Chapter 4
Marlowe
When Rafe showed up to fix the cooler, it had taken all the courage I could muster not to act like a total spaz and hide out in the office while he was there.
I was determined to ignore my insecurities and have a normal conversation with him.
It wasn’t easy. Just being close to him brought butterflies to my stomach.
I couldn’t even think straight. My mind would go completely blank, and I couldn’t speak.
I would just stand there and stare at him like a hormonal teen with her first crush.
It was embarrassing beyond belief, but I just couldn’t help myself.
There was something about the way his broad shoulders filled out his leather jacket and his thick, muscular thighs pressed against the denim of his jeans that exuded strength.
The second he would walk into the room I’d feel this overwhelming need to cower away and hide.
I guess I could say he made me nervous, but not in a fearful way—in a way that had my fingers itching to rake through his dark shaggy hair, my mouth longing to feel his lips against mine, and my entire body humming with need.
It also didn’t help matters his beautiful green eyes followed my every move.
Rafe might’ve had a pretty boy face and a charming smile, but he was a bad boy all the same.
I could see it in the way he talked, the way he walked, and the way his very presence demanded attention—my attention.
There was no denying I was attracted to him, but since I’d never spoken more than two words to him, I had no idea what he thought about me.
I hoped that would change if I actually got the nerve to really talk to him, and so far, I was right. Rafe and I were actually hitting it off. So much so, I think Rafe was actually flirting with me, especially when he asked, “So, what is your type?”
I was tempted to tell him to go take a look in the mirror, but unfortunately, I wasn’t brave enough to say anything so forward. “Not sure I really have a type.”
“What about your last boyfriend?” One corner of his mouth lifted into a sexy smirk. “What was he like?”
“He was just an average guy,” I lied. I hadn’t ever really had a boyfriend—not back at home or here in Tennessee.
I knew better than to try and date back in San Antonio.
If I ever showed the slightest interest in anyone, Kate would make it her mission to claim him before I ever had a shot.
It was like that with everything. From toys to friends, Kate simply couldn’t stand the idea of me having something even remotely better than her, so she’d just take it, giving no regard to how it made me feel.
After losing one too many friends, I finally gave up and quit trying to have anything of my own.
Looking back now, I was starting to think that was a big mistake.
I had no idea how to answer Rafe without sounding like a pitiful mess. “Nothing really stands out about him.”
“Probably why it didn’t last.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
He started to reattach the back cover on the cooler, signaling he had finished replacing the part.
I was enjoying our conversation and wasn’t ready for it to end, but unfortunately, there was nothing I could do about it.
Rafe stood, then pushed the cooler back against the wall.
“You mind throwing the breaker so I can see if she’s up and running? ”
“Sure.” I rushed around the corner and flipped the breaker. “Did she turn on?”
“Yep!” When I walked back into the bar, Rafe was smiling wide. “Looks like she’s working fine.”
“Great. Gladys will be relieved for sure.”
“I’m sure she will.” Rafe quickly gathered his things and said, “Well, I guess I better get out of here so you can head home.”
“Okay.” Trying my best to hide my disappoint, I told him, “Thanks for coming by here so late and fixing this for us. It was very thoughtful of you.”
“Anything for Gladys.” His green eyes met mine. “Besides, the company was great.”
He gave me a wink, then unlocked the front door and walked out to his bike.
While I was sad Rafe was leaving, I’d had a wonderful time hanging out with him, and it was impossible not to smile as I rushed to the back to grab my things.
I wanted to stop for a moment, go over our entire conversation in my head, but I didn’t have time.
It was late, and with my car being stuck at the shop, I’d have to run down a cab.
That wouldn’t be easy. Most of the bars and restaurants in the area had already closed or were about to, so cabs would be sparse.
After I grabbed my bag, I checked the back doors to make sure they were locked, then turned out the lights and headed out front. I’d just stepped out the front door when I spotted Rafe sitting on his motorcycle right outside the bar. “Hey, I thought you’d already gone.”
“Didn’t want to leave until I knew you’d made it back to your car okay.” He glanced around the empty parking lot as he asked, “Where is it anyway?”
“It’s in the shop.” I quickly locked the door, then shoved the keys into my pocket. As I walked over to him, my heart was beating so hard I feared he might hear it. “I’ve gotta grab a cab.”
“I’ll take you home.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” I suddenly became very nervous.
It was one thing to talk to him while he worked on the cooler but having him take me home was something else altogether.
I quickly looked around at the empty streets, hoping to catch sight of a cab, but there were none to be found. “I can—”
“I’m taking you home, Marlowe.” Rafe’s tone was short and demanding, leaving little room for argument. He reached into his saddlebag and grabbed a spare helmet, then offered it to me. “You’ll need this.”
I stood there for a moment, wondering if I should insist on getting a cab, but I could tell by the determined look in Rafe’s eyes, I’d just be wasting my breath. I took the helmet, and once I had it on, I climbed on behind him. As he started the engine, he turned to me and asked, “Where to?”
“I live over at the Oakfield Apartments on West Central.”
“Got it.”
Just before he took off, I placed my hands on his hips and said, “Take it easy. I’ve never ridden before.”
“Don’t worry. You’re safe with me.”
Before I had a chance to brace myself, he whipped out of the parking lot and started towards my place.
I’d lived in Nashville for over a year, driven down the same roads we were riding on a hundred times, but everything seemed completely different being on the back of his bike.
It was almost like we were in a completely different city.
I’d never felt such a rush as I did nestled up behind him, crossing street after street, and I didn’t want the moment to end.
Unfortunately, I only lived a few blocks away, and the ride ended as quickly as it began.
He pulled through the old security gates, then looked over his shoulder and asked, “Which one is yours?”
“First on the left.”
He nodded, then pulled up to the first empty parking space and killed the engine. I eased off the back of his bike and removed the helmet he’d given me. As I offered it back to him, I smiled and said, “Thank you for bringing me home like this. I really appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it.” His sexy little smile sent a shiver down my spine, making it difficult to think. I was so out of it that I almost missed him ask, “How long is your car going to be in the shop?”
“That’s the question of the hour. I’ve called three times, but I can’t seem to get a direct answer from the mechanic.” I rolled my eyes as I complained, “I think he’s giving me the run around because I’m a woman.”
“Where’d ya take it?”
“Mike’s Salvage and Repair.”
Rafe nodded like he knew the place. “I’ll give them a call in the morning and see what I can find out.”
“Thanks. I’d really appreciate it.”
“How you planning to get to work in the morning?”
“I haven’t really put much thought into it.” I gave him a light shrug. “I guess I’ll just catch a cab or something.”
“No need.” He shook his head. “I’ll be back in the morning to pick you up around ten.”
“You really don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.”
His response brought a smile to my face. “Okay, then. I’ll see you around ten.”
“Sounds good.”
I turned and was about to rush upstairs when I felt Rafe’s hand on my forearm, pulling me back over to him.
I was just inches from his face when his hand dropped to my ass and he pulled me even closer.
Rafe’s mouth hovered over mine, his eyes darting from my eyes to my lips as he muttered, “You know, you never asked me about my type.”
“Your type?” I thought for a moment, then asked, “You mean your type of woman?”
“I certainly don’t mean my type of guy.”
“Well, in that case, you’re right. I didn’t ask.” His eyes were trained on mine as I teased. “So, do hot, bad-boy bikers like yourself even have a type?”
“Absolutely.”
“Ooo-kay.” A playful smirk slipped across my lips as I asked, “Then, what’s yours?”
“I’m looking at her.”
He slipped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer, and every single nerve in my body came alive as I watched him slowly dip down and lower his mouth to mine.
The man who’d invaded my dreams for months kissed me long and hard, making my entire body hum with a need like I’d never experienced before.
This kiss was filled with a passion that ignited feelings inside me I never even knew existed—a primal desire that lived deep within.
Feeling brazen, I let my fingers trail along the curves of his ever-so-defined chest and relished in the sensation of having him so close.
His arms wound tight around me, inching me even closer as his tongue found its way into my mouth.
I was holding on by a thread, and just as I was becoming completely lost in his touch, he pulled back, quickly breaking our embrace.
His green eyes danced with lust as they locked on mine.
He lifted his hand up to my mouth, gently brushing the pad of his thumb across my bottom lip and said, “I’ll see you in the morning.”
I was too stunned to respond. I simply nodded like a startled deer, then rushed up the steps and into my apartment.
Unable to stop the storm of thoughts rushing through my head, I leaned back against the door and slid down until my butt hit the floor.
I simply couldn’t believe it. I’d known Rafe for over a year, and in all that time, I’d barely spoken to him.
He was the kind of man mothers warned their daughters about, but that only made me want him more.
Fearing he’d never be interested in a girl like me, I kept my distance and simply admired his hotness from afar.
Something told me that was all about to change—especially if Rafe had anything to say about it.