AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“They don’t hurt.”
“Not the point. You don’t touch a woman with anger. Ever. My father taught me that from the moment he could make me understand. Women are to be cherished. Protected. Cared for.” My hands shook in rage as I looked at the marks on her skin. “I am going to teach him a lesson he won’t forget.”
She cupped my cheek. “He grabbed me yesterday and shook me. I told you that. I bruise easily. I don’t want you going after him, Damien. If he leaves me alone, leave him alone.”
“Why?” I asked, pressing her hand to my cheek.
“I don’t want you hurt in any way. Please.”
I turned my head and kissed her palm. “He can’t hurt me, Raven. He doesn’t stand a chance against my skill set.”
“Please.”
“If he leaves you alone, I’ll leave him alone. If not, all bets are off,” I lied.
I had no intention of letting this rest. I had a feeling she wasn’t the first woman he’d stalked. But I swore, she would be the last.
She frowned, obviously unsure if she should believe me. She leaned forward, dropping her voice. “Are you in the mafia?”
I began to laugh. “No.”
“Are you an undercover agent of some sort?”
“You watch too much TV.”
“But you’re more than a business owner,” she insisted.
I inclined my head, letting her know she was right.
“Will you tell me?”
I had seen what secrets did to a relationship. They almost cost Julian his marriage, and it took them a long time to recover. I would prefer to be honest, but I didn’t want to scare her away. “One day, yes.”
She sighed. “Okay.”
Then she yawned, and I glanced at my watch. It was past eleven. We’d been there for over three hours, talking, eating, and enjoying each other’s company. I had to take her home and let her get to bed. I didn’t want to, though—I wanted to stay with her and talk more. Then kiss her until I had my fill. All the sweet ones had been great, but I wanted her lips underneath mine. My tongue in her mouth. Her taste filling me up.
Her underneath me on my bed. Her voice begging me to take her. Crying out when I did.
I signaled for the check, knowing I would have to be content with good-night kisses. For now, anyway.
We walked to the car, and I waited until she slid in before heading to the driver’s side. I took my time, looking around carefully. I saw nothing out of the ordinary, and I got in, driving her home. In front of her building, I was pleased to see the streetlight fixed and lights back on in the building across from hers. I had called the company that owned the building, and they confirmed the light was constantly being vandalized. I arranged a special unbreakable cover for the light and had it installed for them. Anything to make Andy frustrated enough to stay away.
I left my car parked in front of her building and escorted Raven upstairs. She left her lights off, and I checked the perimeter, pleased that the street was deserted and I saw nothing out of the ordinary to give me any concern. I swept her apartment, but it was empty. Maybe my warning last night had been enough to scare Andy, and Raven was right. We could move on and forget about him.
I was sure she would agree, but I kept that thought to myself. It was too early to relax yet.
I went back to the living room, where she was leaning on the back of the sofa.
“All okay?” she asked anxiously.
“All good.”
“Thank you for tonight,” she said, smiling, looking oddly shy. “It was lovely.”
I stepped in front of her, sliding my fingers under her chin. Our eyes met, mossy green gazing into blue. I lowered my head and kissed the end of her nose, then her cheek. I dragged my lips to her ear. “You’relovely, Raven.”
She whimpered, sliding her hand up my chest and gripping my shirt with her fists. “Damien,” she whispered.
