Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Remy’s gaze came to rest on Raven again, watching her toy with a strand of hair dangling around her face.
“Oh, hell. Go for it already,” Asher muttered on a low chuckle.
With a shrug, Remy decided his friend had a point. It was time. His stare still locked with Raven’s, he made his way across the room and joined the two women standing by a high table.
“Hello, ladies,” he said, his focus never wavering.
“Hi, boss,” Stevie replied.
He glanced her way and smiled. “I think you can call me Remy when we’re not at work.”
She laughed. “Remy,” she parroted. “Since you’re here, can you keep Raven company while I go to the ladies’ room?”
He turned to see Raven glare at her friend and stifled a laugh. “Go ahead, Stevie. I’d be more than happy to take care of her.”
Stevie’s devilish grin told him she was playing matchmaker. Remy was so grateful he might even give her a raise.
He waited for the other woman to walk off before stepping closer to his prey. “You look beautiful tonight,” he said to Raven.
Edible, but telling her that would be beyond inappropriate. Not that he cared much for proprieties but he didn’t want to scare her off.
“Thank you.” Her eyes did a sweep of his body, ending with her gaze meeting his. “You’re looking dashing yourself.”
He grinned, pleased she wasn’t shy or backing away. “Thank you.” He took a sip of his drink and placed it on the table.
“I see the men have a signature drink as well. What’s in yours?” she asked.
“Whiskey smash. It’s whiskey with mint and powdered sugar sprinkled on top. Jury’s still out. I prefer my liquor neat. What’s yours called?” He pointed to the two glasses that were hers and Stevie’s.
“Peppermint white Russian.” Picking up a glass, Raven took a long taste and let out a groan of delight. One that had his cock perking up in his tuxedo pants. “Delicious.”
“Mmm. I’d like a taste,” he said, staring at her mouth because he wanted to sample the liqueur directly from her lips.
Her eyes grew heavy at his implication. “Here.” She offered him her glass instead.
Since it was the next best thing and her lips had already been on the rim, he accepted the drink and lifted it to his mouth. With their stares still connected, he drank. The thick, coffee liqueur mixed with vodka—Dirty Dare Vodka, no doubt—was sweet. “I agree. It’s delicious.” He placed the glass back on the table.
The lights began to flash, indicating they were ready to move on to the ballroom part of the night.
“Time to take our seats. I’ll see you later,” Raven said, the relief in her voice palpable. She started to walk away but Remy was onto her.
He caught up and hooked his arm in hers as they stepped toward the ballroom along with the rest of the guests.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Escorting you to our table.” He guided her around the slower people who had stopped to talk. “You’re at table two and so am I.”
She tripped and he steadied her, keeping her close. “Aren’t you sitting with the wedding party?” she asked.
“Nope.”
He felt her stare and turned to wink at her before continuing to guide them to their destination. He’d asked Hadley to put them at the same table.
“Don’t worry. Stevie’s sitting with us, too.” It was natural that she and Stevie, and anyone else from work, would be together.
Hadley had originally put him with the Dares but when she’d shown him the seating chart, he’d noticed the work table was smaller than the normal ten-person round. He’d gladly offered to sit there. Zach’s soon-to-be wife had treated him to a knowing look and a pleased smile. Then she’d asked if his willingness had anything to do with Raven.
He’d answered her with one word. Everything. His seating choice was all about the woman beside him now.
They stepped into the large room and even Remy was overwhelmed by the sight. The tables had high, white rose centerpieces, and the lighting gave the space a light lavender glow.
“This looks… beautiful,” Raven murmured, obviously in awe.
Which surprised him considering she came from a wealthy family. Remy only knew as much about Raven as Zach’s hiring background check told him. The most curious fact was that her given name was Caroline Kane, yet she went by Raven Walsh. He had no idea why. Though he was a PI and could find out the information himself, he wanted to hear her story from her.
Raven was a gorgeous blend of contradictions he wanted to understand even more than he plain wanted her. She lived in the apartment upstairs from the bar and Zach mentioned she’d asked him to put an alarm system on the windows and doors before she’d moved in. Not that he blamed her, being a single woman living alone in Manhattan. But as a former detective and current private investigator, it sparked his curiosity.