She dropped her keys on the kitchen table and headed down the hall. “I’ll be back in a minute. Just make yourself comfortable.”
“Will do.”
I took off my cut and laid it across one of the kitchen chairs, then wandered into the living room. I was about to sit down when I spotted a bookshelf full of pictures. I went over to check them out and was happy to see that several of them were of Rae. There was a shot of her with Haleigh and a couple more with her family. She looked stunning in each and every one. But one photo stood out from the rest.
I picked it up and studied it for a moment.
She was standing on the ledge of a bridge, looking down at the water, and there was this glint in her eye—not one of fear, but of anticipation. At first, I had no idea what she was doing there until I noticed bungee straps around her feet.
After the way we met, I should’ve known she’d have no qualms about bungee jumping or anything else. I had no idea what drove her to be such a risk-taker, but I intended to find out.
I’d just put the picture back on the shelf when Rae called out from her bedroom, “I’m almost done.”
“There’s no rush. Just take your time.”
I sat down on the sofa and overheard Rae muttering to herself as she scurried back and forth between her room and the bathroom. While I couldn’t make out what she was saying, I found it amusing until I heard a loud thud. “Rae? You okay back there?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” The words had barely left her mouth when there was another one. “Well, shit.”
“You sure about that?”
“Mm-hmm. I’ll be out in a sec.”
I was about to get up and go check on her when she appeared in the doorway. She was wearing a pair of black leggings with an oversized black sweater that fell off her shoulder, revealing a bright red bra strap. One side of her hair was pulled back while the other fell close to her face. With barely a hint of makeup, Raelyn looked absolutely stunning. “You clean up good, babe.”
“I do what I can.” She started over to me and asked, “So, what’s the plan for tonight?”
“I was about to ask you the same. I mean, you’re the one who asked me out, remember?”
“No, I don’t remember that at all.” Raelyn placed both hands on her hips and pursed her lips as she stared at the ceiling, mulling over our last conversation. After a few minutes, she threw her hands up in surrender. “Okay, fine. I’m the one who asked you out, so that means I get to decide what we do, right?”
I hadn’t forgotten about the picture on the shelf, so I answered, “Yeah, within reason. I mean, I’m not all that eager to jump off a building or anything like that. And considering your whole probation thing, I’d say it’s best we steer clear of a situation that might involve the cops.”
“I can’t disagree with you there.” She sat down next to me on the sofa and asked, “What kinds of things do you usually do on a date?”
“I don’t really date all that much.”
“Really?” She smiled. “I’d think a handsome guy like you would have your pick of women.”
“I never said I didn’t. Just said I didn’t date much.”
Her eyes narrowed in confusion, but I didn’t say anything more as I raised my brow and stared at her. It took her a minute, but she eventually realized what I meant and gasped. “Ohhh.”
“It’s really not that big of a deal. I just haven’t met anyone who’s been worth the effort. At least, not until you.”
“Oh, yeah? And what makes me so different?”
“I’m still trying to figure that out.”
“I know the feeling.” Raelyn’s eyes met mine as she admitted, “I’ve never met anyone like you, and it drives me a little crazy, especially when—”
“When what?”
A slight blush crept over her cheeks. “When you run so hot and cold.”
“Not sure I follow.”
“I think you know exactly what I mean.”
She was right. I knew what she meant. “I have my reasons for running cold.”
“Well, I wish you’d tell me what they are because honestly, it’s confusing the hell out of me.”
I started to feel closed in, so I stood and stepped over to the fireplace, taking a minute to consider my answer, which ended up being a moment too long. “I mean, if you aren’t all that interested, you can just tell me. I’m a big girl. I can take it.”
“You gotta know it’s not that. Hell, I wouldn’t be standing here right now if I wasn’t interested.”
“Then, what is it?”
“I’m a man who likes to be in control, but when I’m with you—” I let out a breath of frustration. “Fuck, even now, it’s killing me to be close to you without putting my hands on you, but if I do, I won’t be able to stop myself.”