Chapter Twelve
Raven
The next poetry slam occurs a week later and despite my nerves about attending with a packed store full of people, I want to go.
Although I don’t have anything of my own to read, I want to go support a friend.
I’ve already called Caleb and canceled my weekly dinners with him and Owen, and I made him promise to tell my nephew I’ll make it up to him.
I only wish I knew when that will be possible.
Though Remy hasn’t noticed Lance, I’m certain he’s around. Somewhere. The only reason I’ll even consider going tonight is because I’ll have Remy by my side. I doubt he’ll be understanding and have stalled bringing it up with him.
But now, as I wake up naked in his arms, I realize the day has arrived and I have no choice. I’m curled around him, my cheek on his shoulder, facing him, my knee lifted and resting over his warm body.
Knowing what I need to ask, I’m not above playing dirty. Besides, I think, as I shift my hips, moaning softly as my sex rubs against his hard thigh, we’ll both enjoy my seduction. I lower my leg so I stretch beside him and slide a hand over his hips, grasping his cock in my hand.
Since I’ve been staying here, we’ve developed a healthy sex life. One I still insist is a friends-with-benefits arrangement. It’s the only way I can justify getting closer to him—because he’s helping me with the Lance situation.
My brother isn’t something I want to think about while I’m rubbing myself against Remy, all the while pumping my hand up and down his shaft and feeling his erection grow thicker in my hand.
“Raven,” he says in that rough morning voice I love. “Is my girl horny?”
My girl. All my lady bits tingle at his use of that expression. One I wish could be true. But I don’t see Lance going anywhere anytime soon. Not if Cassandra has her say. She’ll do anything to keep her baby boy, as she thinks of him, protected and out of prison. Stop! I internally scream at myself.
Drawing a breath, I refocus on the more enjoyable man before me. “Yes, Remy, I’m horny,” I admit.
With a low chuckle, he lifts his body and in seconds, has me pinned beneath him, his cock nestled exactly where I want it. My sex grows heavy and wet, desire filling me and pushing all other thoughts aside. Except the awareness that yes, I need something from him he won’t like.
His lips come down hard on mine and I moan into his mouth.
Arching my lower body, I raise my hips and wrap my legs around his, anchoring myself to him.
The kiss goes on for a while, his teeth pulling at my lower lip, tongue soothing the ache he creates, and his hands roaming over my skin.
And that thick cock rubbing against my pussy.
Before I can think of what I want to do or say next, he’s managed to free himself from my grasp, position himself at my entrance, and slide home.
He fills me, not with a hard, fast thrust but a slow, easy glide that says more than I’m ready to accept.
He rocks his hips, our bodies gliding against each other’s, the friction delicious, and his long cock managing to rub over just the right spot.
“Remy,” I moan, unable to hold back. “More.”
“Anything you want, baby.”
I know this is the moment I should stop him, turn this situation into a teasing one that lets me ask for something in return for letting him continue. He’d be annoyed. I’d coax and cajole him into saying yes to taking me tonight and we’d both finish with explosive orgasms. A win-win.
Except what he’s doing to my body includes my emotions and I close my eyes, lost as he continues to undulate his hips and make love to me until I’m soaring in the clouds and screaming his name.
He hasn’t come yet and he picks up his pace. “Look at me, beautiful.”
I force my heavy-lidded gaze open and stare into those golden-brown orbs.
Only then does he begin to fuck me, slamming into me over and over again.
He’s a master at finding my G-spot and when he shifts position, I begin to rise again, pleasure and waves of need pouring through me until finally he gives one last thrust. He hits the perfect point again and as I come, so does he with a growl of satisfaction, hips sliding in and out until he finally settles inside me and collapses, his breath warm on my neck.
A few minutes later, we’re sweaty and damp as he holds me tight. “I could wake up like this every morning,” he says, satisfaction filling his tone.
“Mmm.” So could I but I hold back the admission. Anything that indicates long term is impossible and hurts too much to think about.
“Raven?”
Something worrisome in his tone has me stiffening and paying attention. “What is it?” I ask.
“We didn’t use a condom.”
I blink in surprise. I’ve been diligent in including that added layer of protection with him. “I—”
“It’s okay,” he says, stroking my hair. “I’m certain I’m clean. Recent checkup and blood work,” he tells me.
I relax against him. “Good. Me too, and I’m on the pill.”
So the chances of anything going wrong are a narrow one percent. I remember asking the doctor about the best method of birth control when I became sexually active and that slim number stuck with me.
With that out of the way, I close my eyes and think about the feel of him bare inside me and smile.
“You look satisfied,” he says.
I open my eyes to find him staring at me, a self-satisfied grin on his face. “That’s because I am. But don’t let it go to your head, you arrogant man.”
I wait through his low laugh before speaking again. “Remy, I need to ask you something.”
“What is it?” His fingers are tangling in my hair and I enjoy the slight pull at my scalp, finding it arousing.
But we’re not going for round two. Not until I’ve settled my evening plans.
“Tonight is another poetry night at the coffee house.”
He stiffens beside me. “No.”
“But—”
“Every time you go anywhere but the bar or this apartment, you feel like someone’s watching you. There’s no reason to put you in jeopardy.”
I sigh and having expected the argument, am ready with one of my own. “Do you remember Angelica? Angel? The girl I introduced you to at the last event?”
“Yeah.”
I push off him and sit up, curling my legs beneath me, unconcerned I’m naked. His gaze, on the other hand, settles on my breasts and I don’t bother covering them.
“Well, she’s young and tonight is the first time she’s going to get up onstage. She needs me there for moral support and I promised I wouldn’t let her down.”
A displeased sound rumbles in Remy’s chest. “Lance doesn’t care that you have a soft, giving heart.
If he wants to rattle you, he will do his damnedest to frighten you.
Worst case, he gets his hands on you. So no.
” He pushes himself up against the pillows and headboard, arms folded across his broad chest.
“Are you doubting your ability to protect me? Because if so, maybe it’s time to call in the bodyguards you mentioned you hired for Emily.”
Soon after my apartment window was broken, Remy sat me down and told me Garrett had checked on Emily.
She was aware of Lance’s release and was taking precautions.
Knowing that wouldn’t be enough for me, Remy had hired Alpha Security to keep an eye on the woman from afar.
I was so grateful, I broke down and cried.
Remy narrows his gaze. “Don’t try and manipulate me,” he mutters. “Especially not when it comes to your safety.”
I let out a sigh. “I’m sorry. It’s just that Angel is only seventeen and she’s about to age out of foster care. These nights mean so much to her and she finally worked up the courage to participate.”
“Raven,” he says in a warning tone.
I clasp my hands in front of me in a praying gesture. “Please? We’ll go, see Angel, I’ll let her know how well she did, and then we can leave. I’m sorry for what I said. I trust you to protect me,” I add. And I do or I wouldn’t think of attending.
“You’re killing me.” He shakes his head and closes his eyes. “Tell me one thing.”
I nod, eager to answer him because I sense he’s weakening. “Sure.”
“Did you wake me up and seduce me in order to get your way when my defenses were down?” His knowing gaze bores into mine.
Shoulders drooping, I nod. “It started out that way but the second I touched you, I forgot all about having an agenda. I wanted you,” I say in a husky voice.
“Dammit, Raven.” He meets my gaze and I hope it’s resignation I see in his eyes and tight expression.
“So… you’ll take me?”
“You don’t go anywhere where I can’t see you. If you need the ladies’ room, I’m standing outside. I mean it.”
I exhale long and hard. “Okay. I promise.” Relieved and happy, I dive over him, assuming what I’ve begun to think of as my spider monkey position, hugging him as I wrap myself around him.
“What am I going to do with you?” he mutters into my hair.
I can’t hold back my smile. “I can think of a few things.”
Next thing I know, he’s inside me again and nothing around me exists or matters but Remy.
* * *
Remy
That night, I’m on high alert at the coffee shop. I still can’t believe how the little minx went about convincing me to take her.
My gaze darts from the entrance around to every corner of the room. No Lance.
Though she came to my apartment with the clothes on her back, I went upstairs to her place one night while she was busy at the bar, and packed up clothing and personal items to bring home.
I thought surrounding her with her own things would help ease her anxiety.
Raven was grateful but to my surprise, she’s also ordered items online that are more like my sister’s taste and tonight’s outfit is a new version of Fallon’s boho look.
She’s dressed in a new flowy skirt, this one a bright orange, leggings to keep her skin warm underneath, a navy sweater with open shoulders and a pair of white Chucks.