Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107262 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
She huffs a half laugh softly and pauses, meeting my eyes. “No, she won’t. I promise. Are you sure about this?”
“Staying until Monday?” I question, and she smiles while nodding. “Yes.”
I nod, quickly booking a place and slipping my phone into my pocket.
“You really didn’t have to do that,” she says before getting on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. It’s unexpected, and so is the feeling in my chest.
I pull Raven close, not wanting distance between us. “If you haven’t figured it out after this week, Raven, you’re mine. And I take care of what’s mine.”
For me, it’s as big a declaration as I’ll ever make and a leap into dangerous waters. As though she can sense the magnitude of my words, she looks up at me, her green eyes filled with tenderness.
I kiss her, not needing her to say anything. Not yet, not if she’s not there. I am, and that’s enough. She leans into me, and I pull her even closer, still wishing we had time for more but making do with imprinting myself along her body as I memorize the feel of her to get me through the lonely weekend.
Finally, when we both need to breathe, I pull back, brushing her lip with my thumb to get a smidge of lipstick that’s worn off. She smiles. “Thank you.”
I nod, studying her face and seeing something there that I never thought I’d see in a woman’s face again. I see someone I can believe in, someone I can trust. “I'll forward you the reservation. It’ll be in your name.”
“Yes, sir,” she says, her brow arching teasingly, and in my pants, my cock twitches.
“Be very careful, Raven,” I whisper in her ear. “Words have meanings, and words have consequences.”
“I know,” she replies. “I’m looking forward to Monday. See you then… sir.”
She leaves, and I go back to my desk, slumping into my chair. Maybe it’s only been four days, but I’ve come to look forward to Raven’s daily visits to my office and I’m struck with a profound sense of disappointment at the quickness of our time today.
I want more of her. Although I’m very aware that I need to be careful of my next steps with my little darling.
Not having her tonight leaves me feeling almost empty, and making the reservation for Raven’s mother is a hollow victory at best. I do make one adjustment, though, upgrading the room to a full suite, hoping they’ll both enjoy it for a bit of mother-daughter bonding.
Still, after texting the hotel and reservation code to Raven, I’m left with little to do. The work week is done, and I have no big urge to spend the weekend researching. And the concept of relieving the churning pressure in my balls with simple masturbation feels like a cheap substitute for having Raven pinned beneath me.
But there’s one activity I haven’t done in a couple of months that could kill two birds with one stone. I quickly dial again, and the voice on the other end of the line sounds surprised when it picks up. “Dylan? What’s up, man? Emergency?”
I chuckle, leaning back in my chair. “Why would I need an emergency in order to give you a call, Austin?”
“Considering you just sent me an email turning down my offer, and you almost never call me when you just want to hang out,” he reminds me, “I figured you had an emergency. No?”
“No, no emergency,” I reply, drumming my fingers on the desk. “I just wanted to get in touch with you before you made any concrete weekend plans. Wanted to see if you’d like to get a game together tomorrow night?”
At one point or another, we always get together for a casual night of cards. We might go weeks or sometimes months, but men with money will always find a stupid way to lose it, especially if it involves a bit of alcohol, shit-talking, and fun. Sometimes, I even come out a winner, either in funds or information. This weekend, I’ll take distraction as the biggest win.
Austin hums thoughtfully, and I can almost hear his mind working as he puts the date together with what he knows of my past. “Yeah, man. I can do that. How many do you want involved?” Austin asks. “Are you inviting others?”
“I was thinking Ollie. I owe him one,” I admit. “Although he’s not exactly a short-term notice type of guy. Do you have any ideas?”
“What about Noah?” Austin asks, referring to a newer friend of his that I’ve only met once before in passing. “I think you two would get along well.”
“Sure, why not?” I reply. “I’ll poke around a bit more if Ollie says he’s busy, but I’ll get a fourth. Maybe a fifth if I can.”
“Oh, I’ll bring the fifth,” Austin jokes. “I’ve got a fifth of whiskey I’ve wanted you to try for a couple of months, anyway.”