“Nah, I don’t get out much. Too much relies on me here.”
“Your job?” Or does he have a family? Not that it matters, but there’s no ring on his finger. The shameless side of me refuses to feel guilty for checking.
He bobs his head while I’m busy with my internal debate. “I’m a crops manager at a local farm in conjunction with Prairie Myers.” Reeve says the name like I should recognize it.
All I can manage is a blank stare. “Um, cool?”
“Yeah, right.” He grunts and rubs the back of his neck. “Well, they’re one of the largest corn and grain distributors for the Midwest.”
That fires a connection in my brain. I partied with a few agricultural science majors in college. “Oh, wow. That’s really interesting.”
“It’s probably not, but thanks for humoring me.”
“In all honesty, I’m a total novice where farming is concerned. Learning about that stuff is a whole new world for me.”
“If you’re ever curious, just ask.”
Who am I to refuse an opening that wide? “Is it like CornHub?”
His smile wilts faster than a dry husk. “I’m not familiar with that.”
“No? I figured you’d be a pro at sprouting girthy stalks and shucking to completion.”
“Is that supposed to be funny?” His tone suggests my attempt at humor is anything but.
“More like punny,” I mutter.
“Not sure it makes a difference.”
Tough crowd. I’ve officially ruined our flirty exchange by being a dirty bird. I want to blame Vannah for her naughty influence, but this botched joke is all on me.
The effortless stream of our banter fizzles out. Silence clings, allowing what starts as a brief pause to become an awkward lull. Crickets chirp as the stale drought expands. My mind whirls, searching for a solution to salvage this. The last thing I need is a bad name on my first day in town.
Reeve rocks on his heels, staring at some random spot over my shoulder. I get the sinking suspicion he’s less than five seconds away from ending our little chat. Why not just rip off the bandage and say he’s offended? He won’t hurt my feelings. Not all of them, at least.
Bracing for his departure leaves me unprepared for him to ask, “Are you hungry?”
Shock pops my mouth open. Am I broadcasting my famished state somehow? “Uh, maybe a little.”
“Wanna grab a bite with me?” Any evidence of upset vanishes from his features. This guy is going to keep me guessing.
I struggle to adopt a neutral expression with this unexpected twist. I have little doubt my eyes grow wide. To add insult to injury, my stomach rumbles in the next instant. I slap a palm over the rude interruption. “I could eat.”
He smirks and glances at my noisy belly. “That doesn’t sound very convincing.”
“Okay, fine. You caught me. I’m starving, actually.”
Reeve’s gaze pierces mine with a wave of heat fiery enough to melt my clothes. Then he cranks the thermostat up another notch. “Are you a fan of barbecue?”
What the fuck am I doing?
I stare at Audria, certain my leer is approaching creeper status. Something about this woman captivates me. Beyond her fuck-hot curves and snappy wit, an alluring oddity howls at my baser desires. She reminds me of a secret gift I’m eager to unwrap. Getting laid isn’t the worst idea. Would she be down for the suggestion? The attraction seems mutual, if her lingering gaze and jittery body language are reliable indicators. Do I want to risk the complications and guaranteed fallout? I know better than to get involved with an unpredictable bombshell. This chick isn’t dropping by Bam for the weekend. The semi in my jeans can point elsewhere.
Friends only, that I can do. I’ll show Audria a few prime spots around town before returning to my predictable routine. I have no business hitting on this newbie, or inviting her to lunch, but studying that seductive pull outweighs the risk. That’s my excuse for remaining rooted to the floor, compelled to uncover more layers. She’s throwing a wrench in my stable game without even realizing it.
“Does Bampton Valley have a decent barbecue joint?” Audria’s question steers my motivations onto a cleaner track.
“Only the best.” I rub my torso for emphasis. The promise of tender meat slathered in rich sauce further assists in redirecting my hunger.
“It’s like you’re speaking my love language.”
“If that’s the case, I should’ve offered sooner.”
Audria leans a hip against the cart corral. “I’m not gonna lie. I thought you were about to kick me to the curb after that raunchy pun.”
I grunt and pin her with a teasing glare. “Are you fucking with me? That’s the reason I’m willing to share one of my sacred havens with you.”
“Now I really feel like you’re screwing with me.”
“Nope, just the opposite. I don’t mess around when it comes to crop business. You told a corn joke. That’s a serious aphrodisiac to a farming nerd.”
One of her slim eyebrows curves upward. “I have a difficult time believing there’s anything nerdy about you.”
“You haven’t seen me talk to the soil.”
She giggles. “That’s adorable.”
I thrust out an arm. “See? Not macho or sexy. You’re probably turned off by that confession.”
“No way. On my rare baking occasions, I whisper sweet nothings to the dough. It’s tough to admit, but turnabout is fair play. That’s kinda the same, right?”
I tug at the brim of my hat. “You’re just trying to make me feel better.”
Audria tips her chin, sending golden waves cascading over her shoulder. “Does your ego need stroking?”
Is she serious? I cough into my fist. “Not sure I’d ever refuse an offer like that.”
Loud laughter bursts from her. “Oh, your face. I’m just kidding. You appreciate my form of amusement, right?”
“It’s very refreshing,” I admit. Once again, I find myself wondering why her alure impacts me so strongly. My blood pumps hotter the longer she stands in front of me. I squint at her, attempting to peel away the surface
