15. Christian
I’m so focused on the book I’m reading that I don’t notice the time, and it’s only my watch pinging to alert me that it’s already past noon. I glance at the hallway leading to Raven’s bedroom, the door shut since breakfast and her announcing that she’s going to try to concentrate on making her new book. With my sister and her songwriting, that translates to Do Not Disturb, so I stay where I am and continue turning the pages.
When I get to the middle of Charlie Hooper and His Red Ball, my brows lift. At the same time, the door to Raven’s bedroom opens and I hear her excited footsteps before she appears before me.
“I did it. Made it to half of the book, but I already know how it’s going to end.”
Triumph shines on her face, making her look even more vibrant than she already is. I grin. “Congratulations. That sounds like an achievement.” Then I remember something. “How do you know the landmarks of San Diego so well?”
She puzzles over my question, then shrugs. “I grew up there.”
“Shut the hell up.”
Her mouth drops open, but I’m already bouncing off the couch toward her.
“What?”
“I know San Diego. I was stationed in Coronado for a few years, and my headquarters is there. But I also have a small office in downtown San Diego.”
Her eyes widen. “No freaking way. Since when?”
“Stationed about six years ago, but the office in San Diego is around two years old.”
“Oh. I didn’t go home much after college. Maybe a week or two breaks, but I also mostly just spent time with my family. Why is your headquarters on an island?”
“Tourists. They bring in a lot of clients.”
She nods, then brightens. “Wow, we finally have something in common.”
“What do you mean? We have a lot in common.”
I lean close to her, wanting her to know exactly what I mean. Her eyes widen again, then darken, while her lips slide into an impish smile.
“We do? I don’t know what you mean. Perhaps you should remind me.”
God, this teasing side of Raven is so natural—and so tempting. I start walking, and she does, too. Eventually, I have her cornered with her ass and back against the kitchen island.
“Perhaps I should,” I whisper against her mouth, our lips brushing repeatedly over each other, kissing but not kissing, as we wait for one of us to make the first move. I tease her to break first, but Raven’s tongue comes out and licks my lower lip. Just like that, it’s game over. “Fuck.”
In the blink of an eye, I band my arm around her waist and crush my mouth to hers while I lift her to sit on the counter. She immediately spreads her legs for me and kisses me back, drawing me into a heady desire that I know all too well now. It’s as potent as ever between us as if each time we come together just adds to the wanting instead of satiating it.
When she runs a finger down my throat, I growl. “Kitchen island?”
“Couch?”
“We’ve done couch. But I kind of want you there again…maybe bent over.”
The image of Raven in that position is enough to destroy me and melt my brain. She moans, too, in shock.
“Oh, my God.”
“Oh, Christian,” I correct, then lift her again, intending to carry her straight toward the couch. “Keep moaning my name like that and I’ll give you whatever you want.”
Then the doorbell rings, freezing us both. When it rings again, I struggle not to curse or throw something at the door. Instead, we reluctantly pull apart.
“Maybe it’s important.”
Her suggestion doesn’t calm me in the least bit, especially when her mouth still looks ripe and swollen. I grimace, then adjust myself in my pants, not about to let the world see that I’m already hard and primed for this woman.
Then I open the door and am faced with another woman, one with a friendly smile and a plate of pie in her hands.
“Aimee?”
“Christian. Hi.”
Aimee’s friendliness shifts into a pleased look, one that widens her smile. Her dimples appear and her eyes crinkle. I don’t think she has ever visited my house before, and we definitely haven’t interacted much since I got here.
Which makes this unusual.
“Hey. What’s up?”
“I was baking some pies for a fundraiser and made some extras, so I thought I’d drive over and give one to you…and, you know, catch up. We haven’t really talked since you got here.”
“Yeah.”
Did we ever talk, though? I try to recall, but all I remember is some flirting at the bar before we hooked up. Then…I don’t know, more flirting whenever we bump into each other, though we haven’t flirted recently.
I’m better acquainted with her cousins, who run Nick’s non-profit organization with my sister, but we’re not close friends, either.
“Well, can we? Catch up?”
The grumpy part of me wants to tell her to go to hell, but I was raised better than that, and I know it’s not Aimee’s fault that I’m a horny bastard. So, I offer a smile and nod.
“Sure. Come on in. What’s the pie?”
She’s delighted that I ask. “Blueberry. It’s really good! Let me just slice you a piece and…oh, Raven. Hi! Mary Anne told me Honey Lee’s off on a trip and I thought you were going to be with her.”
“Hey, Aimee.” Raven smiles back. “What’s the occasion?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to visit. Let me get you two some slices.”
“No, no, sit. I’ll get you the slices. You’re the guest here.”
Aimee beams, liking the idea. I watch as Raven takes the pie to the kitchen, then gets busy taking out plates and utensils from the cupboards.
“So, how have you been, Christian?”
“Good. You?”
“I’ve been really good. I’ve signed up for the next Nashville pageantry and will be training soon.”
“That’s nice.”
My gaze flicks toward Raven when she tiptoes to get the fancy glasses, and I try not to stare at her sweet little butt. But it’s impossible not to look at her because seeing her looking so cozy in the kitchen is doing things to my system…and no, not just my cock.
“I saw you at the diner the last time you went with Raven. You looked really good. You look good now, too.”
I turn back to Aimee. She’s waiting expectantly, but I don’t even remember what she was wearing in the diner, just that she approached Raven and they chatted a bit.
“Thanks.”
A flare of disappointment is visible on her face, then is gone. When Raven walks over with the tray of pie slices and juice, I scoot over to give her space—and to my shock, Aimee scoots over, too, pressing against me so that Raven has to sit on her other side.
“Thanks, Raven! You’re a sweetheart.”
“Anytime.”
I reluctantly take my piece and try it, then watch as Raven closes her eyes.
“Aimee, this is really good.”
“Thanks.” A hand lands on my knee and squeezes. “Christian, what do you think?”
I stare at the hand, then at Raven, who’s studiously not looking at us. I can’t read her expression. Aimee doesn’t notice, braced for my reply…and her hand is still on my knee.
“It’s great.”
Is this how it’s been before? Did she make the move on me or did I make the move on her? For the first time, I’m unsure of my stance and wonder if I did something to make her think that I’m looking for more with her.
But the last time we got together was last year. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, and this is just a friendly gesture.
But it doesn’t feel like one, and I definitely don’t like her doing it in front of Raven.
Aimee starts talking about people we know, while Raven digs into her piece. I can tell she’s listening. She nods but just lets Aimee ramble on, smiling vaguely. That smile vanishes, however, when Aimee begins to put her hand back on my thigh and leaves it there.
I let out a loud cough at her boldness, trying to shake her hand off me, but she gives me a concerned look and pats me on the back.
“You all right?” she says, raising her eyebrows. “Need some water?”
“I got it.” I reach for a glass on the tray Raven brought out and take a drink. Well, at least she took her hand off me. Raven doesn’t look any more pleased.
“Aimee, how are your parents?” I’m desperate to get her attention off me.
She beams and starts going on about them. I try my best to evade her physical contact while still being polite and asking about her friends and family.
But as we talk, her hand inches its way back to my thigh. This time, she starts rubbing it lightly back and forth.
Desperate to get the point across, I blurt out, “I heard Betty’s holding a speed dating event next month. You should join it for fun. Who knows? You might even meet someone you like.”
Her face falls at my light suggestion while Raven glares at me when Aimee leans forward to get her own glass.
I’ll admit that I’m usually a lot smoother than this, but I’ve never been in this situation before. It’s always been easygoing encounters, an understanding that it was nothing serious. The couple times I was with Aimee, it was for one night, and then we parted ways in the morning.
I shoot Raven a wide-eyed look over Aimee’s head. Pressing her lips together, Raven just gives me an annoyed look before turning back to our guest.
“Aimee, do you want another slice?” Raven asks.
Aimee nods her head, deliberately looking anywhere but at me. Raven excuses herself back to the kitchen while shooting me another look, and I think I get it now. She wants me to be honest and let her down. I brace myself when Aimee sidles closer again.
I guess my suggestion of speed dating didn’t do the trick because she says, “You should join, too. Or we can skip it and drive to Nashville. I have some free time after training, and I think we’ll have fun…if you know what I mean.”
Only an idiot wouldn’t know what she means. I note her expression, bold and just a bit eager—and yes, I won’t deny that at one point, I was susceptible to it and would have easily agreed, no harm done. But that seems like ages ago, another life.
It’s just awkward now.
“That’s…” I clear my throat. “Nice, Aimee, but I don’t think I can make it.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not in the market for a relationship right now.”
“I didn’t say a relationship.”
“I’m not in the market for that, either,“ I say carefully.
I wait for the rejection to register, ready with words of comfort about how it’s not her, it’s me. Which is true. I’m stunned instead when her hand slides higher until it’s near my crotch.
“Oh, come on, now. We’ve had some fun times. I bet it’ll be fun again and?—”
“No.”
Aimee blinks when she realizes I’m no longer beside her. She looks up, incredulous, then rises from the couch, too.
“No?”
“What we had…it was good, Aimee, but it’s done. I want us to just be friends now.”
I glance toward the kitchen to see if Raven is coming back out, but no such luck. She’s left me on my own. I do what I always do before going into battle, stand up straight and face it head on.
By the time I look back, Aimee’s face has morphed into disbelief and anger. She scoffs. “What? You think you’re too good for me? Small town Aimee?”
“What? No, Aimee,” I say, confused. “That’s not it.”
But she isn’t done. “Or maybe you’re sleeping with someone else? Carrie? You’re such a manwhore, Christian. Always juggling women.”
I’m shocked at her viciousness. Is this what she thinks of me? That I jump from bed to bed? It’s been a long time since I’ve been that stupid, arrogant kid.
Taking a step forward, I try to be earnest. “Aimee, no. If I’ve given you the impression that?—”
“Oh, save it.” She’s still angry, but I can see the hurt of rejection forming in her eyes. “I’m sure you and your next girl will be laughing at this in bed soon enough.”
“That’s enough, Aimee,” comes Raven’s cold voice from the kitchen doorway. I didn’t even hear her come in.
And by the way Aimee’s eyes widen, it’s clear she forgot Raven was even here.
“Raven,” she starts.
“No, it’s time for me to talk now. You do not get to walk into someone’s house and talk to them that way. Pretending to be their friend before stomping all over them because your pride got bruised.”
Aimee opens her mouth to speak, but Raven isn’t done. “Christian is busy protecting me, which is his job. And even if he wasn’t, he’s allowed to say no. He’s not just a piece of ass you can jump any time you feel like. He never made you any promises. You don’t get to viciously attack him if he doesn’t cooperate. It’s cruel, especially when you know he’s the type of guy who will never retaliate.”
Aimee’s mouth drops open. “But he did?—”
“No, he didn’t. Should we ask him now?” Raven turns to me as if she’s actually going to ask me.
To be honest, I’m speechless. But not at Aimee’s blatantly obvious behavior. I’m in complete awe at Raven. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone so neatly put in their place.
The look on Aimee’s face tells me that she knows she’s just been cornered. Raven doesn’t even glare at her, just tilts her head in question.
After a stretch of silence, Raven softens a bit. “Aimee, the pie was really good. We do appreciate you bringing it over and I think you’re a fantastic baker.”
Aimee swallows, not sure how to react. But eventually, she softens a bit, too. Muttering a brief “thanks,” she walks to the door and lets herself out. Raven stares at the door, then at me.
“I don’t think you could’ve handled that any worse if you’d tried,” she observes then turns and walks to the kitchen.
Gaping, I follow her. “How was I supposed to handle it?” I demand. “I wasn’t expecting her to…”
“Call you a manwhore?”
I blow out a breath.
“Yeah, that.” I lean against the counter while Raven starts cleaning up in there. “That was…”
“Interesting?”
“Painful.” I frown. “She’s right, you know. I was a playboy and slept around.”
Raven drops the towel she was using to dry some dishes and walks up to me, putting her hands on my chest. “No one should be shamed for casual sex. Especially not by one of the people they were having it with.“
I covered her hands with mine, looking into those amber eyes.
“You defended me back there.”
“Because she was being unfair and was petty. And I wasn’t lying when I said that you’re not the type of guy to retaliate, so someone had to.”
“Do you know what I think?”
“What?”
“I thought you being jealous would be hot. I know, stupid take,” I say when she rolls her eyes. “But I don’t know, guys like it when gorgeous women are jealous over them. But I was wrong. You protecting me is way hotter.”
Keeping her hands pressed to my chest, I lean down to kiss her. Against her lips, I add, “And damn, baby, you didn’t even break a sweat.”
She throws her head back and laughs. “You’re an idiot.”
Raven squeals, still laughing when I toss her over my shoulder and carry her to bed.
* * *
Later in the evening, my time with her is interrupted when a call comes in. The caller ID has me frowning, but I pick it up anyway.
“Hey, Carl. How’s everything?”
Carl Major is a big shot in the military and looks intimidating as hell, but he’s actually an easygoing guy who thinks it’s hilarious that people greet him as Lt. Gen. Major—except me and a few other people, considering how close we’ve gotten over the years and have kept that friendship even after I left the service.
“I’m doing good. How about you, Christian?”
“I’m not bad. Back at Sweet Haven with an assignment. Are you in Florida now?”
“Yes, I am. Vacationing at our second home here with my wife and grandkids.”
“That’s great.”
We catch up. But at the end of the pleasantries, I already know what’s coming, especially since he’s still my old boss and he only calls me this late for one reason.
“Listen, I have a favor to ask, and normally I wouldn’t ask you since you’re no longer active, but you’re also the only former Navy SEAL in the area and this is a sensitive matter…”
“What is it?”
I listen as he explains, aware that my body is tightening by the second. But I don’t interrupt until he’s done. Even then, I mull over my reply for a few more seconds.
“Can I get back to you, Carl? I just need to check something.”
He’s surprised, especially since I usually say yes without even blinking. But Carl agrees and hangs up, leaving me staring into the dark until movement beside me reminds me that I’m not alone in the bedroom.
“What’s wrong?”
Raven’s voice is sleepy, but I can tell she already heard my side of the conversation. I’m quiet for a while, my head clouded with the information I know.
“There might be a sex trafficking organization running in Jackson. My old boss, Carl, isn’t sure yet and has no concrete evidence, so he can’t officially send active military men there yet. The cops tried and the place was empty when they got there, but he has this gut feeling.” My body tenses again. “In our line of work, we always try not to ignore our gut feeling. He wants me to go and check things out. Form a decision and report back to him.”
A hand squeezes my shoulder. “You have to go.”
“Well…”
“It’s not even a question.” Her voice is firm. “And you can’t think about bringing me.”
I’m already thinking that, but her words stop me short. “Why not?”
“If I’m there, you’ll know I’ll be alone while you do your investigation—and you’ll get distracted. If I’m here, you know I’ll be with your townsfolk and safe.”
“Still alone.”
“Not alone. I have Honey Lee and Aaron. They’ll watch over me while you’re gone.”
She’s right. I can turn down Carl, but I know it’s going to plague me. So, I turn to her and kiss her shoulder, a quiet reassurance that this won’t take long.
“Okay. That sounds good.”
And I hope that I’m making the right decision.