“That’s for eating, not gouging someone’s eye out with,” I stated mildly. “And if you’re still really worried, you should know that I could take whoever was threatening you out in about forty-five seconds. They wouldn’t even get close.”
Her worried eyes met mine, a frown between them. I smiled, wanting her to relax. “You picked the right bar to come into, Raven. Trust me on that.”
“Are you some sort of assassin?” she asked, half joking.
I slid a card from my wallet and handed it to her. She read it, mouthing the words. “Damien DeSalvo. You own a security firm?” she queried. “Really?”
“The best in the business. With my background, I’m highly trained. You’re perfectly safe, so I would like you to eat this delicious meal and relax. While you’re with me, nothing will happen to you.”
She glanced down, and I slipped my hand under her chin. “And I’ll make sure nothing happens after either.”
I tapped her nose. “Eat, please. The food is incredible, and you are far too pale. A meal will help.”
She let out a long exhale of air, her shoulders loosening. She picked up her fork again and began to eat. “It’s good,” she agreed.
“Way better than what I make.” I chuckled.
“You don’t cook?”
I shrugged. “I get by. Simple things. I like to grill. But I enjoy a well-made meal. My old boss used to get his frustrations out by cooking. Some of the best Italian food I’ve ever eaten.” I winked at her. “Sometimes we’d rile him up just so he’d go upstairs and cook.”
She smiled, a soft laugh escaping her mouth. She was extraordinarily pretty when she smiled. Her unusual eyes lit up, and a small dimple appeared by the left one, giving her an impish look. Her hair was beginning to dry, the dark color almost black against her creamy skin. She had pierced ears with three earrings in each ear, and I spied a hint of ink behind one of them. I felt a burning curiosity to know what it depicted and what it meant to her. All my ink had a story, and I wanted to know hers.
It shocked me how much I wanted to know everything about her.
But for now, I would settle for knowing she was fed, warm, and safe. The rest would happen.
Of that, I was certain.
“Do you have a lot of famous clients?” she asked.
I rarely spoke about Elite Security, or the clients we handled. But I noticed when I spoke, she concentrated on my words and she ate, so I made an exception and shared a few humorous stories. She laughed when I talked about the client who got so drunk, we had to take him out the service exit hidden under a trolley cart so the press didn’t see him. She covered her mouth with her hand as I described the amorous couple in the back of the limo, we had to drive around the city on an extended route until they were decent enough to escort back into their hotel.
“How did you look at them with a straight face?” she asked.
I grinned. “I didn’t. I charged them extra for deep cleaning the limo. Thank God leather cleans up well.”
She giggled, the sound light and airy. But it worked, and she ate her dinner. We shared a sticky toffee pudding after. She had never heard of the dessert and, after a few bites, declared it her favorite.
“They make the best in the city here,” I informed her.
“I need to look up the recipe.”
“You like to cook?”
She nodded. “As much as I can in my tiny apartment.” Then her face darkened. “I’m wondering if I have to move.”
I waited until Taylor refilled our coffee cups and took away the dessert plate.
“I need you to tell me about this man. Everything you can.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want—”
I interrupted her. “I am involved now. I can’t ignore it or you.”
She worried at her lip. “He scares me. What if—”
Again, I stopped her. “I can handle myself. Trust me. But it’s you I’m worried about. Now tell me. Please.”
She looked down at her coffee and sighed. “Okay.”
RAVEN
Damien covered my hand with his larger one, squeezing my fingers. I looked up and met his concerned gaze. When I had burst into the bar earlier, I had no plan other than to get into a place with other people. The way he had reacted to seeing me had been an unexpected surprise. He had reached my side fast and played along with my impromptu performance. Considering how terrified I had been of the man following me, I had felt completely safe in the arms of the tall stranger who appeared in front of me. He was solid and warm, his scent reminding me of the crispness of fresh air and water.
And the way he kissed me. It felt right, real, and perfect. Not as if he was a stranger I had just met, but someone I knew intimately—which was impossible, but that was how it felt.
I took a sip of coffee, studying him. He was handsome. Dark brown hair and blue eyes. Heavy brows that emphasized his stern look. A full mouth and a sharp jawline with a tightly trimmed beard. He was intense and focused. He was probably a foot taller than me, and he was solid. Broad shoulders, thick arms, and a well-defined torso. He exuded power. Even frowning, he was sexy. And when he smiled, his sexiness exploded.
But he wasn’t smiling now. He was waiting, and I knew he wouldn’t let me leave without knowing my story. Again, given why I had been running, I should be worried, but something about him told me I could trust him.
“I moved here last fall from up north. I got the chance of a full-time job here.”
“What do you do?”
“I’m a teacher.”
“What grade?”
“Kindergarten and grade one.”
“So, you like kids,” he observed.
“I do. I love watching them learn.”
“Do they call you Miss Bailey? Ms. Bailey?”
“Ms. Raven, actually. I prefer it.”
“I see.” He took a sip of coffee. “So, you’ve been here about ten months?”
“Yes. This is my first year at the school.”
“Any family up north?”
I shook my head. “My mom died a short while ago. My brother lives out west. My dad died when I was a teenager. I couldn’t find a full-time job, and when this one came up, I jumped at it. There was nothing left holding me up there.”
“No friends, boyfriend to stay for?”
“No,” I replied shortly. I had no desire to get into that with him.
He nodded, not reacting to my terse response. “Culture shock, I imagine.”
“It was. It’s so busy here. So many people.” I took another sip of my coffee, appreciating the fact that he wasn’t rushing me.
“I was lonely,” I admitted. “Most of the teachers are in relationships where I work. There’s only one other single staff member. I met a couple of other teachers from a different school, and we’re friendly…” She trailed off then shrugged. “I’m a bit shy, so I have trouble meeting new people.”
He smiled. “I can see that about you.”
He had a beautiful smile. It changed his whole countenance. It became warm, open, inviting. I wanted to bask in it. But it disappeared fast.
“I decided to try online dating. One of the other teachers I’m friendly with loves it. She’s met some great people.” I shook my head. “So far, that hasn’t been my experience.”