Page 50 of Broken Headboards

Oh, honey, that’s the most common name ever. Why would you be proud of that? They fucking name unclaimed corpses at that. She’s as common as a fucking dead person—morbid, I know.

“Gotcha,” I say, and just like that I’m bored.

“What’s yours?” She leans forward, trying to direct my eyes back to her.

“I’m Austin Randall,” I declare, with no emphasis in my tone what-so-ever.

“Oh…where have I heard that name before?” She looks around, like a lost bird looking for their mother. “Oh!” She shrieks.

And, there we go. Watch how this works, baby. I told you I wasn’t making this ‘girls fawn all over me’ shit up.

“You’retheAustin Randall. Of, like, the furniture empire?” She blinks her eyes, and I swear it mimics a fucking windshield wiper on high.

“That’s me,” I finish my drink.

Her hand lands on my knee, sliding slowly up my thigh. Scooting closer to me, she whispers in my ear. “That sounds fascinating. Tell me more.”

I look at her, sticking my neck back so my lips don’t accidentally touch her. Yeah, that’s how close she is to me.

“Maybe, another time.” I jerk my leg out of her hold and stand up from our booth. “Boys, I’m headed back. I’ll see you later.”

They all nod and lift their drinks up to acknowledge my exit. Except for Taylor. He’s attention is held by the busty brunette but I can tell his heart isn’t in it. He’s probably thinking about Ashley.

I walk out, leaving the women sulking on the couch behind me.

Before Tess, I would’ve entertained the blonde. She’s my type—easy, horny, and attractive. I really don’t have high standards, baby, just that they want me and consent to fucking. The redhead at the beginning of this book is Exhibit A.

But, now I do. Not only wasJane Doethe least creative name in the world, possibly more boring than a yawn itself, but she’s too easy.

After Tess, I’m craving something more. I want a challenge, a woman who can spar with me, and fuck…even beat me.

This is the first time in my life that someone has beat me. And it’s Tess.

That must be why I find her so attractive. Or, why I can’t stop thinking about her?

I’m amazed by her ability to one-up me and do it more than once.

That has to be it.

I can’t be falling for Tess, right? No, I’m falling for the idea of her and the strength she possesses. It’s new and so fucking erotic.

That’s has to be it, right?

I’m not going to be the next Dominic and Daphne, Malcolm and Sonia, or Colt and Serena. That’s not me. I’m not the romantic sucker here, not like them.

At least I wasn’t.