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

kid?”
    Jesse snickered. “She’s in my bed, not his, right now.”
    Roy smiled. “Like I said, that’s my boy.”
    The two sat on the deck drinking coffee royals, plotting the next move to win Candi’s affections.

Chapter Nineteen

    Jesse walked into the bedroom. Candi applied the final touches of her makeup. Damn, she looks hot . He liked her black miniskirt, black hose, and white off-the-shoulder top. A shimmering train of glitter crossed from one shoulder to the other. She was the picture of sexiness.
    “Candi, why don’t you and I go out Saturday night?” he asked. “Minerva has scheduled both of us to have off that evening. Let’s take advantage of it.” He wrapped his arms around her. “I want to take you out and show you how important you really are to me.” He held her close. His hands stroked her back and rounded her buttocks.
    “Let go of me, Jesse.” She shoved him away from her and then walked past him into the bedroom. “I’m tired of playing these silly games with you.”
    “No, no games. I can see you need to get out for awhile. You have been working and going to school. I bet you are exhausted.”
    “What’s the use?”
    “It’ll be just as friends.”
    Candi looked at him, mistrust in her expression. She frowned at his gesture of crossing his heart. “All right, if it’s just as friends. I can use a night out to blow off steam.”
    “I promise nothing more.” He held her close. Game, set, and match . Jesse was sure he would get her back when he showed her how much she really meant to him.

    * * * *

    “Hey, guys. What’s up?” Rafe asked Jack and Jesse as they walked into the trailer. The air conditioner dried his freshly shampooed hair as he vigorously brushed it with the vented brush.
    Rafe had made plans for a group of friends to get together. He had hoped that Minerva and Candi would take him up on his invitation. But the group’s night out became a boy’s night out. To his disappointment, Candi couldn’t come because of a huge anatomy test on Monday, according to Jesse. He had looked forward to seeing Candi this evening. Although it was within the crowd, he would still see her. He tried to be upbeat, hoping to hide his disappointment.
    “Jack thought it would be a good idea to go out tonight,” Jesse answered.
    “Yeah, I know. It was my idea.” Rafe combed his hair. “It’s just a boy’s night out. Go get laid, have a few beers…”
    “Get laid,” Jack added as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
    “I already said that,” Rafe reminded him as he lightly tapped him on the arm with his brush.
    “Yeah, but I like getting laid.” Jack smiled that mischievous smile that had the women eating out of his hand. “We could drink some more and…”
    “Get laid?” Jesse and Rafe finished in unison. A second ticked by before the three of them laughed out loud at the tentative plan for the evening.
    “I’ll go get ready.” Jesse headed toward the patio door. “I guess we’ll meet up in an hour.”
    Rafe looked at Jesse with pity. He strutted around like a stud in a herd. Poor dumb ass, doesn’t know what a good thing he has. Rafe realized he wouldn’t mind being in Jesse’s shoes. If he had the chance to be with Candi, there would be no way in hell he would be going with the boys. When did my wanting to be with one woman again become priority?

    * * * *

    “What?”
    Candi tossed the brush down onto the counter and stomped out of the bathroom.
    She had taken the effort to get ready for a night out. She put on her best pair of black Rocky Mountain Jeans, a black cropped blouse, and black boots. She was ready to go out and drink a few beers and relax with friends. “What do you mean you’re going with the boys tonight?”
    “Yeah, I’ve been invited by Rafe and Jack to go out with them, and I accepted.”
    “You’re telling me now? One hour before we are to go out?” Candi was livid. She had actually looked forward to going out this evening.