“Yeah, it’s amazing how sometimes a bad thing can bring about good results,” she replied, hugging them both before she returned to her seat.
“So besides the obvious turn of events, how did everything go today?”
Mike asked as he settled in at the door.
Eli stroked her palm with his callused fingertips as he said, “We talked to my landlord and got her set to move in next door. We’re still planning on going over to Rachel’s old place tomorrow morning to see about getting into her bedroom.”
While Eli explained about Kelly and Matthew, Rachel thought about how odd it was to think of her burned-out apartment as her old place. It had only been a day, but it felt old already. She felt removed from the situation.
She needed to update her parents and try to make a trip out to the storage barn to see if they had any furniture she could use in the new place.
As more people came in the front door, Eli left his chair and stood next to Mike, helping him check IDs. Rogelio made the rounds to check on the restrooms and the seating areas. The music got louder, and more people moved onto the dance floor.
Grace arrived later in the evening. After hugging Rachel and greeting the bouncers, Grace promised to get right back with her. She made a beeline for Ethan, who was at a table talking to a couple of local ranchers. He saw her approach and excused himself, drawing her into his arms for an adoring kiss. Rachel smiled as she watched them.
Somehow Grace handled the inherent challenges of Ethan being a co-owner in the club, so Rachel knew she could survive the challenges involved in being with Eli.
For the short period of time she sat with Eli, no one else had approached him. She could not recall that ever happening before. Unless he was actively
70
Heather Rainier
working the door, there was always a bevy of eager women clamoring for his attention.
Morbidly curious to find out what would happen, she gathered her purse and told Eli she was visiting the ladies’ room and would be right back. She glanced back as she sashayed away and caught him ogling her ass. He looked up and smiled hungrily at her. Blowing him a kiss, Rachel gave him the show he wanted. She found Grace seated in Ethan’s lap at another table.
Grinning, Rachel said, “Come on, bathroom buddy!” Grace kissed
Ethan, and he released her. She slipped out of his lap, jerking around suddenly when Ethan goosed her fanny. Giggling, she followed Rachel into the bathroom and checked the other stalls for company. They were alone.
Grace leaned against the counter while Rachel checked her lipstick.
“That outfit looks every bit as sexy on you as I thought it would. Did Eli like it?”
“He likes it very much. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Oh, come on. What did he say?” Grace asked and giggled delightedly when Rachel told her. “How was your afternoon?”
“It was wonderful. We napped.” She grinned at the disappointed look on Grace’s face. “He said I was too tired from everything last night, and he didn’t want to make love to me when I felt like that. So we took a nap, then we made love.”
“Oooh! How was it?” Grace asked, blushing a little. Rachel didn’t say anything at first, just looked up at Grace. “Oh, damn, it was that good? I know that look. I’ve worn it many times in the last few months. You are so in love! I’m so happy for you, Rachel. You deserve a good man like Eli.
You can tell he’s smitten by the way he watches you when you’re not looking.”
“What do you mean?” Rachel asked, looking at Grace’s reflection in the mirror as she fluffed her blonde hair.
“He doesn’t look at you, he drinks you in. Anyone can see he absolutely adores you.” Conspiratorially, she continued, “I’ve been listening this evening, and everyone is talking about the two of you.”
“What do they say?” Rachel asked. At Grace’s doubtful gaze, she
added, “Come on, you can tell me. That’s part of why I’m in the bathroom with you. Nothing will surprise me at this point.”
Her Gentle Giant, Part 1: No Regrets
71
“Ethan overheard a table full of single women in the back planning to wait for you to go to the bathroom before making a move.” Rachel’s eyes shot up, and for a split second, she saw red and almost sprinted to the door.
Grace laid a gentle hand on Rachel’s arm and deterred her from leaving.
“I heard two women talking. One of them planned to come over and spill her drink on you accidentally. While you’re in the bathroom cleaning up, the other one will give him their numbers and offer him a threesome.
She said she knows where he lives and everything. Before you ask, she said she followed him home one evening, curious where he lived. Ethan said you handled yourself well with the same women earlier this evening, so you’ll know what they’re up to when you see them coming.”