I smile at her. “Sweetie, your shoulders are up around your ears.”
She finally opens up and tells me about her boyfriend and how she feels like she’s being watched. A shiver works its way down my spine as she explains what’s been happening. I desperately try to keep the worry from showing on my face.
The shop door chimes, interrupting us, and a quick glance toward the door has me wishing I’d called in sick.
My stupid heart beats erratically in my chest as I stare at the man who haunts my every waking moment and dreams.
Excusing myself from Lauren, I walk to the counter where James is standing. He’s wearing his usual suit—if I didn’t know any better, I’d say he lived in them, but unluckily? Luckily? For me, I’ve seen him out of them, and he looks entirely too fuckable, adding to my already pissymood with him. Begs the question as to who he’s been wi—stop right there, Raven. It’s none of your business, girl. Move the fuck on.
Rounding the counter, I prop myself up against the back bar and cross my arms over my chest, glaring at him. “What are you doing here?”
James looks at me, and I get lost for a moment. He’s always had this deep, penetrating stare that feels like he can see straight into your soul. Just one look and it causes you to crumble at his knees, begging for more.
“I came to grab a coffee on my way to the office,” he replies with a shrug.
“Huh, and you couldn’t go to the millionothercoffee shops that aredirectlyon your way to the office?” I snark.
“I could, but you aren’t at those coffee shops.” He winks, and I can’t take it anymore.
“Listen to me closely, James Smith, just fucking stop,” I whisper, and even though there are no customers, I move closer. “You’re confusing the hell out of me. You want me, you don’t want me. Make up your damn mind or please, juststop.” I blink rapidly, trying not to cry. It might have been months, but apparently, I can hold a grudge like the best of them.
James pushes away from the counter, rubbing the back of his neck and sighing like he’s trying to release the tension. His face is hard to read, but it’s his eyes that tell me what he’s feeling—he’s upset. “That’s not what I’m trying to do here, pretty girl.”
“Don’t. Don’t call me that,” I murmur, gazing at my hands. “I don’t know what you thought you’d achieve by coming here, but please leave.” I gesture with my head toward the door, deliberately avoiding eye contact.
I pick up the empty cups on the side, throwing them into a bowl, and walk off. A few minutes later, the door slams and I breathe a sigh of relief, bracing my hands on the counter for support.
Lauren rushes over to me, asking if I’m okay. I tell her I’m fine, but in all honesty… I’m not. I wipe the tears from my eyes as she hugs me. Lauren heads off to the library, leaving me to my confused thoughts and to wipe up the mess of my shattered heart from the floor.
Chapter Twenty-Three
JAMES
After leaving Raven this morning, I spent all day in the office going over what she said. I know I’m confusing her; hell, I’m confusing myself, but I don’t know what the answer is. My confusing ways continue to hold no bounds when I bribed a kid she works with to give me her schedule. I’ve lost count of the evenings I’ve sat in my car across the street and watched her, telling myself over and over that I was only there to keep my promise to Drew.
This girl has firmly worked her way under my skin, and I don’t know why. Is it the thrill of the chase? That my life feels like it's lost all meaning since the night of her birthday, I’ve now set my eyes on the one woman I can’t have because she makes me feel something no one else has done before?
I shouldn’t want her, Ican’twant her.
I’m going round in circles trying to figure it out. I wake up most mornings haunted by dreams of her. Most of them are Raven invarious positions as I fuck the shit out of her. I’ve never had so many cold showers in my life.
This is some fucked up shit.
I’m driving down the highway, on my way home from the office, when my phone rings. Hitting the ‘connect call’ on my steering wheel, I answer, “Smith.”
A sob comes through the speaker, and I’m instantly on high alert. “J-James?”
My chest tightens with fear, and the car swerves slightly. “Raven? What is it? What’s wrong?” I demand. Every worst-case scenario runs through my head because Raven wouldnevercall me unless she had to.
“They—He—” she stutters before trying again. “Someone—” she cuts off again, and the sound of her cries fills my car.
“Pretty girl,” I say as softly as I can manage, panic coursing through me. “What happened? Are you okay? Where are you?”
“Ho-honey Po-pot,” she manages to say between hiccups.
Getting off at the nearest exit, I race down the streets, my heart thumping wildly in my chest. “Raven, are you safe?” I ask as white noise rings in my ears. I push the car harder, faster.
“Ye-yes.”
