letting the alcohol slide down my throat. I took my fork and stabbed one of the Brussel sprouts, before popping it in my mouth. They looked burnt on the outside but tasted incredible. The nutty taste combined with the bacon for a wonderful flavor.
“Oh my God,” I moaned around the bite as I chewed it.
Austin smiled at my reaction. I broke off some of the lobster and looked at the bowl of melted butter. I frowned at him. “What do I do?”
“Dip it in there. I mixed it with a little bit of garlic.”
I lowered the chunk of lobster into the bowl and ate it. The meat was sweet, and the butter was rich and garlicky. It was a perfect contrast.
“This is so good. I never thought that it would be so good. I’ve always seen it on the menu at places, but I thought that it must be expensive since there was no price. What does market price mean anyway?”
Austin chuckled at my question. “It just means that the price changes with the availability of the lobster. It’s a little expensive but so worth it to me.” He watched me take another bite with a tender expression.
“Is it expensive at the store, too?” I asked him.
He chewed a Brussel sprout slowly. “Yeah.” I opened my mouth, but he continued to speak. “Are you still able to come to Christmas tomorrow? Both you and Kim?”
“We’
re looking forward to it,” I assured him.
Austin grinned. “Good. I got you something, and it’s waiting under the tree.”
I blushed and turned my attention back to the meal. I enjoyed every bite of it and licked my lips before I spoke again. “I loved the meal. I loved that you went through all this effort for me, Austin. You don’t need to impress me, though.”
“I learned to cook this stuff to impress the chefs, Rebecca. I am glad that you like it as well, but it’s just cooking.” Austin shrugged.
“Just cooking? That’s the fanciest meal I’ve ever eaten. Nobody has ever done anything like this for me.”
He smiled and shook his head. “I’m not trying that hard, Rebecca. It’s just dinner.”
I stood and took the plates to the sink to wash them. He joined me and helped as we shared a long look. “If I wanted to impress you more,” he said. “I’d take you to dinner somewhere in my private jet.”
I laughed and stared at him. “Seriously? You have a private jet?”
“It’s cheaper than flying commercial to meet with clients,” Austin said. “I just bought a slightly used plane and have a guy to fly it whenever I need to go anywhere. He could be here in a matter of hours to pick us up.”
I stared at him. “Wow. You are rich, aren’t you?” I smiled at him, and he kissed me. “I mean it though. You don’t have to impress me. I never stopped loving you to begin with, Austin.”
He set the glass down he’d been drying and pressed me into the counter with a hungry kiss. I didn’t need to hear him speak to know how much my confession affected him. His hands locking me in front of him told me everything. His mouth told me by the way he claimed me, and I slipped my arms around his neck to pull him closer.
Our mouths met in slow, deep kisses. We molded closer together, and my body ached for him. As much as I tried to take this one day at a time, the way I wanted him made me weak inside.
Austin reached around to cup my ass, and he lifted me. I wrapped my legs around him, and my skirt slid up. He moved us to the bedroom. I kept kissing him, needing this connection as our tongues met again.
