Propositioning Mr. Raine Read online

  The waitress came back a few minutes later to take their orders and Trina noticed more people were coming into the diner as they passed her table so she glanced at her watch, noting it was almost six o’clock. The diner did serve great food and she knew a lot of people ate there on weekends. The waitress, Betty, took their orders and disappeared.

  “We should talk,” Paul said softly.

  Trina looked at him and sipped her tea. “What do you want to talk about?”

  He studied her with a frown. “I don’t know what you see in this town or why you want to live here.”

  “I think the town is wonderful, the people are nice, and I love the house. I am enjoying living in a small town.”

  “It’s as boring as hell and there’s nothing to do here. You have to miss Orange County.”

  She sighed. “I don’t.”

  An unhappy expression fixed on Paul’s face as he continued to frown at her. “I have been thinking, Trina. Ted wouldn’t want you to bury yourself like you are in this morgue. You need someone to tell you what to do and Ted knew that about you. You’re one of those weak women who flounder helplessly without a strong man to take control of you.”

  Trina was so stunned she was speechless as she stared at Paul. He couldn’t have just said that for real. No way, her mind reasoned. I’m hallucinating because he had has driven me insane this week. That has to be it.

  “This is what is going to happen. I’m taking charge of your life and you are going to put that house up for sale so we both are going back to California together. I will make the ultimate sacrifice and I’ll marry you. You’ll transfer all of your money into my account and I’ll take care of you like Ted did. We’ll set up an allowance for you to live on and you can stay home like you did with Ted to be my little house slave.” He paused as his focus dropped to her breasts, smirking. “I hope the sex is worth it.”

  She realized she had a death grip on her iced tea when the pain in her hand became noticeable and knew she was about to break the glass. She let go of it so she didn’t get cut. She opened her mouth and then closed it. He really just said all of that. She let that sink in and then the rage hit.

  “That’s why you wanted to come to town with me, isn’t it? You want to do this here? Really?”

  “Now relax. Are you on medication, Trina? Is it in your purse? You’re looking a little flushed with excitement. I hope you know what a sacrifice I’m making but I’m willing to do that for you. I’m sure it is the best thing for you. From now on, I’ll call all the shots.”

  She reached for her tea and gripped it while she slowly stood. She had the table dig into her hips as she straightened as best she could. She lifted her tea and raised it over Paul slowly and tilted the glass. Satisfaction filled her as she watched it unfold. Paul’s expression turned horrified as his shocked gaze followed her movement. He barely closed his eyes in time when 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 and 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, and 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 or you’ll need that surgery. 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 that.

  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 paper white. His fists gripping the table 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 was behind her and spoke hesitantly. “Here’s your food. I boxed up both meals.”

  Trina turned and opened her purse. Her hands were shaking 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 was sitting 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 on 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 was pouting 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 car that was 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 center of the diner. “Some woman just hosed him.”

  Ryder and Adam turned their heads. They heard the man but 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, list