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)
It shocked me how much I wanted to know everything about her.
But for now, I would settle for knowing she was fed, warm, and safe. The rest would happen.
Of that, I was certain.
“Do you have a lot of famous clients?” she asked.
I rarely spoke about Elite Security, or the clients we handled. But I noticed when I spoke, she concentrated on my words and she ate, so I made an exception and shared a few humorous stories. She laughed when I talked about the client who got so drunk, we had to take him out the service exit hidden under a trolley cart so the press didn’t see him. She covered her mouth with her hand as I described the amorous couple in the back of the limo, we had to drive around the city on an extended route until they were decent enough to escort back into their hotel.
“How did you look at them with a straight face?” she asked.
I grinned. “I didn’t. I charged them extra for deep cleaning the limo. Thank God leather cleans up well.”
She giggled, the sound light and airy. But it worked, and she ate her dinner. We shared a sticky toffee pudding after. She had never heard of the dessert and, after a few bites, declared it her favorite.
“They make the best in the city here,” I informed her.
“I need to look up the recipe.”
“You like to cook?”
She nodded. “As much as I can in my tiny apartment.” Then her face darkened. “I’m wondering if I have to move.”
I waited until Taylor refilled our coffee cups and took away the dessert plate.
“I need you to tell me about this man. Everything you can.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want—”
I interrupted her. “I am involved now. I can’t ignore it or you.”
She worried at her lip. “He scares me. What if—”
Again, I stopped her. “I can handle myself. Trust me. But it’s you I’m worried about. Now tell me. Please.”
She looked down at her coffee and sighed. “Okay.”
RAVEN
Damien covered my hand with his larger one, squeezing my fingers. I looked up and met his concerned gaze. When I had burst into the bar earlier, I had no plan other than to get into a place with other people. The way he had reacted to seeing me had been an unexpected surprise. He had reached my side fast and played along with my impromptu performance. Considering how terrified I had been of the man following me, I had felt completely safe in the arms of the tall stranger who appeared in front of me. He was solid and warm, his scent reminding me of the crispness of fresh air and water.
And the way he kissed me. It felt right, real, and perfect. Not as if he was a stranger I had just met, but someone I knew intimately—which was impossible, but that was how it felt.
I took a sip of coffee, studying him. He was handsome. Dark brown hair and blue eyes. Heavy brows that emphasized his stern look. A full mouth and a sharp jawline with a tightly trimmed beard. He was intense and focused. He was probably a foot taller than me, and he was solid. Broad shoulders, thick arms, and a well-defined torso. He exuded power. Even frowning, he was sexy. And when he smiled, his sexiness exploded.
But he wasn’t smiling now. He was waiting, and I knew he wouldn’t let me leave without knowing my story. Again, given why I had been running, I should be worried, but something about him told me I could trust him.
“I moved here last fall from up north. I got the chance of a full-time job here.”
“What do you do?”
“I’m a teacher.”
“What grade?”
“Kindergarten and grade one.”
“So, you like kids,” he observed.
“I do. I love watching them learn.”
“Do they call you Miss Bailey? Ms. Bailey?”
“Ms. Raven, actually. I prefer it.”
“I see.” He took a sip of coffee. “So, you’ve been here about ten months?”
“Yes. This is my first year at the school.”
“Any family up north?”
I shook my head. “My mom died a short while ago. My brother lives out west. My dad died when I was a teenager. I couldn’t find a full-time job, and when this one came up, I jumped at it. There was nothing left holding me up there.”
“No friends, boyfriend to stay for?”
“No,” I replied shortly. I had no desire to get into that with him.
He nodded, not reacting to my terse response. “Culture shock, I imagine.”
“It was. It’s so busy here. So many people.” I took another sip of my coffee, appreciating the fact that he wasn’t rushing me.
“I was lonely,” I admitted. “Most of the teachers are in relationships where I work. There’s only one other single staff member. I met a couple of other teachers from a different school, and we’re friendly…” She trailed off then shrugged. “I’m a bit shy, so I have trouble meeting new people.”