[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
it s my turn. Don t say never. If it happens tonight, it happens. Since when have you become the
morality police?
It truly wasn t Rayne s normal attitude about sex. She d always been of the live and let live
persuasion and didn t believe that women should be slut shamed for enjoying something men clearly
did. It was a natural biological function, not to mention fun as hell with the right partner. She d had
long-term and short-term relationships along with a couple of one-night stands, and she was okay with
her sexuality.
But with Dare it was different.
Not in a bad way. He was smoking hot and devastatingly handsome. He was also something else,
something that made her wary. He would never hurt her or force himself on her. That wasn t it. It was
something else that she couldn t quite put her finger on, but she knew she was right to be cautious.
Maybe I m becoming more careful in my old age, Rayne smirked, standing to finish putting on
her makeup. Right now she had eyeliner but no mascara. I just think that this relationship might not
work out, and sleeping with him tonight might make ending things that much harder.
Do you realize that you haven t even gone out with him yet but you re already planning on how to
break up with him? That s a bit harsh, not to mention pessimistic. Dare s a nice man. Grouchy as all
get out, but nice.
We re just so different.
Maybe, maybe not. But you ll never know unless you go out with him. Go finish your face and
have fun. Just relax and have good time. Worst case scenario you get to see a movie tonight. That s not
so bad.
Rayne had been on some terrible, no-good dates. The kind that made you want to crawl out of the
restaurant s bathroom window so you could escape. She doubted tonight with Dare was going to be
that bad, although there was a better than average chance they d end up sniping at each other about
something.
I m sure everything will be fine. I ll call you with the details.
Call me in the morning.
I ll call you sometime tomorrow.
In the morning. If Dare doesn t spend the night you don t have any excuse, Misty laughed
delightedly. Call me or I ll call you.
Fine in the morning, but late. I want to sleep in.
You d sleep better with a handsome hunk of man in your bed.
So very true, but still quite scary. Rayne had a feeling one night with Dare wouldn t be enough.
Chapter Fourteen
The date was going well.
The movie had been better than Rayne expected. Dare had chosen an action-thriller and it wasn t
her first choice in entertainment with all the shooting, blood, and guts, but it had ensured that the date
wouldn t get too amorous.
Add in the fact that he d chosen an out of town theatre and seats in the back row, all the way in the
corner, and it felt like they were sneaking around, cheating on imaginary spouses. As thrilling as it
had seemed at first, now it felt kind of icky and dirty. Not in a good way.
I hope you re hungry.
Dare led her to a back booth in a rundown diner on the outskirts of Springwood. The old linoleum
floors were dingy and the soles of her shoes stuck as she walked, making a sucking sound with each
step. The smell of fry grease hung heavy in the air along with the remnants of what she thought might
be motor oil. Not the most appetizing combination, but she d had a strong stomach since the summer
she d spent at camp eating what had been essentially prison cuisine along with the three hundred other
kids sweltering in ninety degree heat.
Rayne still gave her mom and dad a hard time about that summer. They d swore that the brochure
looked much better than the reality and had been so apologetic she d scored a new computer from the
debacle.
Sliding into the booth, her rear end came to a quick halt and she winced at the thought of what was
gluing the material of her jeans to the vinyl. More grease? She had to lift up to be able to move farther
into the booth, shuddering as she placed her handbag on the oily bench seat.
One look at the table didn t tell a much different story. It looked and felt like it had been wiped off
with a rag that hadn t been washed or rinsed in days. She could certainly suck it up and eat here, but
she wasn t sure why she should when there were literally dozens of restaurants within a fifty-mile
radius.
Do you come here a lot? Rayne decided to answer his question with another question. If he said
yes this was definitely a strike against him.
Dare squirmed in his seat under her steady regard. Actually I ve only been here once. I met an
informant here about a drug deal.
Oookay.
Looking at the clientele that made sense. Everyone in the joint looked like they were hiding out
from the law, a bill collector, or their jealous husband. There was a sense of desperation and secrets
in the air, and Rayne had to admit it made her uncomfortable.
You don t like it here, Dare stated flatly. It is kind of a greasy spoon. I chose it because it was
out of the way.
She could go two ways on this. Get pissy with him because he d brought her to the no tell diner
or laugh at the entire situation. She chose the latter.
It s certainly out of the way, she giggled, letting her gaze wander across the room. I hope
you re packing heat tonight because it looks like most of the people in here are. I don t think I ll see
anyone I know here, so excellent job.
Smacking his forehead with his palm, Dare groaned and shook his head. Shit. This is really
awful, isn t it? I was only here once and I guess I didn t really notice how bad it was. You must think
I m a total bonehead. I swear I m not usually this stupid.
I know that. Rayne gave him a warm smile to show she wasn t mad or even perturbed. He was
trying his best, but she doubted he d ever had to sneak around before in his life. Listen, I have an
idea. Why don t we go back to that drive thru chicken place we saw a few miles back? We can pick
up some dinner and find a place to have a picnic. I bet you know some out of the way and really
peaceful spots around here.
The corners of his lips turned up ever so slightly, and she felt her chest tightening and her heart
skipped a beat. I do know just the spot and that s sounds like a good idea. Dare stood and held out
his hand to help her out of the booth. Shall we go?
Rayne placed her hand in his, already anticipating the streak of heat that would travel from her
fingers to parts more intimate. If she continued to date Dare, she hoped she would get used to it
eventually. Because if not, she was going to be a hormonal mess every time he touched her. She
needed to get herself under control.
* * * *
Another biscuit? Rayne offered Dare, holding out the plastic tray. I m stuffed like a turkey.
She d put away a surprising amount of food for such a tiny woman. Not much more than five foot
two and a hundred and ten pounds soaking wet, she eaten two chicken breasts, a large helping of
mashed potatoes and gravy, plus three biscuits with butter. There was a chocolate cake as well for
dessert but that would have to wait. Dare couldn t have forced another bite past his lips.
They were sitting in the bed of his truck by a lake he used to fish in when he was a kid. Dare had
found a blanket in the back and he d tucked it around them as the temperature fell. Rayne hadn t
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]