Page 12 of Audra: The Prequel

“Come on now, don’t do that.”

“Don’t do what?” she asked with wide-eyed innocence.

“What you did two seconds ago. Basically, whatever I say, you won’t believe me, right?”

“Everything you’re about to say, I’ve heard before.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You’re a beautiful woman, and you’ve probably heard a lot of bullshit from other men, but I’m not like?—”

“Other men,” she finished.

He paused. “That’s not a line.”

“Of course not,” she said.

Damon let out a little laugh, shaking his head as he bit his bottom lip. “Why did you send the message to me?”

“Because I appreciate all the gifts.”

“And why do you think I’m sending you gifts?”

She shrugged.

“Audra, if I wasn’t interested in you, do you think I would be trying this hard? I admit it, okay? I’m obsessed. Maybe a little stalkerish, but I’m harmless. I want to get to know you. Let me take you out. One night, that’s all. We don’t have to call it a date. We can call it two acquaintances getting to know each other. Two buddies going out to dinner.”

“Hmm…”

“Come on, we’ll be bros. Except one of us is shaped like a Coke bottle, has beautiful brown eyes, and lips that haunt my dreams.” His voice dipped lower at the end.

She swallowed and lowered her gaze. “Now you’re making me blush.”

Do or die time.

Damon stepped closer, and she looked up at him. “I would like to get to know you better, but if you’re not interested—andyou want me to stop—I’ll stop now. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable, and it’s not my style to push up on a woman who’s not checking for me. You say stop, and I’ll go away. You’ll never hear from me again.”

He held his breath, abs tight as he waited for her reply.

She averted her gaze for a moment, as if in deep thought. “You seem like a decent guy, Damon.”

He heard the “but” coming, and the corrosive ache of disappointment seared his chest.

She licked her lips. “I would like to take you up on your offer for dinner.”

Damon was so surprised by her answer, at first he didn’t respond. Then he shook off his stupor. “Okay.”

“We’re going as friends, right? Buddies?” Audra asked.

“That’s right. Completely platonic. I’ll treat you like one of the guys,” Damon confirmed.Yeah, right.

“Good, because I wouldn’t want there to be any misunderstandings. You seem to have a lot of women that occupy your time, so…”

“You looked me up online.”

“Of course. You have quite the roster, and I’m not talking about baseball.”

He briefly closed his eyes and groaned. “My dating situation is not as bad as you think. Sometimes celebrities link up for publicity purposes. I promise you, you don’t have anything to worry about. I don’t have a girlfriend, and your girl Claudia said you’re not seeing anyone seriously.”

“I’m not,” she confirmed.

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