Consumed with raw lust.
He’d let her see it, too. She’d needed to see it. He’d made the decision to go all in, which meant no more hesitation with her, and letting the attraction run free. Over the last few days, she’d watched him struggle. She needed to see there was a man underneath all the baggage. A man who wanted her and would take her.
He’d gotten a little insight into Gayle from their encounter, as well. She’d read his intentions clearly, had backed off from his challenge. She was used to having the upper hand, probably felt in control of a situation when she was the one leading the reins. Join the club.
They could prove a very interesting combination.
He looked forward to seeing what that dynamic ignited between them.
After he shoved his feet into a pair of flip-flops, he left the tent in search of her. He found her standing by the refreshment tents. She’d changed into a pair of denim shorts and a pink spaghetti-strap tank. She also wore a pair of matching flip-flops. Dried mud streaked her legs.
She turned and their gazes connected. She smiled. “What is it about a man in camo?”
He glanced down at his camouflage cargo shorts. “And here I thought it was the tat.”
“Oh, the tat’s hot, too.” She ran her hand over his exposed bicep.
Seemed she’d gathered her composure again and was trying to take back the upper hand. He’d let her…for now.
“How about we go grab that beer we earned and something to eat?” he suggested.
Her lips split into a pleased smiled. Yeah, she definitely believed she had the upper hand again. “That sounds great.”
Within minutes they were sipping an ice-cold brew. Mac had selected a Polish dog while Gayle had settled on chili. They found a picnic table to listen to the live band. Mac waited for her to sit down, then took a seat beside her, making sure to press his thigh into hers. She froze for a second and shot him a look.
He had to take a gulp of his beer to fight back a chuckle.
This was fun. He liked throwing her off balance. God knew, the woman had kept him on his toes since the moment he’d met her. It was time for him to return the favor.
He leaned over and whispered, “That streak of mud between your breasts is pretty fucking hot.”
Her mouth dropped open and her head fell forward to look at her cleavage, then she gave a sputtered laugh and pointed her spoon at him. “You’re as bad as I am.”
Grinning, he took another swallow of his beer, only to scowl when Milton came and practically sat on her lap. He hadn’t liked the familiarity between the two earlier, and he liked it even less now. And yet, it bothered him that he was bothered by it.
“Hey, gorgeous. How was the race?”
“As exciting as ever. What’s your opinion, Mac?”
“It won’t be my last, especially if Gayle is going to be my partner.”
Milton squeezed an arm around her. “Gayle is pretty damn awesome, isn’t she? She’s run with me on a couple of races over the years. It’s always an adventure when she’s involved.”
Mac tensed. “How long have you guys known each other?”
“What? Two or three years? Gayle taught a seminar a few years ago that I attended. I hung around afterward because I had to get the beautiful professor’s digits.” He grinned like a fool.
“You guys used to date?” He’d deal with the professor part later.
“Used to? Hell, we still hook up from time to time. What do you say, babe, tonight? Nine o’clock. Your place?”
A fiery stab of jealously pierced Mac’s gut.
Gayle slapped Milton on the arm. “Would you stop! His wife of three years is right over there.” She pointed to the dark-haired woman handing out beers. “I met them both at the seminar.”
Milton leaned in conspiratorially. “Did I forget to mention she hooks up with me and my wife from time to time?”
“For God’s sake, Milton.”
He laughed, then stood. “I’ve got to get back. Glad you came, Gayle.” He waggled his eyebrows and Gayle rolled her eyes, shaking her head.
“Don’t mind him. Milton loves to be shocking. He gets a kick out of people’s reactions. He’s harmless, though.”
Mac dropped the remainder of his dog in the container and wiped his mouth with a napkin. Jealousy. What the fucking hell? Gayle wasn’t a permanent. She was a temporary. That was the compromise he’d come to earlier. Keep his distance emotionally, but allow himself to have some fun. Gayle was the perfect person to do that with—but he didn’t plan for this to be any more than a good time while he was here. He needed to tell her that, as much as he needed to remind himself, apparently.
“Hey, what’s the matter?”
“Can we be up front with each other?” he asked. If she didn’t like what he had to say, it was probably better things ended now, anyway.
“I prefer honesty.”
“I’m only here for a few weeks while I help Lance out.”