“I… I know Jack and my parents used to argue about the time he spent with you. And back then, they warned me to stay away from you. But that was the past. They’re proud of what you, Jack, and Tristan have built,” she rushes to say.
I doubt her parents are proud ofme, but I appreciate her trying to save her mother and father with the admission.
I merely nod. I need to change the subject and think back to what we’d been talking about when things felt lighter. “Well, once that night happened, Matthew taught me to redirect the anger and frustration I carried about my past, my present, and anything that was bothering me into working out.”
Her gaze softens. “I like that for you. I’m sure it helped.”
I think back to the first time my fist struck the punching bag, how those blows freed me from the buzzing anger that had always been with me. Especially after I’d learned how my parents died. “Boxing helped a lot. I liked getting stronger, feeling more in control.” And that’s why I keep it up to this day.
“Makes sense to me. And Lucas?” she asks, as she gathers our plates. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed about where you came from. It formed the man you are today.” She rises fromthe bench without meeting my gaze. “Besides, bad boys have a certain appeal.” Without another word, she strides to the already overflowing garbage pail and pushes our plates inside.
No doubt she rushed off because she didn’t want me to catch her blushing, but all I can think of is her admission that tells me this attraction isn’t one sided. Not at all.
We walk to my car in charged silence. The warmth from the sun beats down on our heads, but I grew up in Florida, as did Rainey. We’re used to the heat and humidity.
I open her door and she slides in. It’s not my fault if my stare lands on her tanned legs beneath her skirt, and my cock gives another jolt of awareness inside my slacks.
Ignoring the desire sliding through my veins, I shut her door, jog to my side, and settle in so she isn’t sitting in the sizzling vehicle for too long. Turning on the ignition, I get the AC going on high and drive us back to the club.
Once I walk her to her car, she turns to face me. “Thanks for a delicious and fun lunch.”
“I enjoyed it, too.” A warm breeze floats through the air and a lock of hair blows across her cheek. Reaching out, I tuck it behind her ear, the tips of my fingers grazing her cheek. She shivers, a tremor racing through her, and I glance down to see her nipples, hard peaks visible through her camisole.
She tilts her head up, her lips parted in what looks like a silent request for a kiss. I stare into her eyes, and I’m so fucking tempted to cross the invisible boundary I’ve erected… but I can’t. I wasn’t smart during the early years of my life, and I’ve worked too hard and come too far to screw up again by kissing my business partner’s sister. The woman I have to work with on a party important to both Rainey and the club I own.
Instead of taking her up on the not-so-subtle offer, I step back and open her car door. “We’ll talk again soon?” I ask,knowing we have more things to do to prepare for the Thunder’s year ahead.
Her cheeks are flushed as she nods. “We will.” She enters the vehicle, no longer meeting my gaze.
The sexual tension is gone, replaced by her embarrassment, and I’m not happy with myself. Not at all.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Rainey
“I’m mortified,” Isay out loud, as I drive home from Midnight, fresh from offering myself to Lucas and being turned down.
I don’t know what I was thinking. One minute we’re standing by the car, the next he’s tucking my hair behind my ear. I feel his knuckles against my cheek and it’s like his touch engages my entire being. Next thing I know, I’m tilting my head up, all but begging him for a kiss. And the man I thought desired me as much as I do him steps back and hustles me into the car.
“How about you come over. I’ll make dinner, and we can talk about how much men suck?” Kaylee offers.
I shake my head, then remember to speak. “No, thanks. I need to stop by my mom’s. Dad is out with my uncle Alex for a business dinner, and I told her I’d keep her company.”
“Okay, but I’m here if you want to talk.”
I’m so grateful to have a friend like Kaylee. “Thanks. See you in the morning.”
“Bye.” I click off the phone.
About thirty minutes later, I’m sitting in Mom’s kitchen, my hands wrapped around a cup of hot tea. My mother is sitting next to me, both of us on high stools around the center island. I grew up in this house, and it holds so many good memories. At the thought, I think about Lucas and how he doesn’t have a decent childhood to look back on, and my heart breaks for the hurt, angry boy he’d once been.
Am I still embarrassed by the kiss thing?Yes. Though I have no choice but to move past it.
“Earth to Rainey,” my mom says.
I look up and she comes into view. My mother is wearing a lounge outfit in lavender, a color that suits her well. Her long hair is pulled into a low ponytail and her makeup is light, as always. She’s beautiful, and not just because I’m biased.
According to the rest of the world, I’m my mom’s mini-me. I think my face is a combo of both my parents. I have chocolate brown hair, like her, and curves—too many, if you ask me—also like her. I have freckles across my nose—and so does she. But my eyes are all my father’s side. All the Dare siblings have dark navy eyes and so do their kids. It’s a dominant gene, I suppose.
