One question keeps niggling at me, though. “Why do you care so much? Why are you doing all of this? Wouldn’t it be easier if I had my dad deal with all of this, seeing as he’s the one apparently at fault?”
James is silent, a hundred different emotions playing behind his eyes, and I wonder which lie he’ll tell me this time.
“I’ve always cared, Raven.” He swallows before adding, “Just not in the way you want me to.”
The way I feel like I’ve just been slapped across the face is hard to take. It’s one thing to think scenarios and thoughts in my head, but to actually hear him say the words? It’s like reading that my favorite character has been killed off—soul-destroying.
“Riiiiight,” I drawl. Desperately wanting to change the subject, I ask, “When does it start? I’ve missed two days of school already.”
“I’ll be finalizing your security detail today, so you can go back tomorrow.”
“What about my stuff? I need certain things.”
James stands up and clears our plates. “They can take you either before or after school.” Walking to the sink, he says, “When are you next at work?”
“Erm, Thursday I think. I can’t remember off the top of my head. My schedule changes each week.”
He nods his head before starting to load the dishwasher.
Saying goodnight, I head up to his bedroom and get ready for bed. I don’t know where James has been sleeping; he must be in one of the guest rooms. I would have thought he’d ask for his room back, but he’s never said anything, so neither have I.
My book’s calling me as I climb under the covers, but all I can think about is if this will be the making or the breaking of us.
Chapter Thirty
JAMES
Raven’s been living under my roof for two weeks, and I’m slowly losing my goddamn mind. Not only have I never had anyone living in my space before, but it’sRaven. The Eve to my Adam. The forbidden fruit I’m not allowed to touch or taste but desperately crave.
She leaves her stuff lying everywhere—fluffy colored blankets in my once sterile-looking living room, books that have appeared on the small bookcase in one corner, her clothes in the laundry pile that my housekeeper, Mrs. Gardener, leaves on my bed, and her goddamn hair’severywhere. It should irritate the shit out of me, but it just gives me a feeling of warmth every time I see it.
I’m turning into a fucking sap in my old age.
You’d think I had feelings for the woman with the way I’m acting.As if that would happen, I internally scoff.
Stepping into the kitchen, I ignore the thoughts swirling in my head and see Raven sitting at the counter, reading a book. “You know wehave a perfectly good sofa that would be more comfortable, right?” I chuckle.
She doesn’t bother looking up at me as she replies, “Got to a good part. Got distracted. Been here since.”
I laugh at her short answers. “Must be a good book?”
Raven lets out a huff, closing the book with a thud and turning to glare at me. “Why must you interrupt my reading time?”
“Note to self: don’t talk to Raven when she has her nose in a book.”
“Damn straight, pretty boy. I gotta get my kicks somehow.” She grins.
I ignore her comment, blaming my dirty ass old man brain for conjuring up different meanings when she says, “Get her kicks.”
Waiting for the coffee to brew, I watch as she slides off the stool and comes to stand close to me. She’s so close I can smell her Neroli scent, and I breathe in deeply. Something about that smell gets my dick hard every time, and I wonder if it’s the smell alone or the fact that it’s associated with her.
Raven reaches up to the cupboard right beside my head, her body pressing against me as she tries to get a mug out. I could be a gentleman here and get the cup for her, but I don’t. Instead, I’m the selfish bastard who basks in her being so close. So close, in fact, that if I were to turn my head a fraction, my lips would be on hers.
She tilts slightly, almost as if she’s losing her balance, and my hand automatically comes out to hold her steady. My palm comes into contact with the skin on her back, her T-shirt riding up as she stretches.
I lose all coherent thoughts as my eyes snap to hers. Her eyes pull me in, and I feel like I’m in a trance. How she does this to me every time, I don’t know, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it.
My thumb has a mind of its own as I gently rub it back and forth against her soft skin. My dick hardens, and the little gasp from her lipstells me she felt it. I want to feel embarrassed, I want to step back and apologize for being the world’s biggest perv, but I can’t. Not anymore.
