Free Model Attraction by Sharon C. Cooper Page B

eyes, had her longing for more. It might be selfish, but she wanted what they once had.
    â€œI’ll pass, too. Can you bring us the check?”
    â€œSure, I’ll be right back.”
    â€œI think I’ll take this opportunity to run to the ladies’ room.” Austin discreetly pointed her in the right direction and stood, pulling out her chair. “I’ll be right back.”
    A sudden tension circled around them. At first, she thought it was something she might have said or done. But after following his gaze to a table of men, she knew it was his protective nature kicking in. She had noticed the group when they walked in, making sure not to make eye contact, but felt their gazes on her.
    Turning to Austin, she touched his arm. “Relax, I’ll be fine.” She headed to the restroom, an extra pep in her step. She didn’t want to get too excited that maybe Austin still had feelings for her, but she couldn’t help it. His protective claws wouldn’t have come out if he didn’t feel something. Or would they? On second thought, Austin had always been chivalrous, even at a young age.
    Janna made quick work of using the bathroom and touching up her makeup. When she stepped out of the restroom, she startled. A man stood in the small area between the men’s and women’s bathrooms as if waiting on someone.
    She nodded an acknowledgment, prepared to head back to her table, but he touched her arm.
    Janna jerked away and took a step back. She could handle fans stopping to ask questions, but she didn’t like people touching her without her permission.
    â€œI’m sorry.” He quickly lifted his hands as if surrendering. “I didn’t mean to scare you, but aren’t you Janna Morgan?”
    She sighed. This was one evening she wished she could have gone without being noticed or approached.
    â€œYes, I am,” she said and tried to step around him, but he blocked her way. She felt more irritated than threatened. “Will you excuse me, please?”
    â€œListen, I mean no harm, but I was wondering if I could get a picture with you.”
    Rarely did she roam around alone, especially considering how bold people were getting in their approach. She had recently seen a photo of herself with a male fan floating around on social media with a raunchy caption. It was then she knew she had to make some changes. One being she no longer took pictures with random men. Though she was comfortable with the decision, this was the first time she’d received the request since then. Now she debated how to handle the situation without things getting ugly.
    * * *
    Austin glanced toward the restroom area, getting a little concerned about Janna’s delay. He was protective by nature, which was how he and Janna first met. He would never forget that day. She had shown up at the school’s gym during one of his basketball practices in search of the gym teacher. Gorgeous even back then, she’d attracted some unwanted attention from one of his teammates. The gym teacher had left for the day, and his coach hadn’t shown up yet, leaving the guys to practice unsupervised. One of the boys on the team suggestively offered to help her with whatever she needed. Even now, recalling how his teammate wouldn’t back off when she told him she wasn’t interested had Austin clenching his fist.
    â€œHere you go, handsome. You can pay me whenever you’re ready,” the server said, interrupting his thoughts when she set the check on the table. “I hope to see you in again sometime...soon.” Her wink and parting words weren’t lost on Austin, especially since he had noticed her flirtatious attempts earlier. As he had earlier, he ignored her.
    He glanced at the bill as his mind took him back to that time in the gym. Janna had been livid when he jumped in and punched his teammate, claiming she could take care of herself. That encounter led to him asking her