I left my car parked in front of her building and escorted Raven upstairs. She left her lights off, and I checked the perimeter, pleased that the street was deserted and I saw nothing out of the ordinary to give me any concern. I swept her apartment, but it was empty. Maybe my warning last night had been enough to scare Andy, and Raven was right. We could move on and forget about him.
I was sure she would agree, but I kept that thought to myself. It was too early to relax yet.
I went back to the living room, where she was leaning on the back of the sofa.
“All okay?” she asked anxiously.
“All good.”
“Thank you for tonight,” she said, smiling, looking oddly shy. “It was lovely.”
I stepped in front of her, sliding my fingers under her chin. Our eyes met, mossy green gazing into blue. I lowered my head and kissed the end of her nose, then her cheek. I dragged my lips to her ear. “You’re lovely, Raven.”
She whimpered, sliding her hand up my chest and gripping my shirt with her fists. “Damien,” she whispered.
I dropped my face to her neck, kissing the softness. Tasting her. Inhaling her warm scent. I flicked my tongue on her skin, and she shivered, her head falling back, giving me more access. I kissed up and down her neck, nudging her blouse out of the way with my nose and pressing my lips to her collarbone. Her shawl slipped off, and I dragged my mouth to her arms, going back and forth, ghosting my lips over the dark smudges.
“Never again,” I vowed. “He’ll never get close enough to you to touch you again.”
She moaned and cupped my face, her eyes wide and filled with need. “Kiss me, Damien. Please.”
I covered her mouth with mine, our tongues stroking together. Soft and exploring became deeper. Wetter. Hungrier. I held her tightly, encasing her in my arms, delving my hand under her blouse to the warm skin underneath it. I traced the delicate ridges of her spine, our mouths never separating. I was lost in a vortex of sensation. The feel of her hand gripping my hair. The other one clutching my back, her fingernails a sharp press on my skin. The taste of her. Sweet, salty, altogether unique and perfect. The silk of her hair on my skin. The need to feel more. To be closer. My cock was hard and erect. Throbbing with desire for her. Every nerve was awake and snapping, aching with longing. Her low noises and muffled moans spurred me on. I lifted her to the back of the sofa, her legs wrapping around me, pulling me into the heat between her thighs. I swam deeper and deeper with her. Explored her with my tongue and hands. Touched her as much as I dared, wondering how much more I could take. She cupped my erection, and I groaned loudly.
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.