Chapter Ten
Lucas
Despite the frightening night she’d had, Rainey didn’t call. I doubt she’d had an easy time or a good sleep, but at least she’d had her best friend to keep her company. I still wish it had been me taking care of her.
Instead, I lay awake, my thoughts spiraling from the brick in Rainey’s window to my past ventures with Trick and the guys.
We’d been assholes, no doubt, but I’d never threatened anyone.
But Trick had and he’d even gone a step further, hurting an old man.
If not for the notes that seemed to explicitly target Rainey, I’d wonder if it were Trick threatening her to get to me.
But the wording, you don’t deserve nice things, or be prepared to lose everything, that’s personal.
I woke up after a few shitty hours of sleep to a surprising text from Rainey, asking if I was free to stop by her office. Even if I had plans, I’d make the time to make sure she’s okay. But I have nothing on my schedule, so here I am.
I walk into the office, and the same receptionist is seated at her desk.
At the sound of the bells over the door, she glances up. “Hello, Mr. Carras.”
“Hello…”
“Ashlynn,” she says.
I nod. “Ashlynn. I’m here to see—”
“Lucas, hi.” Rainey steps up from behind her. “Come on back.”
I follow her, too aware of the tight leggings, revealing her curvy ass. Even the top is a little tight. Since she went home with Kaylee, I assume she borrowed her clothing. I appreciate the sight and so does my dick. I adjust myself before she turns around.
We step into the room, and I see the back of Kaylee’s head at her desk.
“We have a visitor,” Rainey says to her partner.
Kaylee turns. “Hi, Lucas.”
I nod at her. “Hi.”
“Your arrival is my cue to leave.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Why?” I ask.
“Because Rainey has some things to discuss with you, and I’d like to make myself scarce.”
Beside me, Rainey snickers.
Despite Kaylee gesturing to the closed folding doors leading to the back room which are muffling the sound of the men working on the windows, I’ve already caught on to the problem.
Rainey’s upset with me and no doubt thinks I overstepped.
I knew I’d have to face her irritation at some point. Might as well do it now.
Kaylee reaches for her purse in her desk drawer and rises to her feet. “Good luck,” she says to me with a smirk on her face. “Bye, Rainey.”
“Bye!” Rainey waves her fingers, an amused grin on her face.
Once her partner leaves, Rainey turns to me, her smile gone, but I’m determined to get ahead of the situation.
“Before you say anything, I just wanted to make sure the job was done right, so I hired a crew I knew I could trust.” Courtesy of the work on the club, I have a lot of connections for various construction-related jobs.
Rainey lets out a long breath. “Look, I appreciate you calling someone in to replace the windows. That’s not the issue. The money is. Are they going to bill Golden Palm Events for the work?”
I rub a hand against the back of my neck. “I didn’t tell them to, no.”
She nods, then walks farther into the office, her high ponytail swaying behind her.
Once there’s physical distance between us, she turns to face me.
“When I started this company with Kaylee, I had one goal and that was to do this on my own. I admit, I used trust fund money for the start-up, but we took out a small business loan and built the business ourselves.”
I sense how important this is to her and I’m listening. Carefully, because the last thing I want to do is to step on her toes, and somehow, I think that’s what I’ve done.
“My parents and family offered to spread the word about us to their corporate associates and friends, but that’s not what I wanted.
And Kaylee agreed. So as much as I appreciate the fact that you want to help by covering the cost, I can’t let you do that.
I have to contact the landlord.” she says.
“So instead of insisting, I’d appreciate it if you’d tell them to bill us when they’re finished and I’ll handle it. ”
I can’t imagine the man will mind someone paying for the fix but I remain silent. I know when I’m beat. I can’t take away the independence she’s tried so hard to achieve. No matter how much I want to look out for her. “I respect what you’re saying. No problem. I’ll have them bill the business.”
The tightness in her face eases, her jaw unclenching. “Thank you, Lucas. It really means the world to me. I’ve argued this point with my family for so long. I appreciate you respecting what I want.”
I nod. “I’ll always respect you,” I assure her. “And support whatever you need.”
She steps closer and when she reaches me, she pulls me into a grateful hug.
I feel her softness press against my chest and my willpower to keep my distance begins to dissolve.
I’m hanging on by a thread until she tilts her head and that thread breaks.
I seal my mouth over hers. And if I thought the sparks we created were a one-time thing, I was wrong.
Together, we’re an explosion waiting to happen.
Her mouth is soft but determined and when I coax her lips open, she lets me in, sliding her tongue against mine.
She tastes like a combination of spice and willing female, and I groan, wanting her with everything in my being.
My cock is hard and desire rushes through my veins.
She inspires a need in me that is beyond reason, and I can’t bring myself to question it or hold back.
I cup her chin in my hand and—
“Rainey, I… Oh! I’m so sorry!”
I don’t have to look to know her assistant walked into the room and caught us making out like teenagers. Rainey draws a breath and we pause, giving her a second before I take a step back, facing the wall. My obvious erection is the last thing Ashlynn needs to see.
Rainey looks past me. “She’s gone, probably back at her desk. I can’t believe I let us get so carried away in my office.” She steps around me and groans, placing her hands over her face.
Without meeting my gaze, she walks to her desk, pulls a compact from her bag and looks in the mirror, rubbing her fingers over her kiss-swollen lips. With a shake of her head, she turns, and strides toward the entrance to her business, no doubt to talk to Ashlynn.
I know how much she prides herself on decorum and professionalism, and I hate that I’ve put her in a compromising position at work. Protecting her reputation means everything to her after what happened with that client in the past.
I shove my hands into the front of my slacks just as she walks back into the room. “Is everything okay?” I ask.
Cheeks flushed, she nods. “Ashlynn said she needed to leave early today. I told her to go. She’s been calling out more often, which is odd because she’s always mentioning how she needs money.” Rainey shrugs.
I study her, trying to gauge her mood. “Look, I—”
She shakes her head. “It’s fine. I shouldn’t have started anything here.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I think we started it. So let me ask you something. Other than getting caught, does that mean you regret our kiss?” What the hell am I doing? Why am I pushing for something that’s off limits to me?
Her pretty navy gaze meets mine. “No,” she admits. “I don’t regret it.”
Bells sound from the outside door, and we’re interrupted again. I’m beginning to learn her office is the worst place to start anything personal. Conversation or kissing.
“Rainey?” a loud male voice calls out.
She cringes and shoots me a look I can’t name. “Back here, Dad!”
Now I decipher that look.
“Why did I have to hear about someone crashing your window from Jack?” Ian Dare asks, in a combination of a paternal and pissed-off voice.
“And here we go,” she says under her breath just as her father walks into the room, her mother beside him.
“Well?” Ian asks.
“Baby, calm down,” Riley Dare insists, putting a hand on her husband’s shoulder before turning to her daughter. “Answer your father’s question,” she says. “You know you should have called us!”
“Pot, kettle.” Ian glances at his wife with an amused look.
Rainey sighs. “Because I knew how upset you’d both be. I didn’t even tell Jack!”
“That would be me,” I say with a wince. “He called this morning, and I told him.”
Rainey shoots me a glare, while Ian glances at me for the first time.
“And it’s a damn good thing you did tell him. My daughter should have let me know.”
“Okay, enough! Mom, Dad, I’m fine. There was damage to the window, but it’s being fixed. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
I notice she doesn’t discuss the odd notes she’s received, and I’m glad I never mentioned them to Jack.
I’m seeing the independent side of Rainey that must drive her overprotective father crazy.
If I were a parent, I know I’d be the same way.
My brain screeches to a halt. I’m stunned.
That was a thought I’d never had before in my life.
If asked, I’d say kids were a hard no for me.
After the way I grew up, I’m not sure I can bring one into this world and not worry twenty-four seven about both their safety and my ability to be a good father.
It’s not like I had a decent example early on.
My gaze slides to Rainey and a weird sensation rushes through me, but I put it aside.
“I’m having a better security system installed here,” Ian says. “I’m hiring a bodyguard to watch over you and you’re working from home from now on. Our home.”
“Dad!”
“Ian!” Riley and Rainey shout at the same time.
“Although I agree about the security system,” Rainey’s mom adds.
“The rest is overkill,” the women tell him simultaneously.
I’m watching the family dynamic, and I can’t help but smile at the warm, caring feeling I get, even with Ian’s domineering demands, and experience a pang for what I missed being raised by shitty parents who didn’t care if I came home at night, let alone if I had something to eat.
But along with that painful reminder comes gratitude for the fact that I finally received all those things when the Carrases brought me into their home.
Knowing I won’t score any points with Rainey’s father, I join the conversation. “I agree. On the security system, anyway.”
“Fine.” Ian holds up two hands in surrender. “But you’re coming for dinner one night soon,” he says, pointing to Rainey. “Your mother wants a family meal.”
Beside him, Riley coughs. “He does,” she mutters, and her comment breaks the ice.
Rainey relaxes and everyone laughs. “We’ll do it when Jack returns.”
“Sounds good,” her mother says.
A little while later, after Ian inspects the windows and talks to the workers, her parents leave.
Rainey turns to face me. “Well, now you see the overprotective side of my father.”
I can’t help but grin. “I’ve seen my dad act similarly.” And by dad, I mean Matthew.
“Do you want me at dinner?” I ask, brushing my knuckles over her cheek and hoping she reads into my words and tone. I want to be more than a buffer between her and her overbearing but loving family.
I want what I have no right to ask for. And maybe, if Jack were home, I wouldn’t push for answers. I’m walking further into trouble, and I can’t seem to stop myself.
“Yeah, Lucas. I want you there with me.”
I let her words settle inside me.
“Now, I have a favor to ask, and I know I’m pushing it. You didn’t sign up for all this with me. I’m turning working on an event into a full-time job for you and—”
I cut her off with my finger, placing it over her lips. “What do you need?”
She releases a long breath. “Would you go with me to my apartment to pick up clothes for staying with Kaylee? I’m sure it’s safe and there is a doorman, but the police scared me a little. I’d feel better if someone was with me.”
“You got it,” I tell her, not mentioning there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for her.