Justice Inked (Cowboy Justice Association 7) Read online

  But with Dare it was different.

  Not in a bad way. He was smoking hot and devastatingly handsome. He was also something else, something that made her wary. He would never hurt her or force himself on her. That wasn’t it. It was something else that she couldn’t quite put her finger on, but she knew she was right to be cautious.

  “Maybe I’m becoming more careful in my old age,” Rayne smirked, standing to finish putting on her makeup. Right now she had eyeliner but no mascara. “I just think that this relationship might not work out, and sleeping with him tonight might make ending things that much harder.”

  “Do you realize that you haven’t even gone out with him yet but you’re already planning on how to break up with him? That’s a bit harsh, not to mention pessimistic. Dare’s a nice man. Grouchy as all get out, but nice.”

  “We’re just so different.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. But you’ll never know unless you go out with him. Go finish your face and have fun. Just relax and have good time. Worst case scenario you get to see a movie tonight. That’s not so bad.”

  Rayne had been on some terrible, no-good dates. The kind that made you want to crawl out of the restaurant’s bathroom window so you could escape. She doubted tonight with Dare was going to be that bad, although there was a better than average chance they’d end up sniping at each other about something.

  “I’m sure everything will be fine. I’ll call you with the details.”

  “Call me in the morning.”

  “I’ll call you sometime tomorrow.”

  “In the morning. If Dare doesn’t spend the night you don’t have any excuse,” Misty laughed delightedly. “Call me or I’ll call you.”

  “Fine—in the morning, but late. I want to sleep in.”

  “You’d sleep better with a handsome hunk of man in your bed.”

  So very true, but still quite scary. Rayne had a feeling one night with Dare wouldn’t be enough.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The date was going well.

  The movie had been better than Rayne expected. Dare had chosen an action-thriller and it wasn’t her first choice in entertainment with all the shooting, blood, and guts, but it had ensured that the date wouldn’t get too amorous.

  Add in the fact that he’d chosen an out of town theatre and seats in the back row, all the way in the corner, and it felt like they were sneaking around, cheating on imaginary spouses. As thrilling as it had seemed at first, now it felt kind of icky and dirty. Not in a good way.

  “I hope you’re hungry.”

  Dare led her to a back booth in a rundown diner on the outskirts of Springwood. The old linoleum floors were dingy and the soles of her shoes stuck as she walked, making a sucking sound with each step. The smell of fry grease hung heavy in the air along with the remnants of what she thought might be motor oil. Not the most appetizing combination, but she’d had a strong stomach since the summer she’d spent at camp eating what had been essentially prison cuisine along with the three hundred other kids sweltering in ninety degree heat.

  Rayne still gave her mom and dad a hard time about that summer. They’d swore that the brochure looked much better than the reality and had been so apologetic she’d scored a new computer from the debacle.

  Sliding into the booth, her rear end came to a quick halt and she winced at the thought of what was gluing the material of her jeans to the vinyl. More grease? She had to lift up to be able to move farther into the booth, shuddering as she placed her handbag on the oily bench seat.

  One look at the table didn’t tell a much different story. It looked and felt like it had been wiped off with a rag that hadn’t been washed or rinsed in days. She could certainly suck it up and eat here, but she wasn’t sure why she should when there were literally dozens of restaurants within a fifty-mile radius.

  “Do you come here a lot?” Rayne decided to answer his question with another question. If he said yes this was definitely a strike against him.

  Dare squirmed in his seat under her steady regard. “Actually I’ve only been here once. I met an informant here about a drug deal.”

  Oookay.

  Looking at the clientele that made sense. Everyone in the joint looked like they were hiding out from the law, a bill collector, or their jealous husband. There was a sense of desperation and secrets in the air, and Rayne had to admit it made her uncomfortable.

  “You don’t like it here,” Dare stated flatly. “It is kind of a greasy spoon. I chose it because it was out of the way.”

  She could go two ways on this. Get pissy with him because he’d brought her to the “no tell diner” or laugh at the entire situation. She chose the latter.

  “It’s certainly out of the way,” she giggled, letting her gaze wander across the room. “I hope you’re packing heat tonight because it looks like most of the people in here are. I don’t think I’ll see anyone I know here, so excellent job.”

  Smacking his forehead with his palm, Dare groaned and shook his head. “Shit. This is really awful, isn’t it? I was only here once and I guess I didn’t really notice how bad it was. You must think I’m a total bonehead. I swear I’m not usually this stupid.”

  “I know that.” Rayne gave him a warm smile to show she wasn’t mad or even perturbed. He was trying his best, but she doubted he’d ever had to sneak around before in his life. “Listen, I have an idea. Why don’t we go back to that drive thru chicken place we saw a few miles back? We can pick up some dinner and find a place to have a picnic. I bet you know some out of the way and really peaceful spots around here.”

  The corners of his lips turned up ever so slightly, and she felt her chest tightening and her heart skipped a beat. “I do know just the spot and that’s sounds like a good idea.” Dare stood and held out his hand to help her out of the booth. “Shall we go?”

  Rayne placed her hand in his, already anticipating the streak of heat that would travel from her fingers to parts more intimate. If she continued to date Dare, she hoped she would get used to it eventually. Because if not, she was going to be a hormonal mess every time he touched her. She needed to get herself under control.

  * * * *

  “Another biscuit?” Rayne offered Dare, holding out the plastic tray. “I’m stuffed like a turkey.”

  She’d put away a surprising amount of food for such a tiny woman. Not much more than five foot two and a hundred and ten pounds soaking wet, she eaten two chicken breasts, a large helping of mashed potatoes and gravy, plus three biscuits with butter. There was a chocolate cake as well for dessert but that would have to wait. Dare couldn’t have forced another bite past his lips.

  They were sitting in the bed of his truck by a lake he used to fish in when he was a kid. Dare had found a blanket in the back and he’d tucked it around them as the temperature fell. Rayne hadn’t complained and Dare wouldn’t either. She was tucked up under his arm, the entire length of her right side pressing into his left from shoulder to ankle. Despite the disparity in their sizes, she seemed to fit as if she were made for him.

  A dangerous thought under such a starry and romantic sky.

  “I think I’m full,” he groaned, stretching his arms over his head. “This was a great idea. But I know you’re not fond of the outdoors so I’m wondering why you suggested it.”

  “If it’s a choice between contracting food poisoning at that dingy diner or sitting out here and enjoying deep fried goodness, I know what I’m going to do. I ate some bad chicken once and it was the worst twenty-four hours of my life. I don’t want a repeat.”

  “It was shrimp for me and I agree. Worst night of my life. I think I actually expelled my intestines.”

  It was funny how he could talk to Rayne about anything, including gross stuff. He wouldn’t have had this conversation with any of his former girlfriends.

  “We shouldn’t talk about puking right after eating a bucket of fried chicken. Tell me about the investigation instead. You said you would.”

  He had promised but th
ey’d been sidetracked most of the evening. “There has been a major development in the case. Tanner Marks—he’s the sheriff in Springwood—had a bank robbery a few weeks ago. The ballistics from that robbery match the ballistics from Patrick Moulson’s murder. It looks like the two crimes are related in some way.”

  Rayne frowned, a cute wrinkle forming between her brows. “How does the shop break-in fit into all this? If they were smart enough to rob a bank and get away with it, why would they bust into my shop, knock things around, and then not steal anything? It doesn’t make sense.”

  “No, it doesn’t. Reed suggested it and I think he’s right. They were looking for something specific and the question is, did they find it?”

  “Nothing was missing.”

  “Then that means they don’t have what they were looking for. Probably, anyway. I just wish I knew what or who to watch for.”

  “Did you find out anything about the victim? You asked Jared to investigate him.”

  “That didn’t help much.” Dare pulled Rayne closer, the air growing damp and chilly. Her skin was fragrant and warm and he rested his chin on the top of her head, rubbing the silky strands. So far this evening they hadn’t clashed once. He was getting to know this woman, and so far he liked what he saw. Very much. “He was an average guy with an average life. Not much going on personally or financially. Sounds like he fell in with the wrong crowd. I’ve seen it happen dozens of times.”

  “He paid the price for it. Dying young and all. It’s still creepy that there’s a person out there capable of taking a human life. It freaks me out a little, honestly.”

  Dare hated to rip Rayne’s rose colored glasses from her eyes but the world was a cruel place. “I can guarantee you on any given day you talk to more than one person capable of killing. Whether they were provoked, pissed off, defending themselves, or simply like doing it, they’re out there, everywhere. I wish it weren’t true but it is. It’s the fight or flight response. If your life is threatened or the life of someone you love, what would you do?”

  “I see what you’re saying,” Rayne sighed, her breath warm on his arm. “But I don’t have to like it. It’s weird, though. You go through life not thinking about it all that much until something like this happens, then you think about it all the time. Life. Death. Nothing seems simple these days.”

  Dare ran his fingers down her satin-soft cheek before tickling her behind the ear and eliciting a small giggle. “You want simple? It doesn’t get much more simple than a picnic under the stars and a little George Strait.”

  The radio played softly in the background and crickets chirped in the distance. Dare couldn’t think of a more pleasant evening than tonight. It was the best date he’d had in a long time and it was with a woman he’d vowed to stay away from. Typical. He knew she’d be trouble and she was. He was liking this way too much and it was only the first date. He was already thinking about kissing her – and maybe more – when he took her home later.

  Would she invite him in? Would they make love?

  It had been months since his last relationship and Dare couldn’t deny he was horny as hell. It wasn’t just a physical need, though; he had his own right hand, although it was a piss poor substitute. It was everything about Rayne that made him want to get to know her – carnally and otherwise.

  A splash of something wet plopped on his hand and he scowled down at it, his mind trying to piece together where it came from just as another drop landed on his head and arm. Within seconds the single drops became a shower, the cool water raising goosebumps on his skin.

  “Shit.” Dare jumped up and began to pack away their dinner. “We need to get out of this before we’re soaked. Go on and jump in the truck and I’ll get this.”

  He gathered up the food and stowed it in the paper sack, checking the truck cab to make sure that Rayne was warm and dry. Frowning when he couldn’t see her, he stood to get a better view and that’s when he caught a glimpse of her from the corner of his eye.

  The sweet little brunette with the purple streaks in her hair was standing in the rain, her arms outstretched and her head thrown back. She twirled around, a brilliant smile on her face as the gentle raindrops caressed her skin. Her flesh seemed to glow in the moonlight and Dare had a sudden strong compulsion to reach out and run his hands down her damp arms and tangle his fingers in her rapidly curling tresses.

  Fuck, she was gorgeous.

  “Come dance with me, Dare.”

  Rayne beckoned to him, her clothes now clinging to her curvy figure. For a small woman she had an amazing body, large round breasts and hips made to fit a man’s hand. With her unconventional looks and untamed attitude she called to something deep inside – something wild and primitive. Joyous. Normally he kept that part of himself locked down tight but in her company he was tempted to let go.

  For just a minute. Maybe two.

  He didn’t realize he’d moved until he was standing in front of Rayne, his hands pulling her body closer to his own. She was smiling up at him as if they didn’t have a care in the world, and he supposed at that moment they didn’t. It was just a man and a woman dancing under the sky, completely cut off from the rest of the world.

  They began to move in concert to a song only they heard. Closing his eyes, he let himself relax and forget all the problems and issues he shouldered each day. Her delicious scent wafted around him, a combination of vanilla and rain. His body responded instantly, the blood pounding in his ears. This wouldn’t last forever but he’d enjoy every single second of it that he could, committing every detail to memory. The way her soft skin felt slick under his fingers. How her body brushed his with each step. The sigh she made when he pressed his lips to the spot just under her ear.

  The rain had cast a spell over them but he could already feel it slipping away, like sand through his fingers. He didn’t try to grab at it, knowing its rarity was what made it special. Rayne ran her hands up his arms to his shoulders, her face still radiant with happiness.

  “I guess we better get out of this or we’re going to catch pneumonia. I wish we didn’t have to, though. I love playing in the rain.”

  The rain was coming down harder now, pouring, and they were both soaked to the skin. Reluctantly he moved away, instantly chilled as he lost the warmth of her body pressed to his. He quickly helped her into the truck before grabbing their picnic and stowing it in the backseat. Swinging into the driver’s seat, he directed the vehicle toward the main road, the heater blasting and the radio playing Luke Bryan.

  With his right hand on the steering wheel, he reached up to touch his face with his left, running his fingers across his lips, the heart in his chest tightening painfully.

  All be damned.

  He was smiling.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Rayne could have sworn she saw Dare smiling when they were driving away from the lake. He’d covered his lips with his fingers but she would have bet everything she owned that his mouth was curved upwards…with happiness. For all she knew he might even have dimples in those cheeks, and that was a sight she’d pay big money to see.

  “Are you okay? The blanket is wet and the heat is going full blast.”

  “If I’m cold it’s my own fault,” Rayne laughed. “It was my idea to dance in the rain. I should be asking you if you’re okay.”

  Dare shrugged his wide shoulders. “I’m fine. This isn’t really all that bad. I just don’t want you to get sick or anything.” That was sweet. She liked having him fuss over her. It had been a long time since anyone had. “You need to do the finishing touches on my tat, after all.”

  Rayne burst into laughter at his self-serving statement. “So I do. When do you want to come in and finish it?”

  “Things are so crazy right now I can’t commit to a time. Hopefully soon. I really like the way it’s turning out. If I haven’t already told you, you’re very talented.”

  This night was turning out differently than she’d ever pictured. He had been nice and attentive, even advent
urous. She hadn’t expected him to play in the rain with her. If anything she’d thought he would scold her for being childish. But instead he’d held her as they danced, his warm, muscular body so close. She’d felt so safe and protected in those moments and she’d allowed herself to be vulnerable.

  “Thank you. That means a lot to me, Dare. It really does.”

  The silence grew as he drove through the storm, finally pulling up in front of her house and putting the truck into park. Climbing out the driver’s side, he came around to open her door, a gentlemanly touch he didn’t need to perform but she found that she liked quite a bit. Without speaking he walked her to her door, the silence stretching between them and amping up her awareness. His wide shoulders. The soft rise and fall of his chest. The leashed power she could feel as he stood next to her at her front door. He towered over her, at least a foot taller, but she didn’t feel one ounce of fear.

  She took a few deep breaths to calm her libido, which was making itself a freakin’ pest after months in hibernation. He was too damn handsome and she was a pushover for a pretty face.

  He’d smiled.

  He would probably never admit it and she didn’t really know for sure, but she’d felt his happiness. He’d felt joy and she’d helped with that. It made him more approachable and infinitely more attractive.

  Dare took a step closer and leaned forward so his lips were inches from her own. She resisted the urge to press herself closer to the heat of his body still trying to play it cool and safe. “Normally at the end of a first date I’d try and get a goodnight kiss. If I tried to steal a kiss right now would you let me, Rayne? Or would you slap me across the face?”

  Rayne had zero self-preservation at this moment in time and her next words showed it.

  “You wouldn’t need to steal it.”