“It’ll be fine.” We could all see Gladys wasn’t sure it was the best idea, but Country wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “Come on, Gran. Go grab your stuff and I’ll help you upstairs.”
“But I need to lock up.”
“I’ll take care of it,” I assured her. “You head on home and get some rest.”
Thankfully, Gladys was tired and grabbed her things without any fuss. As they started up to her apartment, Country called out to Rafe, “I’ll see you back over at the clubhouse.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I get Marlowe home.”
Once they were gone, I glanced over at Rafe and couldn’t help but notice his furrowed brow and the distant look in his eye. It was obvious something was weighing on him, but I had no idea what it was. Curious, I inched over to him and asked, “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Just a lot on my mind.”
“I’m here if you want to talk about it.”
“Thanks for the offer, but not something I can discuss.” He leaned over and kissed me on the temple. “Let’s get this place closed up, so we can get you home.”
I didn’t argue. Instead, I gave him a quick nod and then started locking everything up. Once I was done, Rafe followed me out to the parking lot. After I got in my car, I looked back at the bar one last time, and I found myself thinking about how much my life had changed over the past year. I won’t deny that leaving the only home I’d ever known was one of the most terrifying things I’d ever done. But when I thought about Gladys, Rafe, and all the other people I’d grown to care so much about, I knew, without a doubt, I’d made the right decision.
I glanced back in my rearview mirror, and just as I expected, I found Rafe waiting there behind me. He followed me back over to my apartment, and as soon as we were parked, he walked me up to the front door. Even though I knew he had a lot on his mind, I was eager to tell him about my conversation with Ford and the money he’d given me. Hoping he’d have a minute to talk, I asked, “You want to come inside for a while?”
“Wish I could, but I’m gonna have to pass tonight.” He leaned down and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. “I gotta get going.”
“Okay.” I’d like to say this was the first time he’d left me at my door with just a simple peck on the lips, but it wasn’t. This entire week he’d been different, withdrawn and oddly distracted, and I had no idea why. I could only assume it had something to do with me. Maybe he wasn’t as interested as I’d hoped. Trying to play off my disappointment, I gave him a slight shrug and said, “Well, I guess I’ll see ya later.”
“Yeah.”
He raked his teeth across his bottom lip as he stood there staring at me with an odd expression. For a brief moment, I thought he was going to say something more, but then he shook his head with a huff and turned to leave. He’d only taken a few steps when he stopped dead in his tracks and muttered, “Damn.”
He quickly turned around and charged back over to me. Like a man possessed, he snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me against his chest. I could feel the heat of his breath caress my neck as he whispered, “I don’t want to go.”
“Then, don’t.”
His mouth landed on mine, and a needful moan vibrated through my chest as his tongue slid against my bottom lip. Answering the only way I could, I met his mouth in a deep, searing kiss. I’d known from the start Rafe was a man who knew how to handle himself. He moved with confidence, his hands strong and possessive, and that kiss ... it was everything I was hoping for and more. I was getting lost in the moment when he stepped back, breaking our embrace. He brushed his calloused thumb deliciously across my bottom lip as he rasped, “Damn, I’ve missed those lips.”
Without giving me a chance to tell him I felt the same, Rafe’s hand moved to the nape of my neck, tangling in my hair as he pulled me close once again. His mouth landed on mine, hard and demanding, and my knees almost buckled beneath me. His hands begin to roam, exploring my curves in a way that had me clenching my thighs together. Damn. I’ve never been so turned on in my entire life. It was hard to believe that at my age I was just now experiencing such a feeling. I didn’t have much experience with men, but something told me there was only one man who could make me feel like this. His voice was ragged and full of need as he growled, “Soon, Marlowe. Very soon.”