Page 105 of My Real Love Affair

“Don’t worry about the floors,” Austin said, reading my mind. “They can handle it. This place has seen rock stars and celebrities that like to party. I don’t think there is anything we can do that they haven’t.”

I walked further into the suite, my heels dangling from my finger. There was a living room with a couch that could seat ten people. A dining table that looked like it was carved from a single piece of wood. A bar area stocked with bottles I couldn’t even pronounce.

“This is insane,” I said, turning in a slow circle. “People actually stay here?”

“People with too much money and not enough sense.” He came up behind me, his hands settling on my shoulders. “Come on. Let’s get you out of that wet dress before you freeze.”

He guided me through the suite until we reached the master bedroom. The bed was enormous. King-sized didn’t even begin to cover it. It was draped in white linens without a single stain or yellowing. More floor-to-ceiling windows. A sitting area with chairs that looked too expensive to actually sit in.

But Austin led me past all of it, straight to the bathroom. And if I thought the rest of the suite was excessive, the bathroom was on another level entirely.

Marble everywhere. Double vanities with gold fixtures. A shower that could fit six people comfortably. And in the corner, a bathtub that was more like a small swimming pool, with jets and lights built into the sides.

“Holy shit,” I muttered. “We could have just gone swimming in here.”

“I know.” Austin was already pulling fluffy white robes from a heated towel rack. “It’s ridiculous.”

“That’s one word for it.”

He handed me a robe, and I held it against my chest, suddenly aware of how the wet silk clung to every curve of my body. Of how Austin’s tuxedo was plastered to him, revealing the lines of his shoulders and chest in a way that made my pulse race.

“I’ll give you some privacy,” he said, his voice rougher than usual. “Take your time.”

“Austin—”

“Yeah?”

I didn’t know what I wanted to say. Thank you? This is crazy? Please don’t leave?

“Nothing. Just thank you. For tonight. For all of this.”

His flashed a smile. “You don’t have to thank me, Melody. Thank you for hanging out with me and my crazy ideas.”

He left, closing the door behind him, and I was alone in the most ridiculous bathroom I’d ever seen. I peeled off the ruined dress and pulled on the plush hotel robe. I hung the dress over the shower rod to dry and walked out.

Austin had changed out of his tux and was wearing a matching robe. He was standing in front of the windows, staring out at the city. Gone was the easy laughter. The relaxed posture. I saw the tension in his shoulders.

“Austin,” I said gently. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine. What happened?”

He scoffed. “I think you know.”

I did know. I looked around the room, my eyes landing on the bar with the blue lights highlighting the many bottles.

“Let me make you a drink,” I said.

I was pretty sure this had something to do with the run-in with Cash. I got it. It was a drag to have Cash rain on our parade.

I studied the bottles and pulled one that I thought he might like. I made two drinks. Austin never said a word. He just continued to stare out the window. I carried the drink back to the windows and handed it to him. He took a drink and then another. I sipped mine and waited for him to talk.

“It’s just my brother. The way he looked at me. Like I committed some unforgivable sin by jumping in a pool.”

“He was worried about appearances.”

“He’s always worried about appearances. About the Bancroft name. About making sure I don’t embarrass the family.” His voice was tight now. “And tonight, I proved him right. Again. I’m the screwup. The disappointment. The one who can’t be trusted to attend a simple gala without causing a scene.”