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)
“I wish I knew.” Up until now, he hadn’t been informing her of his daily calls to Garrett, preferring to let her live in peace. Or as much peace as she could find with Lance out of prison.
He sighed. “I’ve been speaking to Garrett. My last call to him was while you were packing up your toiletries.”
She paused in the midst of unzipping the luggage. “What did he say? Is he going to question Lance again?” Her voice lifted with hope.
“No,” he said, hating to disappoint her. “He got nowhere regarding him breaking your window. There were no prints. Lance denied being anywhere near the apartment and as you know, your mother provided an alibi.” As a result, the case had been labeled an ordinary break-in, one foiled by the alarm system scaring off the would-be intruder.
Raven lowered herself onto the light gray comforter. “What about Lance showing up tonight where I just happened to be?”
“Unfortunately, he’s done nothing illegal. Not unless you have a restraining order and without solid proof of harassment, no judge will sign off on one.”
She clenched her hands in frustration, her knuckles turning white. “It’s so unfair.”
He stepped closer and put his hands on her shoulders. “Lance will slip up. Even the smartest criminal always does.” What neither of them asked was just how long it might take. Remy knew they couldn’t hide out here forever.
Their trip here was supposed to give her some time to relax and breathe. “Why don’t you go take a nice, luxurious bath? There are soaps and other… girly things in Fallon’s room. I’ll go grab some.”
His words broke the tension and Raven smiled. “Girly things?”
He lifted his shoulder. “I don’t know. I think they’re called, what? Bath bombs?”
“Oooh, I love those but I haven’t indulged in a while.”
He stepped back, giving her breathing room. “Then go ahead and do it now. I can unpack for us if you don’t mind me going through your things.”
She let out a light, tinkling laugh. “Suit yourself. It’s not like you’re going to find sexy, frilly underwear or teddies.” She pushed to her feet and he left the room, walking to his sister’s bedroom and returning with a handful of girly things and placing them on the bed.
Raven was digging through the suitcase and as he walked in, she pulled out a pair of plain, white silk panties and one of his T-shirts.
His, he thought, and raised his eyebrow.
She bunched it up, put the material to her nose for a few seconds and sniffed. “What can I say? It’s super soft and smells like you.”
And on that note, she gathered all her things and strode across the room, disappearing into the bathroom and closing the door behind her.
* * *
During her bath, Raven pushed Lance and the unknown future aside. Instead, she closed her eyes and thought about Remy. Although he didn’t know it, she’d heard him and Dex talking. Her name had stopped her from joining them and though she hadn’t meant to eavesdrop… she had, while waiting for a good time to walk in and intrude.
When Dex had said goodbye, she’d rushed around the corner and let him go to his room without seeing her. She had every intention of telling Remy what happened, but she’d needed time to think and now she had it.
Married. Remington Sterling had been married. How had she not known that and why had he never mentioned it? An even bigger question floated around her brain. Was Raven just his woman of the moment as Dex had insinuated?
It shouldn’t matter because she couldn’t commit to anything without risking not just Remy—because she knew he could handle himself—but the people he loved. His sister and brothers. Lance would use anyone to get to her. It shouldn’t matter, she thought again. But it did. Despite the obstacle keeping her from a happy future, she wanted to know she was special to him. Yes, he’d said as much to Dex but she wanted to hear him tell her himself.
She’d found a new loofah sponge in the linen closet in the bathroom and now she used it to coat her skin with the bubbles around her. The bathwater smelled like lavender and when she stopped thinking so hard, it relaxed her. Soon she’d leaned back against the tub, a plastic pillow behind her head, closing her eyes and just letting herself be.
She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when a knock intruded and Raven startled, realizing she’d fallen asleep in the tub.
“I’m coming in!” Remy called and opened the door. “Oh good. You’re alive in here. I was beginning to worry.”
Feeling her cheeks flush, she said, “I fell asleep.” The bubbles had all but disappeared and the water was cool.
He stepped into the bathroom and her gaze traveled over his sexy body. He was naked but for a pair of black boxer briefs and his substantial erection tented the soft material. Immediately, her body softened and she became aware of the heaviness between her thighs.