Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“Charles—” I say, but he shakes his head. The look he gives me is full of sorrow, but also, it’s a silent request not to take pity on him. Not to feel sorry, which I understand. “I’m so sorry you have had to endure this kind of loss.”
“Thanks. When I came to New York and got settled in, I promised myself I would do something good with the company profits. Hence the fundraiser. It will be at my family home in the Hamptons.”
“Hamptons, huh?” I say, trying to focus on a line of conversation to help ease the somber mood that has settled in the air. “I didn’t know it was there.”
Charles lifts an eyebrow. “Were you distracted, Miss Bennett?”
“Maybe a little.”
“Why ever would you be distracted in one of my meetings?” He gives me a wicked look. The moment for sharing has passed, and now the usual heat I feel when Charles is around is back with a vengeance. “I want to kiss you right now.”
“What’s the problem with that, Mr. Cavendish?” I draw out, my voice low and seductive.
“Oh, Miss Bennett, if I start . . . I’m not stopping.”
Pulling my gaze from Charles, I find our waiter and raise my hand to motion him over. “Can we please have the check?” I ask when he’s close enough to hear.
“Good choice.” Charles smirks.
God, that smirk.
But it’s the laugh that follows that does me in. After opening up about our shared loss, for him . . . it means everything.
“You don’t laugh like that in the office. Why not? I feel I could make it my ringtone. Actually, it’d be perfect, too, if you’d speak as my ringtone,” I chide playfully.
“Is that how it is Raven? You only like me for my accent?”
“There are a few other reasons I enjoy your company.”
His pupils dilate. “Should we go back to the hotel and quantify those reasons?”
“Quantify. For science. Sounds like a plan. Let’s go.” I stand and immediately, I’m pulled into his arms.
Tipping my chin up, I look at him. His gaze sparkles with mischief. A look of lust, longing, and want. But I also see something else, something I didn’t see two hours ago.
Understanding.
He knows my heart now, and I know his.
The question is, what will we do with that knowledge?
31
Charles
Back in the hotel, I don’t bother with pleasantries. Instead, I whisk Raven straight to my room.
No words are spoken as I open the door, pull her into the suite, and lead her through the master bedroom to the bed.
“This is forward, sir.” Her arse hits the mattress.
“I think we’re well past formalities, love. Unless, of course, you insist I woo you first.”
She giggles, and it is possibly one of the sweetest sounds I’ve ever heard.
I’m happy when she’s happy.
It’s a feeling I haven’t felt in a long time.
I like it.
“I want to do this right,” I admit to her. We are both sitting on the bed, fully clothed, holding hands, fingers entwined.
“Nope. This works,” she says.
I lean in and kiss her, pulling her closer to me. She feels good in my arms.
“Rae. You are so beautiful.” I reach over to unbutton her shirt. “But you’d look even lovelier without this on.”
She chuckles. “Why do you insist on always calling me Rae?”
“Why do you insist on asking me that every time?” I retort.
She gets quiet for a moment, and I tip her chin up with my finger. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just . . . only my dad has ever called me that.”
The pitch of her voice sears my soul.
We’re kindred spirits.
Both feeling too much.
Joy.
Sadness.
Anger.
Does my calling her Rae make her angry? “Now I understand. Would you prefer I not call you that?” I hope not because I’m quite partial to the nickname.
“Would you actually listen?”
I squeeze her hand in mine. “Of course, I would. Had I known before, I would’ve stopped.”
That makes her shake her head. “No. I don’t want you to. I like that you call me Rae.”
“Good. Because I don’t want to stop.”
“Why?”
“Because you are my Rae.” I shrug. As if she should understand what I mean. She furrows her brow, clearly confused. Separating our hands, I cup her cheek. “Because, dear Rae, you are my ray of sunshine.”
Abruptly, she stands, and I’m at a loss for why, until she pulls the dress over her head. Her knickers and bra are next, leaving her completely bare in front of me.
“No distractions?” she purrs.
I’m immobilized, staring at every square inch of her.
“None,” I promise, swallowing. I lay her back, marveling at how beautiful she looks spread out on my bed, but the look of hunger I see in her eyes has me jumping to action.
My clothes are discarded, and I hover over her, wanting to take my time with her.
“Please,” she begs, and I waste no time lining my cock up with her core.