Austin insisted on loading the belt, then paid for the entire purchase. She wasn't going to argue with him in front of the cashier, but she'd have words for him once they got inside his car. It wasn't a lot of money, but still …
They were nearing the front door when they were interrupted.
"Austin?" An annoying female voice called.
She seemed surprised to see him in a discount store. Kinsey was surprised anyone he knew would be in the store. She didn't picture the kind of ladies he normally associated with, shopping in a discount warehouse, especially late at night.
They both turned and saw a stunning woman, wearing a tight skirt, a shirt with her cle**age on display, and her hair and make-up done to perfection.
She squealed before rushing to them and throwing her arms around Austin's neck, smashing her huge br**sts against his chest.
They have to be fake, Kinsey thought.
Austin pushed the woman away, but he didn't look to be in too big a hurry to do it, Kinsey thought snidely.
She had to catch her errant thoughts. He wasn't hers and he could do what he wanted. She'd told him several times that she didn't want anything to do with him. She knew he wasn't a monk, and had plenty women at his disposal, but it was awkward standing next to him while another woman clung on tight. Kinsey felt like scratching the Barbie's eyes out.
"It's good to see you, Candy," Austin said.
Kinsey was surprised by the stiffness in his voice. He didn't sound pleased to see her. She decided to give them privacy, because three was definitely a crowd.
She turned and took a step, trying to move away, when Austin's arm snaked out and gripped her around the waste. He pulled her snugly against his body, and the woman turned, seeming to notice her for the first time. Her eyes narrowed slightly before she returned her full attention to Austin.
"I can't believe you're shopping. You used to always complain that there was never a reason to grocery shop with all the available restaurants around town," she said with a pout.
"Well, things change," he said shortly.
She giggled an annoying sound and Kinsey wondered if she'd sounded that terrible when she'd had her laughing fit earlier. She really hoped not. She tugged against Austin, really, really wanting to get away from them.
"I've been trying to reach you for a couple of weeks. I heard about your father, and figured you'd need comforting," she said in a husky tone. Kinsey knew exactly what kind of comforting the woman was offering.
Slut!
"Thanks for your concern, Candy, but Kinsey's been with me the entire time. I wouldn't have made it through without her."
Candy barely glanced in Kinsey's direction, as if she wasn't in the least concerned about the frumpy woman his arm was around.
"Well, you know I'm here for you. Why don't you come by my place on Saturday … "
"I think we already have plans Saturday, don't we, Darling?" he asked as he looked into her eyes. He was pleading with her to play along. She was so shocked by the turn of events, she really wasn't capable of speaking right then. She just looked at him slightly wide-eyed.
"Yes, yes we do." He answered his own question. "We have to get going, Candy. It was good to see you. Tell your brother hello for me."
Austin didn't give Candy time to say another word. With his arm still around Kinsey, he moved to the front of the store. At the doors, he grabbed her in his arms, then swung her around to his back. She was so shocked by the motion, she automatically tightened her arms around his neck. Pushing the cart, he quickly stepped outside.
Luckily, the rain had eased up while they were in the store, so it was only a light drizzle. Austin rushed them to his car, opened the door, then set her inside in one smooth motion.
He quickly placed their items in the back of his Benz, then jumped in the driver's seat. He turned toward her, his hair wet, his cheeks flushed from the cold, and a look in his eye that warmed her up about a hundred degrees.
"What was that all about?" she asked. He didn't try to insult her intelligence by playing dumb, at least.
"She was a woman I went on one date with a while back. There was no reason to go on a second date, but she never quite figured that out. I've run into her a couple times, and she's done all she can to throw herself at me. It was easier to let her think you and I are a couple. I plan on that happening anyway," he answered as if it was no big deal.
"You're so damn presumptuous. Maybe I didn't want to play in your little cat and mouse game, and for the last time, I'm not going out with you. I had sex with you - once. Big deal. It was forgettable, anyway," she lied. She licked her lips, immediately knowing her words were a mistake, as she watched his eyes darken with desire.