Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ryan
The beep from the microwave sliced through my brain like a knife through butter. I had pulled all-nighters before while working, but today, my body wasn’t cooperating.
I opened the door and pulled out the lukewarm coffee. I could have made a fresh cup after this one went cold while I was on the phone with Raven, but even that was more effort than I had energy for.
The past twenty-four hours were a pipedream and were the best of my life.
As soon as she was in a deep sleep after the nightmare woke her up, I set about her apartment to see what sort of breakfast I could round up with the ingredients she already had.
The original plan was to pay her a little visit then leave.
I was already going to take her to dinner, but once she showed her vulnerable side, my brain re-wired itself.
It was clear she needed a break, so I wanted to plan a whole day for her. She worked too much.
The only sleep I had was the short nap I had gotten at her place since I went straight to the studio to record after leaving.
Craig had sent the next project early and with a deadline.
The production timeline had moved up and if I didn’t get started right away I would miss it.
I could cancel the date, but I wasn’t going to sleep until I wined and dined Raven, and finally felt her soft body around mine.
Pounding coffee would have to suffice until I could pound her instead.
Leaning against the counter, I ran a hand through my hair.
I had a few hours until I was supposed to meet her, but my dick was screaming at me to go to her apartment and bury myself deep inside her.
The night before was glorious, but I craved more.
I would always crave more from her. Her moans as she came to the sound of my voice in the bath were playing through my mind on repeat.
A part of me was surprised when she texted that morning saying she was actually going to take the day off.
I didn't know which route she would take, assuming she would probably go to work, but Raven seemed to be enjoying being told what to do for once. My suspicions that she longed for someone else to make decisions for her seemed spot on. Some of the women I had been with were leaders, but they didn’t want to lead in the bedroom.
I took a chance Raven would be similar, desiring authority from a partner.
It was becoming clear this was more than physical attraction with Raven.
At first—after I got over my issues surrounding possible rejection—I thought I might be satiated after having her, but there was always a thought in the back of my mind that knew that wasn’t the case.
Even before I met her, Raven had infiltrated my very being, and I hadn’t seen anything except her since.
Last night when I was holding her solidified that.
I didn’t think I’d ever been in love, and I wasn’t sure what love looked like in a healthy situation.
But what is love if it's not thinking of a person every waking moment and going to the ends of the earth for them? Maybe that’s infatuation and obsession, but isn’t that how most relationships begin?
All the books and stories I’ve narrated are exactly that—obsession that grows into love.
Of course, books weren't real life, but the unconditional love the characters always had for each other was what everyone wanted, right? Each person had a different story, but overall the desired result was the same. A person who would stand beside their partner and support them even if the world was on fire. I’d found the woman I wanted to be that person for.
Even if I was shattered in the process, one hour with her would be better than none.
I downed the rest of the coffee and sat the plain white mug in the sink.
In the living room, I got in a quick workout of push-ups and other cardio I didn’t need equipment for.
After I was a sweaty mess, I showered and dressed in the only suit I owned.
It wasn’t designer, but it was nice enough.
Hopefully nice enough for the woman who had everything.
I was all in for her, and I figured she preferred a well-dressed man as opposed to a slouch in sweatpants and a hoodie.
That was the reason I was taking Raven to the nicest restaurant in the city.
I wanted to show her that I could be refined like my parents had always wanted me to be.
For Raven, I’d be anything she wanted. No ordinary guy would suffice for this perfect woman, so I pulled out all the stops.
Luckily, the restaurant was within walking distance of the place I wanted to meet her.
After driving downtown and parking, I counted the paces from Raven’s office to the park when we first laid eyes on each other. By the time I settled on the same bench I was sitting on that day, I saw the limo was close on the company’s app. Within a few minutes, Raven sent a text.
“Why am I at my office?”
I smiled at her questioning everything. I quickly typed the number of paces and turns she needed to take that would bring her to me.
When the limo arrived at her apartment, she lost her shit, saying it was ridiculous and that she could drive herself.
She was practical while still living comfortably.
I liked that about her since I didn’t like to spend money, either.
My nerves kicked in, so I scrolled mindlessly through my social media profiles that I neglected recently.
The comments on older posts of people asking where I was distracted me from my sweaty palms. I no longer cared as much about driving my followers mad with my voice.
I only cared about driving her mad. I still loved my career, but Raven was at the forefront.
The click of heels on the paved pathway drew my attention.
I glanced up and damn near stopped breathing.
She stood a few feet away, and for a moment, I was paralyzed by the sight of her.
She was wearing a long-sleeved black evening dress that came to a halt mid-calf, and her hair was in a half bun with the rest flowing over her shoulders.
The dress hugged every curve of her body, and I was at a loss for words, my dick hardening at the thoughts running through my head.
She was my own personal goth queen, and I wanted to skip dinner and go straight to dessert.
Her lips curved into a smile, and I snapped out of the trance she put me in.
Picking my jaw up off the ground, I jumped to my feet and closed the distance between us.
When I held out my palm, she brought her hand up in offering.
I grasped her delicate fingers and dropped a featherlight kiss on her soft skin.
“Raven,” I breathed. “You are the most beautiful woman to ever walk the earth. I’m in awe of you.” Her blush was apparent even in the darkness. “Do you remember this spot? You probably don’t since you were in the middle of your workday, but it’ll always be special to me.”
Her voice came in a whisper. “I remember.”
My heart skipped. “You remember seeing me here?”
“Of course, I do,” she scoffed.
I beamed down at the gorgeous woman I would have on my arm for the evening. “Obviously, this might be a bit forward of me, considering everything that’s already happened between us, but, may I?” I tilted my head toward her so she understood what I was asking.
She gave a slight nod, and I rested my hands on her perfect hips and ducked to take her mouth with mine. She tasted like heaven.
Like she was mine.
It was torture to pull away, but I wanted to make the reservation since we wouldn’t be guaranteed a table if we missed it. She peered up at me with heavy-lidded eyes. “As much as I would like to have you for dinner, we’re going to be late if we don’t go now.” I laughed.
“Why delay? We can go back to my apartment right now, and you can have me all night.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
I groaned and turned away from her, biting my fist. After I did a few math equations in my head, I turned back to her.
“You’re going to have to stop talking that way, or I’m going to do exactly that, woman.
You, in that dress, with that mouth? I’m already on edge as it is.
” I jerked her to me, pressing my groin against hers so she could feel me. She drew in a sharp breath.
“Be a good girl, and let me take you on a proper date, all right?” I growled in her ear.
“Let me treat you how you deserve to be treated. I want nothing more than to take you back to your apartment and fuck you until you can’t remember your name, but no matter how much of a slut you are for me in private, out here you’re worth the entire world. Understand?”
Her chest heaved against mine as she bobbed her head in agreement, her voice absent at my words.
“Good.”
Releasing her, I offered my arm. With a smile she took it, and we began walking the few blocks to the restaurant. A comfortable silence stretched between us, and I never wanted to lose the feeling.
As we strolled through the trees, Raven rested her hand on my elbow, drawing her body close to mine.
“How old are you, Ryan?” she asked.
I hoped my answer wouldn’t be a deal breaker for her. “Twenty-five. You?”
“Thirty-two. Is that all right with you?” There was a hint of unease in her voice.
I lifted her hand for a kiss. “None of that matters to me, darling. As long as it doesn’t matter to you.”
“It doesn’t. At first I was nervous, but it was silly.” The sounds of the city enveloped us until Raven spoke again. “Tell me something about you that no one else knows,” she purred as we stepped onto the sidewalk at an intersection.