Free The Perfect Ingredient (Dare Valley) by Ava Miles

anyone hurting her only confirmed what he already knew.
    He had to be with her again.
    Yes, they would have to wade through the old anger and mistrust, but he wanted her, needed her. He was old enough to stop questioning why.
    “I’ll be careful,” he promised.
    Rhett waved at Mac, who was talking with his wife, Peggy, by the bar. “Not too long ago, Mac and I had the same conversation about Abbie. I’ll tell you the same thing he told me. We’ll always be friends, regardless of what happens between you two.”
    This time Terrance slapped him on the back. “I appreciate that, man. Time for me to make my move.”
    The center of his attraction broke away from her group and headed to the bathroom. He increased his pace, and when she reached the hallway, he snagged her arm and pulled her into the empty side room, where his staff kept their things.
    “Hi,” he said softly, seeing the pulse pound in her neck. “We haven’t talked yet.”
    “You’re not interested in talking,” she told him in a flat tone.
    “Now that’s not true. I talk with you more than I’ve ever talked to a woman.”
    As if she’d been holding her breath, it expelled in a rush, and he felt it across every inch of his skin.
    “God, you’re beautiful.”
    Vulnerability shone in her eyes. “More so than Vixen?”
    He finally touched her, pushing a strand of her blond hair back from her face. “Yes. But in a different way. You’re more approachable like this.”
    “You never had any trouble approaching me before.”
    Going for honesty, he stroked her cheek. “When I first met you, I didn’t expect much more than hot sex. And then—”
    “We talked,” she finished for him. “I know. I didn’t expect anything more either.”
    “I guess that’s why we both ended up being surprised with each other. Elizabeth, I still want you.”
    She swallowed but said nothing.
    “I want you. Again.”
    “Is that all?” she quipped, looking over his shoulder, her body heat calling to him like a hearth fire in a snowstorm.
    “Why are you fighting it? Yes, we have some shit to sort through, but we still know how to talk to each other, and God knows there’s plenty of heat between us.”
    Her mouth quirked up. “Made you swear.” It was said like a gloat.
    “You’re costing me a fortune,” he admitted. “This torture has to end, Elizabeth.”
    She pushed against his chest, and he stepped back. “I’m not so sure. It’s not going to be just about sex if we get together, Terrance.”
    “It wasn’t before,” he admitted. “Is that why you left without saying goodbye?”
    Her hand rested on the doorknob. “I had my reasons. Anyway, if I hadn’t ended it, you would have. Eventually. I wish you’d stop being angry about it.”
    “Don’t fucking tell me how I should feel.”
    His angry words seemed to shake the air between them, making her shiver.
    “I need to get back,” she said and opened the door.
    Taking out two hundred dollars, he deposited the bills in his pocket and stood there for ten seconds before following her.
    As he headed toward Elizabeth, Natalie stepped into his path. “Chef T.”
    “You’re not going to stop me from getting to her,” he told her.
    She studied him and braced her hands on her hips. “I am tonight.”
    His eyes flicked over her shoulder to where Elizabeth now stood, surrounded again by Natalie’s sisters and Jane, whose gaze held a clear warning.
    “Fine. I don’t want to ruin the party, but you can tell her that this isn’t over.”
    His gaze clashed with Elizabeth’s. Her pulse still beat strong in her throat. He let his mouth curve to convey he was only slightly amused.
    “I’m not your messenger. You can tell her yourself,” Natalie said. Then her gaze caught on someone or something to the right, and her face seemed to freeze.
    He looked over. A distinguished man with silver hair in a suit stood on the outskirts of the party. A man came up and hugged him, joined by a young boy.
    “Who is