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)
A few minutes later, they were sweaty and damp as he held her tight. “I could wake up like this every morning,” he said, satisfaction filling his tone.
“Mmm.” So could she but she held back the admission. Anything that indicated long term was impossible and hurt too much to think about.
“Raven?”
Something worrisome in his tone had her stiffening and paying attention. “What is it?” she asked.
“We didn’t use a condom.”
She blinked in surprise. She’d been diligent in including that added layer of protection with him. “I—”
“It’s okay,” he said, stroking her hair. “I’m certain I’m clean. Recent checkup and blood work,” he told her.
She relaxed against him. “Good. Me too, and I’m on the pill.”
So the chances of anything going wrong were a narrow one percent. She remembered asking the doctor about the best method of birth control when she became sexually active and that slim number had stuck with her.
With that out of the way, she closed her eyes and thought about the feel of him bare inside her and smiled.
“You look satisfied,” he said.
She opened her eyes to find him staring at her, a self-satisfied grin on his face. “That’s because I am. But don’t let it go to your head, you arrogant man.”
She waited through his low laugh before speaking again. “Remy, I need to ask you something.”
“What is it?” His fingers were tangling in her hair and she enjoyed the slight pull at her scalp, finding it arousing.
But they were not going for round two. Not until she’d settled her evening plans.
“Tonight is another poetry night at the coffee house.”
He stiffened beside her. “No.”
“But—”
“Every time you go anywhere but the bar or this apartment, you feel like someone’s watching you. There’s no reason to put you in jeopardy.”
She sighed and having expected the argument, was ready with one of her own. “Do you remember Angelica? Angel? The girl I introduced you to at the last event?”
“Yeah.”
She pushed off him and sat up, curling her legs beneath her, unconcerned she was naked. His gaze, on the other hand, settled on her breasts and she didn’t bother covering them.
“Well, she’s young and tonight is the first time she’s going to get up onstage. She needs me there for moral support and I promised I wouldn’t let her down.”
A displeased sound rumbled in Remy’s chest. “Lance doesn’t care that you have a soft, giving heart. If he wants to rattle you, he will do his damnedest to frighten you. Worst case, he gets his hands on you. So no.” He pushed himself up against the pillows and headboard, arms folded across his broad chest.
“Are you doubting your ability to protect me? Because if so, maybe it’s time to call in the bodyguards you mentioned you hired for Emily.”
Soon after her apartment window had been broken, Remy had sat Raven down and told her Garrett checked on Emily. She was aware of Lance’s release and was taking precautions. Knowing that wouldn’t be enough for Raven, Remy had hired Alpha Security to keep an eye on the woman from afar. She’d had been so grateful, she’d broken down and cried.
Remy narrowed his gaze. “Don’t try and manipulate me,” he muttered. “Especially not when it comes to your safety.”
She let out a sigh. “I’m sorry. It’s just that Angel is only seventeen and she’s about to age out of foster care. These nights mean so much to her and she finally worked up the courage to participate.”
“Raven,” he said in a warning tone.
She clasped her hands in front of her in a praying gesture. “Please? We’ll go, see Angel, I’ll let her know how well she did, and then we can leave. I’m sorry for what I said. I trust you to protect me,” she added. And she did or she wouldn’t think of attending.
“You’re killing me.” He shook his head and closed his eyes. “Tell me one thing.”
She nodded, eager to answer him because she sensed he was weakening. “Sure.”
“Did you wake me up and seduce me in order to get your way when my defenses were down?” His knowing gaze bore into hers.
Shoulders drooping, she nodded. “It started out that way but the second I touched you, I forgot all about having an agenda. I wanted you,” she said in a husky voice.
“Dammit, Raven.” He met her gaze and she hoped it was resignation she saw in his eyes and tight expression.
“So… you’ll take me?”
“You don’t go anywhere where I can’t see you. If you need the ladies’ room, I’m standing outside. I mean it.”
She exhaled long and hard. “Okay. I promise.” Relieved and happy, she dove over him, assuming what she’d begun to think of as her spider monkey position, hugging him as she wrapped herself around him.
“What am I going to do with you?” he muttered into her hair.