Neal (Golden Streak Series) by Kathi S. Barton Page A

I went by my house and picked up something for in the morning
and stayed with you? I promise I’ll sleep in the couch if you want. But after
that man tried to hurt you and now making love with you…I need to be near you.”
    “I don’t own a couch. All I have is a table
and one chair, a bed with a single dresser and a closet-sized bathroom. I’m not
set up for a man your size.” She flushed. “My bed, it’s big but not like you. How
tall are you?”
    “Six foot five inches. I’m actually
shorter than two of my brothers. Jules is taller by an inch, and Alistair is an
inch taller than him.” He took her hand and kissed it. “How about a large pizza
after I pick up some clothes. And I promise to sleep with you without taking up
all your bed.”
    He watched her struggle with his
request. What he really wanted to do was take her home, run a warm bath for
them both, and then put her to bed. He thought about the hot tub off his room
that hadn’t been used in years. He had actually considered getting rid of it
and decided to have Carl, his butler, get it cleaned and set up for them. Neal could
see taking her in it and reached for the door handle to help her in the car
before he embarrassed both of them and dropped to his knees and begged her to
let him drink from her again.
    “I don’t care for pizza when I’m this
hungry. Would you mind if we went to the diner? My mom has been raving about
this new burger she’s been making. I’ll treat if you want.”
    It was on the tip of his tongue to tell
her he would pay but snapped the thought down. He nodded instead and told her
that would be payment enough for working today. He went to the other side of
the car after helping her in and slid in under the steering wheel. His phone
rang just as he was pulling into traffic, and he had Rayne answer it. It was
for her anyway.
    ~~~
    “Oh darling, she’s just beautiful.”
Rayne smiled at her mom. “She looks just like her mother and already has the
temperament of her father. You did a great job.”
    “I had help. I’m going to Neal’s house. Then
we’re going to get something to eat at the diner. We’ve….” She wasn’t sure what
to tell her mom, but she understood.
    “Congratulations are in order then. I’m
happy for you, dear. He’s a good man and has a wonderful family. I like them a
great deal.” Her mom laughed. “I understand that you have an envelope here to
pick up. It seems that they’ve helped you get your moneys from Sanders. I’m
glad. I think you’re going to need to add on to your house soon.”
    “Money?” She glanced at Neal and
realized he knew about it too. “I see. And what else has the Golden family done
for me that no one bothered to tell me about?”
    “I think Bronwyn wanted to tell you but
you are going to do the lobby for them. The exposure for your business will
benefit from it as well.” Her mom went on as Rayne tried to digest what she had
said. The project was hers? How the hell did that happen? Then she realized
that it was because of the baby.
    “Mom, do you think I could speak to either
Ryland or Bronwyn? I want to talk to them about the project.” She told her that
she’d left them both at the hospital, but Ryland was going to see her in the
morning.
    “He said that he has some other things
he wants to discuss with you about other projects. And he said that he’s put
out the word what a great job you’ve done as well as saving his wife and
child.”
    She was on a runaway freight train with
no conductor. She took several deep breaths as her mom continued on about how
she was able to come in tomorrow, after all, and that she was excited to see
the new pots that were due to arrive on the truck in the morning. She’d
forgotten about that. She told her mom that she loved her and closed the phone.
She sat looking out the window at nothing for a few minutes before she realized
that Neal was speaking to her. She turned on him.
    “Did you know? About the money? Did you
know