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

  His eyes searched hers in the dim parking lot for long seconds before they widened in surprise. “You’re serious.”

  Expressions she couldn’t read flickered across his face as he released her arm. He took a step back, hooking his thumbs in his front jean pockets. Tearing her gaze from his, Trina bent to pick up her keys. She straightened, gripping them, and glanced at him again.

  “I’m really sorry and I mean it about the loan. Just draw up something fair and bring me the paperwork to sign. I can write you a check and I won’t need it any time sooner than you can pay it back.”

  She unlocked her door and tossed her purse inside, ready to climb in after it to flee the scene of her humiliation. A gentle hand clamped on her arm again. She turned to stare up at Navarro, only to discover him staring back at her, nearly touching her body with his. She couldn’t read the intense expression on his face but wished that she could.

  “You’re an attractive woman and could get a lot of guys in your bed.”

  He seemed to be a nice man and the least she could do after dropping a bomb on him was be honest.

  “I’m thirty-eight years old, not young anymore, and my body isn’t what it was twenty years ago. I gained weight when I was married and then I lost it during my grief, so I look better in clothes than I do out of them. I’ve only slept with three men in my life so I’m kind of shy and not outgoing. I always draw the smart types who aren’t like you.” She paused. “That’s not an insult, I think you’re smart, but what I meant is I draw nerdy men. Even when I was younger, men who look like you never hit on me. I was attracted to you because I’m not blind and you’re damn near perfect.”

  A small smile curved his full lips. “Damn near, huh? What makes me almost perfect?”

  She hesitated. “You have a mirror in your home. You’re hot and you know it.”

  “So what makes you think I wouldn’t fuck you without you paying me? You’re attractive, Trina.”

  “I saw your ex-girlfriend, and I’m old enough to be her very young mother. She’s got legs that go on forever and she’s beautiful.”

  “She’s also a cold bitch,” he said harshly, all teasing gone from his tone.

  “Yeah. There’s that. What she did was fucked up.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “You’re serious about this offer?”

  She just stared up at him, wondering if he was playing with her by even asking that question. He studied her, his expression thoughtful.

  “What are the terms you came up with if I agree to do this?”

  “I don’t know.” Astonishment filled Trina. Was he considering it? “I didn’t get that far. I thought we could just discuss it and figure it out if I worked up the nerve to approach you, which I kind of doubted I would, so I didn’t plan much beyond just propositioning you.”

  Navarro let his palm slide down her arm until he gripped her hand, surprising her by the action. He stared down at her for long seconds and then opened his mouth.

  “If you pay off my brother’s loan, I’ll give you two months.”

  Shock tore through her at his words, leaving her speechless.

  “Let’s say five nights a week for those two months. We could stay at my place or yours but it would be easier if it were mine. Otherwise I’d have to leave before dawn since I have horses to care for. I’d give you seven nights, but what I do is really hard on my body and I need to get a couple of full nights’ sleep.”

  “Seriously? You’ll do it?” She was still stunned.

  A smile tugged at his lips. “I can’t believe I’m going to get paid to touch you.” He inched in closer. “You want me to fuck you, right?” His voice dropped to a deeper tone as he spoke.

  Trina knew she couldn’t have spoken to save her life at that moment. She gave a sharp nod.

  “Then I will—and I’ll show you what you’ve been missing.”

  Her knees went weak and she managed to nod her head again, wanting him to know she was accepting whatever he was offering.

  “Follow me to my place.”

  Another jolt of astonishment ran through her, leaving her able to speak again. “Now?”

  “Now.”

  “But I thought you’d want the money first.” Panic hit her hard, since she hadn’t really believed he’d agree to her crazy idea, but not only had he said yes, he wanted her to go home with him right then. “But…” She was mute and unable to think.

  Navarro’s intense look pierced her. “Tonight is free, Trina. Tomorrow we’ll start our arrangement and then you can talk money to me so I’ll write out something to promise you two months of my nights.” His hand released her as he stepped back. “Let’s go, Trina. You were brave enough to come to me, so follow me right now.”

  He walked away, moving slowly for his beat-up pickup truck. She hesitated for a heartbeat before she climbed into her SUV and put on her seat belt. Amazement slammed her hard that he’d agreed and asked her back to his place for a free night of sex. When he backed out of the parking space, she found herself shoving her key in the ignition, her hands shaking badly, but she started her vehicle.

  Navarro Raine had offered to take her to his bed, to show her all the things she’d always missed out on in the bedroom, if he was really as good as some women in town had bragged.

  Her entire body trembled at the thought of what he might do to her when they were alone.

  Chapter Two

  The Raine home was a two-story, Spanish-style home. It was too dark to get a good look at its condition but judging from the well-lit front porch, it was obvious that Navarro took care of his home. Trina parked behind his truck and climbed out of her SUV. She was grateful that she’d showered and had dressed nicely to talk to him at the bar.

  Navarro watched her silently as she walked toward where he waited at the bottom of the porch. His back was to the light so she wasn’t able to see his eyes in the shadows. She really was nervous and it must have shown on her face.

  “I won’t hurt you.”

  “I know. I’ve just never done this before.”

  He chuckled. “What exactly haven’t you done before?”

  “I’ve never gone home with a virtual stranger. I was always in long-term relationships with the few men I did have sex with.”

  “I promise you that you’ll enjoy what we do.”

  Trina shivered. “Okay. I’m counting on that.”

  Navarro chuckled again and reached out to take her hand in his larger one, turning toward the house, leading her up the porch steps. He paused to unlock the door, shoved it open and waited for her to walk in first. The living room light was already on as she stepped into his home, allowing Trina to take a good look at the large room that was a bit under furnished but clean. The room only contained a couch, one end table with the lamp, a large television and a coffee table. It was obvious that a woman didn’t live there.

  “Bedroom? Or do you want another room of the house? The kitchen maybe?”

  She looked up into his handsome face and realized his sexy gaze was studying her close enough to make her blush. “I don’t know. I’m not really good at this. That’s why I wanted to pay you.”

  He chuckled, revealing that he had a nice laugh as he gently squeezed her hand, closing the door behind them, and used his free hand to lock it. “We’ll go to my bedroom.”

  She let him lead her into a hallway and up the stairs. He bypassed a few closed doors and went to the one down the hall that stood open and dark. He walked in, flipped on the light and let Trina take in her fill of the room as he released her hand and firmly closed the bedroom door behind them.

  The bedroom was also pretty bare, only housing a large king-sized, four-poster, wooden bed frame. It was covered with a black comforter and a few big body pillows lay along the wooden headboard. Two nightstands and a dresser were the only other furniture in the room. Two doors stood open, one leading to a small walk-in closet filled with clothing and the other to his private bathroom, the tub in clear view. A pair of discarded jeans lay