He certainly wasn’t shy, and had no problem with confidence.
His fingers ran up through my hair, raking it gently, and then tenderly drew down the length of my neck to my shoulder. Breaking free from our kiss, he brushed my hair off of my shoulder and leaned in, nibbling and sucking on my neck. Everything inside of me went weak, feeling his warm breath, his mouth, and his fingers back in my hair. He had me if he wanted, there was no way I could turn off what I was feeling in the moment.
“You’re a sexy woman, Kate,” he mewed, as he enticed me with more kisses.
All he had to do was snap his fingers and my clothes would be off. There was no going back; I was drawn in like a bee to honey. I wanted him, desperately wanted him, and tried like crazy to reel it in, but it wasn’t happening.
When the banging at the door started, I groaned, knowing what it meant. His voice soon followed, “Kate, it’s Nick, let me in.” Of all the times for this to happen…
“I’m sorry,” I said, pulling away. “I’ll take care of this.” Fuck you, Nick, you just interrupted me at the wrong moment.
Austin followed me to the door. Opening it, he stood behind me. I started to tell him he needed to go home, only, before I could get the words out, Nick lunged, “What the hell? Who are you?”
Shit. Nick was drunk, “Get away from my girl,” he slurred and swung. He connected, but just barely. He was a big guy, so I panicked, hoping he wouldn’t hurt Austin.
I was amazed watching Austin move. It took him less than a minute to have him fully restrained, his arms tucked up behind him and his head pulled back. “Apologize to the lady,” he said, refusing to let him go. I guess that military training paid off – wow.
“Fuck you,” he spat out violently, trying to unhook from the hold.
“Apologize to the lady,” Austin said, his tone now firm. Using his knee, he jammed behind Nick’s leg, I heard a grunt. “I said apologize to the lady.”
“I’m sorry,” he forced out.
“Your services are no longer needed,” Austin said. “Is that understood? She said it’s over, and you don’t seem to get that.”
Austin turned and looked at me, “Is it over?”
I nodded, “Yes.”
“It’s over, see that buddy. It’s time for you to leave. I’m going to let you go. If you give me any trouble, I won’t be so gentle with you next time,” he growled.
Austin let him go. Nick shook it off, looked at me, looked at Austin, and then groaned. “She’s all yours buddy, I don’t want her anyway,” he said walking away, trying to hold it together.
Closing the door behind him, I turned to Austin, “I’m so sorry.” I was mortally embarrassed, my heart racing, full of adrenalin. How could Nick pick tonight of all nights?
“Not your fault. Maybe I should go,” he said.
“Please don’t.” I was devastated, I felt the mood shift and there was nothing I could do.
“Look, I think you’re a nice girl and all, but I’m not ready for a drama filled relationship. He shouldn’t bother you anymore, and if he does feel free to call me, but I think I need to pass for now. It’s not personal, it’s just that I’ve got my own garbage to deal with, and I’m not ready for this kind of stuff.”
I silently nodded. I was heartbroken. We were about to get naughty, and then Nick showed up and ruined everything. I watched as he politely excused himself and closed the door as he walked out. I felt numb. I wasn’t ready for him to leave, not yet, and not like this.
Leaning up against the wall, I cried. As fast as it started, it ended. My feelings were jumbled between frustration and being let down. It was over. It’s not like I had a lot invested, a couple of nights talking, but I was starting to feel like we might take this somewhere. I guess I was wrong.
Normally I would have called Heather, but at this point I didn’t want to talk to anybody.
There was a knock at the door about ten minutes later. My gut told me it was Nick back for another round, and I didn’t have it in me to hash it out. I went to double check through the peek hole and saw Austin standing there, his hand running through his hair.
Opening the door, I looked at him confused.
“I’m not ready to leave yet,” he said. “Can I come in?”
I opened the door wider, stepping back so he could enter. I was stunned, uncertain what drew him back, but here he was.
“I sat in my car, and I couldn’t leave. I’m not sure why. Something told me to come back inside,” he explained.
I didn’t say anything; I simply walked up to him, and rested my head on his chest. His arms slowly wrapped around me, and I knew he was here to stay.