Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“Sure.” He grinned. “You can choose to sleep in my guest room or my bed. Your choice.”
“I am not staying with you.”
“If I decide it’s necessary, you will.”
I stood. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re bossy and high-handed?” I asked and turned to go to my room. I felt cold suddenly and wanted my shawl. But Damien caught up to me by the sofa, snagging my hand. He pulled me close, engulfing me in his embrace. I wanted to push him away, but he felt so damn good. Warm, solid, safe. He rocked us gently side to side.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, Raven. It’s become paramount to me.”
“Why?” I whispered against the hard muscles of his chest.
He slipped his hand under my chin, meeting my gaze.
“I can’t explain it. It’s as if you settled into a space in my heart I didn’t know was vacant. I think about you every spare moment.” He chuckled. “Even every moment I don’t have to spare. I worry about you. Wonder what you’re doing. Hearing you felt scared earlier—I fucking hate it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, just agree with me.”
“Agree with you?”
“Let me make sure you’re safe. If we find out I’m overreacting, I’ll admit it.”
“And in the meantime, you will have gotten your way.”
A smile tugged on his lips. “Well, there is that.”
He bent low and brushed his mouth on mine. Once, twice, and again. Pressed a little harder each time. Held our lips together longer. Until I couldn’t take it and flung my arms around his neck, letting him kiss me the way he had the other night. Hard. Deep. Passionate and demanding. I had never been kissed the way Damien kissed me. Each press of his mouth, every sweep of his tongue, I felt claimed. Possessed. Desired. Every taste of him left me wanting another. More. I wanted all of him.
With a groan, he gathered me up, turning and lifting me to the back of the sofa again. Moments passed as our mouths moved, tongues stroked, and whispered words passed between us.
Until the window behind me shattered, the glass screeching with the intensity of the blow it took. The blinds made a deep metallic sound as if it were being torn apart. One moment, I was in Damien’s arms. The next, we were on the floor, his body covering mine defensively.
My frightened gaze met his furious one. He pulled me to my feet, and we looked at the rock lying on my rug, slivers of glass all around it.
“I don’t think we can put this down to coincidence,” he scowled. “You’re coming home with me. Tonight.”
I didn’t argue.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Damien
“Stay here,” I instructed Raven. “Call the police and lock the door behind me, and don’t open it for anyone but me. You understand?”
She nodded mutely, her face ashen.
“Don’t touch the rock, don’t go near the window. Turn on the hall light and pack some things if you can. You are coming home with me.”
I rushed out the door, pleased to hear the snap of the locks behind me. Downstairs, I stood on the sidewalk, staring up at Raven’s window. There was no doubt Andy was behind this. The super of the building came out, looking confused and upset.
“What the hell?” he muttered, glancing up. “I heard glass break. How the hell did that window get smashed?”
“With a rock and good aim.”
“Why? And who are you? How do I know you didn’t throw it?”
“I was having dinner with Raven.” I introduced myself. “She can vouch for me,” I added, handing him one of my business cards.
He looked at my name, his eyebrows lifting.
“Okay, now the question is why? And how did they throw it up that high?”
I glanced behind me at the van parked on the street. “I have a feeling he stood on top of that.”
He followed my gaze and grunted.
“As for the why, this goes back to the man Raven told you about.”
“He’s still bothering her?”
“Yes.”
I looked around, wondering what set him off. I looked across the street, glancing behind me. I jogged to the other side and leaned against the building. The way the blinds tilted, you could see shadows. On one window the blinds were a little more open. With binoculars, you could see inside. There was no doubt in my mind he had seen me kissing Raven and lost it.
I glanced down at the rock garden in front of the building. One rock was missing. I knew exactly where it was.
Fuck.
Now, he was angry.
Angry, crazed, obsessed people were not good.
I had to find him. Fast.
Officer Canbury snapped his notebook shut. He met my eyes, his own frustrated. “Not much to go on. No witnesses, nothing tying him to being here. No idea who he is.”
“It was him,” I stated firmly.
“I can’t bring someone in for questioning when they don’t seem to exist.”