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)
He offers me a small smile. “I want to try to enjoy this stolen moment with you. Is there still a chance for that?”
A grin spreads over my face. “I’d like that.”
He pulls me against his chest, placing a kiss on top of my head.
“Don’t hurt me, Raven.”
His voice is small and vulnerable, and it catches me off guard. Who hurt him, and what exactly did they do?
“Not if I can help it.”
Pulling away, I lean up to press my lips to his.
I spend the rest of the night in his arms, allowing him to chase away the hurt and sadness. Thoughts of Asher are momentarily gone.
If only it could always be like this.
My body wrapped around Charles as he shows me just how much he cares.
It’s sublime.
It’s everything I need.
37
Charles
“Hello.”
I can’t help but grin at the sound of her voice. Even on the phone, she sounds like my own personal brand of sin.
“Raven, it’s Charles. I need you to assist me with another account today.”
“Absolutely,” she says brightly. “What do you need me to do?”
“I’ll text you the address.”
“Oh . . . we’re going to the office?”
I smile, hearing the confusion in her voice. Without seeing her, I know her dark blonde eyebrows are furrowed, and she’s biting her cheek.
“I’m already on my way. I’ll arrange for a car service to pick you up in fifteen minutes.”
“Okay, sure. Is everything okay?”
“Everything is perfect,” I say. “See you soon.”
I disconnect the call and get to work setting things up. We aren’t meeting with a client today. I’ll actually be the car service picking her up.
The date Friday night turned into a nightmare, with her love-sick best friend spoiling the night. I won’t allow anything to ruin this opportunity we have together.
After the chaos, I’m determined to make it up to her. I had every right to be upset about her slip to Asher on the Diosa account, but I understand how easily it could happen. She wasn’t intentionally trying to sink the campaign.
I constantly have to remind myself that she isn’t Tabitha.
I spent the rest of that evening focused on her pleasure. Anything to wash away what could have turned into a completely shitty evening. I wanted to erase him from her memory, at least temporarily.
It was plain to see how much she cared for Asher, and if I’m honest, I loathe it.
I arrive forty minutes later at her door.
Her eyes narrow. “I thought there was a driver and we were going to see a client.”
I smirk. “I am the client.”
Raven laughs. “Oh, yeah? And how may I be of assistance?” she says as she walks toward me.
“You can enjoy an afternoon date with me. To make up for Friday night.”
Her lips purse. “That wasn’t your fault. You don’t have anything to make up for.”
“I do. My reaction was out of line. Besides, we were interrupted. I won’t let that happen today, love.”
We hop into my Aston Martin and drove down to the Jersey Shore. There’s an arcade that Paxton always talks about as though he’s a kid frequenting it, and I want to see how Raven acts when I present her with such a date.
In true Raven fashion, her eyes light up, and she squeals in happiness.
At that moment, it occurs to me that I’ve never met a woman like her. So spontaneous. Ready to take on anything with a smile.
If I had ever suggested such an outing to Tabitha or any of the women I’d bedded through the years, this never would’ve happened. They would’ve refused. Arcades and fun were beneath them.
Fancy dinners, galas, and anything that would raise their status were acceptable.
This?
Never.
Raven and I have been playing games for hours, and I’ve never had so much fun.
I’ve never been a fun person. Never.
Life is easy with Raven, and she makes me want to have fun.
She goes with the flow and makes any day better just by simply being there.
I’ve never felt this free, and it has everything to do with her.
“I cannot believe how exhausting it is to play games like that. I don’t remember being so tired when I was a kid.” I stretch my arms over my head, relishing the pull of my muscles.
“Yeah, but that’s because you moved your entire body while playing the games. You know you don’t actually need to swerve when you’re turning? You just have to press the controller. That’s all,” she says, smiling wide.
“Ah, you’re taking the piss now. But you’ll see . . . there’s a method to my madness. At least, I’d like to think there is.”
She stares at me for several long seconds, and I wonder what’s going through her mind.
“You’re cute,” she says, reaching over to push a strand of hair that has fallen over my eyes.
“Why do you say that?”
“You just are.”
“You didn’t think I would be the type of guy who would sit for hours playing games with you?”