Leave Him Loved_Harloe Rae Page 9

  “Wow, thanks. That was… more than I expected.”

  “I take pride in being thorough.”

  I rub the excess sunscreen on my chest, catching her rapt focus tracking my movements. When she sees me watching her, a burst of red blooms on her cheeks. I’m confident this confirms she was checking me out earlier. That knowledge gives my ego an adequate fluffing.

  Audria diverts her gaze to a spot behind me. “Oh, look. They’re playing chicken.”

  I follow the direction of her pointer finger to find the others engaged in an intense battle. Bea is hoisted on Gavin’s shoulders as they pair off against Duncan and his girlfriend, Natalie. It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book in order to grope one another.

  “I’d bet this year’s harvest that Gavin’s responsible.”

  “Should we join them?”

  Having a mostly naked Audria perching on my shoulders? I can almost feel her thighs clenching to get a steady grip around me as she attacks the other team. Fighting my primal urges through another test of willpower will result in a loss for either side. The desire for more is too great.

  “How about we float for a bit and get acclimated?” The suggestion is one hundred percent for my benefit.

  She spies the assortment of rafts and boards stacked on the shore. “I’m game.”

  I grab a plain tube while Audria snags a giant donut replica. After wading into the shallow end, she attempts to plop her ass into the center. The float whips out from under her, and she almost goes underwater. I ditch my hat and chuckle, flicking a few droplets of water at her back.

  Audria squeals and pins me with a glare. “Oh, it’s like that?”

  “Most definitely.”

  “It’s on, buddy.” On her second attempt, she lands dead center on the donut. She immediately kicks her feet, managing to splash my face.

  I wipe the blur from my eyes. “You’re in trouble now.”

  She retreats with choppy stokes. “I barely got you.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” I scoop more ammunition into my cupped palms.

  Her eyes widen. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “You’re gonna get wet anyway.”

  “On my own terms.”

  “This is more exciting.” I stalk toward her with measured strides.

  She backpedals to the best of her ability. “I strongly disagree.”

  “Too late.”

  “Let’s be rational for a moment.”

  Her words give me pause, and I treat myself to the view.

  I would be blind not to notice how her nipples pebble as the splatter soaks into that sorry excuse for a bikini. My cock twitches beneath the lake’s surface, gracefully hidden from view. Before making an impulsive mistake, I double my assault efforts and send a rippling spray in her direction. Her squeal tickles my heightened nerves, and I almost lunge for her. She flops off the tube and regains her footing easily enough. The water ripples near her belly button, drawing my gaze there. A diamond stud adorns her navel.

  Fuck, that’s sexy. How did I miss it earlier? Between the trickles of moisture trailing down her arms and the smell of forbidden lust, I’m seconds away from giving in. It’s not lost on me that my spiraling thoughts sound worse than a broken record. But who’s stupid idea was it to resist her anyway?

  Audria fiddles with the silver bar, unaware of my internal debate. “I got it pierced on my eighteenth birthday.”

  I cough over the gravel coating my throat. “Looks good on you.”

  “Thanks.” She winks at me. “Do you have any piercings?”

  “Nope.”

  “Tattoos?”

  “Negative.”

  “Have you ever wanted any?”

  I give a brief glance at my unmarked flesh. “I’ve considered getting some ink. Not sure what I would want permanently stamped on my skin, though.”

  “A field of corn?”

  I snort. “Funny girl.”

  Audria hammers on an imaginary set of drums. “Thanks, I’ll be here all day.”

  That makes two of us, especially if I can’t get my dick to cooperate. “How about you? Any other piercings or tattoos?”

  “Just my ears.” She taps at the jewelry in her lobes. “No ink for me either.”

  “Maybe we’ll get one together.” The idea flies from my mouth without warning.

  Audria just smiles. “I might agree to that. We’ll see.”

  “All right,” I drawl. “Until then, let’s finish our current exchange.”

  Something about my expression must give me away. She holds up a palm, as if that’s enough to fence me. “Nope, you stay—”

  I lunge at her, taking us both down in the process. The cool water stings my heated skin. An involuntary rumble rolls out of me at the instant relief. Audria struggles against me, but her shrieks drip with amusement. Peals of laughter bounce between us, drowning out the sloshing waves. She slips against me, our bodies aligning and sparking a blaze in my gut. I’m about to crash and burn, leaving little to salvage from the wreckage. Thankfully, the chords of her humor balance my overflowing arousal. With a dunk for good measure, we’re drenched and gasping for breath.

  Audria sputters and drags wet clumps of hair from her forehead. “Truce?”

  “For now,” I mumble.

  “You play dirty.”

  “This is nothing, city girl.”

  “I’ll be watching you, farmer.” She motions from her eyes to mine.

  “That doesn’t sound like a bad thing.” I lift her onto the tube, dropping onto my own in the next beat. “So, what’s next?”

  She reclines against the squeaky plastic, trailing two fingers through the water. “I’m not following.”

  I paddle closer. “This is fun, right?”

  The corners of her eyes crinkle when she peeks over at me. “Heck yes. I’m having a blast.”

  “Which means we should plan a repeat.”

  Her throat quivers with a thick swallow. “At the lake?”

  “No, we’ll go somewhere else. It can be our new trend.”

  “And you want the new girl to choose?”

  I lift my brows at her. “You’ve had more than a month to gather your bearings.”

  Audria taps her lips. “I can pick anything?” The glint in her eyes should probably scare me.

  “Sure, why not?”

  “You might regret that decision.”

  “I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

  The sliding doors open with a gentle swoosh, chasing the steam from my bare arms with a blast of cold air. July melted into August, but the summer humidity clings on with a vengeance. We’ve had more record highs in this single season than the past five years combined. Relief from today’s staggering heat index is near, though. The sun sinks toward the horizon, taking the worst of the unbearable temperature with it.

  A clang of metal draws my attention to the cart corral. The smile tipping my lips forms without conscious effort. I’ve made several trips to this store since my arrival in Bampton Valley. Countless more visits lie in my future, but none will ever replace that initial crash with Reeve. It turns out I’m not the only one who cherishes that memory. The town is still yapping about how we met that day almost two months ago. I probably only feed the rumors when I spend a decent chunk of my free time with the guy. Only as friends, of course.

  With a mental scolding, I veer from the topic that seems to steal my focus more often than not. I turn my attention to what’s actually in front of me. Valley Market is busier than usual for early evening on a Wednesday. People mill about in every direction, creating an intricate maze I’ll never solve. Regardless of the small population, most of these folks are still strangers to me. I find myself wondering if that will change before I leave. Do I want it to?

  Sondra must notice my slower pace. “Hey, pokey. We’re just pulling a fast stop-and-grab, yeah?”

  How does she make a quick detour at the grocery store sound sexy? I send her a wink for the effort. “Yep, the first movi
e starts in less than an hour.”

  “We better hustle, or all the good spots will be taken.”

  “I’m sure Reeve and his crew can secure a section with some blankets until we arrive.”

  She snorts. “That’s adorable. As if they’d be so prepared.”

  I twist my lips to one side. “They’ve been to the Big Screen Under the Stars events, right?”

  Sondra swats at empty space. “That doesn’t matter. You give them too much credit.”

  I feel like she’s not giving them enough. “Even if Bea is there to offer assistance?”

  “With the way she’s been ogling Gavin lately?”

  “Okay, fine.” That’s a fair point. I clap my hands and aim for aisle five. “Let’s get going.”

  She lengthens her stride to catch me. “Much better.”

  My flip-flops squeak when I make a sharp turn at the corner. “What are your favorite snacks?”

  “Anything covered in chocolate. I’m a fan of fruity chews too.” Sondra smacks her lips. “You need a proper pair of boots.”

  I pause with my hand hovering over a bag of licorice. “That’s super random while shopping for candy and salty treats.”

  She motions to our left. “Macy June just passed by, strutting her stuff, and reminded me. The leather matched her denim skirt.”

  I do a cursory glance in our direct vicinity but don’t see anyone matching such a description. That name doesn’t ring a bell, not that it needs to in this case. “I have several pairs all set for fall.”

  Sondra lifts a brow at me. “Of the cowboy variety?”

  “Well, no.”

  “Any with fringe?”

  “Do moccasin slippers count?”

  “Not even a little bit. You need an actual pair of cowboy boots, especially round here.”

  I stare at my cheap sandals, imagining cushy soles replacing them. “That doesn’t sound half bad. Once it’s cooler, though.”

  “Or just wear them with your Daisy Duke shorts. With your legs, that would be a dynamite combo.”

  I blink at her. “I don’t own any of those.”

  Sondra sends me a flat expression. “I’ve seen your cutoffs. Don’t play innocent with me.”

  “They’re not that short,” I defend.

  She coughs out a cackle. “Okay, sure. And my hair is naturally red.”

  “It isn’t?”

  “Oh, sweetie.” She pets my ponytail. “At least you’re pretty.”

  I dodge her next patronizing swipe. “Brat.”

  “That’s why you like me.” She tosses a package of tropical Starbursts in her basket. “Getting you some fancy footwear is the excuse we need to ditch this popsicle stand. We’re about an hour away from Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. Take your pick.”

  A whistle flows from me. “Oh, the big cities. I’ve never been to either one.”

  “Intentionally?”

  “No, not really. I’ve just never had a reason to go. Why would I, with Minneapolis and St. Paul at my fingertips?” I remind her, as if she forgot.

  “How about for variety’s sake?”

  “I’m not sure I can handle the fast pace anymore.” I’m joking—mostly.

  Sondra quirks a brow. “You’d rather stay in Bam without reprieve?”

  She gets a laugh for that. “It’s not like I’ve been here that long. With trips home in between, I get a refresher of what’s waiting on the other side. I’m getting accustomed to the small-town quirks. Being in a community with such a tight bond is actually nice. Perhaps the country’s rubbing off on me.”

  “I warned you about this.”

  “Within an hour of arriving in town no less, all alone, without a friend in sight.”

  She bumps her hip into mine. “At least we’ve rectified that little issue.”

  “We certainly have. I appreciated the welcome wagon.”

  “And look at the impact a few months have made.”

  “I’m not staying beyond my contract,” I remind.

  “How the mighty have fallen,” she continues.

  “As if you’re one to talk.”

  She waves me off. “We all know I’m a lost cause. If you want to embrace this newfound lifestyle—temporary as it might be—get some decent boots.”

  So smooth, this one. “I’ll consider it.”

  “Fine.” She holds up a bag of Laffy Taffy. “How about these?”

  “Fun fact? I’ve never had one.” I barely hide my wince.

  Her jaw drops with a wet snick. “Good Lord, woman. You haven’t lived.”

  “That’s debatable. Most would argue that stuff gets stuck in your teeth.”

  “But telling jokes with a mouthful of goo is priceless.” She shakes her fist in a display of outrage.

  “That does sound fun,” I muse.

  “Excellent.” She drops the stash in her basket. “What else? The clock is ticking.”

  That reminder is humorous considering she’s not innocent in causing a delay. Tapping my lips, I peruse the plentiful assortment for our selection. Sondra snatches a triple pack of watermelon bubblegum. I add a box of cheesy crackers to the mix. Our lull expands into a comfortable silence. Once again, I find my candy search skidding to a halt. A row of Baby Ruth bars is the culprit. I wrinkle my nose, not the least bit interested in grabbing one.

  “You seem… distracted. More than usual,” she chides.

  I give my head a quick shake. For once, my thoughts aren’t on Reeve. “Oh, sorry. My friend called earlier. She’s pregnant. That just randomly popped into my mind.”

  “Really? That’s exciting!” Her eyes sparkle.

  “It is, but the situation with the father is really screwy.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Presley’s hysterical tone still rings in my ears. Talk about a serious whoopsie. After talking to her for almost an hour, I’m still not sure how Chad managed to knock her up. Traveling down that path will require copious amounts of wine. I’ll have to plan another visit home before work ties me down.

  Sondra lifts her brows at my extended silence.

  I wave my hands in front of me. “Never mind. It’s complicated and a story for another day.”

  She nods in understanding. “For what it’s worth, I hope it works out for her.”

  “I’m sure it will. Presley is savvy.”

  “Good, good. I wish her all the best.” She rubs her hands together as we stroll toward the self-checkout lanes. “Since we’re done collecting those mouthwatering treats, let’s focus on a more tantalizing variety. Are you still denying the sizzling chemistry with Reeve?”

  I expel a long breath, ensuring Sondra can hear my resistance. She’s starting to remind me of Vannah with her clever segues. I’m peppered by this subject so often that I feel more seasoned than Grandpa’s famous chili. Without acknowledging her question, I shovel our stash onto the conveyor belt. She’s the one giving me shit for slowing this process down. Her loud huff and foot-tapping stop me.

  “Yes,” I admit. “Anyone with eyeballs can see the sparks flying. That doesn’t mean I’m going to act on it, though.”

  Sondra swipes her card in the reader before I can reach my wallet. “You two are totally going to have sex.”

  I shove our snacks into my oversized purse and beat cheeks to the exit. “We aren’t. These outings are strictly platonic, which is precisely why we invite friends to join us.”

  Her pace matches mine. “Uh-huh, right. Two weeks ago, you chose the county fair. How cliché.”

  “It’s better than having Reeve mostly nude and within reach, yet I’m not allowed to touch. That’s worse than being a spectator at the zoo. Why is he so sexy? I needed a freaking drool bib.” The prickle of sweat dotting my brow has nothing to do with the remains of today’s humidity enveloping me. I get all hot and bothered in my lower belly just picturing the steel cut of his abs begging for friction.

  Sondra hums. “The lake was a strategic move.”

  “Which is why I countered with
something much… safer.”

  The noise she emits resembles a disgruntled cow. “Until you shared an intimate spin on the Ferris wheel. Again with the predictable scene for making a love connection.”

  “It’s not like that.” I repeat myself so often that the words sound funny.

  “I’m just counting the days until you surrender to the inevitable.”

  “Why risk a solid friendship for a quick bang?”

  She blinks at me. “Orgasms on the scale of multiples.”

  I curl my toes as a tingle of electricity attacks me. “Now who’s giving Reeve too much credit?”

  “Oh, please. As if you haven’t fantasized about all that erotic bodice ripping.”

  “You need to quit reading those historical romances.”

  “And you need to take advantage of this arrangement. Did he pick last?”

  “Yep. We went to a demolition derby and tractor pull.”

  “Wow, that’s so romantic.” Her voice drips sarcasm.

  “Oh, really? I believe that’s the entire point.” I roll my eyes. “By the way, thanks for joining this evening.”

  She salutes me. “Date decoy at your service.”

  “You’re such a dork.”

  “It helps that they’re showing one of my favorites tonight. I’ve seen Dirty Dancing enough to memorize it, but that movie never gets old.” Sondra shimmies her hips, adding a twirl for good measure.

  Following her lead is a reflex, as if the famous soundtrack already plays through hidden speakers. “It’s a classic.”

  She tips her head back with another spin. “For us, maybe.”

  We enter Bampton Commons, finding the outdoor space already crammed with clumps of moviegoers. “Do they ever do the real oldies?”

  Sondra hops to the side to avoid someone’s blanket. “Not really, unless Dottie and her crew put together a theme night.”

  I glance across the open area for the rest of our group. Reeve is impossible to miss, even standing in the center of a crowded park. His height and broad shoulders alone set him apart, but I’m reeled in by the entire package. I erase the distance separating us in a hurry. Sondra’s cackling laughter chases me from behind as she slows her gait. Her giddy noise barely registers, though. As his blue gaze strikes mine, the oxygen seizes in my lungs. Denying my infatuation to those looking on from the outskirts is simple enough, but the bubbling in my veins isn’t easy for me to avoid.