“No. You can look around and leave. It’s a public place that Andy knows nothing about. It’s down the street from her apartment. I’ll take a cab back afterward.”
“I’ll pick you up when you’re done.” I didn’t add that I would send Egan in to scope out the place before we went. Or that I would hang around for a while. I quickly texted Egan, who informed me that it was no problem and to send him the address.
She watched me, not saying anything. She shut her Kindle and stretched. “How was Egan?” she asked, trying to sound nonchalant and failing.
“Frustrated,” I admitted. “Andy seems to be a ghost. And I have a feeling he’s a hacker and deletes every trail he might have left behind.”
“He told me once he was brilliant and could have any job he wanted within the computer world,” Raven informed me. “I wasn’t sure if that was true. He liked to brag a lot.”
I ran a hand through my hair. “In this case, he might have been telling you the truth. So, anything you can remember, tell me, even if it seems insignificant. You think of something, let me know.”
She looked troubled. “I will.”
I reached over and took her hand, wanting to distract her. “Anything you’d like to do today? Go for a walk? A movie? Errands you need to run?”
“Really?”
“Of course. As long as I’m with you, you’re safe, Raven. We don’t have to stay here.” I sat back, ogling her, then winked. “Unless you prefer that.”
Color bloomed on her cheeks, and I laughed softly. “After last night and this morning, I can still make you blush?”
She shrugged. “It—sex—is still pretty new to me. My fiancé was the only guy I had ever slept with, and I had the feeling I wasn’t exactly very good at it.”
I hid my surprise at her confession. “Why would you say that?” I asked quietly, feeling anger start to build.
“Why else would he have an affair with my best friend?”
“Because he’s an asshole with no morals. I don’t think much of your friend either. But that’s not on you.”
“When we fought in the church, he said I drove him to it because I was so indifferent.”
I barked out a laugh. “You are not indifferent, Raven. You’re passionate and warm. He was just turning the blame on you—guys like him do that. She made me unfaithful. She didn’t give me what I needed. It’s all bullshit, but that’s how they rationalize it. It’s not you, though.”
“Is that what Andy does? Does he blame me for his obsession?”
“Probably.”
“That makes him even more dangerous, then.”
I didn’t sugarcoat it. “Yes—which is why there will be eyes on you tomorrow.”
“Wow, I sure can pick them.”
I leaned forward, meeting her eyes, making sure she saw the truth in mine.
“Third time’s the charm, my Ravenna Jade. You got me.”
She smiled, glancing down.
I slid my fingers under her chin, making her look at me. “Listen to me, my beautiful girl. You are amazing. We are fabulous together. Don’t let your ex or his stupid remarks get into your head. He was lacking, not you. I want you so much it boggles my mind.”
“Oh. I was worried…” She trailed off.
I had to chuckle. “What? That I didn’t enjoy myself? Was my constant hard-on not proof enough? Did the loud moans and the way I was all over you not give you a clue?”
Her color deepened. “I’m not very experienced.”
“And that in itself is a turn-on for me. Knowing I can show you, that we can learn together. That you trust me enough to tell me. All of that is such a treasure. You are such a treasure. And you did everything right, Raven. I love how you touch me, want to explore me. What you call your inexperience, I call a gift. Knowing I get to share all that with you? There are no words for it.”
“Oh,” she breathed out.
“Leave that asshole where he belongs—in the past. Soon, Andy will be a distant memory too. Then there’ll be us. Moving forward, growing, finding our future—together.”
Her eyes widened. “You sound so certain.”
“I am. My old bosses all fell hard and fast. They compared it to lightning. You get struck hard and fast, and it changes you forever. I never understood what they meant until I kissed you.” I stroked my finger over her smooth cheek. “Immediately, I knew how important you would be to me. And I’m right here, Raven. Not going anywhere, happy to be with you, until you catch up.”
She blinked, and a smile curled her lips. “I think I already did. I felt it too.”
My own smile broke out, wide and thrilled.
“Good. Then we keep going forward. Together.”
“Together,” she repeated.
I kissed her, our mouths brushing in long, slow movements. It was a kiss that promised, that spoke of a trust between us, a future we both wanted.
And as fast as it had happened, we both knew it. Felt it.
And I knew that one day in the near future we’d say the words. But not yet. For now, we were content in the knowledge we shared the emotion.
I drew back with a smile.
“Come on, my beautiful girl. Let’s go enjoy the sunshine.”
She nodded happily and let me tug her from the lounger. I wrapped my arm around her, hugging her close for a moment. She nestled into me, fitting against me perfectly.
“Okay,” she agreed.
RAVEN
“I don’t think you put enough butter on the popcorn,” Damien said dryly. “Was that an entire package?”
I laughed as I tossed the bowl, spreading the butter around the fluffy kernels. I had used a lot. But he was exaggerating. “Barely a quarter.”
“Hmmph.”
“Never mind your sass. Is the movie ready? Did you get drinks?”
He laughed, gripping my hip and lowering his head, pressing his mouth to mine. “Yes, Ms. Raven. I got drinks and Twizzlers. Some chocolate. Blankets. Pillows. I even lit a couple of candles, and the movie is ready.” He grinned as he kissed me again. “I can’t believe you have never watched the Avengers or any of the other movies in the series.”
“Well, we’re going to fix that now, aren’t we?”
“We are.” He grabbed the bowl of popcorn and my hand, tugging me behind him. “Come on, woman, we have a lot of movies to watch. You’re lucky I’m an expert.”
I sat down, and he draped a blanket over my knees and settled the huge bowl between them. He sat down, flicking off the light and starting the movie. “How many are there?” I asked around a mouthful of popcorn.
“Twenty-seven.”
I gaped at him. “Holy shit.”
His eyes widened. “Ms. Raven, you just swore. Do you talk to your students with that potty mouth?”
I grinned. “No, but I kiss you with it.”
He laughed and kissed me hard, plunging his tongue into my mouth and making me whimper. He drew back, licking his lips. “Buttery, salty, and Raven. A great combo. Now stop attacking me and watch the movie.”
Three movies later, I turned to him. “I liked one and three best so far.”