Her mind made up, Solie got out of the car and headed for the front door. As she fished in her purse for her front door key she was deep in thought, wondering if she should talk to Ransom before making her report.
“Forgot something?”
Solie jumped and looked up. There, at the foot of the steps, stood Raul.
“You followed me.” It was a half gasp, half accusation.
“No,” he said as he started to climb the steps, “I was simply returning something you forgot.” He held out his hand and on his palm sat her cell phone.
Solie reached out to snatch it away but he quickly pulled it back. “Not so fast, mi amor. You owe me something, too. You forgot to give me a proper goodbye.”
And before she could move Raul was at the top of the steps and by her side. His hands shot out and he turned her to him and before she could flee he locked his arms around her.
Solie tried to struggle but he was holding her so tight all she could do was wriggle. She lifted her face to glare up at him. “You let me go right now, you-”
Raul cut her off, capturing her lips with his, cutting off her air as he plundered her mouth.
Solie wanted to scream. She wanted to fight but, trapped against his body, his big hand holding her head immobile, there was nothing she could do but suffer the indignity of kissing a snake. And, like she knew it would, that kiss left her cold.
When Raul finally released her the haughty smile was back on his face. “Brought back some good memories, didn’t it?”
Disgusted by the kiss, Solie stumbled back against the door. That only made him smile wider. He plucked the key from her lifeless fingers, inserted it into the lock then pushed the door open, almost making her fall.
“I always knew I was a good kisser,” he said. “I just didn’t know I was this good.”
His words shocked Solie out of her trance. She grabbed the key from him and then the cell phone. She backed inside, intent on slamming the door in his face, but he didn’t allow her the pleasure.
Grasping the knob he stole yet another kiss, this time a quick peck to her cheek, then pulled the door closed before she’d even regained her balance.
As soon as Solie righted herself she marched straight to the bathroom. She had to get the feel of that man off her.
How she’d ever fallen in love with a man like him she would never know.
***
Ransom felt the dagger of betrayal sink deep into his heart. So she’d told him to trust her, had she? And now, not even a day later, she was wrapped in the arms of another man.
Goddamn. How could he have been so stupid? He’d seen the lights of Solie’s car as she pulled into the driveway and, fool that he was, he’d immediately left his yard and headed over to her place, eager to make things up with her. He’d decided to do just what she’d asked. He would trust her.
He was walking up her driveway when he realized that she wasn’t alone. There in the shadows on the porch beside her was a man, a pretty big guy, and he was kissing Solie like he owned her.
Ransom stopped in his tracks and so did his heart. He couldn’t believe this was the woman he’d proposed to just the night before.
He felt like tearing up the driveway and ripping them apart. But no, he wouldn’t make himself more of a fool than he already was. Fists clenched at his sides he backed away, out of her yard and out of her life. For good.
When he got back to his house he slammed the door shut behind him, startling King Tut who dashed away, barking through the house. He was heading for the kitchen, intent on pouring himself a stiff drink, when his cell phone began to ring. He ignored it. The last thing he wanted right then was conversation. Whoever it was would just have to wait.
He’d just downed a shot of vodka when the phone began to buzz again. Annoyed, he shook his head then reached for the bottle and refilled his glass. Tonight all he wanted to do was get drunk. He got a second then a third shot down but within thirty seconds after that the phone was ringing again and this time he dragged it out of his pocket ready to bellow into the ear of whoever dared disturb him while he was wallowing in his misery.
And then he saw who it was. Solie.
For the second time that night his heart stilled. Solie was on the phone and the sight of the name on the screen was enough to make him want to dash the half empty liquor bottle against the wall. What was she trying to do? Drive him crazy?
He tapped on the screen. “What? Calling to rub it in?” His voice was a snarl but he wouldn’t apologize for it. The girl had some nerve calling him after what she’d just done. Come to think of it, after what she’d been doing all along. She was a liar and a cheat. That much was obvious.
“Ransom? Are you okay? What are you talking about?” Consummate actress that she was, she actually sounded confused.
“I’m talking about the fact that you’re a goddamn liar, that’s what I’m talking about. You’ve been cheating on me the whole time. Christ, you didn’t even have the decency to take it inside.”
Ransom heard her sharp intake of breath and then she went silent.
“Oh, so now you don’t need to ask what I’m talking about. Didn’t you think I would see you? You were on the front porch, for God's sake.”
“Ransom, it’s not what you think. You don’t understand.” She’d found her voice and now she was sounding desperate.
That made him laugh and the sound was bitter even to his own ears. “The man had his tongue rammed down your throat. What’s not to understand about that?”
“I never wanted him to do that. He took me by surprise.”
“Yeah, and I’m really Santa Claus moonlighting in Florida.”
“Ransom, you have to listen to me. You have to believe me. I’ve got proof.”
He gave a snort. “Tell that to the girl scouts next time they come knocking on your door.”
Solie gave a shriek that almost burst his eardrum. “Will you listen to me? I’m innocent and I can prove it. I’m coming over.”
Before he could answer, the phone went dead in his hand. Slowly, his head feeling like it was cracking open, Ransom lowered the phone to the kitchen counter. Downing three shots of vodka on an empty stomach hadn’t been one of his most brilliant moves.