Stroke of Luck

He didn’t love her.

It was just residual sexual frustration from so many years of wanting her.

Fuck, he had to get the hell out of this suite.

“Now go and get ready,” he commanded sharply.

* * *

“So what took you two so long?” Austin asked as Quinn and April joined him at the table.

He’d texted Quinn to meet here so they could have dinner before they started their evening in the casino.

Austin hoped it was because they’d finally started talking and chipped away at their issues enough to allow themselves to get caught up in the obvious attraction between them. The way April stared down at her folded hands sitting on the table, her cheeks flushing a soft rose, might have convinced him, but Quinn’s expression was solemn.

“April got some bad news.”

Austin frowned as he glanced at April. “I’m sorry to hear that, April. I hope it’s not as bad as what’s already happened.”

April raised her face, and the despair emanating from her was like a punch to the gut.

Quinn’s gaze locked on his. “It’s worse.”

“What happened?”

“Her jerk of an ex had her fired and is ensuring that no one else in that town will hire her. He also arranged to foreclose on her mortgage, so she’s lost her home and the equity she’s built up.”

Austin’s chest tightened. “The guy is a vindictive bastard. It sounds like going back to that town wasn’t really going to work for you if your ex has that kind of pull. But as for your town house, there’s no way he should be able to get away with that. What’s the address of the property?”

April raised her gaze. “Why?”

Austin pulled out his cell phone. “Just humor me.”

“It’s 1260 Apricot Lane in Lachelle, Massachusetts.”

Austin tapped in the address and emailed it to his lawyer with a note.

“If you can pay off the mortgage, they can’t take the town house. They’re betting that you can’t sell it fast enough. So I propose that I buy the town house. Then you have the money to pay off the outstanding amount on the mortgage and you keep your equity.”

Her gaze turned to his, and he was happy to see hope gleaming in her lovely sapphire eyes.

“Why would you do that? You don’t even know me.”

He smiled warmly. “Of course I do. We met earlier today. Remember?” he teased.

Her cheeks flushed. “Thank you, Austin. It’s very kind of you.”

He rested his hand on hers and squeezed. “I don’t like to see anyone bullied.”

Goddamn, touching her had an effect on him he hadn’t anticipated. He meant his attention to be friendly. And a little protective. But there was a need that simmered below the surface. A need that flared when he touched her. It had happened in the pool. Fuck, his cock had lurched to attention when her soft, almost naked body and fallen against his.

“We should order dinner,” Quinn said, picking up one of the menus from the table.

Austin released her hand, his gaze darting to Quinn. He’d expected to see jealousy, or suppressed anger, but none of that flickered in Quinn’s eyes.

The waiter came by and took their orders, and soon they were eating their entrées and making small talk.

Austin had just pushed aside his plate when his cell vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out for a quick glance, and when he saw there was a message from his lawyer, he opened it.