Page 21 of Austin

Is that how a good boy earns a spanking?

I could almost hear Austin moaning.

I was teasing. I’ll be good.

Sure he was.

Trouble,we’regoing to have to work on the number of times a day you lie about being good.

I shouldn’t have taken the next sip ofcoffee.

Spankings should help correct thatissue…it’s like resetting your computer…you’re turning me on and then off againwhen I come.

The damned coffee went everywhere.

****

Trouble showed upin a chauffeur-driven towncar. An actual chauffeur.

Of course he didn’t wait for the poor guyto open his door, Austin jumped out and threw himself at me as I got closer.

“I’ve been so good this week.”

The driver rolled his eyes.

Austin collected the oddest employees.

Wrapping my arms around the drama queen, Isnorted. “I doubt that.”

Part of me had questioned whether or notthings would’ve changed over the past few days. First dates weren’t a goodindication of how things would go and texts were easier for a lot of peoplethan actually talking in person. Trouble didn’t have any issues, though.

“Mr. Johnson.” The driver gave Austin afrustrated look. “We agreed you would not get out of the car.”

Was he new or just delusionally hopefulthat Austin would follow instructions? Because even I knew him better thanthat.

“Oh, Ralph, you worry too much.” Beaming atme, Austin seemed to miss the way his driver winced.

“Yes, sir.” The guy sighed then gesturedtoward the car.

I felt a little like I’d entered the TwilightZone.

Austin either wanted to get going or hedecided to humor the man because he grabbed my hand and tugged me toward thecar. I was pretty sure I heard the driver mumble something about good luck as Iclimbed in the back.

But that had to be wrong.

Right?

As the driver shut his door, Austin reachedover and hit a button, raising a partition between the front and back seat.Another quiet mumble that sounded something like “Thank God” came from thedriver before it was closed.

Trouble nearly threw himself into my arms.“We have about half an hour.”

I gave him a firm look but hugged himclose. “To talk, Trouble.”

He gave me a little huff, but nodded,clearly not willing to risk his reward later. “Of course.”

Little liar.

“You don’t seem like the car and drivertype.” Trouble was a lot of things, but pretentious was not one.