Page 19 of My Real Love Affair

I would have an incredible story to tell Cleo tomorrow.

CHAPTER 7

AUSTIN

This wedding had gone from bullshit to the most entertaining thing I had done in months.

I guided my new date back out to the garden, acutely aware of every head that turned in our direction. I could practically see the gossip sites updating in real time.

Austin Bancroft spotted with mystery woman at Plume wedding.

Bancroft bad boy goes public with new romance.

Who is Austin Bancroft’s gorgeous new girlfriend?

Perfect.

But what made it even better? The expression on Cash’s face across the garden.

My brother stood near the bar, his jaw so tight I was surprised his teeth hadn’t cracked. His eyes tracked us like a sniper, and his whole body radiated the kind of controlled fury that would’ve sent most people running.

I’d never been most people.

I caught his gaze and gave him my most winning smile. The kind that saidI know exactly what I’m doing and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.

His expression got tighter. Tighter than his butt hole, which I was pretty sure was permanently clenched.

I felt like I’d just won the lottery.

“Who is that guy staring at us?” she asked.

“My big brother. The one who assigned me a babysitter.”

“He looks like he wants to murder you.”

“He always looks like that. It’s his resting asshole face.”

“Should I be worried?”

“Nah. He’s all bark. Mostly.” I squeezed her hand. “Besides, you’re with me now. You’re protected.”

She snorted. “Protected by a Bancroft. That’s either the safest or most dangerous position to be in.”

“Why not both?”

The band had started playing, and couples were making their way to the dance floor. I steered us in that direction. Summer was somewhere in the crowd, probably having a meltdown. Rodney caught my eye and gave me a thumbs-up, still holding Summer’s clutch like the idiot he was.

“So, I never properly introduced myself,” I said with one hand moving to her waist and the other taking her hand. “I’m Austin Bancroft.”

She rolled her eyes. Actually rolled them. “I know who you are.”

“Do you now?”

“Everyone knows who you are. You’re kind of infamous.”

“Infamous.” I grinned. “I like that better than famous. More mysterious.”

“More trouble, you mean.”