Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
“Disco… When’s the last time you heard that term?” He chuckled as he looked down at me intimately, creating a private joke at Matt’s expense. “I’d like every day to be a disco if it means you’re going to dress this fancy and look so gorgeous.”
I smiled at him gratefully and snuggled in a little closer. A soft smile soaked into Camila’s expression as she watched us.
Matt’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And what is it you do…” His smile was condescending. “Forgive me for not knowing your name. Jacinta has forgotten to introduce us.”
“Austin,” he said as he stepped forward with his hand out. “I’m an investor, but I also deal in manpower and textiles, selling services and some wholesale products. It’s a family business, handed down, though my brother is heading up his leg of the organization from Wyoming.”
“I see,” Matt said, his gaze shrewd as he shook Austin’s hand. It was a look I’d seen a million times. He was sizing up Austin’s possible net worth. “Lucky our Jessie found someone like you so quickly. I worried she wouldn’t be able to make it on her own.”
Power surged from Austin. His gaze turned vicious. “All due respect.” His hand visibly tightened, and he yanked Matt a little closer. “She isn’t our Jessie,” he growled, and Matt’s eyes rounded. “She is my Jessie. Take care when you address her.”
“S-sure. Yes, fine,” Matt stammered, pain flaring in his eyes from the punishing grip.
Austin let go and leaned away, hugging me closer. As though none of that had just happened, he continued in a neutral tone, “I couldn’t have done it without her. She’s been integral in building our investor list.” His anger still burned bright through the bonds, but he’d smoothed it from his face. “She’s the co-leader of our organization.”
He looked down on me with a soft smile, his devotion to me evident. I knew it wasn’t just for show. I could feel the sentiment through our bonds. He was just making sure Matt saw it, too.
“Should you not put that in the kitchen?” Matt asked Camila in a sharp tone. “We’d hate for Jacinta’s hard work to melt.”
“Oh, actually, Austin made those.” I put a hand on his chest and smiled in pride. “He is excellent in the kitchen.”
Camila smiled tightly at Austin, apologized, and hurried away.
I watched her, memories of those hurried strides rising to the surface.
“I apologize, Austin,” Matt said, inching away but with squared shoulders. He wanted distance but was trying to save face. “We didn’t want to put you out. Jessie always made the desserts and things around here. She never did have an affinity for it, I guess. You weren’t too fond of it, were you, hon? That sort of thing shows in the finished product.”
“Then it’s a wonder why she didn’t have help.” Austin’s gaze was intense. “Don’t call her hon. I will not tell you again.”
His unbridled intensity pulsed through the room, coating my body in goosebumps. The threat was plain, and it was equally plain that he could carry out said threat with zero effort. He would play “easygoing” for many things, but someone being too familiar with his mate was a line he wouldn’t allow to be crossed.
THIRTEEN
Jessie
Heat coursed through me, my gargoyle responding. I ran my hand up Austin’s chest, not hearing Matt’s response. I only registered that he quickly crossed the room to exit toward what must’ve been the kitchen. I pulled Austin’s face down and captured his lips for a moment, sinking into his kiss.
“I love you,” I murmured before wrapping my arms around his neck for a hug.
“And I love you,” he replied as I finally pulled away.
It was only then I noticed Jimmy still standing by the couch.
“Sorry,” I said immediately, crinkling my nose at him. “Too much mushy stuff, I know.”
He shrugged. “It’s fine. It’s nice to see you happy. But…” He stepped closer, shooting a glance toward the kitchen. “He’s been livid since Mr. Tom dropped me off. He’s in one of those moods. It probably just got worse. Watch out.”
“What does that mean, one of his moods?” Austin asked.
“Jimmy, why don’t you…go see what they’re doing. We’ll be there in a minute,” I said, not wanting to have this conversation in front of my son.
He nodded and left before I tried to explain to Austin.
“Matt gets…like…intensely passive-aggressive. There’s no pleasing him. If you try to make it better, he belittles you. If you try to push back, he minimizes you until you feel like you’re in the wrong.”
“Is there physical violence?” Austin asked in a low, rough voice.
“No, nothing like that,” I said quickly. “It’s just… It’s a head-wreck. It’s what I was worried about in the car. It makes you feel like garbage, basically. It happened every so often when we were married. I tried to shield Jimmy from it as much as possible, but…he knows the signs.”