Falling for Rayne: Book 1 in the Love and Flowers Trilogy

by Shannon Guymon

  “I’m not going to let anyone hurt you,” he said quietly. “Not now.”

  Rayne stared at his jaw and his long strong neck and reached up and put her hands against his chest. “Now?”

  Garrett stared at her and tilted her chin up so she was forced to look into his light blue eyes. Without saying a word he leaned down and kissed her. Softly at first, but then with enough passion to send her head reeling. When he finally pulled back, she was breathing hard and her arms were wrapped around his neck. She slowly let him go as he stared at her with hot eyes that looked silver now.

  “Stay with your sister. Don’t leave the hospital by yourself for any reason. Got it?”

  Rayne nodded silently and watched him walk away and wondered. What would it be like to love Garrett all the way and to be loved all the way in return?

  She hoped someday to find out.

  Chapter 16 –A Triangle

  The next day, Rayne stayed with Ivy while Cleo finished getting ready for the move. Garrett, Becket and Asher grabbed their suitcases and threw them in their trucks while they were working on the yard. The dogs were going to be a problem though. Garrett and Asher were both against having five dogs in their house, but they did have a nice fenced backyard so they were willing to compromise.

  It was so weird to think that she’d be living in Garrett’s house and sleeping in his bed. It seemed so intimate and personal. He seemed completely fine with it though, so she tried to relax about it. But she’d never in her life had someone make such a sacrifice for her. He was completely uprooting his life along with his brother’s and Becket’s for her and her sister and she was so filled with guilt and gratitude she didn’t know what to do with herself. When she had offered to pay him he’d looked at her so coldly, she’d taken it back immediately, horrified at how badly she’d offended him.

  The hospital discharged Ivy at four and Garrett insisted on driving them to his house. As they drove down the street, Rayne looked at Garrett’s profile and sighed at how beautiful and strong he was. She didn’t want to handle this on her own. Having him there with her, helping her deal with everything was such a welcome relief that it worried her. Having someone to depend on and rely on was a luxury she’d never had before and one she was very afraid that she could easily get addicted to.

  When they arrived at his house, he helped Ivy inside before coming back for her bags. Rayne went to the kitchen to get a drink of water as Ivy looked around her new surroundings curiously.

  “So we’re living in a man cave now,” she said with a smile as Asher walked in with a few boxes of pizza and Becket walked in with a takeout bowl of salad and a couple six packs of soda.

  Asher grinned at Ivy and nodded at Rayne before grabbing a plate. He filled it with pizza and salad before walking over and setting it on Ivy’s lap.

  “Dinner is served my lady,” he said in an outrageously horrible English accent.

  Ivy laughed and raised an eyebrow. “Having a gorgeous serving boy is kind of nice.”

  Becket laughed and walked over with his own plate of pizza as Rayne got out two plates for herself and Garrett.

  “I guess a serving boy is okay, but wouldn’t you rather have a knight in shining armor?” Becket said with a wink as he sat next to Ivy.

  Rayne grinned at that but noticed Asher didn’t look amused.

  “Well, while Ivy is here recuperating and sleeping in my bed, I think it’s only right that I should look after her. I mean, she is my new lead singer.”

  Becket stared at Asher with narrowed eyes and Rayne paused with her pizza half-way to her mouth. What was going on here? Tension between Asher and Becket over Ivy? She glanced at Ivy, but she was busy taking a big bite of pizza and had missed the look. Uh oh.

  Garrett walked into the family room and called out a greeting to his brother and friend before joining her in the kitchen.

  “Hey Beautiful,” he said and hugged her from behind, nuzzling her neck and sending sparks through her body before he grabbed his plate and drink. “Come sit by me,” he said and motioned with his head for her to join them.

  Cleo walked in with a large bag of dog food and joined the party too. Rayne noticed that she immediately went to Asher and sat next to him, smiling and flirting as usual, but something was different. Asher was now spending just as much time talking to Ivy as he was to Cleo.

  She glanced at Becket and wondered what he was thinking. He was always pretty quiet around her, so she didn’t have a good feel for him. But by the way Ivy blushed when he talked to her, she knew her sister liked him. She frowned and hoped Asher didn’t get hurt feelings.

  “Why the frown?” Garrett whispered in her ear.

  She smiled and looked up, automatically wiping a smear of pizza sauce off his cheek with her finger. “It’s nothing. I just got worried for a moment.”

  Garrett frowned and handed her napkin, but she just licked the sauce off her finger making him grin at her. “I guess seeing your sister all bandaged up would make anyone worry.”

  Rayne laughed a little and shook her head as she leaned up and whispered in his ear. “Not that. I was noticing there was tension between Becket and Asher. Over Ivy.”

  Garrett raised an eyebrow and looked at his friend and brother with a frown. “I thought Asher was getting ready to ask Cleo out to be honest.”

  Rayne nodded. “That’s what I thought too, but ever since Ivy sang the other night, something has changed, and I don’t think Becket likes it very much.”

  Garrett winced and shook his head. “This won’t be good if it affects work.”

  Rayne frowned and took a sip of her soda. “Maybe I’ll push Cleo to make the first move.”

  Garrett shook his head and picked up his pizza. “No way. Let’s stay out of this. Instead of focusing on them, you should focus on me.”

  Rayne grinned and sat back, studying him. “Focus on you? I got the impression the other night that you didn’t want me to focus on you. If you ask me, I think you have cold feet,” she said lightly and took a bite of her pizza.

  Garrett blinked at her in surprise. “Me? Have cold feet? With you?”

  Rayne nodded casually and licked her lips. “Yep. You. Cold feet. I’m kind of scary remember?”

  Garrett laughed and shook his head. “Sweetheart, my feet are burning. And for being scary I sure did move you into my house pretty fast.”

  Rayne took a bite of her salad and shrugged. “You’re like you’re brother. You’re a giver. You love helping people. But I’m starting to think I scare you. Which is sad, because you’re this big, strong Marine. That’s gotta be kind of embarrassing for you.”

  Garrett narrowed his eyes at her and put his pizza down. “You’re trying to get under my skin aren’t you? You’re trying to pick a fight. Why?”

  Rayne frowned. “Why would I pick a fight with you? How silly,” she said primly and patted her lips with her napkin.

  Garrett leaned in so close that his lips toughed her ear, making her shiver. “You’re every dream I’ve ever had come true. How could that scare me?”

  Rayne smiled sadly at him before kissing him lightly. “That’s why I scare you. You think I’m some kind of a dream and that you’ll wake up someday and I’ll be gone. But I won’t. I’m real, I’m here and I’m staying. You need to accept that.”

  Garrett sighed and put his hand behind her neck as he brought her face closer to his. “All I know is that I love you being in my life. I love seeing you here with me and my family and your sister and Cleo. It feels good to have you here in my house. Let’s just enjoy this until I get my bearings, okay?”

  Rayne nodded her head immediately. “I would love to enjoy this with you. No stress, no expectations, no determined outcomes. Just you and me.”

  Garrett frowned and looked away. “What if I want a determined outcome?”

  Rayne lifted an eyebrow and stared at him curiously. “Excuse me?”

  Garrett grinned and shook his head. “Ignore me. Listen, after dinner, would you be s
o kind as to play the piano? Asher and Becket have never heard you play.”

  Rayne glanced at the piano and nodded her head immediately, distracted by the thought of being able to play. Her piano was scheduled to arrive tomorrow and she wouldn’t even be there to oversee the placement. She was craving it. “I would love to.”

  They spent the evening talking and laughing and when everyone was done eating, she moved to the piano and decided to play Carl Vine’s concerto number 1. It wasn’t as well-known as some of her other favorites, but she enjoyed it. At the end when she lifted her fingers, she closed her eyes and smiled, enjoyed the last note as it faded like smoke into the air.

  Garrett sighed happily and looked at Becket and Asher. “See what I mean? Isn’t she amazing? Did you guys feel your heart race?”

  Becket walked over to the piano and stared at her curiously. “I didn’t get it when Garrett told me you traveled around playing the piano for people. But hearing what you just played? I’d buy a ticket for that. That was intense. It’s like it just grabs you by the throat, huh?” he said looking to Garrett to confirm what he was feeling.

  “The first time I heard her play, it was a shock. You should have seen Rob at the concert last Saturday. These guys walk up and make her play at the very end and I look over and Rob’s wiping a tear away.”

  Rayne stood up and kissed Garrett’s cheek. “You’re a sweetheart. I’m glad you liked it,” she said and went to sit by Ivy who was sitting with Cleo, smiling and talking.

  Cleo stood up and yawned, stretching a little. “Well, I’m worn out. Can someone show me which bedroom is mine?” she asked flirtatiously, looking at Asher.

  Asher had already turned away to pick up empty plates and glasses though and Garrett moved to show her. Ivy looked at Rayne helplessly for a moment before sighing.

  “Could you help me up, Rayne? It’s hard getting off this mushy couch with only one arm. But don’t pull too hard either because I’m so sore.”

  Rayne bent down to help her sister and frowned. “So should I put an arm around your back?”

  Asher appeared at her side. “Let me. I’ve got this,” he said and gently put his arms around Ivy, pulling her slowly up with just the right amount of pressure.

  “Thanks, Ash,” Ivy said and kissed him on the cheek. “Best serving boy I’ve ever had,” she added, her bright green eyes twinkling at him before walking slowly down the hall where Garrett was getting blankets and pillows out of the hall closet.

  Rayne noticed the look on Asher’s face and winced. Garrett had been right about Asher. He was a giver and he loved nothing more than to be needed. And Ivy right now, was definitely in need. But where did that leave Becket? Or Cleo for that matter. Cleo was such a strong independent woman, Asher would never feel needed around her.

  She stared after her sister and knew she would hate to hurt anyone, but at the same time, Ivy was just so inexperienced when it came to men. It was very possible that Asher was going to end up getting his heart broken again. She looked around for Becket but he’d walked into the kitchen to grab his keys.

  “So Asher, your brother told me you went on a date Friday with a cute girl. Do you think you’ll ask her out again?” she asked, trying to distract him.

  Asher blinked in surprise and turned back to look at her with a frown. “Lisa? Oh no, she’s just a friend. We went out with a group of friends from college. Trust me, no big deal,” he said and walked over to the kitchen.

  Becket walked past him, nodding his head but not smiling and Rayne bit her lip. That hadn’t looked very friendly but that was Becket for you. Quiet and cool. Maybe she was blowing everything out of proportion? Maybe this was no big deal.

  “Thanks for helping out, Becket. Having Garrett and Asher bunking with you has to be a pain. I just want you to know that we really appreciate it.”

  Becket looked down at his keys in his hands and shrugged before looking up at her with a small smile. “I’m used to a platoon of men. These two guys are nothing. As a matter of fact, I’m glad to have them. Think nothing of it. I’m happy to do it, especially if it helps you and your sister out. Besides, I’ve never seen Garrett so crazy over a girl as he is about you. He’s my best friend. I’d do anything for him.”

  Rayne smiled and touched his shoulder. “You’re a good friend. And I know Ivy appreciates it too.”

  Becket paused and looked away, running a hand over his hair in the same way Garrett did. “Well, to be honest, knowing someone shot Ivy doesn’t sit well with me at all. If I ever find the guy . . . well, just know that he’s going to wish I didn’t.”

  Rayne winced and nodded. “I kind of feel the same way.”

  Becket sighed and moved to walk away, but turned back and looked her in the eyes, his brown eyes serious and dark. “I like your sister, Rayne. She’s a sweetheart and she gets to me. I don’t know why, but she does. I’d probably do anything for her,” he admitted and then glanced at Asher in the kitchen before walking away.

  Rayne stared sadly after Becket and sighed. Life was just too complicated. Asher left immediately after Becket and she went to the kitchen to clean up the rest of the dishes. She slipped them into the dishwasher and finished wiping down the counters when Garrett joined her.

  “Well, everyone’s settled with blankets, pillows and towels. You’re the only one who needs tucking in now,” he said, smiling at her slowly as he walked toward her.

  Rayne blushed and held up a hand. “There will be no tucking in for me, thank you very much.”

  Garrett laughed and put his hands on her waist, pulling her closer as he bent down and nuzzled her neck. “I think it would be fun. I could tuck you in, read you a bedtime story and then give you a goodnight kiss. What do you say?”

  Rayne laughed and wrapped her arms around his back. “I say, do I look naïve?”

  Garrett sighed loudly in disappointment. “I guess you’ll have to walk me to the door then.”

  Rayne followed him to the door, wishing he could stay but knowing that he had to get up early the next day and go to work. She leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him, taking the initiative for the first time. Garrett seemed pleased and allowed her to do as she wanted and she found herself enjoying the power of controlling the kiss much more than she’d expected. When she stepped back and looked up at him, he was looking at her with a faint smile on his face.

  “You make it so hard to leave,” he murmured, cupping her face with his large, calloused hands.

  Rayne grinned and went to kiss him again, but he shook his head. “Don’t make it impossible now.”

  Rayne sighed happily as he ran his hand down her hair and looked at her one more time before walking out the door and shutting it behind him. She moved to the window in the living room and watched as he jumped up into his truck and drove away.

  Some men wrote poetry from their soul, some men painted with passion and some men made beautiful music. But Garrett Murphy could look at a woman and with his eyes alone make them feel like they were most beautiful woman in the world. She would take his eyes over everything else.

  She sighed and locked the door before checking the windows and turning off all the lights. Tomorrow was a big day. She would be speaking to Tate Matafeo again, she had a video conference with her lead investigator and she had to figure out some way convince Garrett that she was going to stick.

  Chapter 17 – Mac Daddy

  Cleo drove Ivy to her checkup at the hospital and as Rayne watched them drive away felt a moment’s gratitude for Cleo. The woman was friendly, kind, down to earth and one of the happiest people she knew. And she could also protect her sister. Knowing that meant she could breathe.

  On the other hand, knowing someone had shot her sister had just upped the stakes and she wasn’t willing to play anymore. She glanced at her watch and flipped open her laptop. She logged in and went to her video conference where Keith Trasker was already logged on, waiting for her. He was the head of her investigative team and she was paying him a lot of money to g
ive her answers. And so far, she hadn’t gotten even one yet. That had better change.

  She clicked the icon and Keith’s homely, hound dog face appeared immediately taking up the screen. She didn’t waste any time and filled him in on what had happened to Ivy along with Graham showing up on her doorstep. Keith made notes and didn’t speak until she was finished.

  “I’ll need the phone number of Officer Matafeo,” Keith said and took down the number she gave him. “Ms. Nyman, I wish I had good news for you. With the attack on your sister, we need answers yesterday. The sad truth is that I can’t give you the answers you need. The partial license plate from the witness has led us on a wild goose chase and I’m sad to say that I don’t think we’re going to get anywhere with it. I think your best bet is to work the investigation now from Fircrest. If we can find the shooter, we can kill two birds with one stone.”

  Rayne sighed in disappointment and sat back in her chair. “You’ve got nothing for me then. Nothing.”

  Keith nodded his head in regret. “I understand if you want to pull us off. Frankly, if it were me, I would. We’ve hit dead end after dead end. But with the attempt on your sister’s life, it’s crucial that you move fast before he tries again. I can refer you to a good guy I know in Seattle who you can trust. He’s a solid family man and a good investigator.”

  Rayne nodded her head and took the name and number before closing the meeting, feeling depressed and powerless. She hoped Tate Matafeo had better news for her.

  She texted Cleo and then peeked out the window. She was now so paranoid that she couldn’t leave the house without checking for suspicious cars or men hanging around. The street was completely quiet so she walked out and locked up before hurrying to her car. When she got in, she immediately locked the doors and realized she was breathing fast.