Leave Him Loved_Harloe Rae

sweets.” Gavin turns his gaze on my coworker, shooting her a wink. “Bea-Bea, let me buy you a round of something delicious.”
She titters under his playful affections, harmless as they might be. Before she wanders off, Bea gives me a grin and nods at Reeve. “He’s a good one. Solid choice.”
I gape at her for a second while my mind goes blank. “Uh, okay?”
“Enjoy all that,” she encourages. He gets her stamp of approval, apparently.
Before I can respond, Bea flounces after Gavin with a skip in her gait, not that I truly notice. My sole focus narrows in on Reeve the instant she’s gone. His smolder should be trademarked because it would be a cheap knockoff from anyone else. I will come-hither all day if he keeps up the molten stare.
Reeve teases the edge of my personal space, dipping down until his woodsy cologne assaults me. “Have you been avoiding me?”

Audria’s brown eyes spark with the same fiery longing that’s churning in my own gut. She blinks, her dark lashes fluttering over her cheeks, and draws in a shuddering breath. Does she need a moment to compose herself? We might have that in common as well. It took me a solid ten minutes of wrestling with my desire before I regained some semblance of control. She wouldn’t appreciate me mauling her on sight. My social graces aren’t that far gone.
When her gaze locks on me again, most of the pooling lust has cleared, but she still doesn’t answer me.
“So, have you?” I repeat.
Her brow furrows. “Why would I be avoiding you?”
“Good question, which is why I asked.”
“Okay,” Audria drags the single word out. “The answer is no.”
“Sure about that?” I swipe a palm over my mouth to hide a grin. Messing with her is too entertaining.
She huffs, sending a few blond wisps off her forehead. “Is there a reason I should be?”
I shove a fist in my pocket. “Probably, but not one I’m going to divulge. I just haven’t seen you out and about. Are you afraid to hurt another innocent stranger with a grocery cart?”
“Ha, very funny.” She pops out a hip, her sass shining brighter than the stage lamps. “I’ve been busy doing… other stuff.”
My mind propels straight south into the gutter. I raise an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
Even under the harsh glare of artificial lighting, I catch the flush racing up her slender throat. “Ugh, okay. That came out sounding way more inappropriate than I intended. Don’t pervert my meaning.”
A dry chuckle escapes me. “Pervert? That’s a little extreme. I didn’t say anything.”
Audria nibbles her bottom lip. “You didn’t have to. I could tell you were thinking it.”
“Let a man dream, yeah?”
“Sure, let the fantasies loose. But in reality, I’ve been doing new-to-the-neighborhood responsibilities—settling into my house and job, trying not to miss home by binging Netflix and eating greasy pizza. I walk around the park that’s conveniently located just beyond my yard. You know, very tame and totally typical tasks. Nothing sordid or dirty.”
“Well, damn.” I snap my fingers.
Another glint flickers across her brilliant features. Damn, she’s beautiful. The distance of a week hasn’t made that less obvious. My fingers itch to comb through her golden hair and grip at the roots as I slam our lips together in a kiss hot enough to torch all decent resolve to resist.
Though the reunion wasn’t planned, crossing paths with Audria again isn’t a hardship. I’d been kicking back on a stool, minding my own business, when Gavin took off like a damn hound with a fresh scent. Of course I had to follow. Hanging on the outskirts while he entertained her with his usual shenanigans was cruel torture. Her laugh pierced the noise with the most intoxicating siren song. Every urge I possess begged me to prowl forward, taking what my entire being yearns for. Watching only delayed the inevitable, and I’ve never claimed to be patient.
And now I’m facing my ultimate temptation—in the flesh. Even if I promise to maintain my boundaries, treating myself to a few glances and conversations isn’t breaking any rules.
I clear my throat and gesture to a narrow gap at the bar. “What do you like to drink?”
She gives a slight bob of her shoulders. “I’m not picky.”
“But if you could choose?”
“Summer Shandy,” she relents.
“Leinenkugel’s?”
“Yep.”
I knock on the glossy wood under my fist. “Hey, Buck! Do you have any Summer Shandy?”
The burly owner of this fine establishment ambles over to us. His bushy mustache twitches as he frowns. “Is that the fruity shit from Wisconsin?”
I nod when he looks to me for confirmation. “Guess so.”
The grunt he shoots at me reveals his true opinion. “Not sure why you want that crap. Nothing but fizzy lemon water. Some of the girls kept pestering me about having more variety. I stocked the cooler with a few froufrou choices, and they like that brand enough to quit harping on me. There should be a case on the patio. Cheryl can get you sorted.”
“Shall we?” I turn to Audria while blindly pointing in that general direction.
She steps in front of me as we begin moving toward the open doors. “Oooh, yes. That’s where Bea was taking me when Gavin intercepted us. Speaking of, do those two have history?”
I almost laugh at the absurdity until noticing the genuine curiosity on her face. “Not that I’m aware of.”
Her body bows naturally into mine as we pass a stationary group of heavy boozers. “Really? They seem to have a vibe. A lot of underlying tension, if you catch my drift.”
“I doubt there’s more going on than what you see on the surface. My friend is quite resistant to dating but hides it well. His heart has been ripped to shreds on several occasions. Last I heard, he isn’t searching for a repeat performance.” What I don’t admit is that all Gavin’s aloof behavior is just a disguise. An ache spears my chest just recalling his last failure at coupledom. I would be surprised if he ever tries again.
Audria hums, gearing up