Oh, what had followed had been amazing. Because when she’d washed his shaft, it lengthened. Thickened. After stepping out to grab a condom from the counter drawer, he bent her over the long tile bench and took her, fast and hard, using his fingers on her to ensure she came when he did.

Her legs had been so weak afterward he had to help her out of the shower.

And this wasn’t what she should be thinking about right now. Way to go, girl. Now her lower half was tingling and needy, wanting to drag Gabe home for more.

Instead, she straightened her shoulders and stepped into the coffee shop.

He followed her in and ran a palm down her hair. “You sure you want to leave?” he asked softly.

She nodded. “It’ll be safer.” For me and for everyone around me.

But, God, it hurt.

As she stood there, he wrapped his arms around her in an all-encompassing hug. And her heart simply melted into a warm puddle.

They hadn’t known each other that long, yet…she was totally in love with him.

She was leaving. Leaving him. The fog-filled morning air held a chill that matched the one in Gabe’s gut.

After giving Uriah and Sarah a heads-up that Audrey might have someone bad looking for her, Gabe stalked through Rescue, nodding at the few people who greeted him. The rest scurried from his path. He was scaring the locals…and he didn’t particularly care.

She was leaving.

He hadn’t wanted to get involved with her—or anyone—but he sure had. Hell of a mistake.

Only he couldn’t call the time he’d spent with her a mistake. More like a gift.

Still…she was leaving. His jaw clenched. He’d really like to hit something.

That wasn’t like him at all.

“Chief’s sure in a pissed-off mood,” he heard a couple of women say. “Best stay out of his way.”

That brought him up short. For fuck’s sake, he was supposed to be the good guy here. With a sigh, he scrubbed his hands over his face. Get a grip, MacNair. You have people to protect, and it shouldn’t be from yourself.

Pulling in a slow breath through his nose, he stowed his feelings away, a technique he’d mastered early in his SEAL career. Allowing emotions in battle got people killed. He’d think about Audrey when he wasn’t on duty. Later.

As his balance settled, he nodded to the women. “Sorry, ladies. I don’t think I got my full gallon of coffee.”

They gave him smiles and “good mornings” and resumed their stroll down the sidewalk.

There. He gave himself two points for good community relations and continued.

He’d still rather beat the crap out of someone.