Tate nodded. “So, what did this idiot do to cause you to burn stuff?”
Audrey ran her finger along the rim of her mug before looking up at him. “Why is it so easy to talk to you?”
The question confused him. He grinned while shrugging. “I’m not sure, but I’m happy about it.”
Her eyes softened and she nodded. “It’s nice.”
Tate continued to grin. “It is. Now tell me.”
Her smile fell as her hand went up to a strand of her hair, which she began to twirl slowly around her finger while she stared at the pile of burned mess. “I went home with someone who I have been sleeping with for the past eight months when I knew I shouldn’t have. He doesn’t love me, but for some reason I keep hoping for something that is never gonna happen. I woke up to him getting dressed and he proceeded to tell me he only wants to have sex with me. He doesn’t want to be with me.”
Tate cringed. The dude was an idiot! But all in all, the idiot’s loss was his gain.
“Did you give him everything you had?” he asked.
“Yeah, and he used me.”
“Then forget him, he doesn’t deserve you. You deserve someone who will love you, not some jackass that doesn’t know his ass from his head.”
Audrey covered her mouth as she giggled. “Everyone tells me that.”
“Then maybe you should listen,” he said with a grin.
She grinned back before nodding. “Maybe I will.”
He got the vibe she was flirting with him, and his heart rate picked up and dick hardened with the beautiful memories of her naked. She was hurting and he was an ass for thinking of sex, but he couldn’t help it. She was so sexy and gorgeous. At the right angle, he could see perfectly down her shirt. For some reason, when he was around her he found himself thinking about her naked and sex. He’d wanted her since he watched her leave the hotel room. It had been a long week, and he was ready for a repeat and more.
Tate turned up his charm, channeling his inner Lucas as he grinned at her.
“Maybe a good guy is in your future.”
“Maybe,” she said, then stood up suddenly. “Thanks for the talk.”
“Any time.”
Tate stood up too, and Audrey handed him the empty mug as he looked down at her, wanting her in his arms again. They said nothing for a moment, just stared into each other’s eyes. Hers were dark with pretty little spots of honey. She was beautiful, so beautiful.
Her eyes fell to his lips, then she looked away quickly and muttered, “I gotta get dressed and go buy a couch and mattress before Aiden gets here.”
“Yeah, Lucas told me Aiden is staying with you for the week.”
“Yup.” She nodded, taking a step back.
“He told me to help out but to know that you probably won’t need it.”
She smiled. “No, Aiden and I are good, but thanks.”
“Sure,” he said as she reached the door. He didn’t want her to go, so he added, “I’m home alone for the week. If you guys want company, let me know.”
Audrey smiled, her eyes brighter than they were earlier. “Will do. Thanks again, Tate.”
“Any time.”
When she went inside, he leaned against the brick of the condo, taking in deep breaths. She did something to his heart and he didn’t understand it, but he liked it. He liked her.
“Hey.”
Tate came off the wall, a quick smile on his face for Audrey. “Yeah?”
“What’s your favorite thing to eat? Candywise?”
He laughed at the randomness of the question but it wasn’t difficult to answer. “Gummy bears.”
Audrey smiled brightly and nodded. “Are you going to baby Shelli’s birthday party this weekend?”
Tate nodded. He didn’t want to, but Shea, his captain, said he had to go.
So he was.
“Yeah.”
“Good, I’ll see you there.”
With a wave, she left, shutting the door behind her.
Audrey confused the hell out of him, but he didn’t care. He wanted her, and he couldn’t wait for the chase. He would give her a week or two, but after that it was game time.
And he had his mind set to win.
Chapter 7