Chapter Forty-three
Noah let Raven out of the car far enough from the house so that her whistle brought Koda running out of the darkness.
She dropped her suitcase and hugged the animal so hard, she wondered that she didn’t yelp.
But her loyal friend didn’t. Ecstatic to see her, she seemed to understand Raven needed her patience, and licking her face, she gave her what she needed. Unending acceptance.
Soon, Raven tiptoed into the house and made her way to her room, thinking that she could sneak in without anyone seeing her.
The morning would be time enough to eat crow and beg for forgiveness.
Tonight, she felt drained. Exhaustion claimed her, demanding she sleep.
And because of Noah, she had no doubts that she’d be able to do so for the first time since that fateful night.
Once she had the door to her room closed behind her, she flipped on the bedside light and caught the yelp seconds before it rang out.
Rising from the covers, Cane sat up, watching as she snuck in.
He didn’t speak, but the look on his face undeniably screamed welcome home.
With a cry of delight, she flung herself into his arms to be held so tight, she had trouble catching a breath. Not that she gave a hot damn.
His absolute welcome made her throb with thankfulness for his forgiveness and instant acceptance.
Feeling his body’s warmth with her cold hands, and his hot breath against her neck, she collapsed, letting the tears flow.
He hauled her back with him so they could lean against the quilted headboard, while he let her cry.
His body shook from his own emotional response, and that made her relax her own tightness.
Together, they allowed the past to be put to rest.
Finally spent, she pulled back to look into his face. “I don’t know what to say except, I’m sorry.”
He looked into her sad eyes for long moments before he said, “You broke my heart, leaving me the way you did. I couldn’t take that again, Raven. You have to know that. You have to promise never to shut me out that way again.”
“Oh, God. I promise. Never again. I let my old ways take hold and running to hide always kept me sane in the past. But I know better now. Noah explained what my actions have done, and I’ll never run from you again.
” She flung herself back into his arms, kissing him with such fervor that he found himself first relaxing and then responding.
In no time, they’d shed their clothes and were drawn into the rioting passion of two people who’d been separated and reunited. His kisses made her weak with desire, and her body tightened with anticipation.
She wound her legs around his thighs, leaving herself open for him… wanting, willing, begging him to join with her. Her ponytail let loose and her long hair enveloped them both in the soft mass.
His hands traveled her body with a gentleness that soon became intense. “My god, baby, you’re so wet for me. I’ve missed you so much, it’s been an eternity.” He kissed her breasts, her shoulders, and even the arms she’d wrapped around his neck, urging him on.
“Love me, Cane. Show me.”
And he did. And not just once.
***
The next morning, Winona seemed surprised to see Noah, Val, and the kids arriving with breakfast all prepared… scads of muffins, scones, and fancy biscuits along with a huge fruit platter.
“I see you stopped at the cafeteria on your way here. How generous. And to what do I owe this occasion?”
Before they answered, Raven’s bedroom door opened, and she stepped out with Cane following behind. Both smiling, their faces lit from the happiness inside. “I think they’re here to celebrate my homecoming, Nana. And I’m here to stay. Are you happy to see me?”
Though Winona had a hard time getting to her since the kids reacted first, she didn’t hesitate to grab her girl into a tight hug before adding, “Welcome home, my child. Welcome home.”
~*~*~*~
If you enjoyed reading the latest book in the Undercover FBI Series, you might enjoy a trilogy of three of the Special Agent Books called Hot and Wild featuring:
Special Agent Charli is forced to go into witness protection, guarding a teenage girl who’s the only person able to identify a notorious killer.
The local FLPD Major acts as her fictitious fiancé and her backup on the dangerous mission, yet he pushes her “I-wanna-kill-him” buttons from the first moment they meet. Thankfully, her beloved Grandfather, Papa John arrives, bringing sanity to the crazy emotional ride filled with danger & thrills.
Special Agent Rylee is chosen as one of the agents to play bodyguard on a cruise ship to a spoiled billionaire - Mr. Fancy Pants.
Seriously, the whole idea depresses Rylee.
Keeping this pampered smart-ass out of the clutches of a tenacious stalker, crazed mercenaries & a man out to seek revenge seems trivial. Little did she know….
Special Agent Murphy is brave and strong…
ready to jump into any situation to save a life.
But he’s also a hardass who doesn’t like most people.
Yet when one digs deep, he has a mushy side – especially for the people in his life he cares about.
The guy lives by a certain code of high morals and a low tolerance for fools.
Sadly, it’s that type he seems to attract. (A holiday story.)