Propositioning Mr. Raine (2 page)

He frowned at her. “Just say what you want to say.”

She met his blue-eyed, intense gaze that caused her heart to pound in her chest. He had utterly sexy and beautiful eyes. “The company my husband worked for had to pay me a settlement because it was their fault he died. I don’t want to go into the details but someone screwed up and Ted was killed. Ted also had a life insurance policy so money isn’t an issue with me.” She paused. “I have enough money to save your ranch.”

Shock widened his eyes and his hand tightened on his drink, turning his knuckles white. Long seconds passed. “You’d be willing to loan me the money? I’d be good to pay it back. I tried getting another loan but my brother has kind of screwed up our credit. I won’t lie about that. It’s in the shitter.”

“No loan.” She hesitated. “I mean, I could do that but then you’d have to pay it back. I…uh…have a job in mind for you to earn the money.”

Navarro frowned again. “Look, I don’t know what kind of job you have for me but all I know is horses. I am handy with a hammer and can paint. I’ve done shit on my own house over the years. I put in a new floor and I patched my own roof. I—”

“Not that,” she cut in. Embarrassment heated her cheeks. “This is really harder to say than I thought it would be.”

Dark blue eyes watched her. “Just say it.”

She nodded, letting her gaze drop to his chest, not looking directly into his eyes helped a little. “I was married for sixteen years. Don’t ever doubt that I loved my husband because he was a great guy but he worked too much and he was kind of uptight. I thought it was cute.” She paused, knowing her cheeks burned hotter now. “I heard you’re a real lady’s man and I heard that you’re…uh…well versed in the bedroom.”

Trina saw his chest rise and fall in a quick way as he sucked in air, obviously surprised by what she’d said. She didn’t blame him one bit for the reaction either. The silence between them was absolute and very uncomfortable. She wished the seat would open up under her and that she could disappear. This was way worse to do for real than practicing in her head and she could feel his gaze on her while she imagined he was shocked speechless. She licked her dry lips and decided to finish the most humiliating discussion of her life.

“This is harder to say than I thought it would be. I loved Ted but he was, um, not really adventurous in bed. I thought maybe I could give you the money you need to save your ranch and maybe in exchange you could give me what I want. I can’t imagine what you think of me right now but I’m not a bad person. I just never had a great sex life. I’m lonely and…shit…” She went silent. “This was a bad idea.”

“Is this some kind of joke?” His voice was harsh and tight as he spoke softly.

Trina’s gaze flew up to see how angry he was, his blue eyes glittering with rage. She shook her head. “I wish it were because I’d love to give you a punch line about now. I am so sorry. I heard you and your girlfriend broke up, I knew you were single, and you needed money. I…I’m just so sorry.” She rose to her feet, realizing she was babbling.

“Forget it.”

Navarro lunged forward and gripped her arm, strong fingers curling tight around her forearm. He didn’t hurt her but it shocked her enough that she gasped softly as her gaze flew back to his. He still looked furious.

“Sit.”

The hand released her the second her ass touched the chair again. Navarro Raine’s anger melted away quickly. She glanced at his face and then let her attention drop to the table. She couldn’t ever remember being so embarrassed in her entire life, having just propositioned a man to pay him for sex. She really did need to see a shrink and silently promised to make an appointment tomorrow. All Trina could hope for was that he wouldn’t tell anyone how desperate and sad she was. If it spread around town that she was offering money to men in exchange for having sex with her, she’d never be able to face anyone again.

“Look at me.”

Her chin rose, unable to resist his harsh order or his deep, commanding voice. Their gazes locked. His eyes were still beautiful, even when they were narrowed with suspicion.

“Tell me the truth. This
is
a damn joke, isn’t it?”

“No.”

He frowned. “You’re offering me money to fuck you? Is that what you’re doing?”

His voice was barely a whisper.

“I know it’s insane and I’m sorry for bothering you.”

“Is that what you’re doing?” His voice deepened.

She didn’t look away from him even though the urge was there. “I heard you were good at it when some women were having lunch at the diner once. They were comparing notes and they all dated you in the past. I’ve never…” She sighed and looked away from him, unable to look into his eyes while confessing her darkest secrets.

“I loved Ted but every time I asked him to try something so I’d enjoy it, he got upset with me, and acted like I’d hurt his feelings so I shut up.” Her gaze lifted again to meet his. “I’ll loan you the money, it’s the least I can do because I don’t want you losing your 1ranch. Just draw up something legal and put in what payments you can afford and then bring it to me. I’m just so sorry about this and please don’t tell anyone. I don’t want to move and I’d be so embarrassed if it got out that I couldn’t live in this town.” She got to her feet again and fled.

The embarrassment she was experiencing was almost a physical pain. She’d just propositioned a man for sex and it was the stupidest thing she’d ever done in her life.

Her hands trembled as she dug out the keys to her SUV, just glad that no one seemed to have overheard their conversation in the bar. She could pray Navarro wouldn’t tell anyone what she’d tried to do because she really didn’t want to move. She loved the farmhouse she’d bought but she was a fool for offering money to a guy in exchange for hot sex.

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.”

1He 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.

1Trina 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.

1
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 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.”