“That’d be nice.” But I’m not counting on it.
A blast of direct sun stabs at my eyeballs as we exit the building. I tug my hat lower and direct Audria to a small stand in the corner. After ordering a set of beers, we find a spot in the shade where the traffic isn’t as thick. She tips the bottle to her lips, taking several swallows. A low groan follows shortly after, nearly eliciting one from me. She’s too damn tantalizing.
“Good?” I guzzle some Coors to relieve the gravely scratch along my tongue.
“It really hits the spot.” She releases another seductive moan.
Audria’s sounds divert a concerning amount of blood from my brain. I widen my stance, attempting to hide the evidence hardening behind my zipper. When I glance back at her, the oxygen meant for my lungs rushes out in a hiss. A bit of foam clings to the curve of her upper lip. It reminds me of the barbecue sauce incident, which doesn’t ease the situation in my jeans.
“You have a little something.” I swipe at the same area on my face.
“Again? I’m not usually this sloppy. I promise.” She gets the droplet off with one try.
Thank the Lord above for small miracles. I’m not sure I could handle another dose of juicy bait without giving in. My resolve is frayed enough.
“Did I get it?” Her velvet tone knocks me from the haze.
“You’re golden.” I give a single jerk of my head, clearing the remaining thoughts that lead nowhere good.
Audria digs the toe of her sandal into the gravel beneath our feet. “So, fancy chance catching you at this joint.”
“It’s not such a huge coincidence.” Does she remember my recommendation?
The grin she gives me suggests so. “I’m beginning to realize that.”
“How goes the rug rat wrangling?”
She sips her beer. “Stellar, thanks for asking. I survived my initial test run with minimal injuries. The kids seem eager to learn, I think. How’s CornHub?”
I scratch the stubble along my jaw, laughing at her pun. I might need to get shirts made just for shits. “Thriving, as always. It’s more maintenance right now. The hours can get a bit boring checking irrigation and plowing fields.”
“You can always sow some wild oats for added excitement. I bet mixing beets and meat could make for a titillating evening.”
That almost gets a full knee-slap out of me. I settle for a sharp hoot of amusement. “Certainly can. The filthy implications are endless.”
“I’ll up my game. More research is needed,” she states with confidence, squaring her form.
“I look forward to it. Are you adjusting to Bam all right?”
Audria teeters her hand back and forth. “Somewhat. Better than expected. I have plenty of ropes left to climb and hidden passages to discover.”
“I’m more than willing to assist,” I offer.
She quirks a slim brow. “Is that why I’ve seen so much of you?”
“Have you sought me out?” The retort slips out without hesitation.
“I don’t have the foggiest clue where to look.”
“Hunting season doesn’t kick off until fall, but you can get an early lead. It allows the mystery to thrive.”
“That’s not really my style,” she muses.
“Do you prefer getting chased? Or playing hard to get?”
“Or just impossible to tame.” Her voice takes on a seductive purr.
Fuck, she’s addictive. This woman is better than the fresh scent of alfalfa after a rainstorm. But this thrilling banter only further proves why we can’t cross that fatal line. Will she agree? Only one way to find out.
I chug a mouthful of Coors, liquid courage and all that shit. “Should we address the obvious?”
Audria sends me a blank stare, making regret squeeze my windpipe. Maybe this isn’t such a smooth move. She swirls the remaining contents of her shandy and nods. “Um, sure. Go for it.”
“We share a mutual attraction,” I start.
“Oh.” She giggles. “That’s not what I was anticipating. So bold to admit.”
I lean an elbow against the fence beside me. “Is it? I’m drawn to you—that’s no secret. After five measly minutes in the supermarket, I could feel the pull. But we shouldn’t act on it.”
“And why is that?”
I hear no evidence of upset in her tone. Just honest interest, as if what I’m about to say will be worth engaging in. “This is just to avoid future complication—small town and all.”
“Very,” she deadpans.
“I’m not trying to be a dick,” I offer.
“By all means, go on.” She makes a rolling motion to prod me.
After pulling in a lungful of hot air, I let the explanation spill in a reckless cascade. “I can think of nothing better than ditching this place and losing myself in your body until the sun rises. But it would hold no real significance, just hours of fucking. It would end there in a fleeting rush of nothing beyond basic need. In the morning, we’d be done and go our separate ways. I can’t offer any commitment. You deserve better than a shallow relationship based off sex.”
Beer dribbles out of her pinched lips. She wipes away the spewed excess. Maybe I should’ve waited until she finished drinking. Audria snorts and glares at me. “You say that as if I’d accept those terms to begin with.”
“Well, right. You wouldn’t, and definitely shouldn’t. I’m trying to be decent by suggesting we don’t take things further than just…friends.” The urge to redact that word is instant once I release it into the wild. I don’t make a habit of blocking my own cock. The damn thing is five seconds away from staging a formal protest. Pure physical relief could be within reach, and I’m tossing the chance away. A shudder almost ripples through my limbs.
No, dammit. This is the best outcome… for both of us.
“Uh, okay.” That’s all she gives me. She doesn’t
