“Ahem...” the driver announced as he pulled to a stop at the address provided to him.
The two blushed slightly and split apart.
Chapter 5
As they reached the door neither could control themselves any longer. Their hands roamed and their mouths meandered. Cole grasped Raelyn lifting her with one arm and figuring the door with the other.
As he opened the door, the two slammed into the wall. “Oh god you are beautiful,” Cole growled as he nipped into her neck.
Her head slipped back and she panted. He would surely make her lose her mind. Before long he was tugging her dress up and over her head, exposing her.
Raelyn’s slightly self-conscious side tried to cover herself, but it was no use. Cole grinned and pressed her back into the wall and pushed her hands up. “Do not hide.”
She flushed and watched as his mouth did wonders on her.
“Do you know what I want to do to you?” Cole snarled passionately.
Raelyn cleared her throat and wiggled a bit. “Can I get something to drink?”
Cole laughed. He flat out laughed at her, but he set her down and said, “sure.”
Exposed and feeling slightly nervous, Raelyn stood awkwardly. She didn’t do this... she never really even had that chance to do these type of things. Richard had been her first and only...
In the meantime, Cole had poured both of them a drink and was now holding it out to Raelyn. She took the drink and downed it, holding it out as she silently hoped for more.
Cole smiled and poured a slight bit more. “I don’t want you to pass out...” he chuckled. “You’re nervous.”
It really wasn’t a question more a statement. She knew it was obvious. She nodded. “This isn’t something I normally do...”
He smiled. Approaching her, Cole held out his hand. “Good. You’ll enjoy it so much better than...” There was a glimmer of something there in his eyes that Raelyn had never seen in anyone before...
Slowly she took his hand and silently Cole led Raelyn down the hall.
The bedroom. It was a romantically painted in a dim blue theme that oozed manly.
As he let her hand slip from his own Cole watched as Raelyn scurried toward the bed. He stalked her. Taking his time getting there was going to make her go insane.
Cole slid onto the bed crawling over the beauty that watched him cautiously. He took his time, first stopping to nibble the tenderness of her inner thigh, then kissing her belly and finally sucking her breast through her bra.
There was something inside Raelyn that made her just wish he would simply fuck her and let her be on her way, but then again she also wished for more. More than what any man would ever want to give her.
Chapter 6
Raelyn woke slightly sore from the night before. She looked over and realized for the first time how gorgeous the man she had hooked up with was.
His delicately tattooed chest was muscular and bare beside the thin sheet covering him. What was his name...? Oh man, how much had she drank? She vaguely remembered his name started with a “C”... But what was it...
She slinked out of the bed quickly and quietly trying not to wake him. She couldn’t do the one-night thing... waking up in a strangers house without even remembering his name... shameful.
She lifted her dress over her head then began looking for her remaining pieces, underwear and... Shoes.
“What are you doing?” She froze, he was awake.
“Uh...” She muttered. Swirling around, she pulled on her sweetest smile, “I was just uh... going to leave.”
“Raelyn, you are welcome to stay a while...” He remembered her name! How could she not remember his name?!
“Listen Collin...” Cole’s face contorted as he regarded her. He was about to interrupt, but she continued. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”
Raelyn turned on her heels and hurried toward the door. “You were... Last night was... Oh, my god... Thanks.”
Cole smiled but really didn’t want the beauty to leave, but there she was leaving. He rushed to his feet and caught up with her in a few short strides. “Can I at least get your number? Maybe we...”
Raelyn held up her hand pressing a well-manicured finger to his lips. “Seriously Colton, you were amazing... I just don’t think this...” She waved her hand between them. “I just don’t do these one-time quick fucks. It’s not me.”
She stepped aside and out the door before he could get another word.
“Damn,” Cole growled as he raised his hand to dig them across his short dark hair.
Chapter 7
Raelyn had wished she would have at least got that guy’s name and number. It had been a while and now she was moving into the house. “So where’s the help? Didn’t Richard have few people working here?” Merilee eyed the house skeptically.
“I guess they don’t work on the weekends.” Raelyn shrugged. Along with the house, Raelyn had been able to keep the two dogs which Richard kept during the divorce and she so desperately loved, and the help.
“Rae... this place is a dump...” Merilee frowned.
“No... it’s unique...” Raelyn cringed. Her friend was more than right. The house seemed to be long overdue for maintenance and care. Shingles were falling, the beautiful wood slat was missing in places, and well... the inside paint was chipped and the carpet torn.
“Are you going to be alright on your own?” Merilee grumbled.
“Of course.” Raelyn hugged her friend goodbye and retired to her lonely quiet decrepit home.
“All the way out here in the boondocks?” Merilee frowned as she looked out among the rolling hills and woods. “Alone? In this...”
“Yes, Meri.” Raelyn laughed nervously. She really didn’t want to be alone. She wanted someone... something... maybe her dogs would fill the void.
The two girls said their goodbyes with a simple hug and a wave, then Raelyn was left to herself.
Raelyn ate a simple meal that night of cereal and toast then curled in bed, clothes and all. Alone. She cried. Alone. She shouldn’t feel so bad when she was alone, Richard had left her alone for months.
Eventually, Raelyn woke. She didn’t even know how long she had slept, she was still horribly tired.
There was no noise. But there shoulda been. The maid should have been here by now. She generally would make breakfast, when Richard had visited, but there was no delicious smelling food. There was no hazelnut coffee dripping in the percolator. Hmm...
Groaning, Raelyn rolled out of bed and pulled her thin terry cloth robe around her. “Yuna!” She called. But there were no answers.
She picked up her phone and scurried for the number. After a few rings, Yuna answered. “Miss McRider?”
“It’s Shepard now... I changed it back.” Raelyn mumbled. “Anyway... Where are you? Richard said you were paid to stay employed here.”
“I’m sorry ma’am, Richard hasn’t employed us since I visited the city months ago...”
“What?” Raelyn sputtered. How could she possibly care for a house in such horrible shape? She hadn’t worked in her life. Married young and didn’t need to work... But now...
“Yes ma’am, everyone was paid off, I’m afraid. But in all honesty I take pity, I send someone...”
“What do you mean, Yuna?”
“Young woman, pretty like you, shouldn’t be alone so far from the city. I found good man to help. He work hard. I’ll call him. He’ll be there in an hour.”
Raelyn whimpered and looked up at the clock. That was not enough time. She was still in her robe!
“You were always such a nice lady Yuna, I got to go. Thank you.”
One helper with this terrible house... She flopped down hopelessly on her rickety couch. She would have to make due.
Raelyn must have drifted off because the next time she had looked at the clock, the time had flown by. She stood and was ready to run up to her room to dress when there was a knock on the door.
Oh, my god, he’s here! She screamed in
her head as she raced toward the door then stopped. Robe!
“Just come in, have a seat. I’ll be right out,” she called.
The man entered with a small smile on his lips. The beautiful voice of someone he had recognized. That one night...
The man did as Raelyn requested, he sat down at the table and waited. He looked around and noticed the dishes undone from the night before, one single set. The coffee pot no longer filled, but surely the woman still drank coffee as Yuna suggested. There had been no breakfast made, nothing but a stale smell from the night before.
He grumbled but stood. He couldn’t wait for the woman all day. He had work to do. If not for this woman... but for Yuna, the woman a wonderful friend to him. He had promised to take care of this house and the woman who resided here. Yuna had sought him out, telling him she had been banned from the property by someone months ago and could no longer help the woman. Whom... he wasn’t told, just said it wasn’t the woman he was here with now.
He first rinsed out the old stale coffee remains in the bottom of the pot, then made a new batch. While that was cooking, he decided to search the fridge. A few scraps lingered there. But thankfully he found two eggs, some fruit, and a half a jug of orange juice. It was enough for now.
Soon the smell of fresh coffee spread through the house and Raelyn found herself moving a little bit faster. She slid on a pair of jeans and a ribbed tank top. She was determined to go out riding today. She hurried to the kitchen, her bare feet padding on the wood flooring as she moved.
When the man turned around she froze. “You? What are you doing here?”
“Morning, cupcake. Yuna had asked me to come help out around here for a little while.”
“AH! That woman!” She growled. Yuna. She had done something. Somehow...
“You look good. How was your sleep,” Cole smirked. He couldn’t help but laugh at the way Lina had stomped around the kitchen.
He stepped up to the cupboard and grasped a cup then poured the coffee for her. “Here,” he purred. “I’m sorry if I wasn’t who you were expecting. Seems you are a bit... upset.”
“Look.” She hissed frustratedly. “I don’t know how you got Yuna to go along with this...”
Cole shook his head. “No. She called me.”
“I find that hard to believe,” Lina complained.
Cole signed. “I can leave. I’m sorry I bothered you. I can let Yuna know that you are not interested in my help...”
“If she did call you...” Lina sighed. “You KNOW Yuna won’t agree to that.” Lina flopped down into a chair and smacked her hands onto her forehead thinking.
“Here,” Cole replied, setting a plate before her. “Why don’t you think it over while you eat. Maybe we can talk.”
She looked up, smiling softly at the delicious looking food. She hadn’t even thought about making breakfast. She would likely starve to death if she didn’t have people around in her life. Depression from the divorce was starting to make her brain scramble.
“Thanks.” Raelyn shoveled bits and bits of food into her mouth before finally saying anything to the man who had sat down across from her. “I know I’m an idiot but what was your name again? I swear I had too much to drink the other day.”
“Cole,” he replied with a slight smile. “Cole Jameson.”
“Yes. Cole... So Why are you here. Other than to make me delicious coffee and eggs?”
“ Yuna’s been a family friend for many many years. Apparently, she figured you’d need my help.”
Yes. Help in some very compromising positions. Her brain reminded her.
“Well... apparently the help has left,” she shrugged as she shoved food into her mouth. Swallowing, she looked up at him, “so what can you do?”
He smirked, but the dirty thoughts didn’t accumulate any further than that. Instead he replied, “anything.”
“Ummm...well how about starting on the kitchen...” she suggested.
“Won’t you rather the roof...” Cole answered.
“No no no, the kitchen is in more dire need.”
Cole had to admit the kitchen had been ravaged by time, but he was sure a stern was due to them soon.
“I really think...”
“No. You do the kitchen first.”
Cole shrugged. He didn’t agree, but that was his opinion. He walked away.
“Oh! Wait!” Raelyn called quickly.
Cole paused and look back as t her over his muscular shoulder. “Hmm...”
“How much will I need to pay you?” she frowned slightly.
Cole’s slight smirk faded as he fumbled. “Uh... Yuna said...” he mumbled. “Damn that woman.”
Raelyn eyed him worriedly.
“Room and board. Two days three nights,” he stated.
Raelyn’s eye widened and she shook her head as she pushed away from the table. She shook her head frantically, “I don’t...”
Chapter 8
It can’t happen again. The wonderful oh so wonderful, yet drunken, sex session, can’t happen again. “Look... If I didn’t need a place... Take it or leave it.”
Raelyn kept reminding what Cole had said as she had showed Cole around the property.
When they finally reached the kitchen again Raelyn’s phone was beeping. “Just a minute...” she held up a finger and dialed her voice mail.
“What the hell?!” Raelyn screamed. On the other end of the line was Richard’s voice saying how he was taking back his agreement to give Raelyn his dogs. In fact, he decided to train them for duck hunting!
“What is it?” Cole rushed in worriedly.
“That fucking bastard!” she hissed. She as she stormed down the empty away she fumed and dial. “Cole, look please excuse me,” she said as calmly as she could without snapping.
Cole nodded and gave her the living room for privacy. He figured the woman could use a good meal anyway, so he walked away.
“What the fuck Richard?! Where’s my dogs!”
Richard chuckled on the other end of the phone, “you can’t care for the poor beasts, so what does it matter, mi amore?”
“You conniving self-absorbed pencil dick of a man...” where had that come from she wondered.
“Now now my sweet... If you were to come back to me...”
“No way! Now get my dogs back here by noon tomorrow or I call the police,” she hung up her phone and wished it was an old rotary so she could slam it.
She stormed around the house and wondered where Cole had gone. She had probably scared him off. She frowned.
This place has always been a little sliced of heaven for her. The rolling hills and wide pastures and even the woods with a swimming hole deep within their depths. She sighed. Not anymore. She was lonely.
Deciding she needed to explain things, she went back inside and smiled when she caught Cole humming as he cooked.
“Oh,” he muttered, “I thought you could use a meal. It is getting late .”
Where had the time gone?
“As wonderful as your cooking is,” Raelyn told Cole a little while later, “you really don’t need to do this...”
“Well, I do take that as a compliment. But I want to...”
“Look... Cole... What happened that night... It can’t happen again.” she gulped as his lust filled eyes followed her every move.
He stood abruptly and paced the kitchen for a moment before her disappeared out the door.
Chapter 9
Raelyn wasn’t sure what to think of Cole’s quick disappearance. Surely, he couldn’t expect that night to repeat itself. She had heard the rumble of his truck as he had pulled out of her drive and then he hadn’t returned. By the time, it had grown dark outside Raelyn had grown tired from her wonderfully filling meal. The first real meal she had eaten in a long time.
She decided it was time for bed.
What felt like forever had passed. Raelyn struggled to keep up with the maintenance and the care of herself at the same time. Two weeks had passed.
Wak
ing up once again alone was devastating for her. Richard had taken her dogs, he had given her the house she couldn’t afford simply because she couldn’t afford it, he had taken everything from her just to spite her, he had taken her ability to have children even, what man would want a divorced twenty-two-year-old woman, and he had taken any life she could ever have away.
Tears dripped down her puffy cheeks, she must a been crying in her sleep again. She wiped them away frantically, then dressed.
As she opened her bedroom door the smell of bacon and pancakes wafted to her nostrils. Her stomach growled in hungry protest.
Hurrying to the kitchen, she began to wonder if the day before was all a dream but them she saw him.
Cole stood his muscled back to her, humming to himself. He wore a muscle sporting tank top which left little to be desired.
Oh thank goodness. She silently rejoiced.
She shivered with desire and felt her insides tighten. “Morning Rae,” he announced startling her.
“How did you get in here?” she tried to cover her surprise.
He shrugged. “It would help if you lock the door...”
Oh...
“Here, breakfast,” he set a plate on the table and pulled a chair out.
“Where did you go...” she murmured.
He turned away, ignoring her.
“So will you take the deal?” he asked, silently hopeful.
Oh yeah. “What was it again?”
“Room and board two days three nights.”
“Right. Yeah... I will help set up the cabin and you can have that to stay in. I think you’ll be happier over there.”
He nodded not in agreement simply for lack of any good words to say.
“Today my dogs should be here by noon. Can you fix up the fencing for their arrival?” Raelyn let the other subject fall and went to what was important.
“Sure. I’ll get it done.” Cole replied in monotone.
Dark (Dying Spark Book 1) Page 2