Chapter 37

Piper

Much to my surprise, I got no lecture from Cerise. She seemed happy that I’d come home without tears in my eyes. Like a true friend, my happiness mattered most to her. I’d come into work early to go over orders and interview applicants, so I was on the go from one until nine when I headed back to my office to handle a little paperwork. I was hoping that if I got the paperwork done early I could go home shortly after closing.

Once I sat behind my desk, I grabbed my purse to check my phone, only to discover three missed calls and four text messages from Austin.

 

Austin: We just got to Boston. I guess you’re busy. I’ll call you later.

Austin: Call me when you get a chance. I keep getting your voicemail, and I hate leaving messages.

Austin: Are you avoiding me? I hope you’re not mad about the photos. I’m really sorry.

Austin: I’m back at the hotel. I know you’re at work, but call me when you get a chance.

 

Though his reaction to not being able to reach me seemed a little extreme, I decided to call him rather than waiting until I got home. Pictures of us kissing must have gotten out. No one had mentioned them to me yet.

Austin answered on the second ring. “Hey, I’m glad you called me back.”

“Yeah, I’m calling, but I was wondering if I should,” I replied. “It’s a little crazy to call and text me this many times to ask me to call you. Does Boston bring out the stalker in you?”

He hadn’t texted me enough times to qualify for stalker status, but I was in the mood to tease him.

“There were pictures taken of me kissing you,” he explained.

“I knew there might be,” I replied. “It’s not a big deal. There are worse things than having people think I’m enjoying some TLC from the rebound guy.”

Austin was quiet.

“Was something else bothering you?” I asked.

“I’m not your rebound guy.”

“It was a joke,” I assured him.

“You understand I want more than sex from you, right?” he asked. “We probably should have talked about this last night, but I got carried away. I also assumed you knew. I shouldn’t assume things like that.”

“We talked enough for me to realize you want more,” I assured him. “You made your intentions clear.”

His concerns made no sense. Sure, we hadn’t defined where we were at in words, but we didn’t need to yet. We were still getting to know each other again.

“I need to respond to these photos on social media. Can I tell the world you’re my girlfriend?”

It’s funny how one word can seem like such a huge deal. In this case, the context was the big deal. Austin was asking if he could tell the world we were in a committed relationship, and I didn’t have an answer he’d like.

“I’m not ready for that title,” I replied gently. “How about if you tell them we’re old friends reconnecting? You can even say we’re dating.”

My suggestion was met with silence, making me worry Austin was either hurt or angry. When he finally spoke, his voice was rough. “What are you wearing?”

I was torn between the urge to laugh at his sudden change of subject, and the desire to lock my office door and listen to him talk dirty to me. “A business suit,” I replied.

“Why don’t you strip down to your bunny slippers, and I’ll tell you all the things I can do for you as your boyfriend.”

This time I had no trouble deciding which urge to give into. I laughed at his ridiculous request. “Bunny slippers are not sexy.”

“I used to think the same thing,” was his reply. “You changed my mind about them.”

“What am I going to do with you, Austin?” I asked with a smile.

“I’ve got quite a few suggestions,” he murmured. “But I’d better let you get back to work.”

“I’ll talk to you later,” I assured him.

“Are you going to call me when you get home?” he asked.

“Probably not,” I admitted. “After last night, I’m exhausted.”

“Then I did something right,” he boasted.

“You did several things right,” I assured him. “I need to get this paperwork done so I can leave at closing.”

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” he said before ending the call.

On a whim, I slipped out of my shoes and put my bunny slippers on. Pulling my skirt up enough to reveal a little of my thigh, I took a picture, and sent it to Austin. I still didn’t think bunny slippers were sexy, but Austin clearly did, and I really enjoyed teasing him.