Page 46 of Raven

I open my eyes only when he gently kisses my cheek, and I sense the absence of his touch between my legs.

He pulls back, his satisfied gaze probing me.

What now?

I am so turned on, I want more, anticipate it. I never expected this from Raven—gentle consideration. He could get sex anywhere. He could screw me any way he wanted and leave. But he started pleasing me, making me enjoy it. Teasing. He knew I wanted it, sensed it.

We could really start this off with a bang—the thought makes me smile to myself as we stand gazing at each other.

But a bang of a different kind comes from the door—a loud knock and a familiar voice from behind it, “Maddy!”

In one single second, the moment is broken.

In a flash, the intensity in Raven’s gaze is gone.

My heart pumps even faster. This is the wrong time for an interruption. We should ignore the knocking.

But Raven takes a step back and doesn’t look down at my naked body, only says, “You should put your clothes back on.”

And then he steps away toward the door, stands with his back to me, and checks his phone.

I pull my clothes on as quickly as I can and tie my hair into a messy bun.

“Maaaa-dy!” Little bellows from behind the door and keeps knocking.

Raven turns to check on me and opens the door.

I see Little’s startled face as he realizes it’s Raven, and then his grin is back on. “Hi!”

Raven steps to the side to let him in. “There is no need to shout all the time.”

“Wha’ you guys doin’?” Little asks, stepping into the room with a giant book tucked under his arm, his eyes darting between us.

“Maddy and I were talking,” Raven says calmly, studying him.

“You here for the movie, too?”

“No. I’m out. Have a good night.”

Without sparing me another glance, Raven closes the door behind him, and I make a goofy expression at Little that makes him giggle.

“Look!” He shows me the book. “Come, look at this!”

He races to the couch, plops down, and opens the book.

My mind is as far away from innocent activities with children as possible. But Raven is gone. And as I take a seat next to Little, I try to calm my racing heart.

“Look!” He shows me a big animal world encyclopedia. “Bu’ I can’t read. Will you read it to me?”

“Sure.”

“Abou’ a tiger!”

I smile.

“No-no! Tiger later!” He changes his mind right away. “Read about raven! Iz’ a bird, innit?”

His grin is contagious, but his words pull me back to the moment Raven walked out without even looking at me.

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