Without Limits: Austin (Rugged Riders Book 4) Read Free Page A

appearance. Austin hadn’t changed one bit since the day he left town. He’d aged some, but most of it was in the way he carried himself. He was confidant and poised, like he’d spent years mastering the art of posing for candid shots for fans and tabloids. I’d seen the headlines and the news about his victories and losses.
    My lungs burned, reminding me that I hadn’t taken one breath since he entered my store. I let it all rush out at once and gripped the edge of the counter as my instincts to run, hide, and avoid took over me. But it was too late. His gaze found me easily in the small shop.
    His lips spread into a knowing lopsided grin as he walked into my direction.
    Oh, God. Why was he here? Why now? Why me?
    “Valerie Maguire,” he said when he reached the counter.
    “Austin Clark.”
    His mahogany colored eyes pierced my very soul, taking in every part of me.
    “What are you doing here,” I asked. I did my best to hide my nervousness and my surprise. I had no idea that he’d just show up out of the blue like this. I pictured our meeting together would be much more formal…and planned. But then I remembered that Austin was always spontaneous.
    “I’m not here looking for a dress. I can tell you that.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Obviously. So… have you come to collect first payment on the loan? If so, I thought I had a few more days to pay it. It’s not the first of the month yet.”
    His expression turned serious. “Do you really think I came here to harass you for money?”
    “Well…”
    “The reason why I offered the loan to you and your shop was that I actually wanted to help you. I knew you wouldn’t accept a cash handout from me or anyone else.”
    “True,” I said. “Why did you want to help me?”
    “I owe it to you,” he said.
    “No, you don’t.”
    “Yes, I do. Do you still think I broke my promise to you?”
    I shook my head. “What promise?”
    He cocked his head to one side and laughed a little. “I’m surprised you don’t remember. I’m a little hurt actually.”
    “Are you talking about promises we made before you skipped town? Look, we were both young back then. I didn’t expect you to make decisions with your brain.” I grabbed up the catalog and started to walk from behind the counter.
    “What did you expect me to make them with?” He moved into my path, preventing my escape from him.
    “Your dick. Just like you and all the other men with mountain-sized egos.”
    He seemed taken back by my blunt comment, but I wasn’t the shy insecure girl he left for bigger and better things. I was a changed woman and I did and said what I wanted. I stepped around him, but he touched my forearm. It was enough to make me pause again.
    “I’m so very sorry, Valerie,” he said. “Is that what you want to hear?”
    “Nothing you do or tell me can take back the way I felt about how you left without a word.”
    “No,” he said, softly. “Maybe not. But I hope you’d like to hear about my decision from me. And not just the tabloids or the newspapers or Rick.”
    At the mention of Rick’s name, I met his gaze and saw a glimmer of disappointment in them. Plus, the way he said the name of his most trusted friend from high school sounded like he was feeling indifferent about that situation too—as he should be. After all, I did marry Rick within the year after he left.
    “You’re four years too late,” I said.
    He focused his gaze on the floor for a short while and then looked up at me again. “Am I, Valerie?”
    “Why are you even here? Back in town?”
    “Business matters. And personal matters,” he said. “My uncle died and his estate was left in a mess. I’m the heir. The only heir actually.”
    I sighed. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
    He shrugged. “Yeah, not many people know. They still believe that I was just some homeless kid without parents roaming the streets.”
    “This must be rough for you.”
    “It is. It was my first time having to plan a