Clifford Arbor: The Seduction of Raven Peters (3 page)

He’d heard all the interest about her from the eligible men in town.

Harley stopped what he was doing. Jackson could see the determination in the other man’s eyes.

"Then we’ll kil them or get her in our house, chain her to our bed and seduce her into loving us, fucking us. We can give her the world, Jackson."

Jackson needed to meet her without Harley. Harley was too smitten to form a proper thought about her.

"It sounds like a plan. Maybe we should send out a signal to all those men who want a piece. Until further notice, Raven Peters is our property." Harley nodded at Jackson’s suggestion. "In that case, end of discussion. Get on your knees. I want to cum down your throat before I go to work."

Harley smiled going to his knees before his lover and took Jackson’s cock between his lips.

Jackson groaned at the warm slide of his tongue and flung his head back, his eyes closing as pleasure spread through his limbs. The sweet sucking sound filled his ears as Harley worked him over. Today was going to be a very good day.

****

Raven stood behind her front door, heart pounding in her chest. Her fingertips stil tingled with warmth from Harley. How was that even possible? Oh, of all the horrid things to happen she’d reacted to her gorgeous hot neighbors like a bitch in heat. Why was she cursed like this? Never before in her entire life had she felt so drawn to a man. Men in this case. Already she felt like she could never deny them a thing. What kind of woman did that make her?

Her pussy wept, soaking the tops of her thighs. She detested wearing panties. Really, what was their use?

The two men were completely different, Harley with his easy-going charm, no matter what he said he brought a smile to her face. Then there was Jackson. Dark, brooding, with an intense sexy scowl as well. Raven would bet money they were never without a willing female.

Her pussy wouldn’t stop leaking just thinking about sucking on one of them maybe while pumping the other man with her hand, with her on the floor, knelt before both men, worshiping them. The possibilities seemed endless. Raven licked her dry lips trying to get some focus on her sexy thoughts.

She felt like a slut dreaming about being fucked by two incredibly gorgeous men at the same time but if this was what a being a slut felt like then she’d gladly wear the label.

Her legs were weak. Without looking in the mirror, she could already see the deep blush of arousal spreading across her chest, working up to her cheeks.

When aroused, most men got an erection. A woman was supposed to be able to hide the evidence. Not Raven. She got all the signs, hardened nipples clearly visible beneath her top, the deep breath coming out almost like a pant and then the noticeable flush to her skin.

The deep red tone emphasized even more by her pale skin and jet black hair.

She went to the curtain in the sitting room to see where her neighbors were, the desire to watch the men walk away seeming like the most appealing activity in the world. Their asses were the tightest she’d ever seen and she’d seen her fair share. Raven kept her eyes on them, still watching even when Jackson Cole looked back. She gasped. Out of both of the men, it was him, the dark brooding one, taking an interest in her, that was really surprising.

Her body responded to him.

Raven couldn’t drop the curtain. She stared at Jackson Cole wondering what was worrying him. His eyes looked deeply troubled. He seemed almost unsure of himself and for a man of his size and looks, he should have ooze confidence. Slowly, Raven lowered the curtain and moved away from view. She didn’t need them seeing how much she desired them or how intrigued she was by both men.

Slut.

Yes, please.

Shaking her head, she realized she needed to leave. She had work to do which didn’t involve her standing around all day daydreaming about two men and wanting something she could never have. Well, maybe she could fantasize about her two tight-ass men. And she could imagine biting into one of them all she wanted. Nope, not a good train of thought.

It was the beginning of the day and she didn’t want to spend the next twelve hours begging for a hot man between her legs. Raven mentally pulled back and forced her feet to move, her mind to shut off and block all the erotic images. She moved to the kitchen to get her purse and then made her way to work.

Purse in hand. Car keys. Wow, go team Raven. Next. Yes, open the front door. Don’t look over there. Too late, her eyes wandered to the house next door. No movement.

Disappointed, she shook her head, got into her beat up piece of junk she called a car and moved out on to the road.

She traveled along the stretch of road leading into town. It was a beautiful hot summer’s day and she wished she could pull the roof down on her car and drive around in style. But for now Raven would have to stick with her solid roof and rattling engine. It always amazed her, the true beauty of the country and living by the sea. It was always a beautiful picture and it was always breath taking.

Moments later she parked her car in the shade and made her way into the Clifford Arbor Book Shop.

Walking inside, she sighed. Absolute heaven.

Air conditioning.

"Raven, do you want a cup of tea, love?" Beatrice asked.

"Love one, Beatrice."

Sixty-seven year old Beatrice Anderson owned and ran the shop and Raven loved the woman. She was such a friendly face and she was so accepting.

Clifford Arbor was a friendly town, but a town which looked after its own before accepting outsiders. It was a close-knit community. In fact, when she first arrived here, it had taken a couple of weeks before anyone would even wish Raven hello in the morning. One day she hoped she could become a member of this treasured community and one of their own to be looked after and protected. It still baffled her how she managed to get this job and when she asked Beatrice why she hired her, the older woman simply clucked her tongue and said she loved her smile. Beatrice also believed she had a feeling for people. That her gut would lead the way.

Bad gut or good gut? She didn’t know but at least Raven had a job and that was the main thing.

Raven was nice to everyone but she was guarded. In fact, some might say she was scared to let anyone in. But in a place like Clifford Arbor, when one person knew you, the whole town did and Raven wasn’t ready to have an entire town know every little detail about her.

She did love it here though and being happy was high on her priority list. She never wanted to leave and in fact had gone to the bank to ask for a loan to buy her house. She no longer wanted to rent for a short time but wanted to stay and put down some roots.

"There we go, my dear." Beatrice placed a steaming cup of tea on the counter in front of her.

"Do you think we’ll be busy today?"

"No way of knowing, dear. The sun is out and its high season so yes, I suspect so." Always so placid and direct. That was Beatrice.

Raven smiled at the familiarity, at the love she felt from this woman. Beatrice made her feel at home, felt like a grandma to her.

"Biscuit?"

Yes, definitely family.

Nine o’clock soon came around. The doors opened and then it was a case of waiting for the customers to arrive. Raven took the morning delivery and watched as the delivery guy flirted a little and then she took the books through to the store room and started to fill the shelves with new best-sellers as her mind drifted back to meeting her two sexy neighbors. Were they lovers? For the first time she started to wonder if her two very male, very masculine neighbors were in fact lovers. The disappointment which swamped her entire body

confused and shocked her. She didn’t know anything about the two men but to think she didn’t have a shot with either man really upset her. No man had ever made her feel like this and they’d only had a conversation. Dinner was two days away. What was she going to do?

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Gasping, Raven dropped the paperback she was placing on the shelf and missed as it fell on her head. "Ouch." She grabbed her head turning quickly to view the man who’d interrupted her thoughts and caused a potential headache. Paperbacks were not light.

Jackson Cole stood before her, a concerned look painting his face. "Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you." He moved in, crowding her space. "Let me look." He removed her hands from her head so he could look at the damage the book had done.

"It's fine. Really." Goose bumps spread along Raven’s skin where he touched her. For such a tall, huge, muscular male, she couldn’t help but notice how gentle his touch was.

"Yep, just a little bump." He bent to retrieve the book. "Doesn’t even look like you got hit in the head with a good book." He flipped over the cover to glance at the blurb on the back.

Raven smiled, taking the book from his grasp. Turning it over, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

"Horror not your thing?" She stretched up and slotted it back in its place.

"No. I don’t like horror." His voice sent delicious shivers through her body. He pressed closer, forcing her back against the bookshelf then leaned in, whispering against her ear.

"I’m more of an action man myself. I like doing things."

Raven couldn’t look away. She held her breath waiting for his next words.

"Are you an action girl, Raven?" He twirled a strand of her hair around his finger, tilting her head up with another underneath her chin. He stared intently into her eyes. It appeared he was trying to read her very soul. "No, not action. How about romance? Something with a happy ending?"

Did he even realize his other hand stroked hers?

Raven smiled at him, licking her lips.

"I like erotica," she said, her voice coming out scratchy.

She licked her lips again.

"I could imagine putting your tongue to much better use."

His words shocked and excited her. Jackson Cole was coming onto her big time.

"Really? Because I could imagine putting my tongue to much better use." He drew her in to his web. She needed to be part of him. Part of what he wanted.

"What are you doing in Clifford Arbor, Raven?" His question was so abrupt it brought her down to earth with a mighty slam.

"Living here." Raven tried to pull out of his grip but he refused to let go of her hair. "That’s impolite." She pointed to her hair and continued to glare at him.

Where was the charming man of moments ago? She liked that Jackson Cole a whole lot better.

"Your hair is soft," he shrugged

"You’re in my space."

"You didn’t mind seconds ago."

"I liked you seconds ago." She grabbed the hand which held her hair. "Let go."

He stared at her a few minutes more and then unraveled her hair and cupped her cheek instead, refusing to let her go.

"I’ll find out why you’re here," he warned.

"I’ll look forward to an apology when you do."

She moved out from the confines of the bookcase completely confused about what had just happened. Raven was sure he was flirting with her one moment and the next instant he was this hard brute who thought the worst of her.

Who was the real Jackson Cole?

More importantly, who had turned him into the type of man who shot hot and cold?

"How can I help you, Jackson?" she asked, giving him her full attention, trying to find out who he actually was.

"I came to apologize."

"What for?"

"It would seem I was glaring or scowling, or whatever Harley said, this morning when we talked or more importantly you talked and I just stood there like a spare part."

His apology seemed genuine but she couldn’t recall him being in a bad mood this morning, far from it in fact. If anything she thought his scowl was intensely sexy. She would rather see his scowl than the distrust he had on his face moments ago.

"Well. No worries. I didn’t even realize you were scowling." Raven couldn’t help herself. She leaned in close and whispered. "I thought it was really sexy."

She moved away from him but he caught her around the waist, bringing her close to his body. Her belly pressed against the bulge in his jeans and Raven couldn’t stop from rubbing against him.

What was it about this man that made her act like a wanton woman?

It had to be the heat. Or did the town of Clifford Arbor turn folk into sex driven maniacs?

She gasped, his body hard, his erection brushing against her stomach making her moan at the feel of him against her.

"What are you doing?"

She looked around her to see if anyone paid any notice to them. No one was about, or at least she couldn’t see anyone. Raven placed her hands on his forearms and his heat scolded her fingers but she refused to let him go. She liked the feel of the muscles in his arms. Jackson’s unique fragrance invaded her senses, her own body responding with a will of its own. She pressed closer to him wanting to be as close as possible to this amazing specimen of a man who made her feel safe in his arms.

"You’re playing with fire," he warned.

"And you’re not?"

Jackson tensed beneath Raven’s arms and she ran her fingers up and down, taking him in.

She traced his tattoo with her finger. "What does it mean?"

"It’s the zodiac sign for Capricorn."

"You’re a Capricorn?"

"No, Harley is."

Raven felt warm and fuzzy. They must be a couple otherwise why would he have a tattoo of Harley’s zodiac symbol? Would a man ever do something so incredibly sweet for her? "I don’t mean to play with fire."

She really didn’t. She wasn’t into destroying relationships and she could tell Harley and Jackson had one of those deep, meaningful relationship that should never be broken. Her aim was to stay in Clifford Arbor, not make a spectacle of herself. Love could truly exist out there. She was looking in the wrong places, that was all.

"I like your fire." Jackson’s voice was husky against her ear, tickling her curls.

Her body on fire, her zone for pleasure was her neck and his breath caressing such a sweet spot almost made her go to her knees and beg him to take her home to find out what else he could do with her other pleasure zones.