Propositioning Mr. Raine (Riding the Raines Book 1) Read online

  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. “You didn’t answer my question. Why are you 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 also 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 an 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’ve seen what you drive. I took a peek at your clothes, and you should get a 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’re 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. “So? You’re forcing 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 in life comes 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 good. He sent money home to the ranch and 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’s, 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’re 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. He likes his women younger, taller, and has a weakness for redheads 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 morals, so here’s the deal. I’ll fuck you for the next seven weeks. I’ve got more experience with women.” 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 grabbed the front of his shirt. “We might as well get started tonight. I dying to fuck you and you’re totally my type, Trina. Nav has a thing for tall women with bright hair, but me? I’m 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 promise that you’ll love what I can do to you. Satisfaction is guaranteed.” He winked.

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