“That makes him even more dangerous, then.”
I didn’t sugarcoat it. “Yes—which is why there will be eyes on you tomorrow.”
“Wow, I sure can pick them.”
I leaned forward, meeting her eyes, making sure she saw the truth in mine.
“Third time’s the charm, my Ravenna Jade. You got me.”
She smiled, glancing down.
I slid my fingers under her chin, making her look at me. “Listen to me, my beautiful girl. You are amazing. We are fabulous together. Don’t let your ex or his stupid remarks get into your head. He was lacking, not you. I want you so much it boggles my mind.”
“Oh. I was worried…” She trailed off.
I had to chuckle. “What? That I didn’t enjoy myself? Was my constant hard-on not proof enough? Did the loud moans and the way I was all over you not give you a clue?”
Her color deepened. “I’m not very experienced.”
“And that in itself is a turn-on for me. Knowing I can show you, that we can learn together. That you trust me enough to tell me. All of that is such a treasure. You are such a treasure. And you did everything right, Raven. I love how you touch me, want to explore me. What you call your inexperience, I call a gift. Knowing I get to share all that with you? There are no words for it.”
“Oh,” she breathed out.
“Leave that asshole where he belongs—in the past. Soon, Andy will be a distant memory too. Then there’ll be us. Moving forward, growing, finding our future—together.”
Her eyes widened. “You sound so certain.”
“I am. My old bosses all fell hard and fast. They compared it to lightning. You get struck hard and fast, and it changes you forever. I never understood what they meant until I kissed you.” I stroked my finger over her smooth cheek. “Immediately, I knew how important you would be to me. And I’m right here, Raven. Not going anywhere, happy to be with you, until you catch up.”
She blinked, and a smile curled her lips. “I think I already did. I felt it too.”
My own smile broke out, wide and thrilled.
“Good. Then we keep going forward. Together.”
“Together,” she repeated.
I kissed her, our mouths brushing in long, slow movements. It was a kiss that promised, that spoke of a trust between us, a future we both wanted.
And as fast as it had happened, we both knew it. Felt it.
And I knew that one day in the near future we’d say the words. But not yet. For now, we were content in the knowledge we shared the emotion.
I drew back with a smile.
“Come on, my beautiful girl. Let’s go enjoy the sunshine.”
She nodded happily and let me tug her from the lounger. I wrapped my arm around her, hugging her close for a moment. She nestled into me, fitting against me perfectly.
“Okay,” she agreed.
* * *
RAVEN
“I don’t think you put enough butter on the popcorn,” Damien said dryly. “Was that an entire package?”
I laughed as I tossed the bowl, spreading the butter around the fluffy kernels. I had used a lot. But he was exaggerating. “Barely a quarter.”