Page 27 of Keg's Revelation

I had loved her. And I wasn’t sure I still didn’t.

I stepped closer to Raven. “You can blame Sami.”

My hands cupped her face, and I closed what little distance was between us. Tilting her face up and bending to meet her lips with mine, I kissed her. On her gasp I plunged my tongue in, her taste slamming into me. Gripping me. She’d been the only woman I’d ever taken my time with. If she affected me like that in our teens, what the hell would she do to me now?

The small moan that escaped her vibrated to my groin and more was what I thought. I wanted more of her.

She raised her hands to my chest and grasped my t-shirt. This was what I was missing out of life—her.

The sound of a car door closing grabbed my attention, reminding me we stood in the open in the parking lot of a park. Softening the kiss, I released her lips and placed soft kisses down her neck until my face pressed into the crook of her neck.

Raven leaned her head against me, and we both worked to gain some control. When I felt her body begin to shake, followed by the sound of her giggling, I straightened and looked down at her.

She tilted her head back to look at me. “You’re going to have to tell me why Sami is to blame for that.”

I grinned, kissed the top of her head then handed her a helmet. “Later. We need to get back.”

Raven gave me a strange look but didn’t press. I was glad she didn’t because I wasn’t sure what to tell her.

On the ride back to her grandparents, I went back and forth with the possibility that I could still love her even after everything.

We arrived back atRaven’s grandparents’ place. Raven said Ry was in acceptance of the drastic change in his life, but I needed to see for myself. If she was right, the kid definitely was working through it better than me.

“You okay, Reed?” At Raven’s question, I realized she’d gotten off the bike while I still sat holding my helmet in my hands.

“Yeah, just wondering if I should give Ry more time to adjust. I didn’t make the best impression yesterday. I don’t want to mess this up before we even have a chance.”

“You won’t. Come on, only one way to see.”

After getting off the bike, I followed Raven inside the house. The sound of voices could be heard from the kitchen, so Raven led us in that direction. When we walked through the doorway, four heads turned in our direction.

“Mommy, you’re home!” Reagan smiled at her mom, then her eyes landed on me. “Are you going to yell at us some more?”

“Reagan!” Raven and her grandmother yelled at the same time.

“I hadn’t planned to,” I answered the little girl whose eyes and features were shared with her mom.

“Good, ‘cause you’re scary when you’re mad.”

Holding out my hand, I moved to the end of the table and shook hands with Doc Newhouse, who’d stood when we entered the kitchen.

“Nice seeing you, Doc.”

“Been a long time, son.”

“Reed, sit down and eat, there’s plenty. Raven, get plates out for you and Reed.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” I waited until Raven returned to sit. She placed a plate in front of the empty spot next to Ry, then walked around the table and sat next to her daughter. I smiled at Ry as I sat. He hadn’t taken his eyes off me since I entered, nor had he spoken.

“Sure smells good. I bet it even tastes better.” I looked at Ry when I spoke. He nodded, then turned back to his food.

“Never had to worry about leftovers when you ate with us,” Mrs. Newhouse said and smiled at me.

I chuckled as I filled my plate with meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans.

“My dad tried to cook for Sami and me after Mom passed. The food had been edible, but just barely. I always looked forward to eating your cooking, Mrs. Newhouse.”

“Call me, Gretchen.”

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