“I was thinking the same thing.” He motioned his head over to Hawk and Widow, then said, “We’re about to head over to the hospital to check in on Lisa and the girls if you wanna come.”
“Yeah, I’ll meet y’all there. I’ve got something I need to take care of first.”
“Sounds good.”
Without saying anything more, I shoved the envelope in my back pocket, then started my engine. I whipped out of the parking lot and out onto the main road. I didn’t really have a plan or even a single rational thought coursing through my head as I drove towards Raelyn’s place. I hoped by the time I got there, I would know what I was going to do.
I didn’t.
I pulled up to her place, parked, and walked up to her door. I didn’t want to get into a back-and-forth over the money, so I took the envelope out of my pocket and folded it once more. Not wanting anyone walking by to see it, I did my best to wedge it between the door and the facing. I’d just gotten it in place when the door flew open, and Raelyn stepped outside—almost plowing right into me.
“Lynch!” She gasped with narrowed eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m giving this back.” I reached down and picked up the envelope, then handed it to her. “I told ya I didn’t expect y’all to pay me back.”
“Yes, well, neither of us thought it was right to keep it. It’s a lot of money, and we—”
“It’s just money, Rae.”
“And it’s yours. Not mine.”
She tried to hand it back to me, but I wouldn’t accept it. Instead, I told her, “I’m not taking that money, Rae, so stop acting like a stubborn child and just keep it.”
“Me? You’re the one who’s being a stubborn child!” She glared daggers at me as she snapped, “Now, just take the damn money!”
“Nope, not happening.”
“Seriously, Lynch. I’m over this. Just take it,” she demanded.
I should’ve been appreciative that they thought to pay me back, but I wasn’t. Instead, I was pissed, and with every word Raelyn spoke, the madder I became. I didn’t know why, and at that moment, I didn’t care. I just was.
My words were laced with anger as I growled, “You’re clearly used to getting what you want, but this time it isn’t happening.”
With that, I turned and started back to my bike. I’d only taken a few steps when she shouted, “You don’t know anything about me!”
“You’re right. I don’t.” I whipped around and looked her dead in the eye. “Maybe I would know more if you hadn’t walked out on me.”
“I didn’t walk out on you.”
“Oh? Then, what do you call that stunt from the other night ’cause it sure as hell looked like you walked out to me.”
“Well, looks can be deceiving.”
“Bullshit.” I took a step forward, towering over her as I growled, “We both know you bolted, but the question is why?”
“Maybe I wasn’t having a good time,” she sassed. “Maybe I didn’t feel a connection between us and saw no point in staying.”
I hadn’t forgotten all the flirting, the teasing back and forth, and certainly not the kisses we’d shared. Needless to say, I was thrown by her response. “You’re really saying you felt no connection? Seriously?”
“Yeah, there were no sparks or tingles. It was just so-so.” She couldn’t even look at me. “It was kind of like hanging out with my brother.”
“Your brother, huh?”
“Mm-hmm.” Raelyn nodded as she bit her bottom lip.
I knew she was lying. It was written all over her face, so I was left with only one option—I had to prove her wrong.
Without warning, I slipped my arm around her waist and pulled her close, then bent down and captured her mouth in a kiss.
She didn’t resist.
She didn’t pull back or ask me to stop.
Instead, her soft, full lips opened with a moan, giving me deeper access. Her hand roamed across my chest, then slowly continued up to the nape of my neck as her fingers tangled in my hair. Having Raelyn so close was fucking with my head, and I was finding it difficult to keep my dick in check.
I fisted her long, dark hair and gave it a firm tug, forcing her head back. She gasped as I delved deeper into her mouth, kissing her with all the need pulsing through my veins. She inched even closer, shifting her hips against me, and I knew I had to stop before we got carried away.
Besides, I’d made my point.
I eased back, breaking free from our embrace, and as she looked up at me with her lust-filled eyes and flushed cheeks, I asked, “What was it that you were saying about feeling no sparks? ’Cause I certainly felt ’em.”
Her eyes were locked on mine as she admitted, “I felt them, too.”