Kade's Game (25 page)

I push open the door to her room that has closed, and Raya is staring up at me, looking puzzled as her gaze drops to the crate.  I see the questions forming in her eyes, but I let her stew.

"I left that on purpose," she says softly, keeping her body covered by the thin sheet.  "It should stay in your family."

I shake my head while popping the crate's top, revealing the stash of gingerly wrapped goods.

"Raya, Granddad thought you were family.  I'm sure he still does.  This is yours.  He'd kick my ass if I kept it."

I don't look up, but I can practically sense her smile, as I pull out my bottle of wine.

"This one is mine.  And I've been saving it for a very special day."

She won't let me do this if I don't hurry.  It'll be a fight to the end to pull the cork.  I hear a small gasp, meaning she just did the math and figured it out.  I quickly twist the corkscrew and carefully start tugging.

"Kade, don't be ridiculous.  I can't drink that wine, and you can't
—"

A small, suctioning
pop
rings out as the cork slides free.  I've never felt so good about a decision in all my life.  This isn't just a wine; it's a symbol that Raya will appreciate, because she knows exactly how much this says.  If there was a question about how much I love her, it's just been answered.

"Have you lost your mind?  What are you doing?" she says, her voice shaky and stunned.

"Putting away the corkscrew," I say, playing coy.  "Now I'm pouring our wine."

I fight off the teasing grin as I tilt the glass and pour the wine.

"Kade, this wine—"

"Was meant for something special," I interrupt, finishing the sentence the way she needed to.  "I happen to think telling a girl I love her for the first time in my life is pretty monumental.  So, you'll drink my wine with me and you'll enjoy every sip."

The tears that form in her eyes tell me she realizes the magnitude of this.  This is us moving forward, and this is me promising to never push her away again.

My wine glass
clinks
against hers in a silent toast as I sit down next to her on the bed.  I kiss her gently before pulling back.  Her eyes zero in on the merlot as she pulls the edge of the glass to her full, tempting lips.  This shouldn't be so sexy to watch.

When she moans, I can't help but feel a stir of pride.  Her eyes close as she savors the sip, licking her lips as she rides out the divine taste I'm sure it must have.  It's been a while since I had a glass of this wine.  My mom used her bottle on the day I turned twenty-one.  I hated that I only got such a small glass.  We shouldn't have ever sold any of these.

When she opens her eyes, I can't help but smile.  She's so perfect.

"Is it good?" I ask, leaning over to kiss her shoulder, feeling the ecstasy cross over her in shivers.

She rolls her eyes at me, which is a good sign.

"I think I'm hooked."

Four Months Later

"Did you leave your wallet behind?" Raya asks, chewing her bottom lip as though we're about to jump off a cliff instead of enjoy an evening with our families.

"Yes," I say, doing well to stifle my mocking grin.

"And your keys?" she asks, sounding so damn cute with all her dread.

"Yes, Raya."

She sighs out heavily while staring at my parents' house.

"We shouldn't have done this here.  It's like putting a pack of wolves in the middle of a herd of sheep and expecting them not to bite."

I can't help it.  My laughter pours out, and she scowls at me.  "You laugh, but you remember the barbeque at my dad's.  I still don't know who took your watch."

I bite back my grin, and she eyes my bare wrist, making sure I didn't wear my new watch.

"You and I both know that was them screwing with me after messing up with you.  Don't worry.  They're good people."

She gives me an incredulous look, and I shrug.  "Well, good enough," I add with a wink.

She refused to let me drive one of my vehicles—worried they would pick it clean.  It's comical, really.

I get out, but Raya is quickly at my side, not even giving me a chance to open her door.  She wrings her hands as we make our way to the backyard where my parents have pieced together a casual, outdoor party.  Raya refused to let anyone inside the house.

It's an odd sight—her family next to mine.  But it's also entertaining.  Everyone is dressed comfortably instead of wrapped up neatly in a formal outfit.  It's also nice to see beer bottles on serving trays instead of champagne flutes.

"You've got to be kidding me," Tag groans, drawing my attention to the poker table where Raya's seven-year-old cousin is raking in the chips from his winnings.

"You really need a better poker face," the kid chides, making me laugh.

Raya glares at her cousin, and he gives her an innocent gaze.  "They promised me no gambling," she hisses, stalking toward her father who is chatting with my Aunt Melanie.

"Lovely family your girlfriend has," a familiar, feminine voice says dryly, and I turn to see the platinum blonde I haven't seen in months.

"Rain," I gasp, surprised, and she grins as she wraps me up in a hug, the top of her head barely coming to my chin.  "I'm shocked."

She pulls back frowning.  "Why?"

"Because you're here instead of hanging out with your
Sterling boys."

Her smile returns as Raya comes back toward me, pausing to collect two beers from a tray.  She resumes her walk with her head down as she curses.

"I'm meeting up with Kode and the others later.  Does she always talk to herself?"  Her eyes motion to my girl, who is nothing but a ball of nerves.

I’ve never understood how Rain can get along with Kode Sterling. Especially since he makes Tria’s life hell. Of course, though Rain and Tria are sisters, they don’t exactly get along, so I suppose Rain doesn’t feel so loyal to her.

Raya's eyes snap up, apparently overhearing Rain's question, and she slowly rakes her eyes over the blonde girl she doesn't know.  Absently, she hands me the beer, making it look like a bit of a zombie-like motion.

I take the bottle while motioning to Rain.  "Raya, this is my cousin, Rain Noles.  Rain, this is Raya Capperton, my girlfriend."

Raya visibly relaxes, and I grin at the jealous beauty as I pull her in for a sweet kiss.

"I just threw up," Rain says under her breath.

"If that's making you queasy, you need to go before they get extra syrupy sweet," Tag says, wrinkling his nose in disgust for effect, as he joins us.

"You write romance for a living," I say to Rain, my brow raised as I lean back from Raya.

She rolls her eyes, seeming a little bitter for no real reason.  "Haven't been able to come up with anything new in a while.  Maybe it's because romance doesn't do it for me anymore."

We all stare at her, waiting for her to elaborate, but she finally sighs as she grows uncomfortable.  "I should call the guys.  Dale doesn't get too many nights off from his fiancée.  Maverick and Corbin will go to jail if I wait too long, and Kode will come haul me out over his shoulder since he's so impatient.  I'll be in town until Thursday.  I'll come see you all before I leave."

We mutter confused good-byes as she heads out, and Tag shrugs as he looks back toward me.  Then he narrows his eyes on Raya as I start sipping my beer.

"Care to help me win some of my money back?"

Raya grumbles under her breath as she eyes her young cousin, who is now playing with my father, my uncle, and a few others.

"He's going to clean the place out, and they're all going to think he's adorable for doing it," she mumbles, prompting me to laugh and Tag to scowl.

"I don't find it one damn bit adorable," he sulks.

"Save some of your money for my bachelor party this weekend," Wren says to Tag as he walks up, mocking him with his grin.

Tag glowers at him, but shakes his head as a wicked smile emerges.

"Don't worry.  Your bachelor party will be epic.  In fact, you may decide to forgo the wedding so you can start living like me nightly.
”

"Doubtful," Wren says with a smile.  "I happen to prefer a more steady love life.  Too much excitement is exhausting."

"
Boring
," Tag retorts in singsong voice.

"Who knows, Tag," Raya interjects, a daring grin on her face, "you could end up married next."

"Ha!" Tag chokes out, laughing hysterically.

Even I find that ridiculous.  Wren and I both join Tag in his riotous outburst.

"I would assume the two of you will be getting married next," Erica adds, skipping happily by and ignoring the sputtering of beer from my lips.

Marriage?  So not ready for that.

Raya blushes and bites back a grin, and I pull her to the side as Wren and Tag go into bachelor party details, both men seeming to understand my need for privacy.

"You're not... marriage... it's..."

"Too soon.  Way too soon," she snickers, making everything on me relax.  "We're on the same page this time, Kade.  Don't worry.  I'm pretty sure we're moving at warp speed as it is."

Way more relaxed.

"I love you," I murmur gratefully, leaning down to kiss her and show my appreciation.

She smiles and giggles while returning the kiss, making it hard for me to deepen it when my stupid grin starts mimicking hers.

"Oh, hell.  They're at it again," Tag groans.  "That was way too quick for a marriage freak-out recovery."

We all chuckle lightly as Raya and I move back into the conversation.

"You two are coming, aren't you?" Wren asks, letting his chuckles simmer down.

"Of course," I say, tugging Raya closer.  "Make sure you put us in the most private section of the house."

Raya goes crimson and her eyes get wide as she looks up to silently scold me.  The guys start laughing, and I lean down for another kiss, melting away Raya's momentary anger.  We withdraw with locked eyes.  I really need to get her out of here.

"Yep.  Rain left just in time," Tag mutters dryly, taking a beer from a tray as it passes by.

I seriously can't believe my mother is serving beer straight from the bottle.  I could get used to this.

"I love you," Raya says softly, making Tag roll his eyes as my grin returns.

Wren starts talking about his upcoming wedding as I wrap Raya up in my arms, finding it impossible to get close enough with so many people around.  I glance around the yard at the two walks of life finding a way to be comfortable with each other.  It makes me wish Granddad was able to see this right now.  He'd be proud.

After finally coming out of the induced coma, he's responding a little better to his treatments.  Currently he's confined to his bed, but he's getting better.  And he has the best nurses money can buy.  With Raya and
me living at the vineyard, I get to keep a close eye on him.

My mother is laughing hysterically at Raya's Uncle Joey.  My father has retired from the poker table and is sitting with Aunt Melanie and Ray.  And everyone else is mixing and mingling well together.

Not too long ago, I would have considered something like this to be a waste of time.  Now, I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing.  I was dying before I met Raya, and I didn't even know it.  Life was nothing but a pile of pointless games.

I'm finally living.

The End.

A special thank you to all the incredible, wonderful, and amazing women who visit me and support me on Facebook. You ladies are the highlight of my day.

As always, thank you
Myra, Michelle, Julie, and Wanda. You ladies have stood by me since the first day I published.

To my father who will never, ever, ever read this, I love you very much. Thank you for always believing in me.

To my sisters, Tonya and Danielle, I love you so very much. I’m thankful you want to be a part of this, because it means the world to me.

And thank you Sara H. You’ve been rallying my books anywhere and everywhere you can.