Chapter 15

Thomas made his way to the front door. He inhaled sharply to dull his baser senses from being apparent. When he thought himself composed he pulled the door open to greet his dinner guest. "Austin, always on time I see." he commented as he moved slightly for Austin to enter. He closed the door behind them as soon as Austin was inside.

" Thomas. " Austin echoed, the response was accompanied by a bottle of scotch.

"Ahh Scotch." Thomas took it from Autin's grip and regarded it in awe. He could never have enough packed down. Although, it was not really packed away since drinking a glass or two every day was a habit for Thomas.

"You're favorite." Austin grinned. It was hard not to know Thomas' preferences, they spent years training and developing their friendship.

"Man's greatest creation, I am sure," Thomas interjected with a smile.

"I have no argument there," Austin replied truthfully, he himself was known to enjoy the habitual drink.

" come on into the dining hall, I'll pour us a glass." Thomas led Austin in, his mind momentarily distracted from all things Avril.

"You found out anything?" Thomas questioned as both men walked further into the house.

Austin smiled as if Thomas was speaking gibberish. "I am devastated that you even had to ask that," Austin replied.
Thomas laughed. If there was one thing Austin lacked, it was not confidence in his ability and connections. After his father had divulged on the news of the recent attacks Thomas had immediately called Austin to gather some information. This was an issue that needed to be dealt with as swiftly as possible.
Austin was about to divulge the information he came to possess but he was rendered silent by an unusual sight. One he never thought he would have seen in the Lynne family home.

"Is this what vacationing looks like?" Austin nodded at the woman setting the table. It wasn't a sight he could have naturally overlooked as they drew closer and closer to the dining table.

Thomas trailed Austin's line of sight and noted the object of his attention.Of course it was Avril. When he had impulsively requested her presence for dinner he hadn't quite thought lots of things through. One of them being how was he to explain her presence to Austin without tipping of the man of his obvious attraction. He wasn't sure it was something that could be done. Austin sharper senses than any other person Thomas knew.

"I'm starting to understand the appeal." Austin continued despite Thomas' silence.
He couldn't help but recall the moment that had passed between them right before Austin had arrived. He didn't know what had come over him for him to be so bold. She had a boyfriend after all....although that never stopped Thomas before. For all, he cared, her boyfriend didn't need to find out.

"Its not like that. She's my father's guest. She's starting university in a couple of weeks." He finally responded to Austin. His voice was cold and detached which made Austin pay more attention. It seemed as if he was trying very hard to convince himself that this young woman was just his house guest.

"I see." Austin replied. A small smile playing on his lips. Something about the situation seeming strange.

"Avril." Thomas called out to her in an attempt to cease Austin's analysis of him. She smiled as her gaze fell on his. Her lips provoking him once more. She paused her actions and walked towards him and his guest.

"This is my friend and business associate, Austin Cyner." he introduced the pair.
Avril gazed at this guest. She could tell he was regarding her carefully. It was as if he was trying to see through her. It was one of those soul searching gazes. In him doing that, she also took the opportunity to regard him. In composure, there was nothing that much difference between him and Thomas except that Austin had this default expression of amusement. His eyes screaming mischief and defiance. She doubted that there was any woman who would mind committing some sins with him. Well except her, of course. She was....captivated elsewhere.

"Nice to meet you." She extended her arm. Her expression warm. She had never before been in the presence of two gorgeous men. Each of them having their very own, distinct appeals.
Austin gazed at her and smiled slowly. His arm extending out to embrace hers.

"It's always a pleasure to meet a beautiful woman." He replied to her. His hands closing down on hers warmly. Avril couldn't stop the color from rising to her cheeks.
Thomas was having a hard time with this introduction. First Avril was being cozy to Austin, second his hands were touching her's and thirdly, was it just him, or was Austin flirting with her... In front of Thomas.
Yes. You could say Thomas was feeling just a tad bit irritated.
And then when he thought it couldn't have been worse, Avril had the audacity to blush. Her cheeks flushed adding a warm glow to her face.
Oh for fucks sake!
Thomas cleared his throat. "I'll pour some Scotch. Why don't you guys have a seat? Avril, would you prefer some wine?"

"Actually... Scotch is fine." She replied.
Both men stared at her as if she had said the most bizarre thing. Thomas stopped in his tracks.

"I learned to drink from my dad...so I haven't really been all that attracted to the taste wine." She divulged.

"It is an acquired taste," Austin replied as he took his seat.
Avril nodded in agreement. "I definitely haven't acquired it, nor do I think I ever will," she responded taking a seat. Her father didn't have any sons and he taught her as much as he could from a male perspective. It was something to create a bond between them and she didn't mind, especially since drinking at home taught her limits and her alcohol tolerance.

"I find that this night keeps getting interesting...something tells me you are the cause." Austin replied to her. His gaze penetrating.
Avril felt her cheeks flaring once again. It wasn't every day she was called beautiful or a woman or even interesting and the words did make her appreciative.
"That blushing, it's quite attractive. Really lights up your features...wouldn't you say so Thomas?" Austin commented, turning his attention to his friend. His eyes glinting.
"Huh?" Was Thomas's only response. He took to focusing on pouring drinks for his guests. It was the only way he could resist the urge to throw Austin the fuck out his house.

Damn it!

Thomas saw Avril blush for the third time. He swore if she did so one more time he would give in to the urge to stab himself in the neck. She'd been staying with him for weeks and not once did her face turn this red.
"You really do blush a lot," Thomas responded out of the blue as he placed her drink in front of her. He didn't intend for his voice to sound so...whiny. Was that the word he was looking for?

Avril noted the significant difference in the level of liquid in her glass compared to the men but this only caused her to smile inwardly. She knew what he was thinking. He couldn't come to terms with her having good alcohol tolerance and that was alright. It was a common misconception even among her friends.
Thomas saw Austin looking at him with one of his classic amused expressions. Damn him!

"I am sorry. It's a quirk." Avril responded.

"A quirk?" Both men responded at the same time. Both already forgetting the current conversation. Thomas was too caught up in trying to fool Austin and Austin was thinking of ways to get a rise out of Thomas. That was the only way he could test his hypothesis.

"I tend to color by the slightest of compliments. My friends often tease me about it." She clarified, feeling slightly embarrassed that both men sought it fit to comment on it.

"That's interesting," Austin replied taking a sip of his rum.

"Not so much when it happens even if girls compliment me. It could give people the wrong idea." Avril felt herself spiraling. She was blabbing and that was due to feeling as though both men were looking towards her for conversation.
Austin laughed. But all Thomas could think of was why couldn't the two of them have carefree conversations like this. She was so open tonight that he envied Austin for having seen it.

"So Avril, Thomas tells me that you're starting university." Austin attempted to start up the conversation again once Avril had become silent.

"I am. I finally decided on psychology." She responded and saw him smile. She didn't dare look at Thomas. Just thinking about him made her feel nervous.

"That's really good. My sister majored in that. From what she tells me it's quite a fascinating degree." Austin replied.

"You have a sister?" Avril tried to steer the conversation.

Thomas was getting irritated by the second. He had already told Austin that Avril was starting university so he didn't understand the point in him asking her about it. He really didn't even understand the point in him addressing her. He should shut up, eat dinner, and leave. Anything beyond that was beyond common courtesy.
"I do. She's older than I am." Austin replied openly.
"Wow, I always wondered what it would be like to have siblings." Avril sighed. She hated being an only child. It was dreadful.
"It's horrendous." Austin responded immediately, "But there is something to be said about sibling love. It's equivalent to finding your worst enemy and your best friend in the same person."

The conversation continued for about another half hour until Thomas told Avril that the two men had some business matters to discuss. Avril excused herself, cleared the table, and did the dishes while both men retired to Thomas' study. Thomas was relieved. He couldn't take another second of her and Austin having a polite conversation.
"So that Avril, she really is something huh?" Austin commented as soon as the door closed behind them. He took a seat and peered at Thomas carefully.
Thomas didn't want to be talking about Avril with any man. Especially with one who was very much capable of competing with him in the allurement category. He wasn't blind. Austin and him were cut from the same cloth and yet Austin had more charm than Thomas. A trait that worried him the most at having him being friendly with Avril.
"I honestly hadn't noticed. She is just a kid." Thomas replied, pouring himself and Austin another drink. He then took his seat beside Austin.
"I see." Austin grinned. "She looked really grown up to me," He replied with a shrug of his shoulders.
"She has a boyfriend." Thomas countered in the stupidest way possible. Why? He didn't know. He had no clue how to dodge the conversation. Before Austin could reply Thomas changed the topic.
"So what's the information you found out?" He questioned. This business with a mole in their organization was serious.
"Always so impatient," Austin replied with a mischievous smile. He downed his drink, eased out of his chair, and moved to pour himself another. "Well as you know, there are only a few areas that store the personal information of the employees. It was just a matter of laying a cheese in the trap. Long story short. I found the mole." he said
"You did?" Thomas was on alert now. He immediately stood up. "Where is he?" Thomas questioned.
"Don't worry he's not going anywhere," Austin reassured at the sight of Thomas standing. A dangerous glint sparkled in his eyes as he turned to view Thomas.
"How can you be so sure?" Thomas questioned. He was ready to move. He wanted the mole dealt with tonight!
"Because he is in the trunk of my car," Austin replied as he downed his drink again.