Somehow, I manage to keep playing a few more songs before Jax asks if he can play one of his favorites for Sloane. After an appropriate amount of time passes, I make up an excuse, needing to try on those clothes Sloane bought me before I need to take off.
Raven’s hand slips into mine effortlessly, as we walk the dark path back to her house. The entire time, the electricity zips between us like a live wire I’m not sure I want to contain. I’m certain she feels the same by the way her strides pick up the closer we get to the house.
Once inside, she leads me to her room. Yes, the clothes I need to try on are in there, but I could truly give two fucks about them. Once the door clicks shut, she turns and launches herself into my arms, and all I care about is her.
My lips crash onto hers, and I finally free the beast that’s been kept at bay since our first night together. Her arms wrap around my neck, and I lift her with ease to my full height. Effortlessly, her legs wrap around my waist, and she kisses me with a sense of urgency, like never before.
Instead of traveling all the way to her bed, I merely turn and push her body against the wall. I need to touch her, to feel her, and make her mine in every way possible.
Her heated skin feels silky and smooth against mine, and the way she digs her nails through the stubble at the base of my neck drives me crazy with need. My hand tangles in her hair as I angle her perfectly and deepen our kiss.
It could be minutes, days, or months that we’re completely consumed by one another. Every second that passes, the flames that flow between us ignite into an inferno I have no intention of extinguishing.
Eventually, we need air. Breaking apart, she pants as she looks at me with so much heat in her eyes, they might be turning into molten lava, making my heart melt.
Fuck, she’s beautiful, and the need I feel reflected in her gaze makes me want her even more.
Breathlessly, she pants, “I know we have stipulations for this situation-ship… or whatever we’re calling this… But would you be opposed to changing our terms… from hands-off to more like a friends with benefits for this fake dating we’ve agreed to? I really like you, and I’m tired of denying what we have between us.”
Friends with benefits? Really? That’s what she wants to call this?
Her words hit me like a pail of ice water, and I’m instantly brought back to my conversation with Jax. Clearly, Raven and I have a connection. I’ve known from the beginning I want more. But according to Jax, Raven doesn’t do commitment and if Iwant to win her over like I think I can, I need to call her on her bluff.
As I pick my next words carefully, I let her body slowly slide to the floor. Cupping her face in my palm, I wait until I’ve got her full attention before saying the words that will either gut me on the spot or make me the happiest man alive.
“What if I want more?”
Blinking rapidly, as if she doesn’t comprehend my intentions, she asks, “More?”
“I want more,” I repeat forcefully.
Disbelief still evident in her words, she clarifies, “More than friends with benefits? Or more than fake dating?”
“Yes,” I state firmly. “To both.”
“But… But…” she sputters as her long lashes blink rapidly. “We agreed… we had stipulations… there wouldn’t be feelings involved.”
Crossing my hands over my chest to keep from reaching for her, I remain as stoic as possible. “Things changed.”
“What do you mean things changed? You said we’d be seen with each other in public, and you’d be my date to Lanie’s wedding, well both weddings since Sloane and Jax sprang that on us.”
“And I will,” I assure her. “I’m a man of my word.”
Tilting her head to the side, she studies my features. “Two seconds ago, you were ready to rip my clothes off and have your way with me. We were both on board with it. What changed?”
“My feelings,” I admit honestly. “I really like you… for real. There’s nothing fake about my feelings for you, and I refuse to pretend otherwise.”
“But I wasn’t looking for anything serious. I told you… from the start.”
“I know, and at the time, neither was I.”
For the longest time, she just stares at me, and it takes everything in me to remain rooted in place and not reach for her. These may be the hardest words I’ll ever say, but my gut tells me by the look in her eyes that she has real feelings for me, too. She just might not be able to admit them aloud just yet.
When I can’t take the silence any longer, I say, “Look, nothing has to be decided tonight. I know this is a lot for you to take in and now that you know where I stand, you can think about it and make the best decision for you.”
“I… I… I don’t know what to say.” Her hands start to reach for me, and I almost step toward her, but I remain strong.
“Look, we still need to get through these next few weeks being seen together. Between your sisters’ weddings and the festival, for both our sakes, we can’t stop being seen together in public. You don’t have to decide today. But please know I’ll keep kissing you in public, holding your hand, and trying to win over your heart, but I can’t go any further than that behind closed doors—unless you’re willing to go all in.”
