[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
You deserve to be happy. Any man would be lucky to get you even with those streaks in your
hair.
Some things never changed.
I like the streaks in my hair and any man that likes me will too.
I m sure you re right. It s not something I would do but there are probably tons of guys who
would go for that sort of thing.
That sort of thing? Rayne groaned and took another gulp of her wine. It s hair dye, not animal
sacrifice. I fail to see what the big deal is. This town has too many people that like to clutch their
pearls and bemoan the fact that not everyone thinks the way they do. They have to be exhausted. It s a
wonder anything gets done.
I know you re used to San Francisco&
You used to live there too. How can this not be a culture shock for you? Does this not make you a
little crazy every now and then?
Camy fidgeted in her seat. I m not like you. I actually care what people think about me.
Don t let Mom and Dad hear you say that, Rayne warned. They didn t raise us like that but I
think you re brave to admit it.
Camy laughed nervously as the waitress slapped their cheese fries in the middle of the table.
I ll never tell and you better not either. You won t, will you?
Rayne made a pretend X over her heart like when they were children. Your secret is safe with
me but these cheese fries aren t. I m going to demolish them and you re going to help. Damn the diet,
sis.
They munched away at the gooey cheese and fried goodness, chatting about the upcoming
holidays. Rayne had gone home to San Francisco last year but she doubted she d be able to get away
again, as busy as the shop had been lately.
She d stuffed a huge mouthful of fries and cheese in her mouth when the front door of the bar
swung open and Dare Turner strode through it, his usual surly expression in place. Despite his
grouchy demeanor Rayne could see almost every single girl in the joint perk up, retouching their
lipstick and smoothing their hair. He was a sexy devil but still a demon. She hadn t been in the best of
moods since he d left the other night. Getting kissed within an inch of her life and then having the
gentleman not want to do it again wasn t what she called a terrific Saturday evening.
Choking on her snack, Rayne held a napkin up to her lips as her gaze met Dare s. He simply stood
there for a long moment before turning toward the bar and ordering a drink.
Camy s eyes were wide as she took in the spectacle. Um& that was interesting. Is there
something you want to tell me?
Not a single, solitary thing. Camy would blow the entire situation such as it was out of all
proportion and make it into something it wasn t.
Not particularly. Dare s been ducking my calls about the break-in and he probably feels guilty or
something.
Or something, Camy echoed, her gaze on Dare as he joined the men in the back of the bar
playing pool, his jeans stretched over his taut ass as he bent over to take a shot. If I wasn t a married
woman, I d go for him.
He s hot, Rayne conceded. But he s kind of unpleasant to be around. He s always growling at
people like every day is his worst on earth.
Camy shrugged and dug another fry from the cooling cheese. He does have a tough job but I ve
seen him be nice.
Nice and happy were two different things. Rayne wasn t sure she could be with a man that was as
sad or mad as Dare was all the time.
Did he smile?
Well& no. I don t think I ve actually seen him smile but I m sure that he does. Maybe when he s
alone.
That s not a creepy thought at all, sis. Dare sitting by himself grinning like the Joker in Batman.
All I m saying is you could do worse. He seems like the kind of guy that wouldn t cheat on you
or hit you or anything.
Rayne knocked back the last of her wine. I hope my standards for a man are a little higher than
someone who won t slap me around and screw my friends. That bar shouldn t be that hard to clear,
honestly.
And yet, it is, Camy sighed. Remember Paul? I think he slept with every girl in my study
group.
Of all Camy s loser boyfriends, Paul had been particularly loathsome. He d even made a pass at
Rayne one night at a family party.
Asshat.
Paul was a jerk, plain and simple. He seemed to revel in it too. He enjoyed cheating on women
and being an asshole. There s a whole lot of screwed up inside him, that s all I m saying. The fact is,
I shouldn t have to beg a guy not to be a horndog. Is that too much to ask?
Camy patted Rayne on the hand and gave her a sympathetic smile. It shouldn t be but it can be.
Some guys just never grow up. Everything is a party. The real challenge is telling between the boys
and the men. That s the hard part.
Dare was one of the men, of that Rayne was sure of. But there was no way she was going to chase
after him. He d made his position clear on Saturday night.
He wasn t interested. Period.
Chapter Twelve
Are you okay to drive, Rayne?
Dare s large hand pressed over hers as she pulled on the door handle of her car, his touch sending
a streak of heat through her veins and a tremble to her knees. She d spent the last hour and a half
trying not to watch him, and doing a pretty decent job, but now here he was talking to her in the
deserted parking lot of the bar. Not another soul around as she d parked on the outskirts to keep
anyone from door dinging her rather new vehicle.
I m fine. I had one glass of wine and then I drank water. Are you okay to drive?
With his massive body mass he could probably drink a hell of a lot more than she could and still
stay under the limit.
I could use a ride home. If you re offering.
She hadn t expected that answer. Was she offering? If she didn t give him a ride home there were
others inside that could, but it would be churlish to refuse. She didn t hate Dare after all. It was just
embarrassing that he d kissed her and never wanted to do it again.
Sure. Get in.
Rayne didn t bother to turn around, his nearness making it hard to take a deep breath. Instead, she
climbed into the driver s side on trembling legs while he punched something into his phone before
swinging in beside her. Suddenly she wished she d purchased a giant SUV instead of the low-slung
fire engine red coupe. Dare was sitting a scant few inches away and she could smell his cologne and
feel the warmth coming off of his skin.
It was the last thing she wanted. The sooner she dropped him off at home the better off she d be.
Starting up the car, she flipped on the heater and backed out of the space before turning onto the
main road. She kept her eyes forward but couldn t help but take a quick glance as his profile. He
appeared relaxed, content almost, if not happy. Whatever alcohol he d consumed must have done the
job.
Is this new?
His question pulled her out of her reverie and she shook her head as if to shake away the
cobwebs. I m sorry. What s new?
The car, Dare explained, sniffing the air. It has that new car smell.
It certainly did and Rayne loved it. It was the first new car she d ever purchased. All the others
had been used, and she couldn t help but feel the thrill of ownership whenever she drove her new
baby.
It is new. Less than a month old. My old car needed to be put out of its misery.
It s pretty but not very practical.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]