Raven
Stunned silence at his words.
I didn’t know she passed away... wait,did I?
No.
I would have understood him better if I had, and now, like a missing piece of the puzzle being found, I feel like I can finally understand Charles better.
This affinity we have for each other goes deeper than just chemistry.
Deeper than lust. Deeper than attraction.
Somehow, it makes sense, though.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how did she pass?”
“Cancer. Not pancreatic. She had breast cancer. Went undiagnosed for entirely too long. By the time she was in with the doctors, a treatment plan was no longer an option.”
“Charles—” I say, but he shakes his head. The look he gives me is full of sorrow, but also, it’s a silent request not to take pity on him. Not to feel sorry, which I understand. “I’m so sorry you have had to endure this kind of loss.”
“Thanks. When I came to New York and got settled in, I promised myself I would do something good with the company profits. Hence the fundraiser. It will be at my family home in the Hamptons.”
“Hamptons, huh?” I say, trying to focus on a line of conversation to help ease the somber mood that has settled in the air. “I didn’t know it was there.”
Charles lifts an eyebrow. “Were you distracted, Miss Bennett?”
“Maybe a little.”
“Why ever would you be distracted in one of my meetings?” He gives me a wicked look. The moment for sharing has passed, and now the usual heat I feel when Charles is around is back with a vengeance. “I want to kiss you right now.”
“What’s the problem with that, Mr. Cavendish?” I draw out, my voice low and seductive.
“Oh, Miss Bennett, if I start... I’m not stopping.”
Pulling my gaze from Charles, I find our waiter and raise my hand to motion him over. “Can we please have the check?” I ask when he’s close enough to hear.
“Good choice.” Charles smirks.
God, that smirk.
But it’s the laugh that follows that does me in. After opening up about our shared loss, for him... it means everything.
“You don’t laugh like that in the office. Why not? I feel I could make it my ringtone. Actually, it’d be perfect, too, if you’d speak as my ringtone,” I chide playfully.
“Is that how it is Raven? You only like me for my accent?”
“There are a few other reasons I enjoy your company.”
His pupils dilate. “Should we go back to the hotel and quantify those reasons?”
“Quantify. For science. Sounds like a plan. Let’s go.” I stand and immediately, I’m pulled into his arms.
Tipping my chin up, I look at him. His gaze sparkles with mischief. A look of lust, longing, and want. But I also see something else, something I didn’t see two hours ago.
Understanding.
He knows my heart now, and I know his.