Propositioning Mr. Raine Read online

  A hand gripped her arm and it made her gasp. She dropped her keys and spun around to stare up at Navarro Raine in shock. He was standing very close. He was almost a foot taller than her five-foot-three, and he was bigger up close than she’d imagined.

  “Our conversation isn’t over.” Navarro kept hold of her. “I’m still stunned but I didn’t say no.”

  It was her turn to be shocked speechless.

  “Go on. Tell me more.”

  Speak, she ordered herself. “I don’t know what else to say. I just had this crazy idea that we could help each other. I have money and you…” She blushed. “I’m attracted to you and I heard you were really good in bed. I’ve never had that and I’ve never…” She sighed, dropping her focus to his chest. “Unless it had batteries or it was just me alone, I’ve never gotten off. I read books and I’ve always heard from my friends how great sex can be. I just wanted…” She paused. “It’s crazy, isn’t it?” She looked up at him again, studying his features. “I promise that I’ll make an appointment with a shrink. Just please don’t tell anyone because I’d die if everyone knew how pathetic I am.”

  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 before you can pay it back.”

  She unlocked her door and tossed her purse in, ready to climb in after them 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 guy 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 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 night’s 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?”

  A smile tugged at his lips. “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 can write out something to promise you two months of my nights.” His hand released her as he stepped back. “Follow me home now, Trina. You were brave enough to come to me so follow me right now.”

  He walked away, moving slowly for his beat-up pick-up truck. She hesitated for a heartbeat before she climbed into her SUV and put on her seatbelt. Amazement slammed her hard that he’d agreed and had asked her back to his place for a free night of sex. When he backed out of the parking space she found herself shoving the key in ignition, her hands shaking bad 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. When he pulled out of the parking lot, she was driving a car length behind his truck.

  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 him 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. At the door he paused to unlock it, shoved the door 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 entry table with the lamp, a large television and a