Chapter 21

Austin

What the hell was I doing?

That was the question I asked myself as I headed back to Piper’s office. I’d been sitting at home, trying to work up the nerve to call my dad, when I’d gotten it into my head that I should talk to Piper about all my insecurities. I had no business just showing up at her place of employment, but that’s exactly where I’d ended up. I looked like some sicko stalker.

“Come on in,” she called out when I knocked on her office door.

I found Piper sitting behind her desk. Her red hair was pulled back from her face, and she had adorable wire-rimmed glasses on. I flashed her a sheepish smile. “You’re going to end up getting a restraining order against me, aren’t you?”

She laughed at my question. “Are you planning to become the stalker type?”

“So, you don’t think I’m a stalker already?” I asked as I stepped into the office and closed the door behind me.

She shook her head. “Not yet, but I can see you’re moving in that direction. What’s going on?”

“You were right,” I began.

“Of course, I was right,” she agreed. “I’m always right. The sooner you realize that, the better your life will be.”

“Smartass,” I accused.

“Which of the countless things I’ve been right about are you referring to?” she asked.

“Maybe buying me stuff is the only way my dad knows how to show affection,” I explained. “Harley agrees I should talk to him.”

“Harley is also always right,” she told me. “I still don’t understand why you’re here.”

I took a deep breath and told her the truth. “I’m not even sure why I came here. When I was sitting at my house, staring at my phone, and trying to work up the nerve to call my dad, I suddenly got it in my head that I needed to be close to you. I have no idea what I’m doing,” I admitted helplessly.

“Oh, Austin,” she uttered as she moved across the room and slipped her arms around my waist. Her head rested against my chest.

A shuddering breath slipped past my lips as my arms moved around her. Having her in my arms felt fucking incredible. I was afraid to speak, not wanting to ruin the moment. I wanted to keep her in my arms as long as possible. When I finally spoke, it was just one rasped out word. “Button.”.

She pulled back slightly. Her arms hadn’t released me, but I could tell by her startled green eyes that she was ready to bolt.

“Don’t run from me,” I pleaded in a ragged whisper.

“I’m not running, Austin,” she assured me, but there was a nervous, hunted quality to her voice. She might not be running, but she wanted to.

My lips hovered above hers. “I’m not going to hurt you,” I promised.

It was the wrong thing to say. Piper’s arms left my waist. I could have held her there, but I didn’t. Instead, I let my hands drop to my sides and looked down at my feet as Piper put several steps between us.

“I’m not worried about you hurting me,” she insisted with a nervous smile. “You’re emotional about the stuff with your dad, and I don’t want you to get carried away and try something with me because of that.”

“I want to tell you none of this has to do with my dad, but that would be a lie,” I began. “It would also be a lie to say it’s all about my dad. I’m screwing this up.”

“How about if we focus on your dad?” she suggested.

“Okay,” I agreed.

Piper moved behind her desk again to put a barrier between us. “This would be the part where you tell me what’s on your mind.”

What was on my mind? She wanted me to tell her all the things that were running through my mind. I wanted to move behind her desk, turn her chair to face me so I could drop to my knees in front of her and kiss her. I wanted to savor her full, pink lips and make her squirm with need.

“Why are you so nervous about calling your dad?” she asked. “It’s not like you haven’t spoken to him in years.”

“I talk to my dad, but not about anything deep,” I explained. “Besides, I’ve thought of him as a huge asshole for years. He is a huge asshole.”

“But you are hoping to change how you feel about him,” she deduced.

“Hoping?” I asked with a bark of laughter. “That seems like a stretch.”

“Don’t give me that line, Austin. If you weren’t hoping for more, you wouldn’t be nervous. You’re nervous because you want this conversation to be more, and you’re afraid your dad will let you down.”