She smiled against my mouth. “I look forward to it.”
“Is it okay if I text you the next couple of days?”
“Yes.”
“And if anything happens, you’ll call, right? No matter what I’m doing, I’ll pick up.”
“Okay. I will.” She paused. “Can you call me when you get home? Just so I know you’re safe?”
I felt a warmth in my chest at her words. “Yes.”
I listened for the locks to engage on the door before I left. It was hard to walk away, but I forced myself to do it.
I hated it, though.
* * *
RAVEN
Wednesday passed without problem. No glimpses of Andy. No discovering he’d somehow gotten my phone number again. I relaxed a little, wondering if Damien’s scare tactics had worked. I sincerely wished for it, although I hoped Andy hadn’t moved on to another woman. I sent the website a detailed letter describing Andy’s behavior. I hadn’t heard back, but I hoped they investigated and somehow blocked him from getting back on the site. I also wondered if the companies shared any sorts of lists of troublesome clients and hoped, if they did, his name was on that list.
Damien sent me some sweet texts and called in the evening to check up on me. We talked for a while until he heard me yawning.
“I need to let you go so you can go to bed,” he murmured.
“I’m already there.”
His voice deepened. “You’re already in bed while talking to me?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me you have on some old sweats and a big shirt that used to belong to your brother. That you’re swaddled head to toe and under the blankets.”
“I sleep in the nude.”
There was a beat of silence. “Jesus,” he muttered.
I began to laugh. “I have some shorts and a T-shirt on.”
“Well, damn, woman, don’t blow my fantasy now. You’re naked. Naked and talking to me, wishing I were there.” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Touching you, kissing you the way I was the other night.”
I whimpered, rubbing my thighs together.
“Except this time, I wouldn’t stop.”
The ache that had started between my legs grew.
“You’re going to let me soon, right? Touch you the way I want to touch you? Kiss you everywhere?” he breathed out. “Please, Ms. Raven. Please tell me you’ll let me.”
“I wish you were here.”
I heard a dull thud. “What was that?”
“Me banging my head on the wall, wishing this stupid evening was over so I could get in my car and come there. Then you could come.” He paused. “Several times.”
I shivered at the pure lust in his voice.
“Soon.”