Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
He’s only an asshole to you because you’re not looking at him the way I am. Rayne hoped he was doing the right thing by following his gut feeling and not his friend’s opinion. But everything in him was screaming not to let Mike pass him by if he was interested. Wood got up with a resigned curse, as if he’d either accepted Rayne’s choice or he was unwilling to continue arguing.
“Does that huff mean you’ll back off and let me come to my own decisions about my personal life… even if it involves Mike?”
“Yes, but you have to swear that you’ll be careful. Like I said, Big Mike’s reputation is well deserved,” he warned one last time.
“I understand. And thank you for caring. But I promise. I’ll be fine.” Damn, Rayne hoped he hadn’t just lied. He got up and went toward the back door, preparing to walk through it and leave all doubt in his past.
“The way he looks at you scares me, Rayne,” Wood confessed close to his back.
“I know.” It scares me too, but in a whole different way. Rayne turned and gently touched the soft beard covering Wood’s strong jaw. “I’ll see you at home.”
Chapter Fourteen
Mike
Mike was leaning against the side of his bike, staring at Rayne through the sheer living room curtains while he put on his fancy jacket and said his goodbyes. He couldn’t stop watching his every move as he walked out of the front door with his borrowed books clutched against his chest like a plate of armor. Mike wasn’t shy, allowing his gaze to roam freely over Rayne’s body from his long legs up to his honey-blond hair. And just like any time Mike stared like a ravenous vulture, Rayne didn’t seem to mind.
Rayne stopped a safe distance away, but even in the dark, Mike could see the blush covering that long, smooth neck. In the night’s silence, he could hear Rayne’s accelerated breathing. He’s excited… for me. That was a good sign. Because Mike had no clue what the fuck Wood had told Rayne during their private meeting in the backyard, but it couldn’t have been anything good.
Mike kept his glare fixed on Rayne’s eyes as he set his helmet on the rear seat and crossed the cracked sidewalk that separated them. He stood as close as he dared, pleased when Rayne didn’t inch away.
“Well. What’s the verdict?” Mike asked, and Rayne’s long lashes fluttered for a second before he glanced up to meet his eyes. “Were you warned to stay away from the big bad wolf?”
“Is that what you are? A wolf.” The sound of Rayne’s melodic voice made it hard for Mike to concentrate around the need.
“No.”
Rayne smiled.
“I’m a helluva lot worse.”
Rayne’s smile fell. He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth and gently bit down on the supple flesh, those damn eyes filling with a hot lust Mike had never had directed his way before. Rayne’s breath ghosted over his chin when he asked, “But are you gay?”
“I’m whatever I fuckin’ wanna be, Rayne.”
Rayne huffed an amused puff of air that warmed Mike’s throat.
“Do you always avoid answering questions?”
“I’m not usually questioned.” Mike closed in tighter, loving how clean and powdery Rayne smelled. “But I will answer yours.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
Rayne cleared his throat, having to tilt his head back to hold their eye contact. Mike liked how good it felt the closer they got. His heart was thundering behind his rib cage, his limbs heavy from his restraint to grab Rayne behind his neck and yank him against his entire body.
“So you gonna let me take you home?”
Rayne paused a long moment before he said, “I don’t think that’s a good idea for right now.”
“So Wood must’ve convinced you, huh?” Mike’s voice got thick with anger.
“No.” Rayne quickly brought his hand up and placed his palm in the center of Mike’s chest, silencing his thoughts. Rayne stopped talking and stared at where his hand was resting.
Mike’s eyelids slid shut as blunt fingertips dug in a little deeper. Rayne had to feel how fast his heart was beating. His dick was half-hard, and Rayne only had one of his hands on him. But a heat radiated from his touch that Mike felt all the way through. The pressure deepened, and Mike leaned into it, their bodies inches apart.
“God, you feel good,” Rayne whispered as if he was lost in his own thoughts. His eyes were staring straight ahead while Mike gazed down at their connection. Rayne inhaled sharply before he slowly began to remove his palm.
Mike gripped Rayne’s wrist and placed his hand back where it was. “Is this okay?” he asked, sounding out of breath.
Rayne’s response was an intimate whisper that made Mike want to lean in closer to his lips. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
Mike swallowed, his mouth dry, the world shrinking around them. He had no idea how he was pulling any of this off, but he was going with it.