Drawn Together (27 page)

“Wow, you were working really hard there.”

Raven snickered. “Your dad has had a good influence on me. Don’t tell him that though. I like to keep him on his toes and perpetually concerned I’m going to say something rude.”

Carrie giggled.

“It’s really not in my best interest, nor is it my place, to say anything negative about your mom. She made you and really, right there that’s all I need to know.”

“She was awful, wasn’t she?”

Raven took a deep breath. She’d tried diplomacy and it was damned hard. Carrie was a smart girl; she knew the truth. “Yes. But it was about me. Not about you. So that’s something you don’t need to be concerned over. She’s in charge of herself. Like you’re in charge of yourself.”

“She’s my mom. She’s supposed to not be like that.”

“My mom is in a mental institution after repeatedly abandoning me and leaving me at the mercies of her horrible family and foster care. Perspective is important.”

Carrie’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I don’t want you to be. Thing is, she’s the way she is. Your mom, I mean. Now she’s not eighty or anything. She could change. But chances are? She won’t. You, on the other hand? You’re seventeen and on the verge of everything.
Everything.
You come from a great home. Your family adores you. You will fall in love for the first time and get your heart broken terribly. So terribly your father will growl and snarl and buy you things to make it better. And possibly punch the boy responsible in the nose. You will go to college and have roommates. You will graduate and get a real job. You will make friends who will be at your side for the rest of your life and you will find that very right person. You have the chance to walk into your future with your eyes open and arms wide. What your mother is or isn’t can’t hurt you now. Not unless you let it. She’s who she is and what she is. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make better choices. And, I speak from experience when I say it is absolutely one hundred percent all right to build a deep moat around yourself to keep out the people who will harm you either on purpose or because they are not fully formed human beings and only see themselves.”

“I guess I keep waiting for her to snap out of it.”

Raven shrugged, unsure what else she could say. Charlotte wasn’t going to change because she was a spoiled bitch.

Jonah came out holding a tray with cider and pie. She grinned at him, enjoying his anxiety for a brief moment before she smoothed her grin into a smile to let him know everything was fine.

“I’m sorry, Dad.”

He shook his head. “It’s not your fault, honey. You warm enough out here? I think your grandmother is looking for you, and Levi and Daisy have an announcement so I’m supposed to round people up.”

“You should assure him I didn’t say anything scary.”

He rolled his eyes at her. “I trust you with my most precious thing.” He tipped his chin in Carrie’s direction. That made Raven nearly tear up, but she wrestled it back by thinking of his dumb ex-wife instead.

They filed back inside, moving to sit on one of the long couches.

“I’m eating this pie.” She spoke in an undertone after putting the cider down.

He placed a hand on her knee, making her tingly. The rogue. “Gorgeous, that’s what it’s there for. I enjoy watching you eat pie.”

Well, given the swank level that night she wondered if the food wasn’t for decoration. But it was pie and she loved pie. So.

A tray with champagne glasses passed through. He grabbed one for her. “Keep eating that pie.” He leaned very close. “I’m just going to imagine licking it off your belly.”

Guh.

“You’re going to make me choke.”

“Not on pie.”

That one made her laugh and people turned to look. Jeez.

Levi and Daisy came in and waited for everyone to quiet down.

“As most of you know, we got engaged some time ago. Daisy has been busily creating art people have been busily buying. We set up house together. I’ve continued to build the Bainbridge Island office of the firm, taking on a new associate this summer. So we’ve been busy and the wedding kept being put on the back burner.”

Liesl frowned and Raven held back a smile. She knew via Daisy that Liesl had been sending many
helpful
suggestions to them after they’d passed the year mark of being engaged. Daisy was feeling panicked and trapped by all the expectations placed on her for some big giant wedding.

“So it was sort of a surprise to find out we’ll be parents in a little over six months from now.”

The room erupted with applause and well wishes.

“We’d better get on that planning then.” Liesl managed a smile and made Raven believe it. The woman did adore her granddaughter so it wasn’t so hard to believe she’d be thrilled with another one.

“Well, as it happens, we snuck off to Las Vegas day before yesterday and got married. Just the two of us. We haven’t told anyone yet.” Levi looked to Jonah. “Sorry. I wanted you to stand up for me, but it was a whim.”

“I’m thrilled for you both. You can make it up to me by letting me throw you a reception dinner.”

He took Raven’s hand and she squeezed it.

There was a toast or three made. Lots of happy hugs and well wishes, and at last things mellowed a little. Enough that Raven thought she’d make her escape. But Liesl pinned her with her gaze and made her way over.

“Damn.”

Jonah, who’d been talking with Toby, turned and saw his mother on the way over. “Welcome to the family. Sink or swim, gorgeous.” And then he scampered off with Toby like a naughty little boy.

Liesl glided to a stop at Raven’s side. “He believes I didn’t notice that. Now I’m going to have to think up something to make him do.”

“You move me to tears sometimes, Liesl. You’re like a total Jedi Master.”

Liesl tried not to smile but it didn’t work. “Yes. Well. Would you be willing to talk to me and my board of Created Families? About your experience in the foster care system?”

“I don’t know.”

“I know your experiences were not all good. But it’s good to hear from someone who has a unique perspective. We want to make things better. We’d like to know how. Jonah didn’t tell me much, if that’s your concern. He’s honored your privacy.”

Raven nodded. “I know. You did a good job with him, you know. He’s a good man. The best I’ve ever known.”

Liesl softened. “Thank you. I’m proud of the men my sons have become.” She paused. “I’d like to hear your story. If you’d like to tell it. I know I can be . . . difficult at times. But I’ve gotten to know Daisy, who is delightful. And I’d like the same opportunity with you. My son loves you. You’re good for him and for Carrie too.”

Raven laughed. “I’m
not
delightful.”

Liesl sniffed. “I’m aware.”

“All right. I’ll let you take me to lunch. I’ll tell you my story and you can decide whether or not you want me to address your charity board.”

Liesl smiled, victorious. As if there’d been any doubt. “I’ll be in touch. I hear you’re off to Maui next week.”

“Your son knows how to give a Christmas present. I’ll give him that.”

26

She sat on the chaise, a drink in one hand, her sunglasses perched on her face. The ocean roared just feet away from where he stood, watching her.

She was different on vacation. Different a thousand miles away from home and halfway across the ocean. Relaxed. Playful even. Her hair had been caught in two braids, exposing the beauty of the ink on her back.

She knew he was there, a smile on her face. “Would you like your drink freshened up, Sir?”

When it was just them she’d taken to calling him that. It made him so fucking hot and hard he wanted to bend her over and fuck her right there. It was a gift, freely given. He didn’t require it. Didn’t need it. It wasn’t role-play. It was the way she submitted, in her own fashion. In a way she knew would get to him.

He slid onto the chaise next to hers. “I would. Thank you.”

She got up, padding over to the bar he was doubly glad he’d had installed the year before. She mixed him a fresh Blue Hawaiian. Normally he was prone to simple drinks like martinis. But here? Well with the breeze and the clean salt smell on the air he let himself enjoy drinks that captured that sprit. And she was good at making them too.

She handed him a drink and sat again. “This house is pretty spectacular.”

“I know. I bought it on a whim. An expensive whim. Four years ago. After the divorce and I wanted something far away from home.”

“The real estate agent was hot, wasn’t she?”

He laughed. “It was a he, as it happened.” She was the only woman he’d ever had here other than Carrie.

“Hm.”

He wanted to ask her to marry him. But it was too soon. He wanted to ask her to move into his house. But it was too soon. It had only been four months since he’d first met her, after all. He knew, without a doubt, that she was meant to be his. That this woman beside him was the one he’d spend the rest of his days with.

And he knew she felt the same, though she wasn’t as generous with her words as she was with her deeds. In the end, that she showed him how much she loved him, what a gift she thought he was, meant far more than a million words.

She would let him know when she was ready to move in. When she was ready to stop relying on her place as her little bolt hole. He was an exceedingly patient man and she knew he was waiting.

“I was thinking of taking you to dinner tonight.”

“You were?”

“Yes. You know how much I like to show you off.”

And he did. Shamelessly so. She was so beautiful and vivid. And all his.

“There’s a place. Just up the road. Right on the water. A dance floor. I want to dance with you with the breeze in your hair and my hands on your bare skin. I brought a dress I think will be perfect.”

“I bet you did.” She smiled, her eyes closed behind her sunglasses.

He liked to buy her things. He liked to see the dresses and other clothing he chose on her skin. Liked to know she allowed him to spoil her. It wasn’t overly exorbitant. He knew she had limits and he didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable.

But he liked her in sexy clothing and she wore it all so well.

“Perhaps some shoes too.”

She laughed then, reaching out to tangle her fingers with his.

“I’m a kept woman, Sir. My goodness.”

He liked the fantasy of keeping her at home just for him. Waiting for him to get home, naked and willing. But the reality was nice too. Independent and creative. Bawdy and totally capable of pushing him back when he crossed lines. He’d never imagined finding that attractive. But oh, how he did.

Being at his side was her choice. One she made freely. Which made it all the sweeter.

She turned her head, pulling her glasses down her nose. “You’re trouble. You know that?”

“I hope so.”

“Dinner it is. But remember, you promised to try Hawaii my way too. I know just the place to have lunch tomorrow.”

“Anything for you.”

When he stepped from the shower he saw her note.

I’ll meet you at the restaurant—R

Well now.

He got dressed and headed out. She’d worn the dress he’d laid out for her, and the shoes. Things were looking up.

She must have taken a cab because his car was in the garage. Once there he headed inside, looking around. It was then he saw her at the bar.

Stunning. Her hair was a tousle around her face, held back with a flower to one side. The side that said she was taken. Her lips were glossy and red, eyes dramatic, lined to accent how big and sexy they were.

He walked around to catch sight of her from behind. Her entire back was exposed. The dress had a halter neck and dipped to the small of her back. She had her legs crossed, slowly kicking the delicate strapped high heel back and forth.

He wasn’t the only one staring.

He slid onto the seat next to hers. She gave a slow, sensual look his way. “Hello.”

“Hello.”

“You should buy me a drink.”

“Should I?”

“You should. Or he might.” She tipped her chin toward one of the men who’d been staring at her.

“Can’t have that.” He got the server’s attention. “Another for her and the same for me.”

She held a hand out. “I’m Raven.”

Oh. A game. Well.

He took her hand. “Jonah.”

Their drinks arrived and he clinked his against hers. “You should have dinner with me.”

“Should I?”

“You should.” He tipped his chin at a woman on the other side of the bar. “Or she might.”

Raven leaned in close enough for him to catch the scent of her skin. “I think she’s more my type than yours.”

Christ. She was going to kill him.

She put a hand on his knee. “I’d love to have dinner with you, Jonah.”

He checked in with the hostess and she led them to a table.

The view was gorgeous. The sky was on fire from sunset, but soon enough it would be the kind of dark it only got out in the middle of the ocean. The moon would hang overhead and shine silver on her skin.

They chatted as if they were strangers and he got harder and harder as the night drew on. He knew he’d have her in any way he wanted her. The real her.

This was fun and titillating, but the real Raven was special.

He took her hand after dessert had been cleared off and he’d watched her lick her spoon like she did his cock. He pressed a kiss to her palm. She shivered.

“I don’t want to dance with you.”

“You don’t? I’m a very good dancer, Jonah. I may be insulted.”

“I want to take you back to my house and strip you naked. I want to lick you from head to toe and then I want you to suck my cock. I’ll fuck you.”

“Naturally.”

“Naturally. And then we’ll nap. Then I’m going to wake you up and you’re going to get on top so I can watch you while I fuck you again.”

One corner of her mouth lifted. “I think I can find that amenable.”

He paid the bill and led her to the car.

He put a hand on her thigh as they drove. Making little circles with his middle finger just on the inside.

“Don’t get into an accident or you’ll never get to see me naked.”

He swore under his breath but kept his attention on the road. Just three or so miles more.

“Oh and Jonah?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m not wearing any underwear.”

Once he was in the garage he turned to her and inched her hem up, revealing her neatly trimmed pussy.

“Touch me.”

Heart pounding in his chest, he reached out with a fingertip and slid it along her labia.

“Wet.” He pressed, immediately greeted by hot, slick flesh. “All for me?”

“Yes. I had to go into the bathroom and make myself come.”

“You did?”

She licked her fingertips. “I did.”

“I don’t think I gave you permission to do that.”

One brow went up and he leaned in to kiss it, and then her fingertips.

“What did you think about?”

“The way your tongue feels on my clit, with your fingers inside me. The way you say my name right before you come. The way you feel when I want you so bad and you finally put your cock in me. My fingers are never as good as that.”

“Go in the house and get naked. I want you on the bed. You know how I like you.”

She swung those long legs from the car and sashayed into the house as he got his breath and control back.

Raven smiled as she let the dress slide from her body. She knew she’d gotten him all worked up. Which was good as she was worked up too. All evening as they’d teased she’d known they’d come back here. She wanted his hands on her. Wanted all of him all at once.

She decided to leave the shoes on as she settled on the bed, on her knees, her hands behind her back.

He came in some minutes later, standing in the doorway, staring.

He was going to make her work for this one, she knew by the look on his face. And that was totally okay with her.

He left the room again for a few minutes and came back, his hands full. She shivered at the sight of the things he held.

“You’ve gotten me in quite a state, Raven. What are you going to do to make that right?”

“Whatever you want me to, Sir.”

He cupped her throat around her choker, tipping her head back. He kissed her hard, a gnash of teeth and tongue. Need, like fire, licked at her skin. When he handled her like that it did something to her. Flipped an internal switch of some sort. That they’d built the sort of trust for him to touch her that way without fear he’d harm her or scare her, that he
did
touch her that way and only turn her on, it meant so much to her.

Made her want to do anything he asked. Anything he demanded.

He pulled back, his eyes burning, and a thrill slid through her. She made him like this. What they had wasn’t temporary. Or a fling. This was bone-deep connection. No one else had ever made her feel this way.

She’d stopped questioning it. Stopped letting herself panic over whether he was the real deal. He’d proved it to her every time he touched her. Every time he looked at her—even knowing all he did about her past—not with pity but with love. He adored her. No one had ever adored her before. It was not overrated.

“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

He bent and straightened, holding the blindfold. She hummed her pleasure and he allowed himself a smile. “Do you like this?”

“Yes.”

He tied it in place and her skin came to life.

He brushed something against her shoulder. She stilled, trying to figure out what it was.

“Something new I’ve been working on. Practicing so I’d use it just right.”

His voice was taut with desire and it hardened her nipples. She tried to squeeze her thighs together but it wasn’t nearly enough.

Then he struck. Hot and fast, tails of what she figured out was a flogger licked at her belly, just above her pussy. She gasped at how amazing it felt, the heat of pain that dissolved into fingers of desire in its wake.

He paused, she knew, to gauge whether her gasp was good or bad. After a few moments he did it again, this time against her ass.

“Hands high above your head. I want at that ass.”

She obeyed quickly. More and more, the leather tails of the flogger scorched heat and then pleasure against her ass, leaving her panting. He pinched her nipples. Right and left and then the flogger hit them too.

“Ohgod,” she gasped.

“You should see the color of your skin right now. Pink. The prettiest pink. Your nipples are so fucking hard. Do you like it when I use the flogger on them?”

“Yes,” she managed to say.

“Does it hurt?”

“Yes.” And this time it was a moan as he struck several times in quick succession. She was so fucking wet she ached with her need to come. “In a good way.”

“Jesus, you’re so hot.” She heard the flogger hit the mattress as he tossed it down. Then his mouth was on hers, taking her pleasure, feeding it back as he left her drunk with his taste. With how much he wanted her. With how much she affected him.

Then he kissed down her neck to her nipples, licking them until she writhed. Her hands still high because he hadn’t said she could move them.

“Please, please, please,” she begged.

“Please what?” He breathed the words against her mound, now on his knees. “I can smell your cunt. I know how much you want me.”