MAKAYLIE
Thursday – Thanksgiving
Rain pummels my windshield, making it hard to see as I travel toward the Horace Wilkinson Bridge more commonly known as the New Bridge, heading back to my apartment.
Josephine, or Joey as I call my best friend, and I live in the River House Apartments in Baton Rouge, which is perfect for us. Our apartment is small, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a living area the size of a teapot, but it doesn’t matter because we both love it. Our place isn’t the tiniest in the world, but for me, it’s quite different, considering I grew up in a spacious manor in Lafayette with my parents, Deanna and Spencer. Spending Thanksgiving at home always gives me a sense of warmth and belonging, but I’ve made my home in Baton Rouge.
It’s where I belong now.
I’m almost at my apartment as I head across the New Bridge in Gertrude, my bright red 1960s Ford Thunderbird convertible, while the rain clouds continue their assault and pour their misery onto the world below. Unfortunately, the top of my convertible is closed because of this relentless rain, but normally in summer, I’d have it open, feeling the sun on my face and the wind blowing my hair. This car is my father’s pride and joy. He’s a mechanic and loves working on older-style vintage muscle cars. I can’t say I blame him—they are amazing to look at and drive, but I dislike the attention I receive when I drive her around.
As I make a left on Terrace Avenue, Gertrude jolts under me and starts to cough and splutter.
“No, no, no… not again, Gertie,” I call out, pulling over to the side of the road and banging my hands on the oversized white steering wheel. “You vintage piece of crap,” I murmur under my breath while shaking my head.
My eyes shift to the rain still drowning the pavement, and I tense at the thought of getting soaking wet. I’ve never been a fan of water, not even rain. I nearly drowned when I was ten, so anything larger than a shower or a glass of water freaks me the hell out. I even detest baths. So standing out in the rain, on a busy road at night, trying to push my stupid, gorgeous, pathetic car to safety, that shit terrifies me.
Exhaling, I moan as I unclip my seat belt and open my door, stepping out. The water slaps me in the face, instantly unsettling me, as I move into position to try and push Gertie off the road. I’m a small, not overly muscular woman, so this is tough, and I can’t help the sense of panic creeping in, considering this is a gargantuan muscle car.
Cars fly past me in a mad dash to get home from their Thanksgiving Day out.
The night sky is dark due to the clouds hanging low in the sky, and the street lamps filter through in a glittery effect between the splattering of the rain. It’s difficult to see anything as the water continues to fall, constant and unforgiving.
“Argh, give me a break, Mother Nature,” I call out, trying to push harder, but Gertie won’t budge as I make some sort of effort to get her off the road. Another car flies past me, causing a cascade of muddy water to splash over my legs. I halt my movement and groan out loud in annoyance as the liquid soaks through my jeans and ballet flats.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me!” I groan in annoyance. I turn to push Gertie again, but another car rushes by before I start, pelting me with another wave of water. But this time, it shoots into my face and over my entire body, drenching my short blonde bobbed haircut.
I let out a gasp as my arms fall to my sides, and I shake uncontrollably, not only from the cold but from the fright as I try to wipe the water away from my face. “You fucking asshole,” I call out, starting to feel emotional.
Nope!
I won’t cry.
There’s no need for tears.
I am stronger than that.
I am an independent woman who can handle a car breakdown during a torrential downpour.
You can do this, Makaylie.
The problem is I know nothing about mechanics.
I turn back, moving into position to try and steer the car off the road again, but I’m not having any luck. It’s too heavy and waterlogged. I’m starting to wonder if I should get back in the car and wait until I can call someone to rescue me.
That’s when I hear a car pull up behind me.
I turn to a man sliding out of his car and tense. I’m very aware of stranger danger. Even at twenty-six, a woman stranded in the middle of the night is like a direct line for weirdos.
“Can I help you?” the guy calls out, pulling his leather jacket off. I can’t quite make him out in the dark as his broad frame bolts toward me, but when he reaches me, his face comes into view, and my mouth drops open.
He’s tall and has a flawlessly maintained stomach by the looks of his now-drenched black tee. My eyes wander back up to his extremely attractive face. This man is ruggedly handsome, and my chest squeezes when he looks at me and smiles.
Teeth—perfect.
Jaw—chiseled.
Eyes—from what I can see in the moonlight and twinkling hue from the streetlights, they’re brilliant blue.
“Are you okay?” he asks as he reaches out, placing his leather jacket around my shoulders.
Oh my God! It smells incredible, and I am instantly intoxicated.
In a moment of awe that shocks me, I look up at him in a daze. Feeling completely numb, whether by his presence or from the wind’s chill, I’m uncertain, but I am awestruck by his appearance and good nature.
“I, um… Gertie sputtered to a stop and won’t start,” I mumble as the rain trickles down my cheeks, pooling at my chin. It does the same to him, and I want to reach up and lick it off his face. Shit! Where did that come from?
“Gertie?” he questions, and I shake my head, seeming to come out of my trance long enough to point to my car.
He chuckles and walks up to her, bending inside and flicking something. “Does she do this often?” he asks as he approaches the car’s front, lifting the hood.
Wrapping my arms around myself, I follow him to the front and nod, realizing I am freezing cold and trembling. My teeth chatter as I watch some random, incredibly hot guy having a look under my hood. You’d think that with my father being a mechanic, I would have learned a thing or two. But no matter how much he tried, I could never understand how the carburetor works, or for that matter, how brakes function, let alone what a thermostat does.
I have no fricking idea!
His head pops up from under the hood, and our eyes connect. A sudden zap of something surges through me, turning my frozen, wet body into a quivering, overheated, lust-filled mess. As he smiles at me, I swallow hard and casually return the gesture, trying not to give away the fact that, secretly, I’m having impure thoughts about us doing nasty things in the back of my Thunderbird.
“I can… ah, I see your problem,” the man says as he walks toward me, looking me up and down.
I raise my brow while waiting for him to continue.
“Your hose is leaking. It’s unclamped itself and is in need of a good screw,” he says, then smirks overly wide.
My eyes bulge at the innuendo, but I also can’t help giggling quietly. Once I control myself, I mumble, “Don’t we all.”
“Don’t we all?” he queries.
“Need a good screw,” I answer before thinking.
His eyes open wide, and I cringe, realizing I actually said that aloud.
“Oh my God, I didn’t mean that how it sounded. I, um…”
He bursts out laughing as I put my head in my hands while he walks back to his car.
Good one, Makaylie!
I have no idea what he’s doing as I wallow in my self-pity party for one.
The hottie strolls back, grinning wide as he walks past me with a bottle of water and a screwdriver. I continue to watch him while trying to move past my embarrassment, and I think he looks a little familiar. Like, maybe I recognize him from somewhere, but I can’t quite place where. It slips my mind the minute he drops the screwdriver and bends over, giving me a view of his perfectly toned ass through his soaked jeans. My breath catches when he turns his head, spotting me eyeing his assets, and I quickly look away.
He chuckles and stands, then closes the hood. “All fixed,” he states while walking over to me and shoving his hand out for me to shake. I can’t help but notice the gold ring on his left-hand pointer finger. It’s square, with the letter ‘B’ branded on the metal. “Cain Barrington, nice to meet you,” he offers.
Ahh… ‘B’ must be for Barrington—fair enough.
I hold out my hand, and he takes it firmly and shakes it once. All I can hear is a hum, almost like an electrical surge crackling through the storm above us, but I can’t see any lightning. There’s energy or a pulse coursing between us, making all the hairs on my arms stand up. I look into his striking blue eyes, and something flickers in his as he stares right back into mine. Cain’s intense, and while the rain continues to fall, it feels like he’s as taken by me as I am by him. His lips turn up in the corners like he’s amused as I realize we are still shaking hands, and I haven’t said a damn word.
“Oh, crap, sorry. I’m Makaylie. Makaylie Rayne, as in R.A.Y.N.E., not as in it’s raining, which it is, and I am very, very wet.” He smirks, and I close my eyes and reopen them slowly at how that came out. “Oh fuck! There I go again… I swear I don’t have a filter. I didn’t mean that how it sounded.” I let out a heavy sigh.
He chuckles and leans down, looking me in the eyes again. My breathing hitches as he bores deep into my eyes with his, then tucks a strand of dripping wet hair behind my ear. The gesture soothes me as my shoulders relax at his touch.
“Do you live close by? You should probably take it slow in case the clamp doesn’t hold on the radiator hose. I only had a small bottle of water to put into the radiator, so she might overheat again. I can follow you to ensure you get home safely if you like?” he suggests.
I look at him, stunned.
Does this man think I’m the type of woman who would take him home with me after a few minutes of harmless flirting, undeniable chemistry, and him fixing my hose?
No, thank you!
Instantly, I turn to shrug off his jacket and hand it back to him as my teeth continue to chatter.
“Keep it. Honestly, you look like you need it,” Cain says, placing it back over my shoulders.
Nodding, I link my arms through. “Thanks for your help, but I would like to get out of the rain now and go home to a warm bed. Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. Barrington.” I place my hand out for him to shake again.
He holds it gently and smiles. “Nice to officially meet you. I hope to see more of you.” Cain’s eyes run up and down my body.
I let out a small huff at his blatant meaning—he wants to see me naked!
I grunt, turning around and slipping into Gertie, slamming my door shut and pulling on the seat belt with an exaggerated tug. Turning her over, she starts beautifully, so I slam her into gear and take off, not looking back, even though I really want to.
The River House Apartments are not far from here. Damn Gertie for breaking down so close to home. At least now, she is semi-fixed, but I will need to get her checked out tomorrow.
Randomly, I look in my rearview mirror and notice Cain is in his car behind me.
Is he following me?
I make my way to the parking garage for our apartments.
He follows.
My brow crunches as my stomach churns, not in a good way. Sure, he’s hot as sin, but being mauled in my apartment parking garage isn’t something I feel comfortable with happening today.
While parking my car, I watch as he pulls his into a reserved parking area.
What a jackass!
Following me and then parking in someone else’s parking space. Wow! He must have balls the size of Godzilla to think I am going to take him up to my apartment, where he can have his way with me.
Stepping out of my car, my body is rigid and in fight mode. I’m ready to tell Cain to stay the fuck away from me when he simply locks his car, smirks at me, then turns with a small wave and heads toward the elevators. Outraged, I fold my arms over my chest and watch him with a puzzled stare as he presses the button and stands there waiting.
Scoffing at his brazen attitude, I state, “I’m not coming with you, just so you know.”
He nods, wrinkling his nose like he finds my little outburst cute. “I know, and I wouldn’t expect you to, Makaylie.” Honestly, could he say my name any more seductively? My insides melt, making my knees wobble ever so slightly.
Clenching my jaw as I try to gather some semblance of composure, I storm over to him with a fierce glare. “Why are you waiting for the elevator? I’m not going up to my apartment until you leave!”
He lets out a bemused laugh and nods matter-of-factly. “That’s fine by me.”
Dumbfounded by his apparent lack of care, I stand here wide-eyed, waiting for him to turn around and leave, but he doesn’t. Instead, Cain checks his watch and crosses his arms, looking up at the light showing what floor the elevator is currently on.
I let out a small laugh at his absurdity. “Then why the fuck are you still here?” I ask with a little more malice than intended.
He looks at me with one eyebrow raised and smirks.
Damn him and his gorgeous smirking!
“I’m going upstairs,” he replies carefree like it’s the most normal thing he could have said as he turns back to face the elevator. My eyes bug out of my head, and I scoff, probably a little too loudly, as my muscles clench and my hands ball into fists, my nails digging into my palms with the annoyance and persistence of this guy.
“No… you are not going upstairs. I thought I made myself perfectly clear?”
“You made yourself crystal clear, Makaylie.”
“Then why are you insisting on coming upstairs with me?” I yell.
“You’re a feisty one, aren’t you?” Cain starts chuckling as he steps closer. I inadvertently take a step back, but my ass hits a concrete pillar and halts my escape as he steps toward me again. My breath hitches as his hand reaches out, touching my face in a tender gesture. He looks into my eyes, and the same electrical buzz I felt before runs through my body, only this time, it can’t be the storm. The intensity surges between us. His hand moves from by my ear to cup my cheek, and without thinking, my head moves into his hand.
Cain smiles and caresses my cheek gently as his eyes lock onto mine, burning with such intensity it’s like nothing I’ve ever witnessed before. His tongue darts out and licks his bottom lip, then he drags his teeth over it. The sight makes me shiver with want, and my chest heaves at the heaviness of the situation. While swallowing heavily, the elevator suddenly chimes, and the doors slide open, distracting me from his incessant gaze.
Instantly, I realize what’s happening and shake my head, which forces his hand to fall away from my face. I take a sidestep, breaking the moment. “Why are you still here?” I ask quietly, secretly not wanting him to leave. I know nothing about Cain besides his name and the fact that he’s mesmerizingly gorgeous and overly flirty.
But somehow, I’m drawn to him.
His lips wind up into a small smile as he looks at me with soft eyes. “I live here, Makaylie. What are you doing here?” he asks, even though he clearly knows the answer.
My mouth drops open in shock and a whole heap of embarrassment.
Shit! I knew I recognized him.
Suddenly, it dawns on me how completely self-absorbed I must look, thinking he’s trying to seduce me and wanting to come up to my apartment.
Oh my God, could I be any more embarrassed?
“I… ah… sorry,” I murmur as he steps into the elevator.
“You coming?” Cain places his hand out, holding the door for me. Gulping down my shame and guilt for judging him, I nod as I step inside. The doors close, and I fold my arms over my chest as I shrink into myself, but the room is filled with that same buzz, and for some reason, I can’t help but take a step closer to him. Our hands touch slightly, and the warmth of his hand startles me, causing me to gasp.
“Are you okay?” Cain turns to face me, bringing his hand up to rest on my cheek again, the same way he did in the parking garage. The instant his hand is on my cheek, warmth floods through me. Tingles shoot through my skin, leaving prickles of goose bumps everywhere. I slowly move my hand up to cover his, resting on my cheek while biting my bottom lip. Without a thought, I take another step closer so our bodies are touching.
I want to fight with everything I have to back away, but his magnetism is too strong.
Cain moves his other hand to my waist, resting his open palm on the seam of my soaked jeans. The energy magnifies tenfold. My breaths are short bursts, his chest is heaving, and I’m sure if I try hard enough, my heart can be heard beating ferociously in my chest.
“Makaylie?” he whispers, and I realize I haven’t answered his question.
With a few blinks, I come crashing back to earth and step away as the doors open to my floor. I stumble slightly, and as he attempts to grab me, I right myself to avoid his touch. Glancing back at him, I take a deep breath to regain some feeling in my tingling body. “I’m fine, thank you. Happy Thanksgiving, Cain,” I reply breathlessly as I finally make it out of the elevator.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Makaylie.” His stare is intense, and then, with a smirk, he steps forward as the elevator doors begin to close in front of him.
Taking a step back, I let out a long, drawn-out breath and hold myself, reveling in the experience that is overwhelmingly Cain Barrington.
That was intense.
Just so I can take a breath, I back myself up against the wall. I’ve never experienced anything like that before in my life. The sex appeal and pure gravitational pull were undeniable.
Glancing up at the light above the elevator door, I watch it climb with a sense of dread as it continues higher and higher toward the more expensive apartments.
Cain Barrington is an enigma, and I have no idea if I’ll ever see him again.
But fuck! Every single part of me is desperate to do just that.
Who is this man?
And what has he done to me?
