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)
“You want to stay?” he asked, surprised.
She raised her chin. “This is my life and I’m going to fight for it.”
A slow smile lifted his lips, his eyes warm as he met her gaze. “Okay. Then at least come stay with me so we know you’re safe. Let’s see how things play out.”
Instinct would have had her saying no, she could handle herself, but Raven had read too many books where the heroine was, as readers liked to call it, too stupid to live. She might be wary of getting too close to Remy but she’d be a fool to fight him when it was in her best interest to go somewhere safe.
“Okay. After how easily Lance broke in and touched my things, I doubt I’ll feel safe staying there alone again. So yes, until I can figure out my next steps, I’ll go with you,” she said.
His wide smile told her he thought he’d won a huge victory. She shook her head and didn’t reply.
“Forensics won’t let you back in while they’re working. I’ll just have Fallon drop off some clothes for you in the morning.”
It was a testament to how freaked out she was that she didn’t argue with him.
A little while later, once the police took her cell phone number and found out where she’d be staying, she and Remy finally walked into his apartment. The place was familiar since she’d eaten dinner with him and done oh so much more.
He stopped short in the hallway leading to his room. “For tonight you can borrow a T-shirt from me. I’ve already texted Fallon and she said she would drop off clothes and toiletries in the morning.”
“I hate to put her out,” Raven said, the idea of being an imposition finally dawning on her.
“Fallon is happy to help.” He gestured to his bedroom and said, “Ladies first.”
She didn’t know what to expect but that hadn’t been it. “Remy, I’m not sure me sleeping in your room is a good idea.”
He leaned a shoulder against the doorframe and faced her. After a full day, he had sexy facial scruff and his eyes were heavy-lidded. “Are you still upset? Scared or worried?” he asked.
She released the lower lip she hadn’t realized she’d pulled between her teeth. “Yes.”
“And are we still friends with benefits?” He raised his eyebrows, the question clearly important to him.
She nodded.
“And friends help friends out. You don’t need to be alone tonight, or any night you’re here. Won’t you feel safer with me?”
She sighed. “Of course. But—”
“But nothing. Tonight, all I want to do is hold you so you can relax. Got any objection to that?” he asked.
“Of course not.” How could she say otherwise? “But, Remy?”
“Yes, Raven?” His lips lifted in a knowing smirk.
She rolled her eyes at his mocking attitude. “Just because we’re sharing a room, a bed, and after tonight, probably having sex—”
“Definitely having sex.”
She shook her head at his bold claim. “Fine, definitely having sex, that doesn’t mean anything’s changed. We’re still not in a relationship.”
Ignoring the slight twitch in his eye wasn’t easy. She didn’t want to hurt him. She just needed to hang on to that piece of independence she might need if Lance decided to go after anyone else she cared about. Because in that case, she’d be out of here without looking back, and she couldn’t let herself get emotionally attached, she thought, ignoring the little voice that told her she already had.
Chapter Nine
Remy was right. Sleeping in his bed, wrapped in his arms, inhaling his warm, musky scent… Raven had slept better than she had in years. Probably since the night Emily had been attacked and Raven had decided it was time to live alone.
Stretching her arms above her head, she yawned and decided to take a hot shower. Remy wasn’t beside her and she assumed he was either working in his office or in the kitchen drinking his morning coffee.
She slid out of bed and discovered he’d left another one of his T-shirts hanging over a brown, leather club chair in the corner. On the table beside it was a hardcover novel. She stepped over, saw the Steve Berry title, and smiled. Remy obviously liked thrillers. It wasn’t hard to picture him stretched out, feet up in the chair, reading as a way to relax before bed.
Nor could she deny she liked learning personal things about the man she was falling for despite her better judgment. How could she not appreciate his protectiveness, understanding, and yes, his often demanding ways? Ways that were going to rear their ugly head when she told him she wanted to go out tonight. But she’d meant it when she said she wasn’t going to let fear rule her life.
Knowing she had some time, she looked around and found a pad and paper, pleased she didn’t have to use her phone’s notebook app. She did her best thinking when she hand wrote her poetry. Poetry nobody knew she wrote. As she sat by the window in his recliner, the words came to her and she knew this was what she’d be reading tonight. Something lighter than she’d thought of before. Because there were moments… with Remy… when she felt like a different Raven.