Raine (Elemental Series Book 2)

by M. M. Roethig

  “I’ve been sick. I’m feeling better now, though.”

  “Good, that’s good.” Raine looked to her feet and kicked the invisible rock by her toe. She searched for something to say in the awkward silence, but came up empty.

  He stood there watching her, but didn’t make a move to get out of her way, seemingly content to stay where he was. After a few moments of silence, he cleared his throat and spoke. “I’ve been wanting to get you alone. Go out with me.”

  “Ryker, I . . .” Raine stammered at his statement. It wasn’t even a question he said it with such authority, and she was flustered at the new attention he was giving her. Her mind raced. She thought of Kaden and her ‘off the chart’ emotions where he was concerned, and instantly wondered why he was forefront in her thoughts.

  Suddenly, as if conjured from her thoughts, she saw Kaden out of the corner of her eye. Kaden watched as she stood with Ryker. His eyes burned with a hint of fire that Raine had never seen before, and it confused her even more. It looked akin to jealousy. Kaden took a menacing step forward, but Ryker was oblivious to his presence. His focus was solely on Raine.

  Kaden reached out to grab Ryker when Megan practically jumped in his arms and made him stumble sideways. She let out a high-pitched squeal and giggled as Kaden braced his legs to keep from falling.

  “Yes, Ryker. I would love to go out with you,” Raine said matter-of-factly, loud enough for Kaden to hear. She wondered where the response came from, but it was too late to take back. Ryker beamed. Kaden looked on with fury in his eyes and a deep frown on his face, but said nothing. “Tomorrow would be fabulous. It’s my birthday, which I’m sure you didn’t know. Come by my house at seven.”

  Raine turned her back on Ryker and Kaden and let out a deep sigh.

  What am I doing? she asked herself as she dumped her grocery bags in her car.

  Fumbling with her keys for a brief moment, she finally inserted them into the ignition and turned the engine. Grinding gears, she pulled out of the parking space and headed for home. In her rearview mirror, Raine smiled when she noticed Kaden staring after her old beat-up Bug, completely ignoring Megan who stood next to him with her perfectly manicured hands firmly placed on her hips.

  CHAPTER 4

  RAINE

  Raine stepped into the early morning air, letting the door softly click shut behind her. With the sun still low in the sky and a light breeze rustling the trees overhead, Raine shook off yet another dream of Kaden, and yawned. Man, she was tired.

  She was finally feeling better. The fever finally broke last night and she felt energized.

  Raine fidgeted with her chocolate brown curls and coaxed them into a messy bun on top of her head. With vigor, she swung her arms and kicked her legs to loosen up her stiff muscles and get her blood pumping. Bright blue Brookes shoes stood out against her tight running pants and bright yellow running jacket, but she didn’t care. No one was up this time of morning, and Raine was grateful. She wasn’t ready to face anyone yet.

  With a deep inhale, she felt the cold morning mist burn a path straight to her lungs. The moisture in the air made her smile. In another month or so, frost would begin to blanket the grass in the mornings, making her runs a tad cold.

  With her iPod on her running playlist, Raine took off at a slow pace down her driveway and headed for her favorite place, the beachfront.

  Darkness filled the windows as Raine made her way through the neighborhoods to downtown Seaside. A small part of her wished she could convince her brain that running every morning wasn’t worth the effort, but the truth was, she’d missed running the last few days and couldn’t wait to get back to it. Running kept her in shape for swimming, and swimming was her life.

  Her feet pounded in time to the music in her ears as she finally hit the main portion of downtown. She rounded the corner and headed for the famous turnaround where the Lewis and Clark statue stood next to the beach.

  Raine loved running through the streets when the tourists finally went home. It was always too crowded for her liking during the summer season. She preferred the sleepy town she saw now as she passed the older buildings on the main strip.

  She couldn’t blame tourists for wanting to visit—she completely understood. Seaside Oregon wasn’t just one of the prettiest tourist spots on the coast, it was one of the most romantically popular areas for weddings. With majestic formations reaching right to the shoreline in some areas, while others seemingly dropped off to sandy beaches below, the view was always different, beautiful, exciting, and extremely romantic.

  Over the years, new apartment buildings and hotels were built, replacing older homes and businesses along the shorefront by the boardwalk. Raine felt a stab of regret for the loss of those familiar buildings she loved. But new buildings or old, the beach was still her favorite place to be, and she couldn’t stay away.

  The salty brine of the ocean called to her, even before the ocean came into full view, and she felt her blood pump through her body with excitement. The weeklong absence of running definitely took a toll.

  Raine neared the end of the straight stretch that would take her to the beachfront when she came to an abrupt halt. The hairs on the nape of her neck stood on end. She had a strange feeling that someone was watching. She’d never felt so unnerved before. With a quick glance over her shoulder, she caught sight of a four-legged figure running in the dark shadows of the buildings. Chills ran up her spine and she instinctively sprinted forward, quickening her pace until her lungs began to burn.

  She chanced another panicked look over her shoulder to gauge where the animal was and saw the most beautiful chocolate lab she’d ever seen. The dog ran happily on the other side of the street as it watched her, tongue hanging from the side of its mouth. It looked almost as happy as she felt to be out running.

  Raine slowed her pace and let out a sigh of relief when the dog didn’t make an aggressive move. As unthreatening as it looked, Raine didn’t want to hang around to find out just how friendly it was. She wanted to hurry to the beach and put distance between herself and this unknown, albeit happy, dog.

  With one last glance over her shoulder, Raine rounded the corner and slammed directly into a brick wall. A very warm, hard, chiseled brick wall that groaned as her momentum bounced her backwards.

  Strong arms reached out to grab tight around her waist, pulling her forward to smash up against the rock hard chest for a second time, before momentum carried them to the ground. A curse escaped from above her head as they landed with a thud.

  “Umph.” Warm hands pressed against her back and held her in place. Air rushed from her lungs, which left her panting in panic to catch her breath.

  “Are you okay?” A deep searing voice spoke above her head. Raine raised her eyes to meet the human brick wall that sent her crashing to the ground, and lost her breath once more when emerald green eyes full of concern searched her face. Of all the luck, she had to run into Kaden. Literally.

  “Uhh . . . crap. It’s you.”

  Kaden twisted a little under her body but didn’t release his hold.

  Her breathing finally slowed and she quirked a brow in question when she realized he was making small circles on her back where his hands rested. Her running jacket had ridden high during her fall and her bare skin was exposed to the air—and his touch. All week he avoided her like the plague, shot menacing glances her way, and gave off an aura that he didn’t give two hoots in hades about her after their first meeting on Monday. Now, he appeared unabashed by his bold move. Raine determined either he didn’t realize what he was doing or he didn’t care. Either way, she’d spent too much time worrying, and dreaming, about him.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked with an irritated sigh. Her hands braced the concrete on either side of his face and she tried to push herself up, but he wouldn’t release his hold. His touch burned as he rubbed up and down her back and she tried once again to move. Placing both hands on his chest for leverage, she pushed up, but his hold tightened f
orcing her to give up. Leaving her hands on his chest she looked into his face and waited for him to speak.

  “It seems I’m playing catch this morning.” Kaden smiled, and Raine rolled her eyes at his play with words. She dropped her head with a thump on his chest, trying to ignore the way her heart fluttered as he held her in his arms.

  Raine finally relented and crossed her arms to prop up her chin in her hands so she could watch him as he held her on his chest. He smiled and released one arm to rest under his head on the concrete, but held firm with the other.

  “I didn’t know Megan was into playing ball.” Raine’s tone was like ice as she held his stare. “But, I suppose, even the Bratz crew will fetch anything thrown at them. And it’s said they’re man’s best friend.”

  Kaden tried to hold the grin back, but failed.

  “The Bratz crew?”

  “You know, the gang of living Bratz dolls with the fake painted lips, major makeup, and belts for skirts? The Things. Your fan club?”

  Kaden flinched at her last words, the amusement in his eyes replaced with something unreadable. Raine let out a deep, frustrated sigh.

  “Sorry, that was uncalled for. I don’t care who you hang with.” She tried to push up again and this time he loosened his hold to let her put space between them. Raine rolled sideways, landing on the concrete next to him. Kaden leaned up on his elbows, stretched his legs in front of him, and crossed his ankles. She pulled her knees to her chin, watching him intently. A part of her wished he hadn’t let her go, but she’d never openly admit it. She let out a tiny sigh at the realization that she missed his warmth.

  Dark ebony hair hung in his face, shadowing his strong features. He had a straight nose and angular cheekbones that gave him a hardened look, but for the first time since their initial meeting, his eyes showed gentleness that softened his expression. Raine fought the urge to reach out and sweep the hair out of his eyes. Up close, Raine noticed the gold flecks sprinkled through his emerald eyes. They were beautiful.

  Raine blushed when it occurred to her she was staring. She cleared her throat and started to stand when a fuzzy and incredibly cold nose touched her cheek.

  With a scream, she lunged forward, crashing into Kaden for the second time. She buried her face in Kaden’s warm chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist and tightened his hold.

  “Sick. Oh, gross.” Raine screamed as the dog licked the salt from the back of her neck.

  “Tech. Down boy,” Kaden commanded, and the furry beast backed slowly away, but not until after he gave one last slobbery lick on the back of Raine’s neck.

  “Ewww. So gross. So gross.” Raine covered her neck with a free hand, and Kaden chuckled.

  “Here, let me help you up,” Kaden said softly as he released his hold and pushed her gently away. Raine wiped the back of her neck, her nose scrunched as she muttered to herself, while Kaden stood and braced his feet beneath him. He reached down to offer her a hand. Heat burned her skin as their hands clasped together. Kaden quickly pulled her up before he yanked his hand loose as if he couldn’t stand the feel of her bare hand in his, another mixed signal to add to her list. Kaden looked shocked, and Raine noticed he kept his hand at his side, clenching and unclenching his fist. Raine’s own fingers tingled from the contact and she wondered if he felt the same.

  “You don’t like dogs, I take it.” Kaden broke the silence.

  “I love dogs, just not dog slobber,” Raine corrected as she shook her head and took a step back.

  “Sorry about this flea bag.” Sweat dripped down Kaden’s neck and glistened in the rising morning light as he bent down and affectionately rubbed Tech’s belly as he lay upside down on the sidewalk. Tech’s tongue hung out of the side of his mouth, his eyes closed. He loved the attention. “He really is a sweet, harmless dog. His name is Tech.”

  Kaden continued to give Tech attention while the dog lapped it up. With each move he made, the muscles beneath his shirt rippled and flexed and Raine found herself staring again. Long cords of muscles ran down the length of his legs and stood out against his loose running pants now stretched tight across his thighs as he bent down to pet his dog.

  “I don’t get you,” she finally said as a breeze wafted by. It lifted her ponytail and blew it into her face. “One minute you’re a super great guy who asks me to take him around the school, the next you don’t speak to me for days. You look at me as if you want to kill me, but you save me from falling. Then you start rubbing my back, stare at me with your crazy beautiful eyes. What’s your deal, Kaden Williams?” Raine knew she rambled, but she was flustered and couldn’t think straight.

  Kaden continued his rubdown on Tech, and remained silent long enough for Raine to turn away with a shake of her head. Before she could even take a step, she felt his hand on her arm as he gently turned her around.

  “I think I owe you an apology.” Kaden’s minty breath filled the space between them. “I acted like a jerk to you this week and you were nothing but nice to me.” Kaden reached for her hand and she felt a jolt as skin touched skin. Simultaneously, Raine’s head spun as a sudden dizzy spell crashed into her, making her tipsy on her feet.

  “Are you okay?” Kaden asked. Raine saw a flash of regret enter his eyes before he erased all emotion and held her steady.

  “I’m fine,” Raine said as she recovered. She snatched her hand away from Kaden and lifted it to her temples. “I’ll see you at school, Kaden.”

  Raine turned toward the beach when she realized her earbuds dangled down the front of her jacket. Somehow, during her fall, they fell from her ears as if serenading her every move.

  With a shake of her head, she stuffed them back into her ears and laughed out loud when she heard “Goodnight” by Glorianna blaring. Hitting the back button, “Hero” by Skillet sent the first cords of music to her ears. With one last push to her back button, she actually groaned when Maroon 5 started to sing “Love Somebody.”

  Raine dropped her head in her hands for a moment before she shook it off and, without a backward glance, headed for the sandy beach, trying to ignore the feel of green eyes on her back.

  >*< >*< >*<

  Kaden watched her go before he reached into his pocket and pulled out the iron bracelet he slid off Raines arm when he helped her off the ground.

  “Good boy, Tech,” Kaden said as he gave his dog a quick pat on his head. “You got her just where I needed. It was perfect, old boy.” He said the words but he didn’t feel the conviction he thought he would.

  When he first met her and saw the iron bracelet on her wrist, Kaden knew that his suspicions proved correct. She was an Elemental, and as soon as her bracelet was off her wrist, he felt an instant pull to her that confused him. He’d been drawn to her from the moment he saw her in school, but he played it off as her great looks and spunky personality. It only got stronger once the bracelet was off, and that threw him for a loop.

  When she first ran into him he felt heat rise between them. But after her bracelet was off, a jolt of recognition coursed through his body that gave him pause.

  Kaden shook his head and involuntarily began to run with Tech hot on his heels. Kaden’s mind told him to go home. His body led him to the sandy beach instead. He was hyper-aware of Raine as she ran by the water’s edge, but he was careful to keep his distance. His eyes continually wandered to the fascinating girl a few yards away. If he was being honest with himself, he couldn’t get the feel of her in his arms and the smell of her out of his head, either. His skin still burned from when their hands touched.

  Fresh rain, lavender, and chamomile wafted to him with each breeze that blew by, and he felt his body respond. He groaned in confusion.

  CHAPTER 5

  RAINE

  Sunlight shimmered off the water as waves crashed into the sandy surf. Raine hit the sandy beach and ran to her favorite spot just down the coastline from where she entered, but she also knew the moment Kaden ran onto the beach just behind her.

  She stopped a few yards
down the beach and crouched near the water’s edge just out of reach of the crashing surf. Sifting her hands through the cool, grainy shore, she tried to ignore the eyes she felt trained on her. After a few moments, she couldn’t resist the temptation to look any longer and turned to find herself staring at the eyes she knew would be looking her way.

  She gave a shy smile before turning her attention back to the water and making another attempt to ignore the guy of confusion and his happy dog.

  Sparkles of light danced on the surface of the water as each wave rolled onto the shore, then back out to the open ocean. She removed her shoes and socks so she could hike up her pants and wade out into the freezing water, a ritual she did every morning.

  The gentle breeze played with loose tendrils of hair that slipped free from confinement and tickled her neck. Raine closed her eyes and lifted her face into the rays of the rising sun as she pulled the earbuds from her ears so she could hear the sounds of the ocean. Trees on the hillside just up the beach whispered to each other as the wind disturbed their leaves. In the distance, Raine heard the sounds of splashing and barking and knew Tech was enjoying the surf as much as she. It made her laugh and she involuntarily looked at the happy dog.

  Kaden stood still as stone and watched her every move. When her eyes met his, he didn’t wave, smile, or even blink. He just stared.

  A crimson blush ran the length of her neck and settled in her cheeks. Raine lifted her hands to feel her flushed face and bent down to splash the cold water from the ocean over her hot skin. She couldn’t help the memory of his chiseled body under hers, or the way he focused so intently on her.

  Pull it together. Raine silently admonished as she closed her eyes.

  “I’ve gotta get ready for school,” she whispered to the lapping waves and stood to retrieve her shoes. With a quick turn, Raine found herself bouncing off another solid object, but this time she fell back and found herself on her backside in the surf. Laughter boomed over her and she closed her eyes in humiliation. For the second time that day, she’d run smack dab into a male chest.