After the Rain

by Karen-Anne Stewart

  Chris recovers and grabs her waist, tugging her backwards before she can reach the weapon. Throwing her head back, she crashes it against Chris’ nose. She spins quickly and lunges forward, surprising him with a vicious roundhouse kick to his ribs that sends fire blazing up his left side. Their struggle continues, each trying to reach the gun first. Raina’s elbow aches as she lands it solidly against his chin, and a vile derogatory expletive is thrown at her as she finally manages to grab the weapon.

  The strength behind the contempt in his eyes chills her as he laughs, wiping the blood from his nose on his sleeve, “You don’t have it in you, Raina.”

  With all her might, she wishes she did. Killing him isn’t her first thought, but it’s a real close second. She aims the gun, steadying the tremble in her hands, “Do you really want to test that theory?”

  Chris does just that, walking straight towards her, and she wants to scream. Raina’s resolve wavers; she’s unable to take a life. As she aims the gun at his leg, she’s about to pull the trigger when the sound of a vehicle pulling close to the building distracts her. In a second, the gun is yanked from her hand, and she is once again at the receiving end of the barrel. Chris’ eyes darken and Raina’s blood runs cold at the realization that he has every intention of killing her.

  Kas jumps out of his jeep before it comes to a full stop, and he’s racing towards the door when a gunshot splits the air. In that second, everything good leaves him, his entire world ends. Almost dropping from the immense pain searing his heart, he doesn’t even realize he screams Raina’s name as he makes himself move faster, praying the shot wasn’t directed at his wife, knowing it was.

  Shattered glass scatters through the air, followed by Chris and Raina, as she tackles him through the stained window. Kas watches helplessly as their bodies fall, his eyes glued to only one as Raina’s cuffed arms reach out in front of her, trying to break her free fall from the window onto the concrete landing below. The impact is crushing, causing her to cry out in pain. Kas is next to Raina before she can open her eyes. His brokenness is evident in his voice as he calls her name. Raina reaches for him, stopping short when she sees Chris raise his gun.

  “You.Are.Mine! If I can’t have you, no one will!”

  Time suspends, all coherent thoughts cease to exist, viral rage spills through Kas’ veins as his main reason for existing is once again threatened. Quickly spinning around, he kicks the gun out of Chris’ hand that he had aimed straight at Raina’s heart. In one fluid motion, he reaches and yanks Chris off the ground by the collar of his shirt, delivering a brutal blow. Kas’ grip on Chris keeps him from falling, and he slams his fist into Chris’ jaw, sending him spiraling backwards. Kas maintains his firm grip, not allowing Chris to escape as he hits him again, then again, and again. Every time Chris is getting ready to go down Kas jerks him back up, pummeling him with his fist until Raina hears a bone break.

  “Stand down, Agent Pierce! Stand down!” an arriving officer yells, holding his gun in his hand as he races towards the heavily one-sided fight.

  Kas ignores the officer as he continues bashing his knuckles into Chris until blood is spewing. Vibrant red paints the air, splattering on the ground in front of Raina. She screams for Kas to stop as he finally allows Chris to fall, but the beating doesn’t end. Vividly recalling the past and how Chris had kicked Raina so viciously it sent her flying onto her back, he is unforgiving, kicking Chris in the ribs before he lunges on top of him, his knuckles raw and bleeding as he continues the punishing thrashing.

  “Stand the hell down, Kas!,” the officer yells, raising his gun.

  Raina ignores her protesting body as she jumps to her feet, placing herself in between Kas and the policeman. She realizes he probably won’t shoot, but there’s no way she’s taking any chances.

  “Kas, stop!” she screams, her heart thumping so loudly in her chest its rhythm is vibrating through her ears when she sees the dark rage of promised death in Kas’ eyes. Realizing that the only way to stop him is to put herself in front of Chris, her heart stops, knowing one punch from Kas could easily cause her severe damage if he can’t pull it back in time. But, if she knows anything in this life, she knows Kas will do everything in his power to keep her safe, even from his own blind fury.

  Before she can change her mind, she throws herself in between the two men, her breath fleeing her lungs in a heated rush when she sees Kas’ powerful fist propelling at lightning speed right at her face. Her determined jade eyes meet his horror stricken ones as he somehow manages to halt the splintering blow mere centimeters from her nose. Her hands are trembling as she holds them against his chest.

  “It’s over, Kas. Chris can’t hurt me anymore. He’s going away for good this time.” Stepping closer to him, Raina soothingly whispers, “I’m safe now.”

  Raina almost shatters when she sees the savage, murderous glare morph into exhausted relief at her words, and Kas drops to his knees in front of her, his hands grabbing her waist, roughly pulling her towards him as he buries his head against her stomach.

  Kas’ entire body is shaking as he holds Raina. Seeing her, touching her, after his worst fears had paralyzed him when he heard that gunshot, is the most powerful remedy to his battered soul. His fingers dig into her hips as he grips her; his raw need to hold her overwhelms him. Sensing this, Raina drops to her knees and wraps her restrained arms around his neck. Kas clings to her, his embrace heavy, almost crushing.

  Raina doesn’t move, allowing Kas to wrap his arms tighter around her, his hold protective, possessive, terrifyingly stricken. It’s hard to breathe from the strength of his enveloping grasp, but she doesn’t dare flinch, wanting to give him everything he needs of her right now. Time is lost as Kas cradles Raina, his heart pounding painfully in his chest at the reality of how close he came to losing her.

  “Did he hurt you?” he asks, his voice hoarse when he manages to continue, “did he . . . did he do anything to you?”

  Raina manages to move her head inside her sheltered cocoon, “I’m fine.” She feels Kas stiffen at her choice of words, and she quickly assures him, “I mean that in all sincerity this time.”

  Kas very slowly eases his embrace, reluctantly pulling away from her so he can assess her injuries himself. She watches as his chocolate eyes inspect her body, darkening when he spots the bruise forming on her cheek. The thirst for Chris’ every last drop of blood conquers him again as he sees her own blood streaking the auburn hair at her temple. Carefully, he separates the sticky strands, his body tensing at the sight of the gash.

  “I swear I’m fine,” Raina desperately tries to reassure him, not able to stand witnessing the intensity of his earlier pain ever again. “Please, just get these cuffs off me.”

  Removing the handcuffs, Kas tenderly strokes her raw wrists.

  Pete approaches them, and Kas takes Raina’s hand, squeezing it in his, fully expecting to be arrested for the damage he caused Chris. Pete nods at him, his expression promising to do whatever he can to keep him out of jail before he turns to Raina, “You alright?”

  She nods, sliding in front of Kas, her eyes begging for leniency. Hesitantly, she glances at Chris. An officer is currently grabbing his limp wrist to restrain him as Pete tilts his head to the side, silently asking Kas to step away so they can talk.

  Tension radiates through Raina as she watches her husband speaking with Pete. Trying to channel Kas’ freakishly adept skills at reading body language, her heart’s irregular beat steadily increases. The only clear indicator of the path of conversation is stress; it’s evident in both men. She watches how Kas’ shoulders tighten, and her heart feels permanently lodged in her throat. The dread of the inevitable chokes her.

  Just as Pete’s gaze shifts downward, obvious regret shading his hazel eyes to a stormy gray, a movement seizes her attention. The rush of commotion halts all conversation as Chris pulls free from the arresting officer who’s leading him to the squad car, busting the cop’s nose and mouth in the struggle.

&
nbsp; Where on earth does he think he is going to run to? Raina muses, and the answer nearly paralyzes her. Chris’ determined stride is set straight for the sidewall of the docks. Going over the wall is suicide, and Raina’s body reacts as her mind tries to catch up, wrapping itself around the realization that suicide is Chris’ intent.

  Vaguely, she hears Mr. Sutton’s pained scream as he races from his arriving vehicle towards his son. Then, everything mutes, except the furious beat of her pulse and ragged breathing as she pushes faster, reaching Chris first. Her hands grasp the collar of his thin jacket, and she quickly twists the material around her wrists as he hoists himself over the edge, letting go of his final grip to this life.

  Blazing pain tears across her abdomen as the full weight of his body drops, and she is pulled upwards, scrapping against the rough concrete wall. Her arms burn and shake from the exertion of the heavily imbalanced position, and she knows that she isn’t strong enough to hold him long. Chris’ eyes are pleading, and Raina is struck by the intensity of his despair. The pain that stabs her soul is so much sharper than any blow he has ever delivered her, and her grip tightens as she is pulled further over the edge with him.

  Kas witnesses his wife teetering vicariously over the wall, her toes barely touching the ground as her body continues to slide upwards. He reaches her as she slips even closer to toppling over the wall with Chris. Frantically wrapping his hands around her waist, he tugs her backwards.

  “I can’t hold him!”

  For a second, Kas doesn’t care if Chris falls to his death, he actually wishes for it.

  “Please, Kas! He’s not ready to die,” she screams.

  The desperation in Raina’s plea knocks his humanity back into him, and Kas takes Raina securely in one arm as he grabs Chris with his other hand. He lowers Raina then hauls Chris back to safety. Once Chris is back on their side, Kas releases him, letting him fall to the pavement in an emotionally broken heap as he wraps Raina in his arms.

  She collapses against his muscular chest, desperately needing his strength to shelter her. Her labored breathing is the sweetest sound Kas has ever heard, giving him proof of her survival yet again. Fervently whispering a prayer, he tightens his embrace, wishing he could protect her in his arms forever. Her willingness to forgive those who have put her through hell astounds and humbles him.

  Chris is led away as Mr. Sutton approaches, and Kas’ anger reignites. Pushing Raina behind him, his glare is a clear warning that he won’t be nearly as generous as his wife.

  “Thank you for what you did,” Mr. Sutton begins, his words forced behind the threat of tears, “thank you for saving my son.”

  Before any response can be given, Mr. Sutton walks away, briefly stopping to talk to Pete before leaving. When Pete looks their way, Kas stoically nods. He turns towards Raina, his eyes showing a heady mixture of sorrow and vindication as he looks at his wife, silently pleading for her to understand that he did what he had to do. She lunges herself into his arms, wrapping herself around him tightly, trying to fit everything she feels for him in the embrace, “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, darlin’,” he tells her, his voice husky from the intensity of his emotions.

  Kas knows this isn’t easy for his friend, so he eases the stress for Pete, giving him a quick nod as he turns, placing his hands in the position to be cuffed.

  “I’m not taking you in.”

  Kas turns back around, “Not that I’m arguing with your decision, but I just beat the hell out of Sutton in front of two officers. I appreciate what you’re doing, but I won’t put your career on the line.”

  “Mr. Sutton assured me that no charges will be placed against you. All he cares about right now is that you saved his son’s life.”

  Pete’s grin is contagious, and Raina throws her arms around his neck, returning his grin with a huge one of her own, “Thank you.”

  “You need to let the medics take a look at you,” Pete tells her, holding her out at arm’s length, glancing over her.

  Raina starts to decline, but Kas nudges her, his expression telling her that she isn’t going to argue on this, “You might need stitches, Rain. Get your stubborn butt over there.”

  Not willing to cause him any further stress, she relents and follows him to the ambulance. A huge grin spreads across her split lip at her husband’s bossy side returning; it crippled her seeing him so utterly broken moments ago.

  Thankfully, she doesn’t require stitches, only several strips of tape. Raina gratefully accepts the aspirin offered, hoping it will ease the painful thumping in her head. When the cell phone jammer is located and removed, both her and Kas’ phones keep ringing incessantly. It takes some convincing, but Raina manages to assure Judge that she is alright and doesn’t need him to come after a long, loving conversation ending with Kas promising to take care of her tonight. She would be perfectly happy to throw her phone in the river and just curl up in Kas’ arms, but she knows everyone’s worried, especially Erik, who is calling for the second time. Kas removes the phone from Raina’s ear, “I’m taking my wife home to rest now. Do me a favor, pull up that e-mail about Jefferson again, I want to look at it in the morning.”

  “Sure thing,” Erik chimes, relieved that his best friend is alive and well, for the most part anyway. “Tell Rain to get some sleep, I’ll finish up with Lawson’s equipment.”

  Turning the phone to vibrate, Kas puts it in his pocket, “C’mon, darlin’, I’m taking you home.”

  Chapter Two

  The bath feels heavenly as Raina slips further into the hot, soapy bubbles. The warmth is exactly what her battered muscles need. Enrapturing Spanish guitar instrumentals by Armik fill the room, and Raina closes her eyes, allowing the music to engulf her. The passion in the rhythm soothes her and awakens her at once. Listening to the erotic rhapsody eases her tension as she sinks lower until the water is lapping against her bottom lip.

  Kas walks silently into the room. The steam immediately strikes him, causing his thin t-shirt to cling to his skin, making the sinew ripple of his muscles evident against the damp cotton material. He barely breathes as he watches Raina tilt her head backwards and gently sway to the enchanting chords with her eyes closed. The mirrors are hazy, and the candles flicker seductively, bathing the room in glowing vivacity. Thoughts of how close he came to losing her today seize his soul. The overwhelming need to touch her, have her, obsesses him.

  Raina gasps when she feels strong hands lift her. Water trickles down her wet, candlelit body as Kas holds her arms territorially in his hands. His eyes are dark, almost black, with a potent mix of love and desire. Raina inhales sharply, the raw need pulsating through the air shocking her. Then she feels it; the slow burn gripping low in her belly consumes her. Every emotion from the trauma of the day assaults them, fueling them, until the fire is raging out of control.

  Not able to wait one second longer, Kas pulls her to him, claiming her with his mouth, branding her with his touch. Raina can’t breathe, needing so desperately to feel him skin to skin. The haunting seduction continues to play as Kas steps into the tub, not wasting precious time to remove his clothing. Raina tears at his shirt as he ravishes her with his mouth. The flames burn higher, and she feels as if she is going to combust if she can’t have him in the most intimate place inside of her.

  His shirt is flung over his head, and she immediately fumbles with his belt. Moans mixed with pleasure and agonizing frustration slip through her lips as she fights against the wet jeans, all the while being tortured in the sweetest way by her husband’s wickedly talented mouth. A cry of victory escapes as she frees him from the barrier between them. The hot water ripples wildly as he hoists her into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. Her skin is enticingly slick and smooth as she slides against him. Their flickering shadows dance erotically on the wall as they lose themselves in the intensity of their passion.

  The feeling of unadulterated pleasure sears him as his hands roam greedily over her needy body. He basks in t
he sounds that his body elicits from her tempting lips. They meld perfectly, moving slowly as they take their time enjoying every possible second together. His mouth conquers hers, and her fingers tangle in his wet, thick curls, pulling him closer . . . closer. The fire in her belly intensifies as he fills her, plunging so slowly into the deepest intimate recess that is his. She is his, there’s no denying that she belongs to him. To hell with the way the modern world thinks, she won’t even try to pretend that he doesn’t own her. Every touch, every move, proves his ownership, her love for him alone enslaves her in the most benevolent way. She knows that he is just as much hers as she is his, and the purest satisfaction simmers through her at that absolute truth. As if he is authenticating her claim, his dark eyes open, the intensity of his love boring into her soul, sealing her possession.

  Their rhythm takes them soaring, climbing into the most bewitching high. Her hips swivel, and his thrusts deepen as they soar beyond the stresses of this world into the most decadent delirium. Raina holds nothing back as she cries out, falling limply against Kas as she feels him deliciously pulsating inside of her. She is spent. Her eyes close as she presses her cheek against his heated chest. The beat of his heart makes its own tempo as she falls asleep, the myriad of calming, intoxicating sounds lulling her deeper into her sated oblivion.

  Morning comes too soon, and Raina protests its sunny wake-up call by burying her head in her pillow. Most of the pain is gone; she is only slightly sore and left with a manageable, residual headache. Her protest is short-lived when she feels heated kisses being trailed across her shoulder, then down her spine and lower back. Now wide-awake, she lays perfectly still, enjoying the feel of Kas’ mouth and tongue. She groans when he stops, rolling over with a pout on her full lips, “Why did you stop?”