Page 5 of Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven
“Good. Presley is…...” I trail off. “A character.”
She laughs. “She’s a good person to attach yourself to. Her father is the president of Stone Crest Bank.”
Is that all these people care about? Status?
“I’ve also spoken with your father.” She clears her throat. “He had a conference call with the dean, and we are all on the same page in terms of making sure you stay focused.”
Focused.
I was three seconds from hanging up.
“I’m sure I will see you around campus.” I push off from the wall.
“Most likely. I don’t travel outside my office much, but I do on occasion. I expect dinner nights at least once a month.” I hear her car door slam.
“See you soon.”
I hang up, trying to swallow down the enormous lump in my throat. The one that had me wanting to give my family the bird and hop a plane to Europe for six months. Turning on my heels, I reach for the latch and yank, trying to pry open the back door. As my luck would have it, it’s locked. Shoving my phone into my pocket, I head towards the front entrance. I’m about halfway up the old brick building when I hear heavy footsteps behind me. The dim lights perched on the roofs edge allow to me catch a glimpse of two male figures when I peer over my shoulder.
An eerie awareness tingles at the back of my neck and my gut instincts kick in. My steps are even and calm at first as I walk towards the sidewalk. This alley way wasn’t the safest location for me to be alone with two strange men. I’d seen enough true crime documentaries to know what happens to a young girl in a dark alley.
Bad shit. That’s what.
The steps behind me begin to match the increasing race of my heart and instinctively I move faster towards the street. If I can just get to the front of the building, I’ll be fine. There will be people and lights, perhaps a patrol car if I was lucky. I’d seen them passing through the area frequently. These rich kids must cause more problems than solutions.
Anxiety wraps around my throat as I shoot out onto the sidewalk. It’s completely empty, besides one man who is stepping off of a motorcycle. The impulsive idea forms, andbefore I can talk myself out of it, I start towards him as the footsteps appear on the sidewalk behind me.
When I’m three steps away from the man who’s dressed in solid black jeans, a black t- shirt, and a black helmet, I plaster on a smile. “Hey you. Sorry I took so long.”
I sway towards him, hoping he takes the hint and plays along. The closer I get, the bigger he seems. He’s at least a foot taller than me. His shoulders are broad, and I notice a unique design of black ink swirling up both forearms.
His hand is reaching for his helmet as I come to a stop in front of him. He removes it, revealing the most gorgeous set of golden eyes I’ve ever seen.Holy….
His dirty blonde hair is disarrayed from the helmet, and the light stubble on his face matches the tousled locks. His jaw is sharp, his cheek bones high, and I falter my words for a moment as I take him in. His eyes briefly flick over my shoulder before moving back to me.
I swallow and reach out my hand. “You ready to go home?”
If he realizes what I’m playing at, his face doesn’t show it. But after only a second or two of the words leaving my mouth, his large palm grips my offered hand, and he tugs me to his chest. I move with surprise, clashing into him as his arm bands around my waist. It’s an unavoidable reaction to wrap my arm around his shoulder, my eyes gaping up at him as he stares down at me. He smells of spice and pine and it’s the most ironic sensation that I feel completely safe looking up at this stranger.
“Yeah, baby. Let’s go home,” he rasps.
Relief floods me, and just before I let out a breath when I see the two men pass us, he leans down and seals his lips to mine.
Chapter four
Raven
What the ever loving fu…...
Soft lips move against mine, and even in my surprised state, my body immediately reacts. The hand that rests on my waist tightens as his tongue slides between my lips, commanding that I open for him. It’s powerful, toe curling, and absolutely insane that I’m indulging in this complete stranger.This extremely hot stranger.Letting my logical thinking merge between us, I pull back and gasp up at him. He’s not smiling. Not even showing any emotion. But his eyes. The golden honey color almost looks like it’s changing.Swirling.
I clear my throat and step back. I wasn’t the kind of woman who melted for any man. Especially one I just met five seconds ago.
Running my hand down my jeans I let out a light laugh.
“Thanks for that.” I tilt my head in the direction where the two men disappeared. “I think they bought it.”
His eyes access me before darting to the sidewalk. “Did they hurt you? Say anything or threaten you?”
