Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
RAVEN
“ T wo hundred dollars!”
“Two-fifty!”
“Three-fifty!”
“Five hundred dollars.” The entire hall is seized in silence when one of the guests speaks up with their bidding price. My eyes widen slightly, darting around the crowd in search of the guest.
And then, I see her. A pale-skinned woman with an overly bright lipstick. She's wearing an overly extravagant black fascinator that pulls her black hair backwards, the shade matching her dark shades.
“Five hundred dollars, wow!” Ana chuckles, looking towards the cute Aussie puppy in an elevated cage that meets the eye level of literally everyone in the room. “Does anyone want to beat that? Okay, the Australian pup is going for five hundred in, one, two, three, and…sold!”
The guests break into hoots and cheers, waving their number tags in the air.
The Atlantic Animal Hospital's planning committee already had everything planned out for the winter volunteer service, that's why they shifted the fundraiser to the last day of voluntary service. I had never seen anything more perfectly coordinated and thoughtful. Raising money for homeless animals and animals who need domestic care through fundraising and pet auctions.
And personally, this is my favorite part of the entire week. But sadly, I had way too much on my mind to properly enjoy it.
I glance around the hall for the umpteenth time, my eyes frantically searching for him in the crowd as I take in the catchy decor. Since it's a fundraiser for animals, we decided to go for an animal themed decor, with a little touch of flowers and some decent lighting. It gives the entire space an earthy vibe that I found so alluring.
My heart sinks into the pit of my stomach when I notice that he's nowhere in sight. I had seen him earlier before the party started, but we weren't able to talk too much because he was grabbed by some members of the planning committee to help out with some emergency stuff.
I inhale, rising to my feet and smoothing the crease on my dark silk dress. I'm suddenly not feeling the preppy energy in the surroundings anymore. I need an escape, so I slip out of the crowd without being noticed.
I run my fingers through my hair, standing on the porch as I stare into the slightly snowy night. It's Christmas tomorrow and I'm not feeling the slightest connected to the holidays.
My mind won't stop wondering what happened between Gray and I yesterday evening. It hadn't occurred to me at the moment but I felt so cheap when I got home. I'm sure that he also feels that way. I had only known the guy for five days and I was so quick to open my legs for him. He didn't even use protection—granted, I'm on the pill. But, the level of trust I had in him scared me so much. It's nothing like I have ever felt before.
I'm twenty-two. I'm not a little girl anymore. I know when I want someone and I want Gray so much that it hurts. I don't even understand how I started falling for him. I don't know how it happened.
When I set out to be a volunteer at Atlantic, I didn't bargain for boy drama, but here I am, head over heels for a guy who might not even like me back. Maybe he also thinks I was a good fuck. Nothing more.
My eyes instantly blur with tears, a shaky breath evading me.
“Raven?”
I hear his voice, whirling my head around sharply. I gasp, staggering backwards and the need to hide from him suddenly fills me. I know it's useless because there is no point hiding from me since he has already seen all of me.
“Gray,” my throat closes up as I say his name.
His eyes squint, a frown marring his face when he notices that I'm crying. I barely even get to soak in the sight of him in white button-up and dark slacks when he strides towards me in the blink of an eye.
He slips an arm around my waist, pulling me into him with ease. My palms rest on his chest, a satisfactory sigh eluding me as I drink in his fresh, masculine scent. He was just inside me yesterday yet I can still feel my middle tingling with need and yearning.
“Baby, what's wrong? Why are you crying?” he cups my face, his voice breathy.
“I'm fine.” I croak.
“No, you are not. Talk to me.” He pleads.
“I'm just…I don't know. I feel like you think I'm cheap because of what happened between us yesterday. I promise. I'm not always that loose. It's just with you…it's…”
“Different,” he completes. I heave a sigh when he takes out the exact thing on my mind.
“Yes, it's different with you. I…I don't know.” My voice breaks because I'm frustrated with my feelings.
“Hey, hey, look at me.” He presses his forehead to mine, kissing it. “I'm feeling exactly how you are feeling. It should be scary how much I have just met you in five days and I have fallen for you this hard. Baby, I need you the way I have never needed anyone before. When you walk into a room, you light it up and you are suddenly the only thing I can see. Nothing, absolutely nothing makes sense without you.” He grabs my hand, placing my palm on his chest.
“Do you feel it?” he asks me, his eyes clouded with emotions.
“Yes,” I choke back a sob.
“It beats. Only for you. Just you.” He tells me and my breath rapidly hangs in my lungs. “I know it's just been a few days since we have known each other, but I have never felt this way about anyone else. I want you to be my girlfriend, Raven. What do you say?”
My eyes widen. “W-what? Are you sure? Gray, we don't even know each other that much…” My insecurities start getting the better of me.
“Do you want to?” That's all it takes for me to make a decision because deep down, I know I want to.
“Yes, yes. I want to be your girlfriend.” I croak.
Gray smiles, the act making my breath hitch, before he takes my lips in a kiss that seals the new journey we are beginning.
I venture into this volunteer for the sole purpose of giving back to humanity, but now, I think the universe gave me something.
The perfect Christmas present.
Him.