Without Limits: Austin (Rugged Riders Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

quickly from my lungs. “What?”
    “Your parents. They said they had big plans for you and didn’t want homeless trash dating their daughter.”
    “No.” I shook my head. “My mom would never say that.”
    “She didn’t, but she was there when your dad told me this. I’m sure your mom would’ve expressed herself differently, but I could tell she felt the same.”
    “When did this happen?”
    “About a week before I got signed on with the team.”
    I pressed my fingers to my lips. “I remember. We hadn’t seen much of each other that week. My aunt had just flown down from New York to show me what she learned at the design school in Paris.”
    “Yes, you were well on your way to becoming your own boss just like you’ve always wanted.”
    “Why didn’t you just say something?”
    “Because I believed them.”
    I sighed. “Are you serious?”
    “Come on, Valerie.” He held up his arms. “I was a mess back then. You were turned down an internship with one of the best seamstresses in the city because she saw us together and she knew I was a criminal.”
    I pressed my lips together knowing this was the truth.
    He continued, “I could never forgive myself for being the person who ruined that opportunity for you.”
    “You didn’t ruin it for me.”
    “In the letter, the reason for denial began with ‘due to your involvement with a convicted criminal…’” he said. “Have you forgotten?”
    “Maybe she turned me down just because I wasn’t cut out for that work yet and she just needed a reason to do it.”
    “No, Valerie. It was clear why you were denying a spot in her school. My uncle or me had never been welcome in this town. I don’t know why he stayed other than the fact that he had a guaranteed job down at the car shop.”
    “You’ve always wanted to leave. I get that, but we were supposed to leave together,” I said.
    “If I couldn’t forgive myself for being the reason you were denied something, do you think I could live with myself if I continued being the reason you couldn’t advance. Valerie, I had a record. Burglary. Breaking and entering. Assault. I was a criminal.”
    “ Was. And I don’t even know that I’d call you a criminal. You did what you had to do to survive. I would’ve done it too. You were barely an adult. What choice did you have if the crimes were committed when you were a minor with your adult uncle guiding you?”
    “You’re right. I did what I had to do, but I knew right from wrong then and I understood what I was doing was against the law.”
    My head began to throb and I pressed my fingers to my temples.
    “You okay?” he asked, slipping his hand around my waist.
    “Yeah, it’s just been a long day.”
    “Then you should go in and get some rest.”
    I retrieved my keys for my handbag and opened my front door. “Thanks again. For everything.”
    “I’ll catch you later.”
    I paused before escaping inside and did something I didn’t give much thought too. I took his hands and then drew him close to me for a hug. He embraced me back and I could’ve simply melted in his arms. I pulled away to catch a familiar lop-sided grin on his face. I realized how much I missed him.
    “It’s good to see you again,” I said.
    “Ditto. I hope we’ll be seeing more of each other.”
    I smiled. “Dinner would be nice.”
    “Is that a yes then to a dinner date with me?”
    “You can pick me up at six-thirty tomorrow since I don’t have a car,” I told him.
    “I love it when you’re demanding.”
    I blushed. “Good night, Austin.”
    “G’night, Valerie.”

5
    A ustin rang my doorbell five minutes early. I had just slipped into my shoes when he arrived, so I had no time to sit idle, which was a good thing. All day at work, I couldn’t help but anticipate my date with the ex who ran away with my heart. But I swore to myself that I wouldn’t be vulnerable again. He was only human, just like me. I’d forgiven him, but I’d never give my heart to