Page 20 of Work It Out
“Why didn’t you say something?” Jake asked softly. She’d trusted him with painful truths that night, but this… He didn’t miss the irony of being upset that she’d kept something from him, but he was an Arizona mountain boy to his bones. The thought of what could’ve happened to her if she’d rolled over on that rattlesnake chilled his blood. “I would’ve stayed in a hotel.”
“She could’ve stayed with one of us,” Blaine insisted.
Yeah, I bet you’d love that.
“She could’ve stayed in her home,” Jake shot back.
Rayah put a hand on his forearm, her cool fingers lighting him up from the inside. “Please, don’t be upset. Yes, it would’ve been nice if Pierce had warned me of your arrival, but he wasn’t expecting the suites to be booked up. It’s not your fault or your concern. I’ll find somewhere to stay, or I’ll get a room in Flagstaff for a few weeks.” A teasing grin tugged at her lips, transforming her normally lovely features into something otherworldly. “You’re certainly paying me enough to cover an extended-stay hotel room.”
“Stay with me,” Blaine interjected.
She snort-laughed. “There’s an idea.”
Blaine stepped back into her space, taking both her hands in his. “You need that money to keep this place running and offer you some security. Besides, I want you with me, where I know you’ll be safe.”
Sure, she would.
“Your apartment’s a two-bedroom, one of which is full of gym equipment.” He opened his mouth, but she cut him off. “And no, I’m not sleeping in your bed.”
Blaine looked heavenward. Rayah probably thought he was praying for patience. Jake was taller and further away from the scene in every sense. Blaine tilted his head back to hide his wince.
Poor bastard had it bad, and it would never happen.
“I’ll clean out the second bedroom,” he said, looking at her again. “I work out here, anyway. That junk can go in storage.”
Damn. He might not like the guy, but this was painful to watch. He should leave them alone to hash it out. Except he had a stake in her living situation, too, and he would have his say.
Rayah pulled her hands free, and the badass veneer she wore like armor melted away, exposing her great big heart. She leaned in, wrapping her arms around Blaine’s waist. “You’re a sweetie. But I couldn’t do that.” She laughed, though it sounded watery. “We spend all day together as it is. You’d get sick of me in no time.”
Big hands rubbed her back and squeezed her to him. “Never.” He moved his hold to her shoulders and set her back enough to look at him. “Let me take care of you.”
Jake held his breath, waiting for her answer. Though he wasn’t sure it mattered. Watching them together like this, he doubted she’d ever have room in her life for another man. That big fucker took up a lot of space in more ways than one.
“I don’t need to be taken care of.” She patted his pec and left her hand resting on his chest. “But I can’t tell you what it means that you’d offer. You’re an amazing friend, Blaine.”
Ouch.
There it was. The worst F-bomb of all.
Chapter Six
September 17
Tweet by Jake Newman @NotJustAnotherChris
It’s not blackmail if you mean well. Right?
Rayah’s heart tumbled to her toes as Blaine dropped his hands from her shoulders. “I, uh—” He cleared his throat and took another step back, making her hand slide from his chest. “I’ll head in and see if Nate needs help. You know what a handful Jenny can be.” He forced a laugh, but it fell flat.
She’d hurt his feelings by not taking him up on the offer to crash with him. Giving in wasn’t an option, though. Not on this. She couldn’t risk losing him, too.
Hands stuffed in the pockets of his athletic pants, Blaine turned and strode toward the back of the building. When he drew even with Jake, he paused, leaned down, and whispered something Jake absolutely didn’t want to hear, judging by the flush of anger on his face. Then Blaine continued around the corner.
Jake stared at the place where Blaine had disappeared, then squared his shoulders and strode toward Rayah.
Here we go again.
“I’m sorry you were stuck in the middle of that, Mr. Newman,” she said before he reached her, hoping to stave off another bout of He-Man, save-the-little-woman BS. “I’ll talk to Blaine about his lack of professionalism once he’s had a chance to calm down. When it comes to me, he can be…”bat crap crazy, “er…protective.”
