The Reluctant Beauty(12)

He’d overheard her family’s concerns to Rico right before Peg had arrived.

They felt sorry for her. Tall, gawky only daughter never fit in with them. They’d tried, but, she was so obviously different in appearance alone. They loved her and only wanted the best for her.

Underneath it all, Austin heard the well of regret, the fear of her never quite having a decent home life. The lonely existence they painted for her did seem sad. All work. Consumed with King’s Department Store. They just wanted the best for her. Work wasn’t everything. Huge sigh, but, for Peg, it might just end up that way; her mother had sniffed back tears.

Shouldn’t he do something?

He still needed a low-key place to crash; when the press got a hold of the fact he was staying in town, they’d camp out at every high-end hotel to catch him coming and going. He’d never have any peace.

Those eyes, big and brown, captured him.

His heart tugged.

They’d both benefit from this. At least that’s what he argued with himself about right before he said, “Peg and I know each other already.”

Voices screeched to a halt. Their eyes searched out each other’s, exchanging looks with questions lurking. Trust me on this one, he tried to convey.

“Ev.” He turned to his sister. “I’ll explain everything later,” he said under his breath. “Peg and I are…dating. Isn’t that right, babe?”

She actually blushed, pink stealing into her cheeks. “Sure, yeah, that’s what we’re doing.”

The way she looked, guilty as sin, sealed her fate.

“Peg, you?!” Her sister-in-law hugged her. “I’m so happy for you. Is he as hot in person, you know, without the shirt, as he is on stage?”

“Yep. Oh, yes indeedee.” Peg tried to avoid looking at him, but she failed.

He grinned.

“Well, now,” her father babbled, “I-I’m—”

“Shocked, Pop? Me, too. Ain’t every day you’re little giraffe gets a date.”

“Don’t you mean boyfriend?” Austin corrected.

Another round of awkward silence dropped.

“Well, shut me up and call me happy,” Rico said, throwing his arms around Austin. “Welcome to the family, handsome.” He pulled back and looked him over. “I’m next in line for getting a hottie, Peg. It’s the least you can do for me after all I’ve done for you.”

There were congratulations, hugs, and handshakes all around, yet there were underlying looks, too. They didn’t buy it. Not entirely. Not for Peg.

His sister hissed, “Don’t you hurt her, brother.”

Austin murmured, “No way. I wouldn’t do that. You know me.”

“Yeah. And I know her, too.”

That got to him. But he looked at Peg and for some reason didn’t want to let her down either. “You left this morning before I woke up.”

She gulped.

Her mother said, “I hope you wore something, you know, to protect things.”

“Mother!”

Austin laughed and moved closer. He gazed into her eyes, lost for a moment. He shoved back his cap and then cupped her face in his palms. Her skin was soft and warm. “Peg,” he whispered, “not Margaret, just Peg. It’s such a pleasure to kiss you.” He settled his lips on hers, thinking he’d only emphasize their pretend relationship in front of her family. But he stayed. Longer.

He couldn’t help himself. When his lips touched hers, electricity ensued. This time he lingered, savoring the sweetness. She gasped and he captured that sound. He groaned, low and deep.

“Addictive,” he mumbled against her mouth and continued tasting her.

Breathing hard, she was the one who pulled away first. “Holy moly, me, you’re a great kisser.”

“The same with you,” he said, still feeling drugged by her.

“Why, Peg,” Rico said, smacking her arm. “I didn’t know you had it in you. Oh my. I gotta get me a man.” He fanned himself and then he fanned her family and Evelyn, who were in various stages of blushing. “Is it me or do you all have hot flashes now?”

They chuckled. It broke the awkwardness.

Austin turned to her family, trying to play the boyfriend. “Well, Mom and Dad, let’s go get you settled in and we can get to know each other.”

“Can I take a picture with you and get your autograph?” the sister-in-law gushed. She snapped several pictures, and had him put his hand on her rounded belly for the next shot. “Oh, she kicked! She’s a fan, too!”

Austin grimaced and caught his sister’s look. She was standing with her arms crossed and tapping her foot. Her raised eyebrow said it all. Really?