Crashing Into Me (Crashing Into Me #1)

by R. L. Jackson

  She stopped a moment and looked back at the truck and shook her head. I’ll take my chances. The temperature was dropping by the minute and she’d probably freeze to death in her jalopy. The latch turned and she pushed the doors open slowly and stepped into the darkened house. Standing in the foyer, the house was warm, as if someone left the heat on.

  Paula. Lana knew the house was equipped with the latest technology and she probably turned the heat on from her cellphone knowing her. Paula was thoughtful that way. Lana relaxed at that realization and closed the double doors locking them behind her. She did stuff like that—let her imagination get the best of her at the most inopportune times. Lana walked down the foyer and noticed a dim light coming from the living room and she paused when she smelled smoke.

  When she walked in the fireplace was blazing and she screamed, dropping her purse and dinner to the hardwood floors. Jumping and also spilling his drink was Kayden Capshaw, sitting on the couch, in only his boxer briefs.

  “What are you doing here?” Lana yelled, trying not to crawl out of her own skin.

  Embarrassed and caught off guard, Kayden grabbed a throw pillow and covered himself. He rested what was left of his drink on the glass coffee table, the earlier contents all over his bare chest.

  “What am I doing here? What are you doing here? This is my sister’s house,” he replied, startled but pleasantly surprised.

  “Paula asked me to house sit—wait she’s never mentioned anything about having a brother.”

  How could this be? She’d known Paula for almost ten years. Lana snatched up her purse and takeout bag off the floor. She couldn’t believe her eyes for maybe the millionth time that day.

  “Well, I am her brother, and I’m pretty sure she left town to avoid having to see me—so there’s that,” he replied, and reached for his drink again.

  “Ok. So when are you leaving?” She paced back and forth, arms crossed.

  Lana now realized Paula wasn’t lying about the family emergency when she called her, but why would she invite her up knowing he would be there?

  “I'm not leaving, and seeing as I’m here now, you’re free to go if you want, Good Samaritan,” Kayden replied.

  Lana glared at him the way she did at Aunt Mae’s and he smiled that half crooked smile again. Holy crap, it is kryptonite! Immediately, she found herself focused on his jet black hair and sea colored eyes, as they twinkled in the dim light from the fireplace. The shadows from the light detailed every muscle on his body. Well cut and defined, you could tell he spent a lot of time in the gym.

  She realized she was staring again and forced her eyes away. She stuck her hands in her pockets to conceal her fists and realized she was still wearing his jacket. Lana removed it as fast as she could and threw it at him. It hurled past his head and landed behind the couch on the floor.

  “I’m on vacation! I drove here for fourteen hours and I, Mr. Capshaw, am not going anywhere!”

  “Not a problem, roomie,” he replied, as he removed the throw pillow and stood up.

  Oh wow. She turned away to stop the uninvited thoughts that kept running through her mind then suddenly spun around on her heels.

  “Wait a minute! Aren’t you supposed to be in jail right now? How are you even here?”

  “Please. The bail was two hundred bucks, I paid it and left,” he replied, walking in her direction towards the decanter of brown liquid on the side table. The light danced on his exposed skin making every curve and crevice more detailed than before. How is it possible for someone to look like this and be real?

  “So they didn’t do a breathalyzer on you?” she asked in disbelief, forcing her mind to focus on the issue at hand.

  “Oh you mean because you gave the cop my flask? No.”

  “So let me get this straight. It took me longer to report what you did, than it took for you to be arrested, get booked, make bail, and get here before me, so you can lounge around in your underwear?” She was livid. Who was he?

  He walked slowly towards her and she could see his eyes were moving from her mouth to her chest, and it pissed her off even more. Who in the hell does he think he is?

  “Do you even care that you almost killed Rachel tonight? Or the fact that you ran me off the road about twelve hours ago? I could’ve died!” She took a step towards him now, her fists balled as tight as she could get them her nails digging into her palms so hard she couldn’t even feel the pain anymore. The spell he was casting was broken.

  “I do care,” he said, putting his drink down on the table, “believe me, I’m going to make it up to her. To you both, I promise.”

  “So what, is that supposed to mean something,” she started, “because I only know you to leave a women stranded after you make a promise.”

  She searched his face for any remorse, but mostly just wanted to punch him in it, no matter how perfect it was. If there was one thing she hated, it was people believing they were entitled because of their money, and right now he was at the top of that shit list. He took another step towards her, the smile gone from his face, replaced with concern and it was intense. Whatever cologne he wore had taken over her senses because the mixture of it, the fireplace and his eyes started making her dizzy. Lana took a step back, then another.

  “You spoiled rich kids get away with everything, don’t you?”

  It came out as a whisper and didn’t have the impact she intended. His eyes narrowed as he looked her in the eyes and they spoke volumes without him having to say a single word. She knew she had offended him now. Good, he could benefit from being taken down a peg or two. She backed away from him and walked in to the kitchen, needing to get out of his personal space to think clearly.

  She forced herself to think of anything other than the surreal man standing in nothing behind her. As angry as she was and as much as she hated him, the attraction was overwhelming and she forced herself to concentrate on the kitchen to catch her breath. The kitchen had the typical finishes—granite counter tops, hardwood floors and industrial grade kitchen appliances. They always made her feel out of place using them, so she never did. The most she touched ever were the coffee machine or the microwave.

  The house never felt lived in—too perfect like it was a model home on a construction site. Then quietly and softly he spoke, breaking through her thoughts. It was so quiet in the house, save for the crackling fireplace, that it was as if he was whispering directly in her ear. That’s was how quiet the house was in general and her reason for wanting to come, but ever since she’d met Kayden everything was already too loud—her thoughts and her emotions. She turned and faced him as he spoke.

  “I’m truly sorry about the turnpike gorgeous. I really was in a hurry, trying to catch Paula. I wrote down your license plate and had every intention of contacting you, but I’m sorry for leaving you the way I did.”

  He looked sincere and she softened a little at his words.

  “It's not like you actually almost died,” he said slowly and carefully making air quotes at the word “died.”

  Her blood pressure instantly rose again.

  “Go to hell! But before you do please be sure to check yourself into a hotel by morning.”

  She was going to have a talk with Paula tomorrow for sure. Lana stomped into the kitchen, opened the fridge and threw her dinner in although she was still starving then headed up the staircase. Her purse dragged behind her, slapping each stair as she ascended. Kayden couldn’t help but enjoy her reaction, she was all fire all the time. A smile spread across his face as his eyes landed on her rear end before she disappeared up the stairs.

  After the door slammed upstairs he sat back down on the couch and took another sip of his drink. He liked her—a lot. She was bold, and hot headed and so damned beautiful at the same time. Very unlike anyone he had ever met before, but he had bigger things to worry about. He had to see to Rachel, and prepare for the wrath of Maureen Capshaw, his mother.

  Lana didn’t know him well enough to know that he was being sincere.
He was actually disappointed in himself about what happened more than she would ever know, which was the reason for his drinking. He took the last sip from the glass and rested it back down on the coffee table. Kayden leaned back on the couch and watched the fires dance in front of him until they died out and he fell asleep.

  4

  Tossing and turning all night didn’t help Lana get any sleep and before she knew it, the sun rose and filled the room. Don’t Paula and Garrett believe in blinds, she thought, as her eyes adjusted to the light. Remembering she had a house guest, sent a series of images from the previous night through her mind. Those eyes, that smile, and him standing in front of her in nothing but boxer briefs. Yes, he was smug and arrogant and impossible, but what pissed her off more, was that she was attracted to him.

  She stumbled out of bed, eyes barely open and into the on suite bathroom. She snatched up the toothpaste and toothbrush and avoided her reflection as she rigorously brushed her teeth. She felt disgusted with herself for having that reaction to him last night. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t get the pompous jerk out of her head and as much as she wanted to punch him in the face—she also wanted to kiss him on the lips. Gross, she thought, and stopped brushing.

  I’ve really lost my mind now. She spat the toothpaste out and rinsed her mouth, then turned the shower on. Once the water was nice and hot, she took off her clothes. Sleeping in her jeans and bra was very uncomfortable, but she left her luggage in the car last night. She was so exhausted she collapsed in the bed and couldn’t move another muscle. Luckily, she and Paula were the same size so she didn’t need to go out in the cold to retrieve her duffle bag.

  Stepping into the shower she let the heat beat on her muscles like a million tiny fists, pounding out the tension. The vanilla scented body wash was aromatic and soothing. Her favorite and always in ample supply there. Paula had one of those rain shower heads that was perfect in the walk in shower. The heated bathroom tiles made you feel like you were in a spa, and later she planned to take a nice long bath in the seriously oversized whirlpool tub. For now, all she wanted was to wash the traces of her drive up to Hamby away, the diner fiasco and Kayden down the drain.

  ***

  She carefully took the stairs unsure of what to expect. The beautiful black wrought iron railing was cool to the touch as she let her hand skim across it, as she crept down to the first story. The walls were adorned in textured wallpaper, with floral designs that seemed to jump out at you. The rose and cream colors gave the house a warm feel. As she reached the bottom of the staircase, there was silence.

  Walking into the open living room and kitchen area, the floor to ceiling windows showcased a spectacular panoramic view of Hamby down below. The dying hemlock trees didn’t look half as daunting anymore in the early morning light. The weather claimed tons of leaves over-night, as evidenced by the dead ones all over the expansive back yard. Then the smell of fresh brewed coffee caught her nose and she walked into the kitchen.

  On the counter top there was a bright pink sticky note. She picked it up and read aloud: “Gone to see Rachel. Enjoy the cup of Joe gorgeous- K.” Balling up the note, she turned the coffee machine off, grabbed her keys and started for the door. Her stomach stopped her with a growl loud enough to wake a bear. She hadn’t eaten last night or much on the drive up. Lana grabbed an apple from the bowl on the counter and rushed down the foyer. His leather jacket was hanging on the coat rack as she exited the door, a sure sign that he didn’t plan on leaving anytime soon.

  ***

  As she drove towards town, everything looked almost normal. Mason’s had the Tesla still up on the tow truck, and there was barely a scratch on it. It was a comparison to the way Kayden probably lived his life. Causing destruction without the messy consequences affecting his life. As she passed Aunt Mae’s, there was smoke, but it was coming from a grill.

  They were probably trying to salvage a breakfast service. She saw them milling about in the parking lot and despite the night before, everyone had a smile on their face. They were making the best out of a bad situation. The smell of barbecue reminded her that the apple wasn’t enough and decided she would stop there on her way back from the hospital. Alone this time, if she could help it. Lana steered the Ford through the roundabout, as city workers repaired the park bench. The engine roared as she got onto Main Street and headed out of Hamby, towards Shelby. I wonder how long he’s been there? It was only nine thirty so he couldn’t have gotten far. Lana pressed the gas pedal and hurled out of town.

  ***

  Shelby General looked like every other hospital in the country. It wasn’t a level one trauma center or anything fancy, but the staff seemed competent and the facility was actually quite nice. Being only half an hour away, the town was a little more modernized than Hamby and had three times the people. After getting her visitors pass, she took some time to take it in. Electronic check in computer, no dust or cobwebs in the corners of the walls—she couldn’t help herself being a nurse.

  Lana always inspected and compared other hospitals to her own. This one looked to be only thirty or forty years old which wasn’t too bad. Most hospitals have been around since the dinosaurs and cleaning wasn’t always a top priority in some hospitals. She eventually reached the elevators and waited for it to come down. Rachel’s room was on the second floor in room two-twenty-two.

  The secretary wrote it on a piece of paper even though it was an easy number to remember. As the doors opened and she entered, she found herself a little excited. Not to see Rachel in such a rare form no, but to see him. He’s the last person I should want to see, she thought as the elevator lifted to the second floor. It wasn’t as if she’d never seen an attractive man before.

  There was just something about him that drew her in. He had none of the attributes she wanted in a man—physical ones aside. She cleared her mind as the elevator bell sounded and opened. A few people were waiting to get on and she hurried out into the hallway, and looked for the signage on the puke green walls for the rooms. Seemed the color was another thing all hospitals had in common on one floor or another.

  The smell was also that familiar antibacterial, sterile smell like all facilities. The nurses and doctors on the floor were busy running to and fro, going about business as usual. A typical Med/Surg unit. A floor like this had a variety of patients, everything from surgeries, to cardiac issues and broken bones. You name it and it’s probably there. Finally, after having walked down the long stretch of hallway, she reached two-twenty-two and knocked lightly on the door.

  Her heart began to race at the thought of him being in there. No, she told herself, this is not why you’re here. Slowly she pushed the door open to the private room, paid for by Kayden no doubt, and walked in. The room was filled with flowers, cards and boxes of chocolate. The scent overpowered any antibacterial possible. Rachel was sitting up in bed watching TV and she beamed a smile as Lana approached her side.

  “Hey darling!” Rachel exclaimed.

  She looked really good, even with the cast on her leg. If it weren’t there, you wouldn’t be able to tell anything was wrong with her at all.

  “How are you feeling?” Lana asked, and sat in the chair next to the bed. She grabbed Rachel’s hand and held it.

  “I’m fine honey, don’t you worry. The doctors patched me up and said I could go home in a few weeks,” she replied.

  “That’s great! I’m so happy everything went OK. How’s your nurse? Has she been taking care of you?”

  “Yes, yes. Everyone has been at my beck and call. It’s all thanks to Kayden. He got me this private room and paid all my medical bills. He’s been amazing.”

  “That’s great to hear, but he’s also the reason you’re in here in the first place,” Lana replied her tone tinged with anger.

  “You know what honey? I been working on my feet for thirty-five years and I got to tell ya. I don’t like how it happened, but I can finally take a vacation,” she said smiling, “get off these old legs for a
change.”

  Lana smiled at her, and in the early morning light coming through the window, Rachel’s features were even more detailed. Without the pony tail lifting her eyes, Rachel was much older than she predicted. Maybe early sixties? Her blondish gray hair fell down her shoulders, still thick and healthy. You could tell she was a knockout when she was younger.

  As she looked at the fragile, vulnerable woman before her, she became misty eyed. Lana understood from experience that a severe injury like that at Rachel’s age, could mean life and death, even if a surgery went well. Rachel frowned.

  “What’s the matter sugar?” she asked.

  “It just upsets me that this happened to you,” Lana removed her hand from Rachel’s and wiped her tear away.

  “Well aren’t you a nurse, uh… you know what in all the commotion, I never got your name,” Rachel said, the toothy smile on her face, revealing teeth stained by coffee most likely.

  “Oh, it’s—,” she started.

  “Lana,” Kayden finished. He walked into the room with a tray of food. Lana glared over her shoulder at him, as he stood there dressed to the nines in a well-fitting cashmere sweater and slacks. He walked up to them and placed the tray down on Rachel’s over bed table.

  “I’m back beautiful,” he said to Rachel, “I see you’ve met the heroic nurse that helped you last night.”

  He beamed a huge grin at Lana and she rolled her eyes at the over the top display he was putting on. She still didn’t trust his generosity completely, especially after finding that flask.

  “Yes, she’s quite the lady. I was just talking with her about that,” Rachel replied. Kayden raised the bed as Rachel prepared to eat breakfast.

  When she was set up, he turned to Lana, still beaming that smile and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes at him again.