"Love ya, Liz. I'll see you in six days."

"'Kay." The sound of a heavy sigh-one filled with reluctant acceptance-filtered through the phone. "Bye, Raine. Be careful."

Raine snapped the phone shut. "At least she won't be reporting me missing now. But she's not exactly happy about this arrangement."

"I understand," he said, stepping up to the table.

She wondered, as she handed him back his phone, if he truly understood, or if he was just saying that.

He offered her a hand. "Now, how about I take you upstairs? I'm sure you'd like to get a shower. And then we'll head out."

She hopped down from the table. "Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

Overall, she wasn't a big fan of surprises. They usually brought bad news. But despite everything that had happened-or maybe because of the way things had worked out-she had a feeling this was the other kind. A good surprise. A wonderful surprise.

Chapter Eight.

"You're kidding me." Raine stood in the misses department of Nordstroms, among dresses designed by Anna Sui and Dolce and Gabbana, and marveled at the uber-fast, whiplash-inducing turn her life had taken.

Bale shook his head. "It's no joke. Are you insulted?"

"Well," she hesitated, toying with the hangers on a rack. "No, I'm not. But I don't usually let men spend money on me."

She hadn't been on a no-holds-barred shopping binge in ages, since she left home. As a result, her clothes were a little shabby. The best she'd managed to buy on her budget were a few inexpensive pieces here and there, replacing her designer clothes as they became too small, threadbare or outdated to wear. Her gaze meandered over the wall display. OhmyG.o.d, that little black dress over there is too cute for words...

Bale frowned. "I wouldn't want to ask you do something that makes you uncomfortable, but Tryphon and I both thought it would be nice to offer to get you some clothes for your new job."

Uncomfortable-like sleeping in a cage? She couldn't help smiling at the irony. "First, I haven't interviewed for the position yet-"

"The job's yours if you want it."

Those words kind of stung like a slap to the face. They were a stark reminder that it wasn't who she was or what she knew that had scored her the opportunity. It was who she knew.

Dammit, that was exactly what she'd been avoiding all this time.

But after struggling on her own for so long, she'd learned that her pride would only get her so far if there were no jobs for which she was qualified. The sad truth was, the market was so tight a person with absolutely no connections stood almost no chance of scoring a well-paying position. Years ago-correction, months ago-she would have refused a job offer she hadn't earned on her own. She couldn't afford to do that now. She'd be an idiot to turn down such an amazing opportunity, a.s.suming everything she'd been told about her potential employer was true. She was determined to somehow reserve judgment until after she'd met her prospective new boss.

She fingered the black wool crepe suit hanging on the rack next to her. "Second, this is all very nice, but you've already done too much by getting me the job."

Looking disappointed, Bale flopped an arm over the rack. "Are you saying you don't want anything?"

Wrong question to ask.

She wanted lots of stuff. That adorable black dress, for a start. And the suit. And that gorgeous blouse over there too. The problem wasn't an issue of wanting. It was an issue of needing.

Already, Tryphon and Bale had hooked her up with a great job. If she hadn't been so freaking desperate, she would've had a really hard time accepting even that. But the job thing was a question of eating versus starving. Paying her rent versus being homeless again. This shopping thing wasn't.

The not-quite-ex-fas.h.i.+onista in her was dying to go wild, fill her arms with all the wool and silk she could carry, but the independent, self-sufficient woman she'd struggled to become wasn't about to let that happen.

"Well?" Bale prompted.

She bit her lip to keep from saying "Okay" and shook her head.

"Nothing?" he asked.

This wasn't easy. But it was necessary. If she wouldn't accept money from her dad and stepmother, she couldn't accept money from these men. "I have plenty of clothes at home." She gave him a grateful smile. "But thanks for the offer. It was very generous." Too generous.

"Okay then." If Bale was disappointed, he hid it well. Smiling, he motioned toward the exit. "I guess we can head home now. Unless you can think of somewhere else you'd like to go. Tryphon is supposed to meet us for dinner in a few hours, but since we're not shopping this afternoon we have some time to kill."

Time to kill. Gosh, how long had it been since she'd been able to enjoy some downtime, guilt free?

Raine glanced down at her clothes. She was wearing the same outfit she'd put on for her interview at the bar. Black skirt, blue blouse, black pumps. No underwear, since she hadn't packed an overnight bag. "Here's a thought. Since I'm not buying any new clothes but would rather not spend the whole week wearing these, how about we head over to my place so I can pick up some personal things and fresh clothes?"

"We can do that." Bale led her outside. The black car they'd ridden in pulled up and off they went, headed to her apartment.

Bale sat in the seat next to her, his arm draped over her shoulders. He was big and warm and hard, a presence she couldn't help being aware of. Little zips and zings of sensual awareness whizzed through her as she snuggled against him, soaking up his heat and relis.h.i.+ng the sense of strength and power he emanated.

Even though he'd made it clear s.e.x was not part of their deal, she secretly hoped they'd have some more of that uber-hot s.e.x very soon.

She set her hand on Bale's hard thigh and squeezed. Mmmm, like stone sheathed in black, top-quality virgin wool. The man knew how to dress and, thanks to a flawless body, he wore his clothes extremely well.

Staring straight ahead, he covered her hand with his then slid them both over to the right, stopping at the bulge in his crotch.

Talk about hard...

A very naughty impulse bloomed in her head, and she smiled, sliding him a sideways glance. Slowly, she moved her hand up, following the line of his pant's fly, to the top. He was wearing a belt.

d.a.m.n.

He chuckled. "I'm liking where you're going with that, but we don't have to unless you want."

"I want. Honest."

"I'm glad then. Because I want too. But we have to wait." He patted his hand over hers then reached over to trail a fingertip up her leg. Up went the bottom of her skirt, inching over her thigh until it was gathered in the crook of her hip. More than ever, she was aware of the fact that she was wearing no panties.

He smiled, his grin positively evil, inspiring all kinds of naughty thoughts.

"I thought you said we have to wait," she teased.

His smile broadened. "I did. But that doesn't mean I can't play a little."

"Ah." She was going to melt.

He traced her lips with an index finger. "You smell so good. Taste so good. I can't get enough of you." G.o.d, she loved the way his voice sounded when he was hot. Rich and full, with just an edge of grittiness that made her s.h.i.+ver. She'd do just about anything to hear more. That finger of his meandered down her neck, between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. His gaze slid lower, over her chest to her stomach. "Open your legs."

"Okay." She pulled at her skirt, gathering the rest of it up around her hips then eased her knees apart. "Like this?"

"No, wider. Like this." He caught her leg underneath and lifted it, draping it over his.

Now she was very open. Very exposed. Very warm.

"I want to touch every inch of you." The hand he'd used to move her leg explored higher, fingertips tracing light circles over her skin, leaving goose b.u.mps in their wake. "Do you know how hard it is to keep my hands off you?"

"Oooh, I'm not complaining." She shuddered, letting her upper body slide sideways until her shoulder was tucked snugly against his ribs.

Up that hand went, up her inner thigh. He teased the sensitive spot at the juncture of her leg and pelvis for what had to be an eternity.

Her p.u.s.s.y warmed. Slickened. Her body tightened. Breathing quickened. She s.h.i.+fted her position, reclining with her back resting against the door, knees bent and legs parted. She let her eyelids shutter out all visual distraction.

His fingertips rasped over her l.a.b.i.a, skirting around her empty center. Eager for more, for the sweet invasion his touches promised, she tipped her hips up.

She'd had s.e.x in a car before. Several times. And every time it had been a wicked thrill. She wondered, hoped, she'd convince him to forget about waiting for later and take her there and now, as they sped down the freeway. "Don't you want to see how hot you're making me?" she whispered, closing her hand around his wrist.

His chuckle was like a wave of warm honey rolling over her body. "I can tell already." He dipped just the tip of a finger into her and quickly withdrew it.

She groaned.

"Sorry, baby. We're here."

"Already?" d.a.m.n. She sat up, blinked open her eyes. Sure enough, the vehicle was parked in the lot next to her building.

"We'd better fix you up." He eased her off him then gently tugged her skirt back down. Just as he smoothed it over her thighs, the car door opened.

"I'll be just a minute. Wait here?" She pushed on his knee, using the leverage to propel her from the car, but before he followed her, she poked her head back in. "When we get back to your place, you'd just better watch out."

His smile nearly knocked her to her knees.

Staggering a little, she half-ran up the front walk. She could feel her face flaming, knew it was beet red. And having seen Liz's car in the lot, she knew Liz was home. She'd be getting the third degree the second she stepped inside. There was no way she was going to let Bale follow her in.

She fumbled in her purse, digging for her keys. Before she had them in hand, the apartment door swung open.

Liz gave her a squinty-eyed glare.

Stepping inside, Raine sing-songed, "Heya, Liz." She didn't stop her forward motion, sashaying across the living room, headed toward her bedroom.

"What're you doing home?" Liz slammed the door and scampered after her.

"Just needed a few things." Inside her room, she dug her overnight bag out of her closet, tossed it on the bed and unzipped it.

Liz sat next to the bag, cross-legged, her expression cool. "How goes the visit with the notorious Tryphon Zade?"

Her first stop was her lingerie drawer. "Everything's good. Really good." Her flaming face warmed even more. She tried to hide it by turning toward the dresser and focusing on her collection of teddies and baby doll nightgowns. "What's up with you? Anything?"

"Nope. Same old stuff. I sold an article to a national magazine."

Liz's good news drew her attention back to her friend. Her hands fisted around a black lace number, Raine twisted to smile over her shoulder. "Oh, that's great, sweetie! I'm so happy for you!"

Liz, in response, frowned. "I'm worried about you."

Raine gathered several more lace items, a handful of panties and some clean bras. "I'm fine. I swear." She shoved the risque articles into the bag's front pocket then straightened up to give her over-protective friend a rea.s.suring smile. "Tryphon and Bale are treating me better than I deserve. Believe me."

Liz sighed. "You got a card from your dad. I'm guessing it's a birthday card..."

"I don't need to see it. You know the routine."

"Yeah," Liz sighed again. "Put it in an envelope and mail it back." She shook her head. "You are the most stubborn person I know. Why won't you accept his cards and gifts? Why do you have to be so freaking stubborn? Especially now? a.s.suming there's a check in there, it's only a drop in the bucket to him. Your dad's sickeningly rich."

Gathering jeans and socks in her arms, Raine gave Liz a warning glare. "You know why. I don't want his money. Not a penny. Not as long as he still sees me as his 'big disappointment'."

Liz yanked on her ponytail holder, tugging her hair free. Glossy waves tumbled over her shoulders. "You don't know-maybe he's changed his mind..."

"You think?"

They shared a look. Finally, Liz answered, "You won't know if you don't read the card."

Raine added several t-s.h.i.+rts to the pile in her arms then dropped the whole thing in the bag. She gave Liz a pleading look. "Please, send the card back. Or just leave it and I'll do it when I come home."

Liz nodded. "Okay."

"Thanks, sweetie." Raine went to the closet and grabbed a few nicer outfits, just in case her handsome pair of hosts decided to take her out somewhere. Next, she went into the bathroom to get her makeup and hair stuff. She dropped them in the bag, zipped it up, and pulled it off the bed. "I'll be home in a few days."

Liz didn't get up. Instead she pulled Raine's pillow to her chest and wrapped her arms around it. "Have fun. And Raine?"

Raine paused at her bedroom door. "Yeah?"

"Please be careful. I'm still leery about all of this."

"Oh, I'm being careful. Don't worry about that." She blew her roommate a kiss then headed outside to the waiting car.

Chapter Nine.