Free Gage, Ronna - The Search is Over (Siren Publishing Classic) by Ronna Gage Page A

and set cans of oil on the shelves.
    “No, not yet,” Rafe admitted before he could stop himself. He realized he didn’t care if Evan knew the truth.
    “No?”
    Rafe shook his head in silent answer and wondered why he bothered with a woman who didn’t come so easily. There are other women more than willing, after all. Candi is something special. He sensed her inner strength and caught a slight glimpse of it by the way she treated Jesse. He knew she had no problems conveying her anger when she was agitated. If she didn’t like you, she showed that, too . I like that . She played no games and didn’t hide her feelings.
    “Oh! But you are interested,” Evan hinted.
    “So far.” Rafe became tight-lipped suddenly. The less Evan knew the less he had to tease him.
    “So, what’s she like?” Evan stood back, angling his head slightly. His arms crossed over his massive chest as he waited patiently for Rafe to give him the lowdown on the new woman in his life. “She must be ugly as hell, or have really big tits.”
    Rafe continued to work ignoring Evan’s remark, but he couldn’t stop himself from talking about her. “I don’t know how to describe her. She’s pretty, but in a natural sort of way,” Rafe began. “She likes music, but her favorite is country. She’s going to school this summer, and then she plans to go to the university. She works as a bartender-waitress right now, until the fall. She’s, I don’t know… incredible. And her boobs are none of your business.”
    Evan laughed at Rafe’s defensive action. “What’s the catch?”
    Rafe hesitated. “She’s just coming out of a relationship. In fact, she is two days out. The guy is her roommate’s boyfriend’s son.”
    “What?” Evan closed his eyes. “That’s a little too confusing this early in the morning. I get a headache just trying to figure it out. It’s severely messing with my hangover.”
    Smiling, Rafe explained, “Candi’s roommate, Minerva. Her boyfriend, Roy, is Jesse’s dad.”
    “Got it. I think.” Evan shook his head. “I have to clear the cobwebs that are blocking the processing of new information. “So, how is Junior taking all this?”
    “Honestly, I don’t care how he’s taking it. He made his choice when he told her he would rather be with someone else. But I did wonder who was more upset by the breakup, Jesse or his dad?”
    “Good God Almighty, Rafe, that’s messed up. Are you sure you want to be involved in that web of mess?”
    Rafe thought about it for all of two seconds. “Yeah, it sounds more complicated than it is. Besides, I like her spirit.” Rafe gave a wink.
    “Well, wonders never cease. I never thought I would hear the day, that you, Rafe Sines, would like someone for her…spirit. This from the guy whose best friends are titty dancers.”
    Evan turned away just as Rafe’s smile became bigger. Candi’s comment of worshipping the silicone temple repeated in his head. He had to take a drink of his coffee to get the laugh under control before it started.
    “You talk too much. Let’s get these tires up before Dad comes in bitching,” Rafe insisted. He led Evan to the tire rack of neatly stacked tires. In silence, they threw the tires up on the shelf.
    “When are you going to see her again?” Evan asked, breaking the silence.
    Rafe’s mind wandered back to her. He definitely had to see her again. “Soon. But first, I have to take care of some other business.”

Chapter Twelve

    “Hi! I wondered if I would see you tonight.”
    Her smile reminded Rafe of a bright light that shone when turned on and could at times be expensive to have around. “Is this a bad time?”
    “No, come on in.”
    Rafe entered the immaculately clean living room. The smell of fresh cut flowers, lemon oil, and bleach assaulted him in a pleasant way. Clean. The living room smelled as good as it looked.
    “You didn’t call me all day. So, I didn’t…”
    “I’m sorry, I’ve been really busy.”
    Sheila Mason