“Not exactly,” Rhane said with an enigmatic smile. “I’m a little too old for college.”
Greg grabbed a slice anyway. He took a bite and kept talking around the mouthful. “It’s hard to imagine delivering pizza can pay the bills.” He looked at Kali and winked. “This is good pizza.”
“Greg, is it normal to interrogate the delivery guy?” Kali looked at Rhane apologetically. “Forgive him. He’s a lawyer.”
“Lawyers don’t interrogate. We cross examine. You should know that for law school.” Greg grinned. “She’s right. I can’t help myself.” He ate more of the pizza. “This would be so much better with meat. Next time add pepperoni. And don’t tell Lisa.”
Kali rolled her eyes.
“Think about it.” He patted her shoulder dismissively and turned back to Rhane. “How much do we owe you for the pizza?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“No, no.” Greg insisted, pulling out the money clip from his pocket. “A guy like you can’t afford going around giving people freebies. Here’s thirty bucks. That should cover it and a decent tip, eh?”
Kali was absolutely aghast.
Rhane took the money. “Yes sir. I believe that covers it.”
“Alright, then.” Placing a hand on Rhane’s shoulder, Greg began steering him toward the living room. Cool night air rushed in through the opened door. “You should be wearing a jacket, son. It’s cold out there. And reconsider the college thing. Sometimes it takes more than dreaming. A real man takes initiative.”
Rhane nodded and stepped outside. “Goodbye, Kalista,” he called back to where she had stopped. Stuffing the bills in his pocket, he thanked Greg and disappeared into the night.
Her father came back to the kitchen for another slice of pizza. “Did you know that young man?”
“Not really.” Kali was staring at the door, badly wanting Rhane to return.
“He acted like he knew you.”
“He just brought in a pizza, Greg.”
“Good. He’s too old for you. He’s not applying himself. And he’s too old to be a delivery boy.”
Chapter 12
Kali didn’t hear the alarm blaring through the house as she dreamed of the horseman again. Things happened exactly as they did the night before. Lisa came into Kali’s room, her voice stirring Kali awake. “Why is that thing going off so early?”
Kali cracked an eye open and saw the giant blue digits of the clock. Then she popped straight up in bed. If she hauled butt, she might make it on time. “I’m supposed to be to work at five.”
“Take my car,” Lisa said. “Don’t go over seventy.”
Kali broke a world record getting dressed. Completely ignoring Lisa’s instructions, she drove like a madwoman and exceeded every speed limit on her way to work. Sunday traffic wasn’t bad, so Kali blazed down the interstate mostly unimpeded.
She came upon two cars, driving side by side. They had both lanes tied up, refusing to do over sixty-five in the seventy speed zone. Trailing behind the car in the left lane was an oversized pickup with a film of dust covering a black paint job. The driver of the truck also acted a bit eager to pass. With mounting frustration, Kali watched her speedometer sink below sixty. She stomped on the accelerator.
All eight cylinders came to life as the Jeep roared into the left shoulder. Kali stared down the dumbass responsible for the delay. Seeing a handicapped sign hanging from the old man’s rearview mirror made her madder. She jerked the steering wheel sharply, cutting off the old guy to merge back into traffic. He honked his horn. She laughed and extended her middle finger through the open sunroof.
Her finger was still in salute when the Jeep pitched wildly to the right. Kali gripped the wheel with both hands and fought for control, but the vehicle fishtailed. Tires were squealing. More horns blared as other cars struggled to miss the careening automobile. It was miraculous that she made it safely onto the shoulder. Kali brought the car to a complete stop, checked both mirrors, and stepped out into the emergency lane. Her legs were shaking.
The old man with the handicapped sign slowed enough to cast a meaningful glare in her direction. Then he gave her the finger and punched the gas.
The rear right tire had blown out and nearly killed her. A spare rested beneath the cargo area, but Kali had no idea what to do with it. She dug around inside her purse for her cell phone but couldn’t find it. Emptying the contents, she searched again. Her stomach gave a sickened twist. Kali remembered leaving the phone charging on the dresser.
She peered down the interstate hopefully. Not a car was in sight. Clenching her teeth, she let out a frustrated groan. “Mr. Richards is going to kill me.”
Kali shoved her things aside and sank into the seat, wishing she had paid attention in shop class on the day they were taught how to change a stupid tire. She was still wallowing in self-pity when the dusty pickup pulled into the emergency lane and stopped behind the Jeep.
Kali was apprehensive. Stories of road rage had made recent headlines. She stared at the tinted windshield and tried to glimpse what she was up against.
Do I need to lock the doors or make a run for it?
If she spotted a piece of steel, Lisa’s Jeep was going to become a three wheeler.
When the driver emerged, Kali knew everything was going to be okay. Relief and excitement surged through her at once. Rhane swung out of the pickup and strode down the blacktop, the morning sunlight exaggerating his near-perfect features. He was a living daydream.
A finely tailored suit, sans the jacket, fit his tanned body like a glove. The cut and line of the black fabric screamed expensive. Kali could have peeled him like a banana. And as he walked up to her with complete disregard for her personal space, she almost had to kick herself so as to not jump his bones right there on the side of the road.
He smiled one of his easy smiles. “That was some driving.”
She edged forward and invaded his space in return, daring him to step back. They stood toe-to-toe. Their faces floated only inches apart. While it felt good to have her confidence back, Kali was surprised by how much she wanted to kiss him. “I’m glad someone appreciated it.”
“I didn’t appreciate the rude gesture.”
“That was for the old guy.” She waved her hand dismissively.
“Nice,” he said, but his tone clearly meant it wasn’t.
She looked up at him with fake shyness and lowered her voice. “Well, maybe you should teach me some manners.”
Rhane licked his lips. “My lessons can last for hours.”
“That’s great, because I’m a slow learner.”
“I don’t believe you.”
He stole the space that remained between their bodies and kissed her. Slow and deep, he took his time. He held her neck gently, his thumb pressed into the hollow of her throat. The touch held both seduction and danger. Warm fingertips slid beneath the soft cashmere of her sweater. Kali lost focus as his fingers trailed lazily across her skin. The earth swayed, making her dizzy. She held onto his shoulders and shuddered. The kiss ended, but his hand still lay hot against her skin.
“Where do you keep your spare?”
“What?” Kali shook her head, trying to understand.
Grinning, he caught her lips again but not nearly for as long. “If I stand here any longer with you, it’s going to get illegal. I should change that tire now.”
“Oh, right.” She cleared her throat. “It’s in the rear cargo floor space.”
Rhane waited a beat, regarding her wordlessly. Then he went to retrieve the spare. Kali stayed put until he called her to the rear of the Jeep.
“Kali?” He hoisted the tire up as she came to him and set it down on the pavement. “Your spare is no good. I can put it on for you, and it would get you to where you’re going. But you definitely won’t make it home…especially if you repeat another kamikaze performance.”
She closed her eyes and leaned against the car. “I’m already so late.”
“I saw an auto shop off the next exit. Go there and get a new tire, problem solved.”
She frowned at him. “No, problem
not
solved. I have to get to my job pronto and work on a special assignment for my boss. He trusts me to be there.”
“Working on a Sunday? Who’s your boss, Mr. Trump?” Rhane checked his watch and grimaced. “Okay then. I can drop you at work on my way in. How far is it?”
Kali shook her head again. She felt herself getting more agitated with each suggestion. “I can’t leave this car here! It’ll get towed to some hick wreck yard that will take days to find.”
He raised one eyebrow slightly. “What’s your solution then?”
Kali thought about it. She had just met him but it was worth a shot. “Can’t we swap? Take my car and get the tire patched or whatever. I can take your nice, shiny and new truck to work and not get fired.” She flashed her most dazzling smile.
He looked at her like she was nuts. “You just met me. What makes you think I’ll let you take my truck?”
Moving toward him, Kali rested one palm against his cheek. His eyes were translucent in the sunlight, two seas of emerald bordered with flecks of amber. Kali leaned in close, wanting to drown in them and nearly did so. Her lips brushed softly against his as she spoke. “You won’t refuse me.” She felt him tremble.
A long moment passed. “I think you’re right,” he finally said, and held up a key.
Snagging it, Kali smiled gratefully. Then she walked away, throwing her hips deliberately because she knew he watched her. “Don’t worry,” she called to him. “I promise to thank you later.”
Placing one foot on the runner, she hauled herself into the truck. The dark grey leather molded to her form as sank into it. Kali sighed, remembering how Rhane’s lips and hands felt against her body. She wriggled in the seat.
“You might need this, Kalista.”
Startled, Kali jumped about four inches. She adjusted the shoulder belt in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. Her cheeks were flaming, but she found the nerve to look at him. Rhane was holding her purse.
“Oops, I almost forgot. Thanks.” She took the bag and started the truck. The engine came to life with a purr, and the time displayed on the clock. Six a.m. was approaching fast. She was already ridiculously late. A few more minutes wouldn’t hurt. Besides, Kali was curious about him. Such a nice suit had to mean Rhane had been headed somewhere. And it certainly wasn’t to deliver pizzas.
“Will you be late for work?”
“Not really, it was a business meeting.”
“Will you make it?”
He shrugged. “It’s via satellite and can’t happen without me. I’ll reschedule.”
She nodded, wanting to know more but lacking the time to pry. She put the gear in drive but kept a foot on the brake. “How did you fix Greg’s car so fast?”
“I know a guy,” he answered vaguely. “And I threw a lot of money at him.”
“You loaded or something?”
“You could say so.”
“I really wish I had more time to finish this conversation.”
He scratched his head. “I’m glad you don’t,” he said and smiled.
Kali grinned back and was about to go, but stopped again. Her smile faded. “Rhane?”
“Yeah?”
“I usually don’t do this. Go around kissing strange men I’ve just met.”
They’re usually teenage boys
, she amended silently.
His expression was unreadable. “I surely hope not.” He leaned into the window. “Are you free tonight?”
“Can’t wait for that thank you?”
He winked. “That, and I’d like my nice, shiny and new truck back.”
“Then it’s a date.” With an earsplitting grin pasted across her face, she pulled out into traffic. Looking into the rearview mirror, she noticed Rhane watching her until he was a tiny dot in the distance.
Chapter 13
Kali got to Mack Ventures, Inc. forty-five minutes late and quietly walked inside. The upstairs office was empty and cold, heated by a dinosaur of a unit that took an hour to put out any warmth after being turned on. There were no cubicles or walls for dividers. Secondhand desks and office chairs were arranged so as to promote a team environment while well-placed rugs, potted plants, and worn sofas defined the separate spaces. Antique flourishes and vintage décor, picked out by Mack himself, gave the office an unexpectedly homey appeal.
Two levels down housed storage for unsold artifacts found by the company. It was where the real money was spent. State of the art filtration systems, laser security and habitat control units were all utilized to ensure that company assets remained in pristine condition and thus retained their highest value. Kali loved going down to the basement to observe the pieces of hidden history that held on so tightly to their secrets. It gave her a glimpse of the future she hoped to embrace after finishing college.
The job came with other perks, too. Last summer, Mack had allowed her to go with the team to the Argentinean coast as a junior historian. Her duties were very similar to what she did in the office, only the recording and translating of data actually occurred in the field. And then Mack had taken her on a dive. Shortly thereafter, Kali decided the legal profession was not meant for her.