I playfully shoved his shoulder with my foot. I was lying on the couch with my head propped up on the arm rest while he sat across from me, massaging my feet. I’d just finished telling him all about my day—and I only went off the rails once. Go me.
“Yes, my love?” He had that sparkle in his eyes that told me he was going to start trouble.
“You’re not supposed to say that. You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I am on your side.”
He wrapped his hand around my ankle and tugged gently so I was lying flat on my back. My squeal turned into a giggle as he crushed me under his body weight.
“I’m always on your side. Which is why I’m okay if he wants to listen.”
I felt his smirk as he buried his face in my neck.
“Well, I don’t want him to. My noises are for you and you alone.”
He groaned, hands sliding under my shirt. “Fuck baby, you always know just how to rile me up.”
I laughed. “Breathing in your general direction is usually enough to rile you up.”
He tsked. “Still with that fucking attitude. I’m going to have to do something about that.”
He peeled my shirt over my head, kissing down my neck, chest, stomach, until he reached the waistband of my leggings.
“You can try, but it hasn’t worked yet. Plus, I think you like my attitude. Imagine I just did everything you said, how boring would that be?”
“True, then I’d have no excuse for all the naughty things I plan to do to you.”
He reached for the front of my leggings. I pulled away and rolled off the couch, crouching just out of his reach.
“Oh no. You’re not ripping another pair of leggings. I was pissed about the fleece ones you tore off me like a fucking animal.”
“I know, but you were so good you didn’t say anything,” he praised me, moving off the couch. His grin was wicked. “Youkept your mouth shut just like I’d asked.” He inched forward, I inched back. “Didn’t I reward you for it?”
“Those leggings were two hundred fucking dollars, Austin. You’re lucky I let you do anything to me after that, let alone kept my mouth shut.Two hundred fucking dollars.”
“You want a new pair?” He stood and stepped forward; I stood and stepped back. “How many? One? Two? Ten? Tell me and it’s yours. Anything you want.”
“With what money? You’re dead.”
“The money my grandmother left me is in an account under the name my mother wanted to give me. It’s completely legit and no one knows about it. Not even Eva.”
“You have a whole other name? What is it?”
“Austin Wintershade. According to the letter, my mom wanted to combine their last names but my father freaked, something about an affront to his manhood.”
“What name does Eva know?”
“Matthew Winters. The only document I have with Austin on it is my birth certificate. My dad hated the name and wanted it removed from everything.”
“I like Austin better. It suits you.”
“Hm. I like the way you say my name.”
He stepped forward, I stepped back. He couldn’t distract me from the fact we were having this conversation because he was trying to rip off my leggings a minute ago. He laughed and shook his head.
“Why are you running away from me?”
“Because we’re having a conversation, and if you get any closer you’re going to jump me. Why didn’t you change your name, then? If you like it better?”
