“Would you like to go for a walk to burn some of that chocolate cake off?” he asks laughing after I ate not only mine but most of his slice too. I’d forgotten how much I loved their chocolate cake and devoured it.
“Sure, but not too far these heels are killer.” I giggle and he offers his arm for me to loop it through.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing you’re here with a doctor then.” He winks showing off those dimples as we walk out onto the sidewalk.
I have yet to get that electric buzzing feeling I felt from being around Kane, but since he made it clear that we aren’t going anywhere, I don’t see any reason why I can’t keep my options open. Ian has been amazing and why shouldn’t I be wined and dined by a good-looking guy who seems truly interested in me. My roommate always says time waits for no man.
We walk down the main street and talk more about his family moving here right after I left to live with Dad in Seattle. He was in college getting his undergraduate at Yale and then continued to Harvard Medical School. He never wanted the life of a huge city doctor and thought he could make more of an impact on smaller towns which is why he’s back here.
“So tell me something that no one else knows about Raegan Walker,” he nudges as we pass by the town square.
I think for a minute then say, “I love car racing.” I’ve never told anyone other than my roommate before and find that it’s so easy to open up to him.
“Really?” my answer throws him for a moment. “That sounds pretty hot, not gonna lie.”
I tell him about my love of car racing, which then I tell him all about my love of cooking and trying new things, which he also enjoys, and my love of the beach—the sand in my toes and the wind blowing through my hair.
As we start back towards my car, I hear the thunder of the engines before I can see them. Motorcycles are coming down the main drag and I notice Kane right away. On reaction, I put my arm out and wave in their direction. I see a slight nod but can’t tell if it was me he was actually acknowledging. As they pass I turn my attention back to Ian who’s now staring at me.
“Do you know them?” he asks and I’m not sure about the tone in his voice. Is he annoyed, or curious or was it distaste?
“Them? Oh, well I met some of them yesterday evening when I slipped away for a run. Also, my ex from six years ago is apparently part of it now. I found that out last night as well,” I say with a shrug.
The rumbles haven’t died down at all and as we are about to cross the street, a line of motorcycles block our attempt. What the hell? Some get off their bikes to light up a smoke while others check their phones, but it’s the three massive bodies coming from the front of the line that have me concerned. They are dressed in their cuts with white shirts and jeans with leather riding boots.
“Well, this is just great,” I hear Ian say under his breath.
“What’s going on here?” Kane demands in a calm and smooth tone flipping his hat from backwards so that the bill is above his face.
“Nothing that concerns you or your minions,” I say in a snarky way.
“That dress doesn’t say nothing to me, Raegan,” Kane scorns at me. His eyes are cold as stone staring a hole through me as he looks me up and down.
Why does he care? He’s the one who doesn’t want this to happen and made it clear where he stands.
I notice Havoc hasn’t uttered anything but is watching my every move. I really need to put us both out of our misery and talk this out so that we both can move forward. But my inner petty bitch wants him to suffer like I did all those years ago.
My frustration is getting the better of me and I turn back to Kane so I can nail this home.
“Kane, you’re acting like a jealous boyfriend right now, and I know that you don’t do relationships, so what are you doing right now?” I move closer to Ian and he puts an arm around my waist.
“Wildcat, you’re playing with fire right now, and I just want you to be careful who you let close to you. This guy isn’t as upstanding as he seems. Right, Ian?”
“Listen, I know that my family isn’t very accepting of the marriage between Allison and Kash, but Allison and I are making amends. We’ve been hanging out more since I’ve been back, and she leaves Annie with me to babysit sometimes. My parents are a different story, though,” Ian tries to explain himself.
“What I think, is that your family turned up their nose to my family instead of getting to know us. They threw Allison out on her ass when she didn’t conform to your parents demand to leave Blaze. I just don’t want Raegan to get sucked in and treated the same way.”
Why does he care?
“Well, thank you for your warning or whatever it is you think you’re doing here. But I think you’ve seen that I’m a big girl and can handle myself just fine.” It takes all my willpower not to read him the riot act. Beckett and Ben both grin knowing that I’m seconds away from doing it, too. “And you two, wipe those smiles off those faces.” I point to them. “I can take care of myself and don’t need any assistance.”
Ben is the first to move and swings down picking me right up off the ground twirling me around. Hearing some whistles I’m pretty sure everyone just saw my ass.
“Boy, have I missed you, Rae Rae,” he jokes and then kisses my forehead.
“Yeah, yeah and don’t call me that. You know I hate it, Benjamin!” I reprimand him but also call him by his full name, which he hates. He chuckles and places me back down.
They start to walk away, but before they do Kane tugs me away from Ian and leans down to my ear.
