Calamity Rayne II: Back Again

by Lydia Michaels

  My lips parted as he easily slid a finger into my sex.

  “You’re very wet, Ms. Meyers.”

  “You did that on purpose.”

  “Got you wet? Hmm. I’m not sorry.” He withdrew his fingers and lifted them to my mouth. “Taste.”

  My lips slowly parted. Gently, he fucked his fingers, drenched in my arousal, over my tongue and groaned.

  “God, you have the sexiest mouth. Don’t go downstairs.”

  “Hale…” I was torn. “I hardly ever get to see your dad when he’s not working.”

  “I’ll make it worth your while to stay.” His hand gripped my ass through my jeans and my head rolled back against the door. His breath teased over my shoulder as he pinched the hard tip of my nipple through my shirt.

  “They’re waiting for me,” I whined, no longer in a rush to leave.

  His fingers fed back into my panties, sliding easily into my slit. “Let him wait. You’re mine.”

  I gasped as he shoved my jeans to my thighs and fastened his mouth to my neck. I clutched his shoulders as his other hand closed over my breast, massaging possessively.

  “Fuck, Rayne. I need you.” He stripped off my shirt but left the bra. His busy hands shoved my jeans lower, bunching the denim at my knees as I tried to step out of them.

  “My boots.” Stupid skinny jeans were always a problem.

  “Leave them.”

  Giving up on his quest to get me naked, he swung my body up in his arms and deposited me on the bed, belly down, ass over the edge. The clank of his belt buckle was a mere warning as he parted my thighs as much as possible, fingered my sex, and replaced his touch with the thick head of his cock.

  I rose on my toes as he plunged deep, burying himself to the root. He held me there, pinned under his weight, jeans twisted around my knees, bra strap falling down my shoulder as I balanced on my elbows.

  Breathing heavily, he brushed my hair over one shoulder and kissed the back of my neck. “You shouldn’t have followed me up here.”

  “I’m sort of glad I did.”

  “I’m in a selfish mood,” he warned, punctuating the confession with a sharp stab of his cock and rocking me deeper into the mattress.

  I’d begun to notice a pattern with Hale. Whenever the topic of Jasmine or the company of his father came about, something inside of him, something a little more animalistic than the tame version he shared with the rest of the world, crept closer to the surface and unleashed a sort of Hale-beast.

  The betrayal he’d suffered was a wound that would never fully heal, and no matter how entrenched we became in our own love affair, there would be times he’d always need the affirmation that I was his and nothing could threaten our devotion to each other.

  When he got like that I never suffered. On the contrary, I gained. It was all a matter of me giving him permission to let go.

  Looking over my shoulder, I caught his gaze and slowly nodded. “I’m yours.”

  Satisfied, his hand pressed to my shoulder, lowering my chest to the bed as he drew back and plunged deep. A gasp escaped at the sheer force of his thrust, but he was far from finished. Again, he drove into me, my legs slightly bound and my arms pinned beneath my chest.

  His thumb pressed between my ass cheeks as his hips moved like a piston, the old bed creaking wildly. He sank his thumb into me and I moaned loudly, my mind swirling as he penetrated both my openings.

  “That’s it. You give me everything I need, don’t you, baby?”

  “Yes!”

  Harder, he drilled into me, one hand pressed heavily into my shoulder holding me in place as his other hand worked my ass.

  The heavy bed creaked as the slap of skin echoed in the antiquated room. Hale groaned with every advance, producing sharp moans from my throat.

  “Fuck, I’m gonna come.” He withdrew his thumb and gripped my hips.

  I sucked in a long breath of air as he yanked me back, his release pumping out of him. My arms were practically numb as he blanketed me and shivered, leaving kisses over my damp skin.

  He slowly withdrew. My lower body pulsed with the need to climax as his come trickled past my swollen sex. His lips brushed over my shoulder and he lifted my body, turning me to my back. I lay there, catching my breath as he carefully worked off my boots.

  They landed with a clomp on the hardwood floor. Looking up at him through my lashes, I watched him shoulder off his shirt. The rest of his clothes were already gone.

  He peeled off my jeans and panties, tossing them to the floor and then yanked my knees forward, parting them and dropping a kiss onto my throbbing clit.

  I hissed, but his tongue was gentle, a soothing touch. It amazed me that he could do such a thing after finishing inside of me, but he didn’t seem to mind, which made it all the more erotic. I hummed and closed my eyes as he pleasured me with long strokes of his tongue and soft pulls of his lips.

  No matter how greedy he claimed to be, he always saw to my needs in the end. I came on a breathless plea, calling out his name and trembling as my skin chilled.

  Rising to his full height, he stared down at me, an assessing glint to his silver eyes. “You’re stunning. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

  Such lies, but who was I to object? I smiled and held out a hand to him. He took my fingers and placed a kiss on the knuckles.

  “You’re sweet.”

  “Only because you make me so,” I whispered, the house now strangely silent. “I hope no one heard us.”

  He raised a brow. “I’m sure they figured out why you didn’t return.”

  I scrunched my nose. Breakfast tomorrow was going to be awkward if that was the case.

  Hale unclasped my bra and folded it on the nightstand. “I have to wake up early tomorrow morning. I might not see you before I’m out the door.”

  He’d be meeting with Clayton and then off to try and talk down Jasmine’s attorney once more. I really hoped this would be the end of all this back and forth. Though I’d never been one to rush ahead, I couldn’t escape the feeling that all this Jasmine stuff was holding us back.

  “I’m sure I’ll keep busy. There are lots of sights to see.”

  He crawled into bed and pulled my body close to his. “Make sure you bring a sweater for yourself and an extra blanket for Elara. The temperature’s supposed to drop.”

  I loved when he watched out for us like that. “I will.”

  Chapter Twenty

  A Lovely Morning in Hampshire

  I entered the formal dining room and again had the sensation of traveling back in time. This place was seriously old school. I was expecting a pilgrim to pop out at any moment.

  Remington was at the table, reading the Wall Street Journal, already fully dressed, and Odette was to his left wearing a silk robe that looked about as expensive as a bridal gown.

  “Rayne, you never came back last night,” she greeted, sipping from an antique teacup.

  “Sorry about that.” I poured myself some orange juice and settled in at the other end of the table. Remington glanced at me under his bushy dark brows but said nothing. “Good morning, Remington.”

  “Indeed.”

  I frowned and sipped my juice.

  “Did you sleep well?” Odette asked.

  “Like a log. I didn’t even hear Hale leave this morning.”

  “Oh, is he gone?” she asked, a look of surprise on her face. “I didn’t know he had an appointment this morning.”

  “He’s meeting with his lawyer.”

  Remington cleared his throat. “Odette, why don’t you go take a soak in the tub and give Meyers and I a moment to discuss some things.”

  Odette appeared a little surprised by his dismissal, but she placed her cup on the saucer and rose from the table. “Of course. I’ll see you later, Rayne.”

  I smiled, but then frowned as soon as she left the room. “Everything o—”

  “I shouldn’t have to remind you some matters are private.”

  Startled by the censure
in his tone, I drew back. “All I said was Hale went to see his lawyer.”

  Remington pushed the newspaper away and leveled a narrow stare on me. “One response leads to another question. Odette’s an acquaintance, not a confidante. Watch what you say.”

  Where was the fun Remington from last night? “Okay. Sorry. You’re grumpy this morning.”

  He sat back in his seat and folded his arms across his chest. “Also…”

  Great. What now?

  “You should know that, in old houses like this, not only do the fixtures rattle, sound has a way of echoing. I’d appreciate less noise tonight.”

  My jaw unhinged as I stared, unblinking, at the top of his head. Thank God he wasn’t looking at me anymore. “I…”

  “No need for further discussion. You two are adults. But a little discretion would be nice.”

  The ice in my glass rattled as I placed my juice on the table. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, utterly humiliated that they’d heard us.

  Remington waved a hand and pulled his paper back, opening it to the next page. “What are your plans for the day?”

  Small talk? Really? It seemed more appropriate to find a hole and bury myself in it.

  “Well, right now I’m thinking about driving down to the beach and throwing myself off one of those tall cliffs.”

  “Well, pick a decent one. Surviving a fall like that would ruin anyone’s day.”

  I scoffed. “Thanks a lot.”

  “Stop being so dramatic, Meyers. If you think I was unaware you and my son have a vigorous, physical relationship, you’re denser than I thought.”

  World. Swallow. Me. Now.

  “Marta,” he called and the maid appeared. “Add a splash of something stronger to Meyers’ juice. She’s having some sort of fit.”

  Marta looked at me and I blinked for the first time in several seconds. “I’m fine, Marta. Where’s Elara?”

  “She is napping. We had a nice long tub this morning and then a big breakfast. I made her some porridge with a little sugar and she loved it.”

  I smiled because I bet she did love it. Worlds were opening up now that she was starting on solid foods. “Thank you. Let me know when she wakes and I’ll take her for a bit.”

  “Of course, Nena.”

  As the maid left, Remington commented, “By the time she starts talking she’ll be calling you Mother.”

  I stilled. He was really on a roll today. Reaching for a Danish, because I typically ate my feelings, I stuffed down several uncomfortable emotions. “I’m not her mother.”

  “Perhaps you should consider changing that.”

  My hand stilled, chewed up Danish soaking up all the saliva in my mouth. “I beg your pardon?” I swallowed.

  “You heard me. I know you care for the baby.”

  “So? I also like puppies, but you don’t see me adopting any of them.”

  “It would help my son.”

  Putting the pastry down so I didn’t drop it out of shock, I brushed off my fingertips and gave my head a shake. “Hold up. A few weeks ago you were badgering me about apron strings getting too tight. Now, you’re suggesting I adopt your … granddaughter?”

  “If you think Hale will ever let you go you’re mistaken, Meyers. He’s too deep to turn back now. Think of it as a business merger of sorts.”

  My mouth pinched as I grit my teeth, trying so hard not to snap at him. But I couldn’t hold back. “Why do you always have to make ordinary things feel like acquisitions?”

  He raised a brow and looked at me. “Is that what you two have, something ordinary? I don’t think Hale would appreciate that definition.”

  “You know what I mean. Why can’t we just be in love? No pressure. Just enjoy it like everyone else in the world gets to.”

  His laughter came out so jaded I knew I’d miscalculated. “Fucking is pleasurable, Meyers. Love is painful. You should be aware of the difference.”

  Narrowing my eyes, I said, “I don’t like this side of you. Why are you acting like this today?”

  “Will you marry my son?”

  “Answer my question first.”

  He held my stare for a long moment and I was certain he wouldn’t answer, but then he said, “I didn’t enjoy the show last night.”

  “I said I was sorry! Believe me, the last thing I wanted was for you to hear us!”

  “Another thing I doubt you and my son see eye to eye on.”

  My nostrils flared as my hands folded into fists on the table. “You aren’t going to make me feel cheap or make me question Hale’s motives about things that are none of your business. It was an accident, Remington. Get over it.” There was so much venom coming from my pores, yet he didn’t seem concerned in the least.

  “You owe me an answer. I answered your question, now answer mine. Do you plan to marry Hale?”

  “I don’t know! Jesus, can’t things just move at a normal pace?”

  “Not when there’s a woman out there trying to bleed my son dry!” he snapped. “Open your eyes, Meyers. Davenports never renegotiate. Hale knew better than to alter the terms of his original agreement and you talked him into it anyway. If you think that woman’s walking away now, when she has my son by the balls, you have no business sense at all!”

  Suddenly terrified, I sat back in my seat. This was about Jasmine? “What are you talking about?”

  “He’s now up to a hundred and twenty thousand dollars on top of what he’s already paid. I didn’t teach him to negotiate like that. He’s doing this to please you and now her lawyer has him in a goddamn vice. They know what the Davenports are worth. They’re not going to stop until they’re certain they’ve taken as much as they can get.”

  “Hale offered her more money?” I had no idea. He hadn’t said anything in a few weeks. Today they were going to go over other options. More money? None of this made any sense. “How would me adopting Elara change anything?”

  “What do you suppose they’ll go after when Hale finally stops giving in to their demands? They have him in a corner.”

  My blood ran cold, my greatest fear creeping in. “Elara.”

  “There’s no tidy way out of the mess he’s made, but presenting a wife or a mother for the child would certainly help matters when the court gets involved.”

  I needed to talk to Hale. I wanted to rush through the house and take Elara in my arms and run somewhere safe with her. “She can’t do that.”

  “She can. It’s her baby.”

  A white-hot rage rushed through me as I hissed, “And yours, Remington! You have to stop her.”

  He shook his head. “That baby—”

  “Say her name!”

  He paused, notably startled by my protective command. “Elara … is Hale’s child. If you love him and want to protect what’s his, you’ll do something. You’re the one who told me throwing money at a problem doesn’t make it go away. I suggest you give my son the same advice.”

  A draft teased my ankles as I stared at my half-eaten pastry. Would marrying Hale really better his situation? Would it make Jasmine back off? It might protect Elara and she was what mattered most.

  For as much as I adored the Davenports, they had a way of making me sick. Mostly Remington. Pressure built in my chest and I wanted to cry.

  It was so unfair to put me in a position like this. I loved Hale, and yes, I’d probably marry him, but it was too soon. All of this was happening too fast and for the wrong reasons. And I hated Remington for even suggesting such a cold arrangement in the face of what I believed was a good and true love.

  “You expect me,” I whispered, “to speed up my life and take the fall for something you’ve done.”

  I shook my head, feeling robbed by a friend I trusted. He was a bully and somehow I thought I had a pass when it came to playing his victim.

  “I won’t do it, Remington. I love your son, and I love his daughter, but this is my life. I’ll marry him when we’re ready and the time’s right. Not a minute before. And certainly not for y
ou. You want everyone to clean up your mess. If you’re so damn worried, you do something.”

  With that, I rose from the table and left the room.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Sometimes I Break Things

  I spent some time with Elara after her nap, but my thoughts were so distracted I passed her back to Marta. Grabbing my coat and a bottle of liquor from Remington’s stash, I decided to take a long walk to clear my head.

  The estate was enormous and there were plenty of places one could get lost, which was exactly what I wanted to do. Getting lost seemed one mature step above running from my problems, so I didn’t beat myself up too badly for escaping.

  Once I lost sight of Remington’s house, I followed a dirt path and swigged straight from the bottle.

  “God, what the fuck is this?”

  I examined the label, but it was in French. For all I knew it was wine gone bad, but it might have been bourbon. Either way, it was keeping me warm and numbing the tension in my neck.

  How could he suggest I marry Hale or adopt Elara as some sort of negotiation strategy? I’d known them for months, not even half a year. It was way too soon to even use words that big.

  Guilt stung my conscience as a small voice in my head admitted I’d been thinking such words for weeks now. But no one knew about those thoughts. They were private.

  And what about Hale’s opinion on everything? It was usually the guy’s job to propose.

  I strolled along a large section of trees, pretty sure I was still on Davenport property, but rather turned around as far as finding my way back home. Remington was a colossal dickhead. He was selfish and never put himself in any sort of vulnerable position, but had no problem suggesting his loved ones lay it all on the line.

  “Dear friend, my ass,” I grumbled, stumbling along the trail.

  He should be the one to do something. This was his mess. Had he even tried stepping in and talking to Jasmine’s lawyer? And what about that lawyer anyway? He sounded like a total scumbag piece of shit. Gah, I hated greedy people. No doubt he was walking away with a fat commission.

  “Whoa.” My feet stopped and my face lifted as I stared at an incredibly large, well-kept home. My head tilted as I recognized the familiar pillars and gable roof. “Where have I seen this place before?”