by Gayle Eden
Someday, she would like to have Rayne living closer to her, but his work was in clubs at the moment, and mostly late night shifts. It was rare she got him to her place for a whole weekend.
“You look nice,” he teased, eyeing her makeup and watching her pull on her jacket. “Smell good too.”
“Good.” She laughed and got her helmet. “I’ll be mud covered when we get there.”
“Buy yourself a truck. You can afford one.”
“I might. I probably will.”
He offered, “Call and get Jesse to loan you the jeep. I’ll follow.”
“Okay.”
Later, he was on his Harley, headed to the Ranch behind her in Jesse’s Jeep—she also had bummed a bag of their blend of spice coffee. The road was still muddy. Rayne wore a full leather duster and gloves. When she pulled in, she waited for him to remove all the gear, nothing but his boots the worst for the wear.
The porch light was on. Carter met them—not hiding his happy to see her smile.
He looked—fine. She took in his tall, broad shouldered form in Levis and boots, a green long-sleeved T-shirt. His hair was damp. It had been cut shorter. Those eyes were as devastating as always.
“Need an old towel?” He asked Rayne.
“My boots are caked.” Rayne nodded.
Having taken Skye’s hand, Carter kissed her cheek then went back to the door, calling out to Kelly for some paper towels.
Rayne had scraped most of it off the soles.
Skye was introduced to a woman in square glasses, wearing black slacks, a blue sweater, and boots.
“This is Kelly—Kelly, Skye.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too.” She replied to Skye’s smile. “I’ve been anxious to meet you forever. Carter was crazy trying to get back here to see you.”
Skye flushed but heard Carter say that was true.
Expecting—she wasn’t sure what, Skye looked at her long enough to see an attractive woman in glasses with a nice curved figure. Her hair was beautiful, pulled back at the nape.
“My brother, Rayne.”
Rayne looked up. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Kelly held out the paper towel.
Carter was saying to Skye, “Come in. Willow is baking in the kitchen. It will go nice with that coffee.”
They went inside.
* * * *
Kelly watched Rayne, then suggested, “Come up on the porch and take them off. That won’t do. You need something damp.”
He went up the steps and sat in a rocker when she went in, having pulled off the boots by the time she returned.
“Thanks, I got it.” He stopped her when she was going to pick his muddy boots up herself.
Having bent over to do so, she straightened as bent over. Their heads bumped slightly.
“Sorry.” She laughed and handed him the damp towel.
He wiped the boots but glanced at her. She had moved back a step. Rayne took in her posture, the folded arms, and watched her chew her lip. He finished the wiping off, left the boots off though, and set the damp rag aside she’d brought.
Sitting back, he asked, “Mind of I smoke?”
“No.” She was observing him. “Can I get you coffee or a beer?”
“Beer.”
“Be right back.”
While she was gone, taking with her that scent of cookies she had carried, Rayne considered just taking off. He knew he was a big guy. He pumped iron. He was a bouncer part time. He had tattoos. Long hair. She looked like a—well, a smart and pretty woman. Her clothing was stylish and nice. On the conservative side of hip.
She brought the beer back. He was a little surprised she had one for herself. She leaned in front of him, a few feet away, against the stone and timber pillar.
Smoking, drinking the beer, he could feel her eyes moving over him. Though it was a mild night to him, chills raised on his skin. He told himself it was quills of irritation from being stared at his whole life.
He caught her gaze in the middle of lowering the beer.
Dark blue.
Rayne saw her blush.
It was awkward, before she asked, “What’s that one on your right arm?”
He blinked.
“The tattoo.”
“Oh.” He laughed and pulled up the short T-shirt sleeve. “It’s a mythical creature. Firebird.” He saw her leaning, trying to peer at it. “You can come close. I won’t bite.”
She came to sit on her haunches by the chair. He didn’t expect it when her cool fingers touched his arm, causing the muscles to bunch. She was tracing it. His eyes were tracing her lush hair, her face. Under the cookies, he detected a nice perfume. When she looked up at him, he saw the make up on her eyes and that they were the shiny hue of sapphires.
Her eyes dropped to his throat. Her hand still on his arm. She murmured, “That’s beautiful. I always wanted a tattoo. I just never could find something that meant…”
“Meant?”
She raised her eyes. “For my Mom. She died when I was sixteen. She had fought cancer for years. I would have given up. She didn’t. Her body did.”
She stood and went to the other side, looking at his arm. “You have a lot of spiritual symbols.”
He grunted. The one on his neck was an angel—albeit a dark one. On that arm was a tribal symbol. He said, “I got that ten years ago. When I was twenty.”
She picked up the beer she’d set down, leaning against the pillar. “Willow was telling me you took her for a ride.”
“She’s an all right girl.”
“Sharp, and amusing.”
He eyed that smile, a soft one. Rayne was mentally shaking his head no, even while temptation was creeping over him. Talk about polar opposites. Yet he was not dense. He remembered Skye saying, Carter’s shy and bookish stepsister. He could feel her tension. It was not intimidation.
He finished the cigarette and about half the beer gone, he asked about her move to 4 Oaks. She told him she was in transition, and mentioned a bad relationship. She laughed in a quiet way that was telling, and reveled what a prick the guy was. He gathered she was ready to move on. She asked about what he did. Rayne told her. The questions she asked amused him, but he supposed that it was far removed from her experience.
In another half hour, he had gleaned that she spent a lot of time reading, studying, and going to school. He also gathered her father had been somewhat consumed by her mother’s illness, and she assumed responsibility for herself at a young age.
At some point, Rio’s truck pulled in. He emerged looking tired and dirty.
“Rayne.” He nodded.
“Rio.” Rayne stood and shook his hand.
“Willow’s been baking all evening,” Kelly offered.
Rio grunted tiredly. “I’m beat. I’m starved too. Cookies ain’t going to do it.”
“There’s food in the fridge. We picked up spaghetti and salads earlier.”
After he went in, she invited Rayne to do so. He was reluctant still.
She sensed it because she left and emerged with spice coffee.
He took it, not thinking he would like it, but once he sipped, it was pretty good.
“It’s getting chilly. You don’t have to entertain me.” He said quietly, “Skye wanted to see Carter and insisted I come along.”
“They’re hanging out in the kitchen with Willow. Icing cookies and catching up.” She told him, “I’ve never been accused of being entertaining.” Her grin was downright cute.
He walked over to stare out at the landscape, able to see because of the full moon. When he looked over his shoulder, she was dragging her gaze up the length of him, and had lingered on his ass long enough to make him turn back around before she discovered he’d caught her.
He offered to take his cup in. They went inside. After that, he hung out in the great room with Rio and Carter. The females were in the kitchen—a lot of laughter drifting out.
At a later hour, Rio turned in, and Willow shortl
y after. He heard Skye murmur to Carter that he looked tired, and decided to take his leave early to give them some time alone.
When he stepped out on the porch, Kelly was there. She wore a long calf length sweater this time, and was sitting on the steps.
“It was good talking to you,” he offered as he passed her.
She murmured, “You too.”
He went to the bike and put the duster on, his eyes flickering to her as he buckled it. She was sitting with her elbows on her thighs, hands lightly clasped, watching him.
Before he let the visor down on the helmet, he asked, “You ever ride?”
“Never.” She shook her head. Her hair was down and waving on her shoulders. “I told Kane, the other day that I’d gone horseback riding a few times. Not that I was around ten when I did it.” She raked her teeth over her lip. “I’ve never done anything very risky or exciting.”
“I’ll take you, sometime.” His grin was wry because he surprised himself by offering.
“I’d love that.”
He looked around then said, almost challenging. “Tomorrow?”
“What time?” She stood.
“What’s good for you?”
“Evening.”
“Round five then?”
“Great.”
His eyes scanned her. “Dress warm. Wear good boots.”
“Okay.”
He put the visor down, started the Harley, and smoothly turned it.
She was still there when he pulled out.
* * * *
Skye was in Carter’s arms the moment the great room cleared. He had turned out the lamps. Firelight lit the room but they were standing, she on tiptoes, her arms around him. She had prepared to go because he was obviously tired, but he gathered her to him, kissed her, and all the emotions and sensations came rushing over her.
He lifted his head and kissed her temple while murmuring, “Thank you, for coming over.”
“I enjoyed it.”
After another bout of kissing that aroused them both, he walked her out and stood by the jeep door while she slid in.
“I’ll call. We’ll do a real date.”
She laughed. “I like it here. Time with someone, talking, being normal-eating cookies, that’s fine with me. I’ve not had much normal.”
He nodded and stole another kiss, his tone husky afterwards saying, “Goodnight.”
“Night, Carter.”
She made the short drive in a muse. Every second with him was wonderful.
He got to her really fast.
Halloween
Carter awoke and did the feeding, because he had heard Kane stumble in during the late hours. After seeing bags of candy on the kitchen counter, he went out and looked in Kane’s truck. There were two cases of empty beer cans in the back.
Taking the flat bed out, he gave the cattle hay and feed, then the horses, before driving back and taking a roan for a ride to check on the calves. When he got back to the barn and saw to the horse, Kelly came out to tell him that she and Willow were going in town to pick up a few things.
She said too, as they walked toward the ranch house, “Rayne offered to take me for a ride on his motorcycle today.”
“And you accepted?” Carter was surprised.
“I’m excited.”
He laughed. “What time?”
“Around five.” She pushed her hair behind her ears. “Willow wants to dress up for giving out the candy, so we’re going to try and find her something. I need—ranch clothing.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll bring back something for dinner.”
“Sure.”
She headed to the car where Willow was waiting. When they pulled out, Carter went up on the porch and eventually ambled inside.
He showered and changed, was barefoot, his chambray shirt not buttoned. His hair wet when Rio came out much the same, freshly showered. He wore a denim shirt and Levis, and with his black hair clinging to his brow and temple, as if he just shook it out.
“Rough one?”
He looked at Carter. “Always is.” Lowering himself into a chair, he propped his booted feet up.
Carter told him where Willow was.
“I got her car out of the shop but it needs new tires.” Rio grunted. “I told them to just keep it there another week.”
Carter grinned at him. “Have anything to do with Eric—who knows evvvverything?”
“He’s a dick,” Rio said in such a way that Carter almost spewed the cola he was drinking. Rio further said, “What she sees in him, I’ll never know.”
“You sound like a dad already.”
Rio muttered, “She said she’d told Eric he could use her car and she’d drive my truck because his is broke down. I said no. She’s going to do it anyway.”
“I’m sure she’ll grow out of him.”
“Soon, I hope.”
They sat awhile longer, and then Willow and Kelly were back with shopping bags. Willow showed himself and Rio an outfit—that Rio said looked more like a dominatrix than a vampire—which got an eye roll from Willow. It was faux leather, short skirt, blouse with corset, torn net hose and vinyl boots. It was more Goth than sexy to Carter’s mind. But Rio didn’t like it.
“Don’t be a hypocrite.” Willow laughed at Rio’s scowl. “You probably stay necked more than dressed.”
“I’m not fifteen.”
“Sixteen. And you don’t want to go there.”
“You’re a smartass.” Rio was grinning.
“Told you. I take after my dad.”
Kelly showed him the boots she’d bought, nice, knee high brown leather with buckles up the back. She had five bags of new clothing. She and Willow went inside talking and laughing.
Evening was descending. Rio had gone out to do something to the truck ,where he’d parked by the barn and tools. Carter was getting worried about Kane, who still had not awakened. As the girls were getting ready upstairs there suddenly came the blare of loud music from Willow’s room. Her windows were open. The bass was cranked up, the floors vibrated with the sound of, (You’re up and your down, you’re in and you’re out….)
Carter went up the stairs after seeing they had bought food, and huge plastic Halloween bowls. They had everything ready in the kitchen. He headed to his room, thinking he could find a way to see Skye tonight. He was glad he got to see her last night, but that was just a tease, in his opinion. He had enjoyed icing cookies, kissing her, laughing with her—kissing her.
He heard cussing when passing Kane’s rooms and opened the door, spying Kane sitting on the side of the bed, looking like shit and bare ass necked.
“What in the hell is that racket!” Kane glanced at Carter and snarled.
“Willow.” Carter laughed. “She’s getting dressed up. It’s Halloween.”
“Tell her to turn the fucking thing down.”
“I kind of like it.” Carter eyed him amused. “Rough night?”
“Fuck you.”
“It’s after four in the afternoon,” Was all Carter said to that. “Feeding is done. Best get prepared for those trick or treaters.”
Kane groaned. Elbows on his knees, he held his head. “Sweet loving Jesus. My head is falling off.”
“I’ll get you something.” Carter took pity on him. “Get a shower.” He left and went back to the kitchen, brewing strong coffee but fixing seltzer water on the side with ice. He took both up and left them on Kane’s nightstand.
The house vibrated with another song while he pulled on his socks and boots. Carter did up his shirt and was filling his pockets with his usual, when Kelly knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
She stepped inside. “Will I do?”
His lips curved. “Yeah.”
She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail and wore snug black pants tucked into the boots. A deep blue sweater and hip length leather jacket in tan and burgundy, with zippers and buckles. She was right out of a fall fashion catalogue. He noticed her makeup looked good.
“Have fun. Be careful.”
“I will.”
“Kelly?”
She turned on her way out the door.
“He’ll likely take you on the highway. Just want you to be aware, he has a—”
“—Record. Past?” She arched her brow. “I know. Despite my poor judgment with Jeff, who by the way, looked like a choirboy—I think I can sense who to trust now. Rayne is interesting. Different. And out of my realm.”
When Carter arched his brow, she said with a smile, “I’m a late bloomer. I missed out. I want to know people. I want to feel excited about something besides quantum physics.”
He grimaced. “You studied that?”
She laughed. “You know what I mean.”
“I trust him.” Carter said it with certainty. “He’ll protect you, because he has a sister he has always protected. Meaning he isn’t reckless. But his world and yours…”
“I’m twenty four, almost twenty five,” Kelly, reminded him. “Just tell me to have a good time. I love you.”
Carter laughed. “Have a good time. You too.”
Later, he was on the porch, his shirt tucked in and his boots on, hair combed and smoking a cigarette, watching Willow—in her costume and her Goth make up; black lips, black nails—-the works—filling bowls of candy she’d set on one the big tables. The CD player was emitting spooky music now. She had brought a black light and strobe down. She was obviously excited.
He joked back and forth with her, honestly liking her ready wit and sass. Carter was thinking she would make a hell of a PI. She was smart, charming, and smart-ass tough. Witty as hell.
By the time Rayne’s low rumbling Harley came up the driveway, Kane had emerged—looking somewhat human. Showered and wearing a black western shirt, his black boots, and dark Levis, he was carrying another cup of coffee. His hair was just barely combed though. He hadn’t shaved.
He was in mid sip when he noticed Rayne and looked over at Carter.
“He’s taking Kelly riding.”
Kane’s eyes were wide. He opened his mouth just as Kelly came out and strode past them. Color high and eyes sparkling, she hurried down the steps, and was waiting when Rayne stopped the bike.
