Gage, Ronna - The Search is Over (Siren Publishing Classic) (10 page)

“Nah.”
Let’s put some doubt in her head about the neighbor
. “I noticed that your boyfriend, Rafe, didn’t come in until late last night.” He bit back a mocking smile.

“So?” She gave him a sneering look. “He’s not my boyfriend,” she added then set his empty glass back on the stand and walked on by.

Angry that his plan didn’t work, Jesse had to assess the situation from another angle.
I thought for sure knowing of Rafe’s late arrival would piss her off and put a wedge into this bonding relationship between them. I can’t let her build some kind of fantasies around him
. Jesse watched her walk away. The elongated sway of her hips, in her angry pace, thickened his cock.
I’ll be in
Texas
for another five months and I have no intentions of spending that time alone.

* * * *

Candi plopped down on a barstool and bit back an angry barb she’d intended for Jesse but had almost taken out on Minerva.

“Uh-oh, I know that face,” Minerva teased.

“Jesse! He doesn’t want me, but he doesn’t want anyone else to have me either.”

Minerva took a quick glance at Jesse. He shrugged his shoulders in innocence. She laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Candi asked.

“Jesse. He’s playing stupid by pretending not to know what caused your latest tantrum.”

“Mr. I-Didn’t-Do-Anything-Wrong.” Candi rolled her eyes. “Whatever!”

“How about we leave here in thirty minutes?” Minerva suggested.

“That would be awesome. I need to study.” Candi laid her head wearily in her hands. “I’m tired.”

“You look tired.”

And emotionally drained from this round with Jesse.
She hadn’t really thought about Rafe—too much—until Jesse mentioned his name. Now, her mind filled with memories from the other night. She had fun meeting him, but her busy schedule kept the idea of something more out of reach. Jesse had to start something with her at every turn. The last two days had been almost unbearable. “Can we leave Jesse here?”

“Yep! Charlie just walked in. I’ll see if he’d like to get started early.” Minerva went to the end of the bar, whispered something to Charlie, and a few seconds later Charlie nodded his head. He went to the till counter. He and Minerva counted out the money and signed her off so that he could take over.

“You ready?” Minerva asked.

“Give me one minute to count out with Charlie and yes.”

Within fifteen minutes, Candi and Minerva walked out of the bar, leaving Jesse there to close the bar and find his way home.

“Thanks, Minerva. I really appreciate the extra time to study.”

“Not a problem. I wanted to get out of there, too,” Minerva whispered as if she shared a big secret. Driving past the neighborhood supermarket, Minerva turned into the parking lot. “I think a bottle of wine will hit the spot.”

“I agree.”

Maybe studying would be easier with a nice, relaxing glass of wine.

Chapter Fourteen

Rafe sat at his usual perch looking out the window. He watched Candi read an incredibly large book. He liked that she was going to school to make a good career.

Jack entered the room. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing much, why do you ask?” Rafe’s automatic comment didn’t stop his gawking out the window.

Jack walked to the table and caught a glimpse of Candi sitting in the sun. “That’s an extremely large book she’s reading.”

“Yep.” Rafe liked the combed-back style of her hair.
I can see her tiny ears
. And the pencil securing the knot of hair on her head looked sexy as hell. The scoop neck tank top and frayed denim shorts almost guaranteed a good tan. Her legs and arms glistened in the sun.

“How long have you been sitting at that window?” Jack asked.

“I don’t know, about two hours.”

“She’s been there for two hours?”

“Yep.”

“What is she doing home so early? It’s only four o’clock.”

“Don’t know. Didn’t ask.”

Rafe and Jack watched her pull the pencil from her hair. It fell loose and tumbled around her shoulders.
I would love to run my fingers through her hair
.

Candi and Minerva laughed at something. They each had a pink drink in their hands. “Smells like they are cooking beef,” Rafe said out loud.

“Why don’t you go and find out?” Jack challenged with a soft jab to the shoulder. “I bet they’d love some company about now.”

Smiling, Rafe shrugged. “Why not.” He grabbed a beer from the fridge and walked through the living room. He stopped at the sliding doors of the patio. “Are you coming?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Jack rushed to the kitchen, got a beer, and then almost ran to the door. “Ready when you are, roomie.”

* * * *

Once the patio door opened next door, Candi knew without a doubt that Rafe was home. Looking up, she became suddenly breathless. Rafe looked like the proverbial surf boy in faded denim shorts and a green tank shirt. The sight of him made her tingly inside. The familiar flutter she always felt when she thought of him heated her a slight degree. She smiled. “Hi!”

“Hello, I hope we aren’t intruding.” Rafe stopped just in front of her. He carried an opened bottle of beer and one unopened.
He may stay for a little while.
That thought send another heat wave coursing through her body.

She looked into his eyes and found him looking down at her. Their gazes locked with one another and neither tried to break the power of that one gaze. “No intrusion at all.”

From where he stood, Candi smelled his cologne. The scent of oranges, spice, and berries intoxicated her senses. She looked away for a second. It was in that moment that awareness struck her. They weren’t alone. “Hi, Jack,” she greeted with her best smile.

“Hi, Candi.” Jack watched them for a second and then smiled.

Candi closed her book and set her feet on the ground. Rafe extended an opened hand to her. She took him up on his offer. Seconds later, he pulled her out of the chair so hard she bumped into him. “Whoa!” He balanced her on her feet. Once righted, she noticed she stood not more than six inches from him. She could feel his breath on her cheek and taste his breath when he whispered.

“It’s good to see you.”

She swallowed hard. She felt the slight squeeze of his hand on hers. She felt the fluttering of desire in her stomach, which settled into her pussy.

She turned. “Come on over to the table,” she invited and led the way to the porch. Just as Candi cleared the clothesline, she felt a hard thud on her back, “Ow!” she shrieked as the jerk pitched her forward. She was brought up against Rafe’s strong body in a viselike grip. “Are you all right?”

“Yes,” he murmured softly in her ear. “Are you?” Aware of how their bodies reacted to one another, Candi stood still…unmoving in hopes to have him hold her longer. Rafe slowly released his grip on her waist. “Jack tripped me.” Rafe looked at Jack with murderous intent.

“No, I didn’t! You tripped on a stone,” Jack defended. He bobbed his eyebrows. “Watch your step,” he advised in a soft whisper as he walked past them. “That board is uneven.” Jack sat at the table.

Rafe gave Jack another look of death. He turned to Candi. “After you,” he prompted her to proceed.

Candi complied. She passed him, Rafe inhaled sharply.
Does he feel what I feel? Tingles?

Excitement?

Desire?

Minerva came outside with a tray of assorted meats. “Hi, guys!” she greeted. “How are ya’ll doing?”

“Good,” Rafe answered. “But, Minerva, I believe you are in your element.”

“Why thank you. I believe that is an excellent way to get an invitation for dinner. If you’d like to stay.”

“Sure.” Jack accepted without a second thought or the time to think it over.

“What do we need to bring?” Rafe asked.

“Nothing.” Minerva walked to the grill. “Just whatever you want to drink. Candi and I are drinking wine coolers. We weren’t expecting company.”

“Will there be enough food?” Jack asked.

“Plenty.” Minerva set two steaks, some cut-up sausage links, and two hamburger patties on the grill. “Help yourself to whatever you want.”

Rafe shared a glance with Candi and they smiled.

“Can I help with anything, Minerva?” Candi asked, getting up from her seat and joining her at the grill.

“No, I got it.”

Candi caught another glimpse of Rafe and held her breath. His sunglasses shaded his eyes, but she knew he watched her. The attraction was evident. The building anticipation consumed her, holding her to him, and him to her. She moaned.

Minerva came closer to her ear. “There’s no denying it, kiddo. You two are fighting a losing battle. It’s a matter of time before the passions are ignited to a point of no return.”

* * * *

“Jack, why don’t you get a few beers for us?” Rafe suggested as his gaze lingered on Candi across the steps.

“Yeah, I can do that.” Jack shook his head and stifled another laugh. “I’ll be right back.” Bending low to Rafe’s ear, he whispered, “I hope she’s worth it. That former Marine isn’t letting her go too easily—no matter what he says.”

Rafe watched as Candi held the platter for Minerva. She laughed at something Minerva shared with her. He could feel his stomach twitch and his cock throb. “Too damn bad.”

Jack turned his head as a laugh escaped his throat. “Just thought I’d warn you.”

Rafe settled back listening to the music coming from the radio that was set to a pop station. Not one of his favorites, but it would do. He liked classic rock music, hair bands, metal bands, and early alternative bands. The song blaring from the radio caught Candi’s attention, a familiar song to her obviously, and she began singing. She was relaxed. He listened as she sang the lyrics. Hearing her sing made him happy. As long as he kept Candi in sight, and out of Jesse’s grasp, he would be ecstatic.

Chapter Fifteen

“What a day from hell, and it’s only Tuesday.” Candi rubbed her temples.

“How so?” Minerva asked, pulling onto the private road to the house.

“I have a new lesson to study, and I can’t grasp it.”

Candi and Minerva returned home within a half hour of Jesse’s scheduled shift.

“Looks like it isn’t getting much better.”

Jesse met them at the front gate, enraged. “Why did you keep the car so long?”

“It’s my damn car, and I’ll do as I please.” Minerva shot back.

“Well, I have to go to work, and Dad has his car. Now, I’m going to be late,” he complained.

“Not if you stop bitching and hurry up.”

Candi rolled her eyes. Her mind mentally ran down the list of tasks due within the next twenty-four hours.
Human anatomy test. I have a test tomorrow and still don’t have a hold on this shit.

“Candi?”

Distressed, she looked up to see Rafe standing by his car, wiping grease off his hand with a wet rag.

“Hi!” His soft greeting, followed by a smile sent a calming wave over her.

“Hello.” She sighed her greeting. The airy whisper didn’t sound like her at all. “How was your day?”

“Fuck this,” Jesse griped at her when he stormed back into the house.

Great, an ambush when I go inside.
If I can stay outside for just a minute or so longer, he’ll be gone.

“I think it went well, but there’s always room for improvement,” She heard Rafe saying to her. “How about yours?”

“Tiring. I have so much homework tonight.” She leaned back against his cleaned car. She suddenly felt no energy left to carry on. The weariness seeped into her body and bore down on her. She didn’t want to be on her own tonight. Jesse would be going to work soon. Minerva had plans with
Roy
. And she would be alone.
I need a buffer.
She looked at Rafe. “Jesse will be leaving in a few minutes. Would you mind if I stay here with you until then?”

“No, I don’t mind you staying out here with me.”

Okay, now to fix one for the night.
“Hey! Would you like to come over and help me study for my test?”

“What are you studying?” Rafe asked.

“I had to take a health class this semester, so I chose basic human anatomy.” She sent him what she prayed would be a teasing smile.

He leaned closer to her. “I’m pretty good with the human anatomy,” he whispered.

His comment sent a shock of bone-melting desire through her. Candi inhaled a steadying breath and took in the scent of sweat that glistened on his chest.
That is all him.
It aroused her deeply. Her nipples reacted to become budding pebbles in her bra, and she could feel her panties moisten suddenly. Her cheeks flamed hot.

Jesse took that instant to come out of the house. He raced out to the car and stopped to glare at them.
Upset that I’m against someone else’s car, are you?
She smiled, but he refused to talk to either of them. He got into Minerva’s car and peeled out of the driveway.