Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
We broke apart, our lips swollen, her hair a mess from my hands, her blouse askew. My shirt was wrinkled, the top two buttons missing. I was gasping for air, my chest pumping rapidly.
Our gazes locked, her eyes muddled with passion, wide with desire, and confused.
“Damien,” she whispered. “You don’t want me to touch you?”
“Jesus,” I responded, hanging my head. “Yes. Yes, I want you to touch me. I don’t want to rush this, Raven. I don’t want you to feel pressured.”
She laughed quietly. “Pressured isn’t what I’m feeling right now.” Then she dragged in a deep breath. “But you’re right. We need to back this up a little.”
I nodded, lifting my head and meeting her eyes. “I fucking hate that you’re right.”
She smiled and traced my cheek, running her finger over my bottom lip. “You are an amazing kisser.”
I caught her finger in my mouth and nibbled the end, then released it with a kiss. “I had an amazing partner.”
Our eyes held and locked. “May I see you again?” I asked.
“Yes, please.”
“Is tomorrow too soon?” Then I shook my head. “Damn, I have events the next two nights. Thursday?” I asked hopefully.
“How about I make us dinner here?” she asked. “We can just relax.”
“I’d like that.” I helped her off the sofa, and she walked me to the door. I looked down at her, marveling at her prettiness.
“Thank you for tonight,” she said, sounding shy again.
I tipped up her chin and kissed her. “My pleasure.”
“Oh, I had a bit of that, too,” she teased.
I kissed her again. “You’ll get a lot of that. I promise.”
She smiled against my mouth. “I look forward to it.”
“Is it okay if I text you the next couple of days?”
“Yes.”
“And if anything happens, you’ll call, right? No matter what I’m doing, I’ll pick up.”
“Okay. I will.” She paused. “Can you call me when you get home? Just so I know you’re safe?”
I felt a warmth in my chest at her words. “Yes.”
I listened for the locks to engage on the door before I left. It was hard to walk away, but I forced myself to do it.
I hated it, though.
RAVEN
Wednesday passed without problem. No glimpses of Andy. No discovering he’d somehow gotten my phone number again. I relaxed a little, wondering if Damien’s scare tactics had worked. I sincerely wished for it, although I hoped Andy hadn’t moved on to another woman. I sent the website a detailed letter describing Andy’s behavior. I hadn’t heard back, but I hoped they investigated and somehow blocked him from getting back on the site. I also wondered if the companies shared any sorts of lists of troublesome clients and hoped, if they did, his name was on that list.
Damien sent me some sweet texts and called in the evening to check up on me. We talked for a while until he heard me yawning.
“I need to let you go so you can go to bed,” he murmured.
“I’m already there.”
His voice deepened. “You’re already in bed while talking to me?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me you have on some old sweats and a big shirt that used to belong to your brother. That you’re swaddled head to toe and under the blankets.”
“I sleep in the nude.”
There was a beat of silence. “Jesus,” he muttered.
I began to laugh. “I have some shorts and a T-shirt on.”
“Well, damn, woman, don’t blow my fantasy now. You’re naked. Naked and talking to me, wishing I were there.” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Touching you, kissing you the way I was the other night.”
I whimpered, rubbing my thighs together.
“Except this time, I wouldn’t stop.”
The ache that had started between my legs grew.
“You’re going to let me soon, right? Touch you the way I want to touch you? Kiss you everywhere?” he breathed out. “Please, Ms. Raven. Please tell me you’ll let me.”
“I wish you were here.”
I heard a dull thud. “What was that?”
“Me banging my head on the wall, wishing this stupid evening was over so I could get in my car and come there. Then you could come.” He paused. “Several times.”
I shivered at the pure lust in his voice.
“Soon.”
“I’m looking forward— Damn, I have to go. Sleep well, Raven. Dream of me.”
He hung up, and I curled up in bed, his sexy voice and dirty promises ringing in my ear.
My phone buzzed, and I looked at the text.
Damien: Call my name when you come tonight, my beautiful Ravenna Jade. It’ll be your name I groan out later when I’m in the shower.
I tried not to smile at his words. I failed.
And it was his name I whimpered into my pillow.
Twice.
CHAPTER SIX
Raven
I arrived at school early, wanting to get a jump start on the day. I smiled at the security guard who let me in. In my classroom, I got busy sorting some puzzles we were going to do on letters. I heard an odd thump and looked up, startled, not seeing anything. Other teachers were arriving, so no doubt, it was someone in another classroom. I finished my task, then got up to start putting the puzzles on the desks when I saw it.