He cupped her chin in his hand and deepened the kiss, his tongue thrusting into her mouth and swirling around hers. He tasted of sweet coffee, and she moaned as his tongue led hers in a sensual dance, probing and thrusting.
His fingers tightened in her hair, and he swallowed her groan of pleasure as he held her chin firmly. She couldn’t move, she was deliciously trapped, and she could have lain there kissing him until she died.
An annoying whine cut through the air.
“Savannah! We’re out of chocolate torte! Your mom says to come make more!” It was Anthony. And she was going to murder him. And her mother had probably sent him to make sure that Savannah wasn’t doing exactly what she was doing right now.
Austin rolled off her with a groan and sat up.
“Don’t come to the barbecue tonight,” Savannah said, her voice husky. She scrambled to her feet, brushing pine needles off her clothing.
Austin slowly climbed to his feet as well. “Wow.” He shook his head, his voice laced with hurt. “I’m that bad of a kisser?”
Savannah blinked away sudden tears and looked away. “I didn’t say you were bad. It’s just…you and me? It isn’t real. And everyone I know will be there, and this is a small town where people remember things forever.” Savannah’s heart pounded in her chest. If Austin made fun of her, she’d kill him. Or worse, actually cry.
“Listen.” His voice went gentle. “I have some more money I’m going to bring – half of the take from all the marks I stole from you. Sixteen thousand dollars. If you don’t want me to stay tonight after I drop off the money, I’ll leave. And tomorrow, I’m gone. For good. I’m actually leaving the state of Washington, and I won’t be back. I just…I’d like to have dinner with you. If you want to.”
She stared at him, utterly speechless. There was a look on his face she’d never seen before. A haunted look. It stung her to her very soul, as if his pain were her own.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he said, and walked off.
She had a feeling that she knew where he was going tomorrow.
He was going after Roy. And he thought it would be the death of him.
For the first time, she felt uneasy, a chill settling over her and trailing icy fingers of fear down her spine. Goosebumps pebbled her skin, despite the summer heat. If Austin didn’t think he could survive Roy, what chance didshehave?
