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

  She reached for her tea and grabbed it again while she slowly stood. She had the table digging into her hips as she straightened as best she could. She lifted her tea and raised it over Paul and tilted the glass. Satisfaction filled her as she prepared to dump the contents on him.

  Paul’s expression turned horrified as his shocked gaze followed her movements. He barely closed his eyes in time before the ice and tea spilled over his head, soaking him. Trina sat, putting the glass on the table, and watched her brother-in-law gasp and sputter as he wiped frantically at the wetness on his face.

  “Are you crazy?” he hissed, glaring at her and frantically looking around as he grabbed napkins to dab at his wet shirt. “What is wrong with you?”

  The waitress almost ran to their table. Betty looked wide-eyed and shocked as she stared at Paul, and then her gaze darted to Trina. Trina picked up her purse and scooted out of the bench seat. She stood, forcing a smile at the waitress.

  “Make my dinner to go please, and bring the bill.”

  The woman glanced at Paul, then nodded and fled. Trina glared at Paul. He was staring at her, looking pale and stunned.

  Trina was done, knowing she had taken more than enough shit from him. She realized the diner had gone quiet and knew that she and Paul were causing a scene the second she’d dumped the tea over his head, but she was too furious to care.

  “Listen to me, and listen to me good,” she ground out. “You are an asshole. You don’t tell me what to do, ever. The day you control my life, well, that day is when hell freezes over. I’m not some weak little wife type, asshole. I don’t need a man to control me or tell me what to do. If you ever try to pull this shit again, I’ll show you weak when they have to surgically remove my shoe from your ass. When you walk in the door of my house, after you find a way back there, you have five minutes to pack up your things and get the hell out. I want you to get on a plane, take your miserable, bitchy little bald ass out of my life, and don’t ever come near me again. Do you hear me?”

  His mouth had fallen open and he’d gone paper white. He said nothing.

  Trina glared at him. She moved, bending over as she gripped the table, fighting the urge to smack him. “Did you hear me?” she yelled.

  Paul paled even more as he nodded but didn’t say a word. She did watch his face turn red though, after it stopped being so pale. His fists balled tightly and she saw his knuckles whiten while rage filled his green eyes. She experienced a little satisfaction over what she’d said to him, having stood up for herself.

  “Ms. Mattews?” The waitress came up behind her, speaking hesitantly. “Here’s your food. I boxed up both meals.”

  Trina turned and opened her purse. Her hands trembled as she pulled out three twenties and handed them to the waitress. “Here.” She thrust the money into the woman’s hand.

  Betty’s eyes widened. “It’s less than twenty.”

  Trina took the bag. “I’m sorry for causing a scene.” She was embarrassed now that she’d blown up. “Keep the change, and I’m sorry I cussed in public.” Her gaze roamed the diner and she flinched as she saw a few kids. “I’m sorry,” she said louder, meeting the gazes of a few parents. “I…I’m sorry I lost my temper.”

  As she spun around to walk to the door, she met a familiar and sexy pair of dark blue eyes. She wanted to die on the spot. She did stumble as she took a misstep but she kept going. Her horrified gaze left Navarro’s. He had been seated by the front door in a U-shaped booth with Tammy, Adam, and Ryder. All four of them were staring at her, right along with everyone else in the diner.

  She dropped her head, feeling her cheeks burning with shame. She wanted to run but just kept walking to escape the room.

  She pushed the door open and blinked back tears as she left the diner, moving quickly toward her SUV.

  Navarro, his girlfriend, his brother, and Adam had just witnessed what happened with Paul. Hell, she’d be the talk of the town by tomorrow. It was a small town and she’d cussed out a man in a family diner.

  More tears burned the back of her eyelids. Now everyone would think she was the crazy widow lady who lived out at the Vern place, thanks to that asshole Paul. She really hated him.

  * * * * *

  Navarro laughed. Ryder had been teasing Adam about his stripper. He glanced at Tammy, seeing her irritated expression still in place. She’d invited herself to dinner with them when she’d seen the three of them park at the diner and she pouted over the fact that he was ignoring her. In his defense, he’d just wanted to have a meal with Adam and Ryder. Ryder was leaving, and they’d come into town to drop him off to pick up his vehicle getting a tune-up before he hit the road.

  Navarro saw movement and looked over Ryder’s head as a woman with blonde hair wound in a tight bun stood a few tables down. His eyebrow rose as she dumped a drink over some middle-aged man’s head. The guy sputtered and looked shocked as the woman sat back down. Betty, the waitress, rushed to the table.

  “Shit. Some guy just got a drink dumped on him.” Navarro jerked his head in the direction of the booth. “Some woman just hosed him.”

  Ryder and Adam turned their heads. The man spoke but they couldn’t hear what he was saying. Navarro chuckled, amused by the incident. The woman at the table suddenly moved and then stood. Betty rushed off toward the kitchen a second later.

  The blonde turned sideways to face the table she’d just vacated and shock hit Navarro when he realized it was Trina. He’d know that profile anywhere.

  Navarro tensed, listening to Trina going off on the man. Trina’s voice was shaky and even from across the room, he could hear that she was really upset. He saw her subconsciously clutch her purse to her chest and then she leaned over to yell at the guy. He watched in stunned shock as she turned to face the waitress. She was shaking more as she took the bag from Betty and paid her. Trina looked toward the back of the diner and he heard her apologizing, sounding ready to cry.

  He moved, scooting toward the edge of the seat, wanting to go to her.

  Ryder kicked him hard under the table. Navarro jumped as his glare flew to his brother. Ryder shook his head, giving him a look that said “stay out of it and stay put”. Navarro forced himself to relax as his focus flew back to Trina.

  She turned to leave and her gaze caught his. She almost jerked to a stop. She paled and her mouth opened. She seemed to yank herself out of the stunned moment quickly. Her gaze tore from his, darted around his table, and then she moved faster for the door. She glanced at him one more time and then almost ran as she left the diner.

  The man at Trina’s table got up. His face and bald head were wet. His shirt had wet trails from where the drink had run down his clothes. He looked pissed off as hell as he stormed for the door. The guy’s hands were balled into fists and he resembled a furious little troll to Navarro, hot on Trina’s heels.

  Navarro moved to get out of the booth, realizing the guy was going after Trina—and he looked angry enough to hurt her. It shocked Navarro that her husband was so short, deciding the guy really did resemble a troll.

  Ryder moved faster and stood first. “I have this. Sit.”

  Ryder took off out of the diner. Navarro hesitated and then just turned his head, staying in his seat. He could see Trina’s SUV through the window. He hadn’t noticed it when he’d arrived because he was parked on the other side of the diner, while Trina was parked along the street. She put the bag of food in the back and then opened the driver’s door to climb in.

  The troll grabbed her and spun her around.

  Navarro was on his feet when he saw Trina’s body slam hard against her SUV. Her back hit the rear passenger door violently enough to make the SUV rock. Her husband had her by her arm.

  * * * * *

  Trina cried out as the hand dug painfully into her arm under her elbow. She was twisted around so hard she fell back and hit the SUV. Paul looked furious as he glared at her.

  “I’m done with this shit. I’m getting you a shrink,” he hissed. “And yo