He waved from the doors as she saw off her kids. He stood with one hand in his pocket, relaxed.
He would be relaxed. She was so wound up that her body was damn near vibrating at the energy pulsing through it.
"Hey. I didn't expect you," she said.
He stood toe to edge of the sparring mat.
"I felt a lot safer meeting you. It's dark out and I don't have to be at work until tomorrow. This is technically my Saturday I guess."
She eyed him. "Okay. Suit yourself. As soon as all the students are gone, I just need to grab my stuff." She nibbled her lip at the memory of the last time he'd met her. Her breasts throbbed and her nipples hardened just at the memories of his mouth on her.
He cocked his head. "What are you thinking about there Raine?" He smirked at her as he pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"I. Uh. You damn well know what I am thinking about you ass," she whispered.
He chuckled. "Go get your stuff. That’s the last kid.” He hitched his thumb over his shoulder as the door closed.
"Oh. Right. Thanks."
"Sure. I'll be right back," she said.
Padding across the room, she flicked off the lights.
"I like him Raine. He's perfect. Don't you dare question Geri."
Shaking her head she said, "yeah Gran. I know. I think I have it figured out by now."
"My dear girl, you never have it all figured out. I'm glad to hear that you aren't arguing with me though. It gives an old woman some peace. I can't be here forever you know."
Raine stepped into the closet, just to be halted by that thought. "What do you mean you won’t be here forever? You're dead already. You said that when you were alive and look at you now."
Gran floated over to Raine and raised her hand to her head as if she could actually touch Raine. "Oh sweetie. You can't live alone forever and I'm just holding you back. I wasn't ready to leave you before, not until you had someone else. Kian is my last gift to you, the last birthday gift. I won't leave just yet."
A tear ran down Raine's cheek. "I won't ever be ready to say goodbye Gran."
All the wrinkles, every familiar crinkle around her eyes was still there. Raine memorized Gran's face and couldn't imagine never seeing her again. She didn't want to leave her Gran.
"Why do you need to go?"
Gran backed away, the warmth in the air directly around her coming back. "Now child. I won't ever fully leave you. I'll always be in your heart. Besides, wouldn't it be nice to have one less ghost haunting you? Goodness. If word gets out how soft you are, your place might become the next big haunt." Raine chuckled at that. Gran moved again and the cool air chilled against the absent tears slowly trailing down her cheeks.
"That man is waiting for you. Now go. I won’t leave without saying goodbye."
Raine took a deep breath before she pushed the door open. As she stepped out Kian was turned away, his back to her.
The giddy hope within her suppressed the ache Gran left. As she came up behind him she paused as he turned. The playful demeanor of before gone. She watched his shoulders sink.
"So, my mom’s in the hospital."
Her eyes darted around his face. "I'm sorry. Can I help?"
The breath he blew out seemed to go on forever. "Uh. Yeah. Sure. If you want to come with me to hospital, that could help. I, uh. It's been a while since I've seen her. I'm surprised I was contacted at all."
Raine smiled and stood on tiptoes to kiss him. She hesitated when he didn't respond right away. Fear snaked it's way around her body, tightening around her throat as she counted each heartbeat.
Finally he leaned in and kissed her. Slowly the fear uncoiled, but a tightness she didn't want to recognized stayed. Something wasn't right, and maybe it was just her paranoia.
The muscles of his arms burned as he gripped the steering wheel. The bastard had done it. There was no doubt in his mind. Kian knew his dad had put him mom in the hospital, again. God knew why. The man never had a reason.
Raine followed behind in her own car. He didn't even know why she was going. Why had he invited her? He knew why. She might be the only thing to keep his cougar taking control and driving by instinct. He'd nearly killed the man once.
The highway swam in and out of focus as he watched for the next exit. Turning off he kept an eye on Raine's headlights. His skin itched as his cougar struggled to stay put. His anger, his frustration, they threatened to flood every inch of him and drown the rational side of him.
He needed to touch her. He needed the calming scent of Raine. She was all that stood between him and letting instinct control his mind.
The hospital stood like a massive mausoleum towering over the road. No one ever wanted to go to a hospital, especially not for the reason he had to now. Pulling into the visitor parking, he found a spot and killed the engine. His knuckles were white against the dark steering wheel. A knock rapped at his window. Slowly he turned his head, reminding himself that he needed remain calm.
Her brow furrowed and fine lines etched across Raine's face told him all he needed to know. He wasn't holding it together well.
Raine stepped back as he pushed the door open.
"You okay?" The ring of her voice a salve to his open wound.
Kian stood, pausing as he stared down at her. "I. Yeah. I will be."
Her hand slipped into his as they walked side by side. Electric tingles wrapped around his skin at her touch.
Deep breaths.
They both walked up to the front desk getting directions. After passing his mother’s name
