Propositioning Mr. Raine

by Laurann Dohner

  When she’d landed at the airport, she discovered her SUV had a flat front tire and it had taken a tow truck driver almost an hour to reach her. She’d been informed someone had pulled a prank and had just let the air out of the tire. At least ten cars had been targeted besides hers so the guy had towed her SUV to a local gas station, filled the tire for her, and she’d grabbed gas station hot dogs for dinner. She was exhausted as she pulled into her driveway after midnight.

  A light on upstairs in her bedroom window drew her attention. Trina was certain she’d turned off all the lights before she left but figured that she must have forgotten that one in her rush to get to the airport. She’d made last minute flight plans after Ted’s mother had called her to beg her to fly back to California for the party on Saturday. She hadn’t had the courage to say no so she’d packed and taken the first flight there.

  She climbed out of her SUV and walked to the back to get her stuff, glad she’d packed light for her quick trip. She gripped her overnight bag and her small suitcase, stumbling a little on the walk to her front door, and realized she was dead on her feet, ready to just fall into bed. She doubted she’d even get undressed first. She unlocked the door, thinking maybe she’d sleep in her shoes. She locked the door behind her, dropped everything on the floor, and looked at the couch, tempted to sleep there.

  “No,” she groaned aloud. She headed for the stairs. She stumbled into her room, fixed her eyes on the bed, and just yanked down her jeans as she kicked her shoes away. She reached up the back of her shirt, unfastened her bra, and removed it. Her fingers ran through her hair, tearing out the pins and freeing the long strands. She rubbed at her scalp that hurt from having it up for too long. She started to unbutton her shirt when someone cleared their throat.

  Trina cried out in startled fear, spun around toward the source of the sound, and lost her balance. Her ass hit the edge of her bed as she stared at Ryder Raine sitting in the rocking chair in the corner of the room by her closet. She hadn’t seen him when she’d walked in, the open door blocking her view. She grabbed her pounding chest with one hand and then realized she was in a pair of undies and a half-unbuttoned shirt as his gaze raked down her front.

  She grabbed at the comforter and dragged it over her lap and up to her chest where she clutched it in place, just staring at him in mute shock. What the hell is he doing in my bedroom? How did he get in the house? Why the hell is he here?

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

  “Frighten me?” She found her voice. “You scared the shit out of me. I could have had a heart attack!” She took a deep breath. “What are you doing here?” A horrible thought struck her. “Is Navarro okay? Has something happened to him?”

  Dark brown eyes narrowed. “He’s fine, in bed sound asleep.”

  Relief swept through her. “Good.” She stared at his brother. “What are you doing here? How did you get in?”

  “I knew the Verns and I dated their daughter about ten years ago. There’s a lock that doesn’t work well on the mud porch. If it gets wiggled the lock opens.” He grinned, giving her a wink. “I used to sneak in.”

  “Oh.” She frowned and pulled the comforter more firmly around her body. “What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to talk to you.”

  She frowned at him. “About what? It’s after midnight. I…I’m confused. I’m totally lost on why you’d come here to talk to me and I’m really uncomfortable that you let yourself into my house.”

  Ryder stretched his legs outward, obviously getting more comfortable in the chair as he crossed his ankles. “I went into the safe today. Nav was closemouthed about what kind of shit Dusty pulled and how deep into shit Nav had to go to get Dusty out this time. I thought Nav had taken out a loan and I wanted to see where he’d gotten the money so I could make payments to help him out. Imagine my shock when I found that contract.”

  The blood drained from Trina’s face, knowing that Ryder knew the truth. Embarrassment flashed through her entire body in a wave of heat. She let her gaze drop to the floor and tried to swallow the lump that formed in her throat before she forced her gaze back to his. He was calmly watching her and she couldn’t read his expression.

  “Okay. So why are you here? Are you going to tell anyone about it?”

  He shook his head. “Tell people my brother is a paid man whore? Fuck no.”

  Trina winced. “It’s not like that. Don’t say that about him.”

  “That’s what he said.”

  “You talked to him about this?” Her cheeks burned more. She wondered how Navarro handled his brother confronting him and if it had upset him.

  “I did. We had a discussion.” Ryder’s eyelids narrowed. “That’s why I’m here. You and I are going to come to a new agreement and write a new contract.”

  Shock hit Trina. “Excuse me?”

  “Nav told me you lost your husband and you’re lonely. I’m real sorry for your loss.” His attention drifted around the room. “I saw the new furniture and you put some bucks into this place. It looks great, by the way. I saw what you drive. I took a peek at your clothes and you should get a damn safe to keep that jewelry in. You’ve got money.” He frowned at her. “I also peeked in the photo albums you have downstairs. You’ve been to Europe and all over the place. You are used to the good life so I can’t figure out what you’re doing in our little piece of the world, but it’s your life.”

  “You had no right to—”

  He cut her off. “Didn’t I? You’re blackmailing my brother into fucking you, lady. You saved our ranch by using your money to turn my brother into a whore for you.”

  She was too shocked to speak but then she found her voice. “I offered to just loan him the money. He didn’t have to…” She slammed her mouth closed.

  “Fuck you?”

  She nodded miserably. “I offered to loan him the money with no strings.”

  “He’s got pride. We learned nothing comes in life for free and there’s always a price. Navarro is a good man and he’s always been the responsible one. Our brother Drake couldn’t wait to get the hell out of here when he took off to law school and he lives in Dallas to avoid us. Dusty was always the fuck-up of the family, one party to the next, and he was the closest to Dad because they both loved to tear it up with booze and whores.

  “Nav hit the rodeo circuit when he was just seventeen. Ever see his championship belts? He was that damn good. He sent money home to the ranch and hell, kept it floating because by then Dad was a full-blown alcoholic. Dusty was well on his way and Nav paid for that law school for Drake. Then Nav paid for me and River to pursue our dreams. River wanted a life like Nav and I love music. Nav floated us all on cash, barely surviving himself, but that’s how he is. He took care of us, including sending Adam and Trip to college because they are family too. When Nav got busted up he came here and then Dad was killed. Nav held this family together even though he was going through pure hell with his wife, his recovery, and Dad’s death.”

  Trina listened, nodding, and feeling her heart ache for Navarro and all he’d gone through that she hadn’t known about. The gossips in town hadn’t told her much of the Raine history.

  “Now Dusty almost lost the ranch and Nav had to save us again. If we lost the ranch…well, shit. It’s our home. We all know it’s always here for us, that Nav is here for us, and that Adam is here for us now that he’s back. Nav’s a good man and he’d do anything to save our home. You put him in a position where he couldn’t say no and he’s not the type of man to make that kind of contract with you. Do you understand? It’s going to tear him up.”

  “Okay.” Pain lanced through Trina’s heart.

  “Okay what? You don’t care what it does to his pride to be forced to fuck a woman for money or okay you get that he can’t do this anymore? You aren’t his type. You’re too old, you’re not tall enough, and he liked the redhead way too much. You’re as far from his type as it gets, Trina. If it wasn’t for the money, I can promise you, he
wouldn’t touch you.”

  Tears filled her eyes, though she knew he was being purposely mean. He was hitting his mark if his intention was to insult her.

  “Tell him it’s over and I won’t bother him again. He doesn’t owe me anything any longer. I’ll send a paper just as we agreed that states it was just a loan and he made all the payments so the debt it totally paid off.” Trina’s voice broke.

  “You think he’d let that sit? He’s honorable to a fault and you paid for a service.” Ryder stood. “I’m not saying you should get screwed out of your money. You just signed up with the wrong brother. I don’t have his damn morals so here’s the deal. I’ll fuck you for the next seven weeks. I’m better at it than Nav is anyway.” He smiled. “And if you’re into kinky shit or want to try whatever, I’m there. I even have a buddy who loves to tag team that I can call in if you’ve got threesome fantasies.”

  Horror flooded Trina as she shook her head frantically. “No.”

  “No to threesomes? That’s fine.” He reached for the front of his shirt. “We might as well get started tonight. I want to fuck you and you’re totally my type, Trina. Nav has a thing for tall women with bright hair but me? I am attracted to short blondes and have a weakness for them.”

  “Don’t.” Fear gripped her. “I don’t want you. Please just leave. The contract is over. Tell Navarro he doesn’t owe me anything and I’ll send that paperwork so it’s all legal and the loan is paid off in full, just like I said I would.”

  A frown curved Ryder’s full lips and his fingers froze on his shirt. “I’m not going to hurt you, baby. You’ll love fucking me more than Nav. He and I are the same size about everywhere. I’ve got more experience by far so I promise you that you’ll love what I can do to you. Satisfaction is guaranteed.” He winked.

  “Leave.” She stood and gripped the comforter in fear. “Please just leave. I’ll send the paperwork tomorrow. I swear. Just leave.”

  Ryder’s frown deepened. “You look scared. I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “Leave. Please?” Her voice shook. “I don’t want you. I just want you to leave.”

  “You’re lonely and you want a man in your bed. You want hot sex and I’m offering you all that.”

  “Please go.” She inched for the bathroom.

  “Baby, I’m not going to hurt you. Calm down. We’ll sit and talk about this. I can appreciate you and do things to you that Nav would never even consider. It will be damn hot. It will burn you up.”

  She dropped the comforter and dived into the bathroom. She slammed the door and locked it. “Get out!”

  Ryder sighed after a long minute of silence. “My intention was never to scare you. I’ll come back tomorrow and we’ll talk. Just give it some thought. Wouldn’t you like to fuck a guy who really wants you instead of Nav? I do, Trina. I really want you. I’ll be back around noon tomorrow and I’ll knock on the front door this time.”

  Trina sat down on the floor and listened until she heard the downstairs door slam. Hot tears fell down her cheeks as she curled into a ball on the bathroom floor and cried herself to sleep.

  Chapter Nine

  Trina was sore after sleeping on the bathroom floor. She was humiliated and worse, she hurt inside. She’d thought Navarro honestly enjoyed being with her despite the fact that she was paying him. He had seemed to have fun with her and even seemed to prefer sleeping with her. Why else had he wanted to spend Friday night together when he hadn’t had to? Hot tears filled her eyes as she packed a small day bag. She planned to avoid Ryder Raine.

  She still couldn’t believe Ryder had just let himself into her home. He had frightened her because she didn’t want him touching her and was terrified he wouldn’t take no for an answer when he persistently told her he wanted her. Worse, the things he’d told her about Navarro had made her feel as if she’d forced him into ever touching her, making everything they’d shared seem dirty and ugly. She knew it had been an insane idea from the start to exchange money for sex and also realized she had no one to blame but herself that it had ended so badly.

  She picked up the sealed envelope and taped it to her front door when she grabbed the bag she was leaving with. She made sure the envelope wouldn’t blow away if it grew windy. Ryder’s name was written clearly on it in big black marker so he couldn’t miss it when he arrived to discuss earning the money.

  She drove her SUV into town to run errands, had decided to make a day of it by having lunch and dinner in town. A trip to the beauty shop to get a facial, her nails done, and maybe she’d even do a little shoe shopping. That would cheer her. She glanced at her watch and then removed it, dropping it into her purse. She didn’t want to keep glancing at it and dreading when noon approached, knowing Ryder would go to her home. She hoped he’d leave her alone once he got the papers. She’d be thrilled if she never saw or spoke to the man again.

  She stopped at a small shoe store first. She was walking out of the store with two new pairs of high heels when she saw a car driving past her on the street. Shock hit her as she spotted the driver of the car and her knees went weak.

  “Son of a bitch,” she muttered.

  Trina’s ex-brother-in-law had just driven by her but hadn’t turned his head, hadn’t seen her as her surprised gaze followed the car driving slowly through town with a large rental sticker on the bumper. At the end of the street it headed north, telling her that he was headed for her place since there was no other reason he would be in town. Why is he here?

  She shook her head as she dropped her shopping bag into the SUV and walked down the sidewalk to the diner. It was a damn good thing that she was planning on being gone all day since she hoped that Paul would get bored waiting for her to return and fly back to California when she didn’t. She made an instant decision to rent a motel room for the night in town to avoid going home altogether and knew Paul would have left for certain rather than face a night sleeping in his rental car. She realized she’d have to buy a few things if she stayed in town but she was up for a new outfit anyway.

  She stopped walking as a horrible thought struck her. “Son of a bitch.”

  What if Paul was there when Ryder showed up? The two would meet. She relaxed, realizing that Ryder wouldn’t blow her secret. He wouldn’t want anyone to know she’d propositioned his big brother to sleep with her for money any more than she’d want it to get out. She calmed down as she walked into the diner, feeling certain it was going to be fine. I just have to believe that.

  * * * * *

  Ryder rang the front door, regretting that he’d let himself into Trina’s house the night before. She probably thought he was a real son of a bitch. He’d just wanted to get to know the woman better. Doing a little recon inside her house had told him a lot about her.

  She had money, was well traveled, and she had class. Why she had wanted to screw Navarro, of all people, was beyond him. He loved Nav but the guy was a rancher now and was too down to earth ever to be comfortable in a world of wealth. Ryder turned his head and examined the rental car, frowning. He wondered if Trina had company.

  The front door opened and Ryder turned around. He frowned at the short, balding man standing in front of him. The guy’s shirt was torn, his hand was bleeding, and his face was flushed red. The man glared at Ryder.

  “Who the hell are you?”

  Ryder arched his eyebrows. “I’m Ryder Raine. Who are you?”

  The man’s expression darkened with rage. “You! You’re the asshole who owns Raine Ranch, aren’t you? Wait right there. Don’t move.”

  Ryder clamped his lips together, instantly pissed. He didn’t know who the short jerk was but nobody talked to him that way. Ryder moved. He didn’t take orders from anyone. He pushed open the front door, stepping inside, and saw the man picking something up from the hallway table. The man faced him clutching a torn-open white envelope. Ryder saw his name on it and was shocked. The man waved it at him.

  “Do you want to explain to me how the hell you talked Trina into making a loan
to you? Twenty thousand dollars is a hell of a lot of money. What kind of swindler are you? I’m going to call the police and have you arrested.”

  “What the hell are you talking about? Arrested for what?” Ryder almost snarled the words. He’d gone from annoyed to flat out pissed off at the little weasel in front of him. “Is that mine? That has my name on it.”

  The man threw the letter at Ryder, who snatched it from the air, and studied the envelope. The seal had been torn open so he knew damn well it had been sealed. He removed the paper that was wrinkled as though someone had fisted it. He scanned the contents and was stunned as he read it was a payment-in-full notice from Trina Mattews to the Raine Ranch stating that they’d completely paid off the twenty thousand dollar loan they’d borrowed from her.

  “I want an explanation right damn now,” the smaller man snapped as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Every damn thing that Trina does is my business. I knew I should have come after her sooner. I knew it was a mistake letting her get away for a while. I’m going to talk her into selling this damn piece of shit house and returning to California with me.”

  “Who the hell are you?” Ryder glared at the man and pocketed the paper in the back of his jeans.

  “I’m Paul Mattews. Who the hell are you and how the hell did you talk Trina into loaning you money? Are you trying to romance Trina when I’m not around to make scum like you leave her the hell alone?”

  Ryder frowned, thinking there was something about the guy that was familiar but when he said his last name, it hit Ryder hard. He’d flipped through some of Trina’s photo albums and that’s where he’d seen this guy before. Ryder tensed hard and turned his head to stare at the large photo over the mantel on the fireplace. It was a picture of Trina smiling at the man who was currently standing in front of him. Ryder turned to him as rage filled him on his brother’s behalf.