But he’d done everything he could to distance himself from the way he looked as a rocker. Clean-cut with a little scruff on his chin and cheeks was a long way from what he looked like on tour. Gone were the leather jacket, chains, and black boots. Jeans, cowboy boots, and simple buttoned-down shirt made him an average Joe today.
For the next several months, he was living a low-key life. No touring, no appearances, no spotlight. Especially no spotlight.
Still, she’d look, attempt to converse with the guy at her table, and then stare at Austin.
He shivered at the long looks.
The bartender drew his attention. “Want that apple martini?” He nodded to Evelyn’s favorite drink near his club soda.
“Yeah,” he murmured, distracted. “Sure.”
Suddenly, the woman named Peg shot up from the table and rushed in his direction. The guy jumped up and raced after her.
She darted across the restaurant floor, heading toward him. Her gaze, wide and fearful, caught his. Austin stood up automatically. She ran straight into his arms.
Chapter 2
Clutching him, she whispered, “Pretend you know me.”
Except for the clipboard digging into him, he actually liked holding her. He was only a few inches taller than she was, but she was warm and smelled incredible—some combination of exotic flowers and tangy, tropical fruit, he suspected.
“Hey, what’s up?” the guy who followed her asked. “I thought we had something going on. Who’s this?”
“I’m her date,” Austin said, a little smugness sliding into his voice. “Isn’t that right, babe?”
Peg dropped the clipboard. It landed on his foot, and then clattered to the floor.
He winced. “Did you have to do that?”
“Sorry,” she mumbled. “Date, righto, yeah, that’s what he is.” She bent to pick up the clipboard at the same time he went to get it. They bumped foreheads. “Ouch!”
He rubbed the sore spot. “Wounded,” he said under his breath. “Twice in two seconds.”
The guy following her asked, “You sure about this?” He nodded to Austin. “I can afford this place. Looks like he’s some country bumpkin.”
“And you’re a great judge of character,” Austin said, biting the inside of his cheek. “I got the cows in the trailer out front. Wanna meet them?”
Peg’s face grew white and the guy scowled. Austin smiled and tucked Peg’s long body alongside his, wrapping his arm around her waist. He nuzzled her soft cheek. “Mmmm, nice,” he said.
She giggled. “That tickles.”
“That’s not the only place I’d like to tickle you.” It wasn’t a line. He really wanted to touch her more.
“I’m out of here,” the other guy said. Turning to Peg, he looked her up and down. “Not my type. Too tall and skinny.”
“And just perfect for me,” Austin pointed out.
With a snort of disgust, the guy turned and stormed out of the restaurant.
“Phew!” Peg pulled away. “Thanks, pal, you’re a lifesaver. That guy was giving me the creeps.”
Reluctantly, Austin let her go. “Have a drink with me.” His offer surprised them both.
Facing him again, he could see her gulp hard. She stared at him. Something kicked him in the gut when her beautiful chocolate-brown eyes gazed into his. He caught his breath.
She shook her head. “Nah, I couldn’t.”
“You owe me that much. At least sit with me and keep me company.”
Looking him over, she said, “You? You need company? For cripes’ sake, you’re a hottie.”
He laughed at that. The first real laugh he’d had in a very long time.
***
Peg swallowed again as he escorted her to a table in the bar. Did she have to say what she thought all the time? Geez, I called him a hottie. To his face. Well, he was, but still, she could have kept that to herself.
Sliding onto the half-round booth seat, she stopped at the middle. He drew in beside her, his knee skimmed hers. She quivered.
He placed a drink in front of her.
“What’s this?”
“Apple martini.”
“What happened? Did your date stand you up, too?” She practically snorted at the thought.
“In a sense.”
She turned to him, meeting his pale blue eyes. The lump was back in her throat. His smile inched up the corner of his mouth. A very sexy mouth and even sexier smile. She breathed in, catching a whiff of his clean, fresh scent.
Turning back to the beverage and away from his intensely wicked stare, she focused on the drink. “I’ve never had this kind before.” She sipped it. The green apple flavor tickled her tongue. “Delish! Wanna try some?” She lifted her glass to him.