One Night to Burn

Author:One Night to Burn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2000-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4

The morning after could have been awkward, except that Raze wouldn’t allow it. He treated her waking in his bed as utterly normal, presenting her with coffee as he woke her. “I thought it would be safer than a kiss, considering the time. Your mother is due to arrive soon.”

Kira sighed and took a bracing sip of coffee. “This should be interesting.”

Raze hung around as she had her morning wash, his eyes boldly interested in her every move, making her blush, but he kept his hands to himself. They really were short on time, but it was clear he had plans.

Kira found smoke rising from her body and sternly controlled it. She was going to have to be careful, both of her mother and of her developing relationship with Raze.

They met her mother at the airport. Louise arrived on time, complaining of the long flight. She met Raze with a glower and watched critically as he collected her luggage. “He’s awfully big, isn’t he? I suppose that’s how they bred them.”

“Mother!” Kira hissed, mortified. That was horrible, even for her mom.

Her mother grunted and glared at the people handing out vacation flyers, though she did accept a lei.

It didn’t soften her much. When Louise saw the jeep they’d rented for her, she sniffed, “A jeep? I thought your husband had money?”

Already fed up, Kira remarked, “We thought you’d prefer it to walking.”

Her mother punished her with silence. When she realized Kira didn’t mind, she changed tactics. “I thought you didn’t like to drive? Before the divorce, your father always drove me.”

“That’s nice. Have you thought about what you’d like to do while you’re here?” It was becoming obvious that Louise’s first priority wasn’t vacation. She’d come with both guns blazing, and Raze was clearly the target. She really hated that her daughter married a black man.

Kira wondered what her reaction would be if her mom knew the truth. Somehow, she doubted it would be good. “I thought you might like to go to a luau; there’s a buffet,” she coaxed, using the magic words, “Our treat.” Her mother never turned down a buffet, and she’d see spending Raze’s money as a good way to punish him. “You’ll be happy to know you’ll have your own apartment, too. The old caretaker’s place has been renovated into a guest house, and I stocked the fridge.”

“That’s not necessary; I’ll cook in your kitchen. It’s been a long time since I cooked for you.”

Kira shot Raze a look. He didn’t seem concerned. She assumed he had ways of making anything her mother made edible. “That’s great, mom.”

“So what is it you do?” Louise finally addressed Raze, her tone querulous.

“I own several business concerns, including a copper mine,” Raze said carelessly. “It keeps me busy.”

Louise wrinkled her nose. “Copper? That’s profitable?”

“Increasingly so. I also have investments in gold and precious metals. I understand you’re anxious about my ability to provide for your daughter; I’d be happy to provide you with a financial statement to ease your mind.

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