by Debra Kayn
Then he kissed her opened mouth with enough pressure she couldn’t misunderstand his intentions. She was a quick learner, because she took the initiative and tasted the tip of his tongue before he could plan anything further than to taste her sweet mouth. He maneuvered her head to the side and kissed her deeper, tilting her back to give her a serious dose of tongue.
God, she tasted good. Sweet and warm. He moved his other hand around to her ass and pulled her closer against his hardness. She mewed and pressed her breasts against his chest.
Locked together, her heat surrounding him, he had no doubt he’d do anything to keep her safe and with him. He hadn’t felt such a primal need to protect a woman to this degree in his life. Not with anyone, including Crystal.
He slowed down, kissing her softly, pulling away, going back and pulling away, until he leaned his forehead against hers. Their heavy breathing mixed together. “That’s what you’re scared of?”
She nodded.
The pressure in his chest eased. “That’s good. Real good.”
“We can’t kiss again,” she whispered.
He kissed her hard with a loud smack. “We’ll be kissing again.”
“Rain — ”
“We’ll be kissing.” He picked her up off the counter and set her on her feet, holding her from swaying. “We’ll be doing a lot more than kissing, too.”
“You’re being mean again.” She looked down on the floor.
He tilted her face. “You like it when I’m mean.”
She rolled her eyes, and he laughed. “You’re a goof.”
“No, I’m not.”
He grinned. “A little?”
She shrugged. “Maybe.”
“If it makes you kiss me like that, bring me cookie dough, and throw rocks at me when you get pissed … you’re a goof.” He kissed her softly and led her to the stairs. “Let’s go to bed. I’m beat.”
She pulled back and stopped. “Wait. We can’t sleep together.”
“Hell. You should be a comedian.” He tugged her arm. “Sleep, babe. We have one bed in the house, and I’m not sleeping on the couch.”
“I will.” She kept walking, but she protested every step.
“When are you going to understand?” He stopped at the top of the stairs and guided her in front of him, wrapping his arms around her chest and walking her forward with his body. “My woman doesn’t sleep on the couch. In the morning, I’m going to take my woman to buy some pretty clothes that’ll drive me wild and put a smile on her face, and if you go to bed like a good girl, I’ll see about kissing my woman in the morning after I cuddle with her tonight.”
She wobbled inside the room. “Oh.”
“Oh.” He chuckled. “Get in bed.”
She scrambled atop the mattress, pulled the blanket up to her chin. He wanted to laugh and tease her about how silly she was being, but he had a serious case of going without a woman for too long to think the night was going to be anything but pure heaven. He’d give her time, but by tomorrow night, she’d be flinging those blankets off and begging him to join her.
He stripped out of his clothes, leaving his boxers on, turned out the lights, and crawled in beside her. She stayed rolled to her side, not touching him.
“Tori?”
“Hm?” She yawned loudly. “So tired, Rain.”
“Liar.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and tucked her tight against his front, keeping his hand on the flat of her stomach. She gasped. He waited, but she kept herself stiff and still.
“Breath, babe,” he whispered.
The air went out of her and she lay there panting. He smiled into her hair and closed his eyes. His chest squeezed, but not in warning. Her acceptance and step in his direction, despite her fear and whatever else put the coldness in her face, endeared her to him more.
She wiggled her butt as she sought a comfortable spot. He groaned and felt her body tremble. “You laughing, babe?”
Her body jiggled faster. “No.”
He grinned. Total bozo.
Tomorrow night couldn’t come soon enough.
Chapter Thirteen
Every time Tori walked out of the dressing room to show Rain a new outfit, the woman who was in charge of helping her whisked away the outfit she’d previously removed. She ran her hands through her hair, pulling it off her neck.
All she needed was a couple pair of jeans and a few shirts, but she hadn’t had time to even pick anything out before Rain had more clothes brought to her. She stood in front of the mirror in her bra and panties and closed her eyes. Her plan to escape Rain and hightail it out of town had been thwarted by the shopping trip.
“Babe?”
Her eyes popped open. He sounded close.
A black dress landed over the dressing room door. “Try this on.”
“You can’t be back here,” she whispered, snatching the dress. “Go out before one of the women sees you.”
He chuckled. “Coast is clear.”
“So.” She thrust her arms through the bottom of the dress and shimmied the material down her body. “I’m naked.”
“Can I come in?” he whispered.
She opened her mouth, but stopped when she caught sight of the dress on her in the mirror. It would serve him right to think he was going to have the privilege of seeing her without any clothes on, out in public. “I don’t know … I’m not decent. The dress is short. And tight.”
“You’re killing me.”
“Oh, it feels so silky against my skin, Rain,” she said, biting down on her lower lip to keep from laughing at what she was doing to him. Even if he broke down the door, he wouldn’t see anything more than he would if she were wearing her only set of clothes she owned. She glanced down. The dress was skimpy.
The sheer material hugged her curves and the heart-shaped, strapless front made her breasts look bigger than they were, which was saying a lot since she’d always thought her boobs were too big for her body. She wiggled and pushed her breasts down into the top. For Rain’s benefit, she moaned softly.
“What are you doing?” He thumped against the door, causing her to jump.
“My boobs … ”
“Damn me,” he muttered.
“They’re” — she pulled her shoulders back and stood sideways, looking at her reflection — “awful big, Rain.”
“Babe.” He lowered his voice. “Let me see.”
“I don’t know … ” She put her hand on the latch but didn’t turn it. “The dress is too fancy for the coffee shop.”
“Tori. Let. Me. In.”
She inhaled deeply, shook her head, letting her hair fall over her shoulders, and opened the door. Rain blocked her exit. Standing with his hands on each side of the door, he stared. His eyes grew even darker, and the corner of his mouth twitched as his gaze swept over her body.
She turned in a complete circle. “Do you like it?”
“Yeah, babe.” He stepped inside the dressing room, shut the door, and pinned her against the mirror.
“Rain?” She stared at him in shock. “What are you doing?”
“Kissing you.” He captured her lips.
Her head tilted as he moved closer, deepening the kiss. She parted her mouth for him, because during their kisses this morning she’d learned how much he liked it when she did that. He tasted of cinnamon, and she remembered him popping a stick of Big Red in his mouth when they’d walked into the store. She had little time to wonder anything more, because he abruptly pulled back.
“Buy the dress and let’s get out of here.” He inhaled through his nose, kissed her quickly one more time. “Hear me?”
“But I don’t need the dress,” she whispered.
A manly, deep, amused chuckle tickled her ear. A shiver skated up her spine. Her nipples pea
ked. She liked how he looked at her.
He glanced down to the front of her dress, taking one more look. “Yeah. You’re getting the dress.”
He closed the door. She collapsed on the chair and braced her elbows on her knees, covering her face with her hands. How had she gone from swearing off any type of relationship to flirting with Rain?
She stood and took off the dress, ran her hand over the material, and sighed. She needed to slow down and think about what was happening to her. The last thing she needed was a close relationship with someone when she knew she’d have to leave town.
She knew what the consequences would be if she involved Rain in her life. Only fools fell in love. Not her. Never her.
Tainted and cursed with her father’s blood, she’d never let herself love another. She wouldn’t take the chance of that love dying a horrific death. Especially with Rain, who showed her nothing but kindness and didn’t deserve anything less than happiness. Shit.
Why did he have to protect her and take over her life?
She was just another woman he wanted to have sex with until he tired of her. She knew she’d never stop once she slept with him. She could hardly control herself when he kissed her. If they made love, who knew what she’d do to him?
“Tori, get a step on,” he called.
“Coming.” She threw on her old clothes, slipped into her flip-flops, and rehung the dress.
At the cashier’s counter, she stared in horror at the piles of bags. “Rain? What are you doing? I can’t pay you for everything you’ve purchased.”
He pulled her close and kissed the side of her head. “I buy your clothes, babe. That’s the way it is.”
“No.” She pushed back. “You can’t do that.”
“It’s done.” He thanked the clerk and grabbed a fistful of sacks. “Go next door. You can buy enough shoes to go with all the outfits.”
“All?” She hurried after him to the sidewalk. “You’re crazy.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “Don’t forget heels for the dress. High ones. Black.”
She stopped. “Black?”
He paused and motioned to a fancy shoe store up ahead on the sidewalk. “Go on. I’ll be over in a bit to pick you up.”
“Rain, this isn’t right,” she said.
“Don’t argue.” He lifted his chin and motioned his head toward the left. “Stay inside until I come for you. I don’t want you out here alone.”
Frustrated with Rain’s dominating personality, she followed his instructions just to escape him and disappeared inside the store. Not in the mood to try on anything more, she was wandering the outer wall of the shoe store, trying to figure a way out of all her troubles when someone cleared their throat behind her.
She jolted, covering her chest with her hand. “Sorry, I’m only looking.”
“Of course, Ms. Baldwin.” A middle-aged man dressed in a sharp, gray suit stood with his hands clasped in front of him and smiled. “My name is George. Whenever you’re ready, I will help you package your purchases. Rain suggested seven or eight pairs of everyday shoes and a pair of” — he cleared his throat and blushed — “damn sexy black heels.”
She straightened her shoulders. “Oh, did he?”
The dumbass. How dare he call the store and order them to make sure she walked away with enough shoes to last her for years. He deserved to have his words thrown back at him.
“George, I’d like to see the most expensive pair of heels in the description Rain gave you in a size seven.” She forced herself to stop digging her nails into the palms of her hands.
He nodded and motioned for her to follow. “Right this way, Ms. Baldwin. You can have a seat, and I’ll bring the shoes to you.”
“Tori, please.” She glanced down at his left hand. “Have you been to the Coffee Shack yet?”
“The one at the end of Main Street by Cactus Cove?” He paused by the Employees Only archway.
“Yes. I own the place, and have only recently opened for business.” She smiled. “You’ll have to come by soon and have a coffee on the house for helping me today. I’ll even throw in free love advice.”
“That sounds delightful. What a unique niche you’re filling for the community.” He motioned to a chair. “Go ahead and sit. I’ll be right back with a few choices you can try on.”
She took her position and waited. George was the right age for Lilly, the mother of three grown sons, who stopped in every morning on her way to work at the bakery. They’d be perfect together.
For the next half hour, she tried on every kind of shoe brought to her. She lost count of which ones she’d liked and set aside. She’d picked out tennis shoes for her days off, flip-flops for the summer, flats in three different colors to go with her jeans on days she wanted to go semi-casual. And, despite Rain’s suggestion to buy one pair of heels for the dress he’d bought, she couldn’t make up her mind between the four-inch black stilettos and the black stilettos with the line of diamonds along the heel.
“Take both.” George rubbed his hands together. “Rain said to get whatever you set your eye on and, being a man, I can say he’ll appreciate both of them.”
“Fine.” She laughed, liking the way George was thinking. It’d show Rain right for pushing his weight around and making her buy shoes he wanted her to wear. “I will.”
“Wonderful. I’ll ring these up and meet you at the front.” George carried both boxes away.
Alone, the guilt hit her with alarming speed. No way could she go through with letting Rain purchase the results of her temper tantrum. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and stood, making her way to the front of the store. She’d explain to George and put most of the shoes back.
Rain stood in front of the counter, putting his wallet in the pocket of his jeans. She hurried over.
“Hey.” She leaned close, turned her face away from George, and spoke low. “I kind of got mad and overdid it on the shoes.”
“I said I’d buy you shoes.”
“Yeah, but I’m telling you, I bought enough for everyone at the Cactus Cove to have two pairs each. I went crazy because I was mad at you.” She nudged him. “I only need three pairs. The sandals, the sneakers, and the heels. I’ll pay you the money it costs if you stop at the bank and let me use my debit card.”
He frowned down at her. “I’m buying them.”
“You can’t,” she whispered.
“I can, and I did.” He nodded at George and handed over his keys. “The car’s out front. Go ahead and put them in the trunk.”
She waited until George and his assistant, Julie, carried the packages outside. Then she grabbed Rain’s arm. “I don’t care what you say, I’m not your woman, and you can’t buy me all these things that I have no way to pay you back for.”
“Does George think you’re my woman?”
“Yeah, but you told him that.” She leaned against him, trying to push him.
He didn’t budge. “Does everyone at Cactus Cove think you’re my woman?”
“Rain — ”
“Answer me,” he said.
“Yes, but — ”
He leaned down in front of her face. “Did the Lagsturns, who you don’t even know, set fire to the fucking cabin you lived in?”
She huffed. “Yes.”
“Then you’re my woman, because I say you’re my woman. You’ll take every damn pair of shoes I bought you and wear them. You’ll look good in the shoes, because I want you to look good in them. When you put on a new outfit, you can feel good knowing your man is taking care of you. That’s my job, and I won’t have you arguing about me buying some fucking shoes if I want to buy you some fucking shoes. Got it?”
That shut her up but good, and he supported her weight as she leaned into him. Finally, she whispered, “Yeah.”
“Good.” He threw his arm around her shoulders, chuckling. “Let’s go home. You got me all riled, and now I want to get out of town, have some privacy, and show you exactly what it means to be a Bantorus. You’re my woman. I’m your man. No bullshit. It’s real, and if I have to keep showing you how fucking serious I am, I will.”
Whoa. No one had ever talked to her with such heat and passion. She watched his tall, hard body relax, and something magical happened inside her at his expressing his opinion with such confidence. “You’re going to kiss me again, aren’t you?”
He threw back his head and laughed. And when he laughed in that open, let-loose way that created a maelstrom of flutters inside her, she forgot all about being mad at him.
“Yeah, babe. We’re gonna kiss,” he said.
Chapter Fourteen
The twenty-minute car ride home gave Rain enough time to know Tori had worked herself into a snit. He stopped in front of the garage and kept his foot on the brake, her hand in his. Progress came slowly, but he damned well wasn’t going to let her slip on the cold mask and pull herself away from him.
Those days were over. They’d progressed to admitting they had something real between them, and he’d do anything in his power to convince her to go with that feeling. Whatever kept her from letting herself go in the direction he wanted to take them needed to come out needed to be talked about and fixed. They’d deal with it together.
She’d held his hand the entire way home, even though she stared out the side window and refused to participate in idle conversation. He squeezed her hand, let go, put the Corvette in park, and shut off the engine.
“Are you hungry?”
She nodded. “I’ll make us something to eat.”
“Take the keys. I’ll bring your bags in.” He caught her eye as she snapped his key ring out of his fingers. “Hey.”
“What?”
He reached out and brushed her hair behind her ear. “Thanks.”
“I haven’t made the food yet.” Her head tilted toward his hand.
