Leave Him Loved_Harloe Rae Read online

“Innocent conversation,” he drawls.

  “Semantics,” I return.

  “Whatever makes you feel better. Speaking of, let’s give this girl some relief. I’ll demonstrate.”

  He crouches on the ground, getting all up in Sprout’s business. Each hand grabs a teat, yanking harder than I would ever dare. Milk immediately squirts out and sloshes against the metal pail. He continues at a steady pace until a thin layer of frothy white collects in the bottom.

  “See?” Reeve nods at the fruits of his labor and pats Sprout’s rump. “It’s as easy as that.”

  I make no move to grab the bull by the horns, so to speak. “Maybe you should just finish the job.”

  “No way. Give it a try. Sprout is used to rookie hands. She’s practically foolproof.” He motions me toward the empty seat.

  I blow out a heavy breath, preparing an internal pep talk. This is a daily chore for many. It looks simple enough. I can do this. Forcing myself to rock climb and watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre was far worse, yet I managed to do those. Barely, but no one is keeping score.

  With a slight wobble in my knees, I plop onto the stool. The wooden legs tremble and feel like toothpicks attempting to support my weight. It probably doesn’t help that my entire body is trembling. With another deep exhale, I prepare to take position and lean in. Just as my fingers brush the coarse hair of her belly, Sprout kicks out with ridiculous precision.

  I scramble backward, pinwheeling my arms. The stool gives way, and I crash onto the barn floor. My ass slams against the concrete with a harsh sting, breaking my graceless tumble. What the actual fuck? This heifer totally has it out for me.

  Reeve’s chuckle reaches me from above. “Wow, that was something special.”

  My breath saws in and out. “Did you see that? She tried to kill me.”

  His amusement gets louder as he scoops me off the ground. He tips the seat upright and gives it a slap. “Careful, babe. Your big-city status is starting to show.”

  I situate myself on the stool, brushing off stray dust. “How am I expected to react? Her leg punched out with homicidal intent.”

  He pinches the bridge of his nose, shoulders bouncing to a silent beat. “Try again. She was stomping at a fly.”

  “This time of year? It’s nearly October.”

  “That’s your main concern right now?”

  “Nope.” I clap. “I’m very happy to say that experience is over.”

  He quirks a brow. “You didn’t even begin.”

  I’m already shaking my head. “It’s safe to say Sprout doesn’t want me milking her.”

  “That was a freak accident.”

  “More like user error.”

  “I’ll get you started,” he insists.

  Protesting seems futile. Reeve kneels behind me, cradling my body with his own. He guides my hands to Sprout’s teats, latching on with gentle pressure. Together we squeeze with a downward motion. Milk squirts out instantly, just like before. I widen my eyes at the sight.

  “That’s it,” he coaches.

  “Holy crap,” I whisper. Anything louder and I might startle her. “It comes out so fast.”

  “She’s very full,” he reminds.

  “No wonder she’s crabby at me,” I mutter.

  Reeve slowly eases back, removing his hold on me. “Just keep going.”

  The threat of faltering skyrockets without his training wheels locked in place. I squint unwaveringly as my fingers get intimately acquainted with Sprout’s lady bits. The actions blur as I lose focus, and my smooth rhythm turns choppy, sending a wayward stream spurting off track. I follow the path to see the stray shot aiming straight for Reeve’s eye. With a palm over my mouth, I smother a squeak. At least I’m not the only one getting pranked.

  He dodges at the last second. “You’re lucky I have quick reflexes.”

  “I’m pretty sure you’re the lucky one on that front. These bad boys are loaded weapons. I apologize for almost blinding you, but Sprout should take some of the blame.” Regardless of what he said earlier, the cow isn’t meekly standing by.

  “It’s okay, babe. Get back on course. Just keep the tip down,” he instructs.

  “Got that handled, no problem.” I nod, swallowing another giggle and resuming the motion. Just as before, milk floods into the pail. “Oh, oh, I’m doing it!” The pride in my voice echoes off the wooden walls.

  Reeve squeezes my shoulder. “And a damn fine job too.”

  “You’re just saying that.” I don’t let up my rhythmic tugging.

  Alternating between sides with each pull uses muscles I’ve never relied on. A dull ache forms in my wrist, but I’m not going to let that stop me. The hollow splash of liquid hitting the bucket becomes a constant thrum in my ears. The pail fills at a rate I never would’ve guessed.

  “Does she normally make so much?”

  He makes a sound in the affirmative. “Yes. Sometimes three gallons’ worth.”

  I allow my jaw to drop slightly. “A day?”

  “No, right now. She’ll give another three or four when they milk her later.”

  Another bout of shock ripples through me. “That’s impressive.”

  I find it difficult to look away. This process is more fascinating than a sparkling diamond on a newly engaged socialite. With a slight adjustment to my grip, I get into an effortless sequence. Alternating from left to right, over and again, becomes a reflex. I get lulled by the consistent movements, and my mind drifts.

  Reeve no longer cocoons me, but I sense him all the same. His steady presence lingers mere inches from me. I can’t seem to quit feeling the heat of his touch, phantom or not. A brand burns across my back at the memory. Being around him is exhilarating and fun. Each day with him brings a batch of silly flutters to my stomach. I don’t recall the last time I’ve laughed so much with someone, even if it’s at my own expense.

  Clarity sweeps in with a resounding clang. I need to be careful when it comes to Reeve and his bottomless charm. This situation could nosedive before I get the opportunity to bail. We’re not a real couple and never will be. I can’t let myself get too wrapped up in this man. He’s the type of guy I could see myself falling for without even trying. I need to guard my heart with extra reinforcements. But what if that isn’t enough?

  Real attachments will form and build after months of dates similar to this. Am I a fool for getting involved in such an arrangement to begin with? A bitter twist lodges in my chest. I always hear about these no-strings flings crashing into unrecognizable rubble. Do they ever run a reasonable cycle as intended? Ours will. It has to, or we might as well quit now.

  I remain facing Sprout’s udder, taking a cowardly approach to the topic. “I want to add a rule.”

  When Reeve shuffles his feet, I anticipate him bending to my level, but he doesn’t.

  “For?”

  “Us,” I state simply.

  “Oh?” The surprise in his voice is impossible to miss. He remains firmly rooted behind me, though. “And what might that be?”

  “If either of us starts catching feelings, the legit kind, we call things off.” I nearly choke on the reluctance lodging in my throat. “Deal?”

  He’s quiet for a moment. “Sure, I can agree to that.”

  “Good, I’m glad.” But why doesn’t the tension ease from my ribcage?

  I nudge off the uncertainty with a huff. After that, time seems to float away as I get lost in the motions. The steady tune of milk sloshing in the pail drowns out the pounding of my romantic heart. I’m milking a cow. Even in my head, that sounds weird. Just wait until my friends catch word of this. I’ll have to find a way for all of them to experience this.

  At some point, Reeve switches out the bucket for an empty one. My arms are nearing jelly status, but I keep going. He wasn’t kidding about the gallons this girl produces. When the flow becomes more of a trickle, he moves to my side.

  Reeve lowers to his knees for a front-row inspection. “All right, babe. She should be drained enough to ca
ll it good.”

  The smile lifting my lips bursts with accomplishment. “That was amazing.”

  “You did so well,” he commends.

  “Thanks, farmer. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  I stand and brush off my palms. Before I can get myself properly sorted, Reeve is on me. He grabs the straps of my overalls, using them as handles to haul me against his chest.

  I collapse flat to his front with an audible oof. His mouth covers mine in the next breath. Confusion melts away as he eliminates any pesky space daring to separate us. Our lips meld like long-lost lovers, creating an intimate seal, refusing to part. He grabs my waist and presses me tighter into his hips. What waits for me there sends a blast of roaring flames to my lower belly. I dig my fingers into his shaggy hair, giving the ends a gentle yank. His hat tumbles to the ground with my frantic efforts. He growls against my lips, giving me a nip in retaliation. We chase the heat together, engaging in a battle for more. My tongue swirls around his while he fights to align our lower halves. Just as I prepare to suggest ditching this dairy stand, Reeve rips away with a harsh exhale.

  I fold slightly while trying to steady my wild pulse. “What was that for?”

  Reeve licks a tantalizing trail across his bottom lip. “I couldn’t seem to stop myself.”

  “Well, okay.” My cheeks flame hotter than a frying pan. I’ll need a constant reminder that this is temporary. Will tossing sex into the mix complicate matters? Do I care enough to refuse?

  He lifts my chin when I attempt to escape his unrelenting gaze. “I’m glad you gave this a chance. Most would’ve given up after the first fail.”

  “I’m stubborn,” I admit. “And as it turns out, Sprout isn’t too mean.”

  “Does that mean you’ll be agreeable to another visit?”

  I offer a noncommittal shrug. “Perhaps.”

  A spark sets fire to the blue of his eyes. “Do you want me to convince you?”

  “That won’t be necessary.” Lord knows I’m already seconds away from surrendering. My body is totally on board for whatever else he might suggest. I have to get my heart on lockdown, pronto. That doesn’t mean my curiosity will disappear. “What happens next?”

  Reeve rocks on his heels. “We can check the henhouse for eggs. You’ve never had better than farm fresh.”

  This man is full of surprises. “Straight from the chicken? That’s seriously organic.”

  He rubs his ripped abdomen. “They’re really the best. I’ll make you an omelet.”

  I pin him with a weak glare. “Is this another subtle hint that you’d like to stay over?”

  His dimples make a guest appearance, zapping my resolve. “I was thinking more like breakfast for supper. Get your mind out of the gutter, babe.”

  I snort. “That’s highly unlikely with you around.”

  A low rumble rises from him. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “As you should.” I step into him, dusting my lips over his. “Would you like to come over for dinner?”

  He returns my kiss with an extra dose of enthusiasm. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  The telltale click of heels against pavement makes me straighten. Call me Pavlov’s dog, and I won’t argue. “Well, howdy. This is another unexpected surprise.”

  I glance up at the voice responsible for more than a few inconvenient hard-ons. Audria’s skills have no bounds. This girl can get me to pitch a tent in the damn cow barn. I already feel a pesky twitch behind my zipper just being in her proximity. Hints of a sweet perfume tickle my nostrils as Audria closes the remaining distance separating us.

  Even fresh from the classroom, she looks hot enough to burn the roof of my mouth. A snug sweater dress clings to her hourglass figure in all the ideal places, offering the barest of hints without putting too much on display. That allows my memory to fill in the blanks. The neckline is high and modest, not showing a scrap of her ample cleavage. That’s probably best, considering we’re in public. She’s delectable enough to be the only dessert option on a menu.

  Her overpowering effect on me makes it more shocking that I’ve abstained this long. My dick almost constantly demands I take our exploits to a more X-rated level. It would be so easy to rip off our clothes and do every filthy deed we’ve both been silently begging for. Not that I’m a pushy bastard to begin with. Is it still a thing for women to wait three dates before putting out?

  As if hearing my explicit thoughts, Audria parks a hand on her hip and gives me an even better view of those sinful curves. At my extended silence, she tilts her chin at a haughty angle. “Are you keeping secrets, farmer?”

  A smirk appears all on its own. “Only for your benefit. Take a seat.”

  Five tables organized in a neat row occupy on the usually open sidewalk. Our community might be small, but this tiny section isn’t nearly enough to accommodate us. People have been known to get physical over this precious real estate. By arriving early, I managed to snag a coveted spot.

  Audria takes the chair across from me. “What do we have here?”

  “A rare treat. Somewhat of a novelty, really.”

  “Tell me more.”

  She peeks at the bright-blue van sidled up on the curb of Evergreen and Main. Spangled Grub is emblazoned on the side in bold letters.

  I drum my fingers on the table. “Well, the owner’s name is Ray. His restaurant has a permanent spot up in Cliveton. He started his business to raise funds for wounded veterans. During October and the beginning of November, he drives a food truck to any town in Iowa worth stopping. We only see him once or twice in Bam per year.”

  She leans back with a whistle. “Oh my. This is a special occasion indeed.”

  Impressing her is my favorite part of this gig. “I’m glad you see it that way.”

  Audria studies the vehicle and surrounding area again. “This is like a pop-up.”

  “Sure,” I drawl. The only thing that comes to mind is a book, but that can’t be right.

  “We have those in the city sometimes.”

  Some of the shock factor of this date dulls upon hearing that. “I should’ve known.”

  Her forehead dents at my brittle tone. “This is much better, trust me. The ones in Minneapolis are too fancy-pants. Most of them are exclusive access only.”

  That makes me feel marginally better. “Ray sells to anyone who’s hungry or wanting to chip in for a great cause.”

  Audria smacks her lips. “I’m sold. What kind of food does he serve?”

  I jerk a shoulder. “Burgers mostly.”

  “And when does he open?” She glances at the shuttered windows.

  I tap my phone to check the clock. “In about five minutes.”

  “Super, that gives us a chance to catch up.”

  A chuckle rolls out of me. “We just saw each other a few days ago.”

  When I cooked farm-fresh eggs in her stainless-steel kitchen. We watched a movie after dinner but got distracted before the opening credits finished rolling. Making out led to heavy petting, which ended with her on my lap. All that dry humping left my balls a midnight shade of navy. My dick still aches, but I have zero regrets.

  Audria hums while twirling a lock of blond around her finger. “I’m sure you could give me plenty of updates about the CornHub harvest.”

  “As if you want to hear them,” I deadpan.

  She scoffs. “The correct term is ‘understand.’ Most of that stuff goes straight over my head.”

  “That makes you a saint for listening to me ramble.”

  “So?” she prods.

  Even with the threat of boring her in the forefront of my mind, my pulse thrums in my veins when I think about Prairie Myers. “The crop growth overall is better than expected, so it’s taking longer to get through all the fields. That’s not a true complaint, though. We’re expected to earn more than last year, which is insane. Our profit margin has been steadily increasing without a plateau. We expect to see an even higher gain than the loftiest predictio
ns. It’s been a huge success.”

  “That’s excellent.” The awe in her voice reveals pure honesty.

  I smile, pride shining at being able to share this with her. “The big bosses are very impressed with our branch. I’m all lined up to get a raise at the start of planting season.”

  Audria snags my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Very well deserved.”

  “Or so you assume,” I joke.

  “All I have to go by is what you’re sharing, so that really depends on you. For all I know, you could be blowing smoke up my ass.” She winks.

  “You’re a riot.” I laugh. “How’s your class? Is Gabby behaving herself?”

  She lifts a brow. “Don’t you know?”

  “You see her far more than I do.”

  “I suppose being her teacher has its perks.” Her exhale is full of whimsy. “That little girl is very smart and talented. She follows instructions almost immediately and is always the first to volunteer. I’m not supposed to have favorites, but Gabby makes that difficult.”

  “Are you saying that because I’m her uncle?”

  Her lips form a flat line. “Not in the least. I would never lie about a child just to avoid conflict.”

  I widen my eyes at the snark in her tone. “That sounds like some teachers do.”

  Audria shrugs. “How they choose to handle parent communication is their choice. To each their own and all that.”

  Just then, Ray flings open the serving station, and a small crowd streams forward out of seemingly nowhere. I stand so abruptly that my chair teeters. “We better get in line.”

  She follows my lead as we join the masses. Her attention flickers to the menu underneath the metal awning. “What’s with the names?”

  I feel my lips twitch at the corners. “The owner is ex-military, right? He made it a theme.”

  “Very creative,” Audria murmurs. She studies the board further as the person in front of us pays their tab.

  Ray waves us forward with his typical haste. “What can I get for you?”

  “Ladies first.” I nudge my date.

  She shakes her head. “I’m still deciding.”

  Ray grunts and nods to me. “How about you?”