Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 90778 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90778 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
I let their inane conversation wash over me, nodding at the appropriate beats, and giving the bare minimum of polite responses. My mind is elsewhere, scanning the crowd until it lands on the familiar figure of Annabelle.
Years have passed and she’s filled out in all the right places, but I would have recognized her anywhere. Her gown hugs the curves that leave no doubt she’s in her prime. If I were any other man, I’d admire her outright. Instead, I feel nothing. The truth is every woman leaves me cold. When I first left town, I slept with a lot of women, but none of them ever made me feel anything for them except disgust when the sex was over. They bored me. They didn’t want to have gherkins on their pizzas. It was not their fault. They were not Raven. And I was looking for Raven.
I sense Raven stiffen beside me, probably noticing the direction of my stare. Our teacher is still droning on about the multi-million-dollar project I’ve been orchestrating. The old mall, once a graveyard of shuttered stores and shattered skylights, is undergoing a complete transformation under my direction—a modern commercial hub that’s got everyone buzzing.
I can practically feel Raven’s curiosity prick at the edge of my consciousness. She’s a sharp one and has already realized why I’ve been so preoccupied. I can see the inquisitiveness in her eyes; it’s always been this way with her. She couldn’t bear it if I even looked in the direction of another girl, especially if she was even passably attractive. There never was any reason for it. I had eyes for no one but her. Still, it used to make her eyes flare up and spit fire. I have to admit one truth. I’ve missed her raging jealousy. Oh, how I’ve missed her spitting and cursing and how sweet it was when I yanked her into my arms and stopped the crazy spitting and cursing with a crushing kiss.
Now, I’m counting on that jealousy. Let her burn, the way I burned for years thinking of her with Charles.
I spot Annabelle’s approach from the corner of my eye, poised and assured as she glides through the crowd with unhurried grace. She looks polished and refined—exactly as I remember. Our eyes meet across the crowded room and I see it instantly. Years ago I was too naïve to see it. Now I can spot it a mile away when a woman wants me. And she wants me. Makes sense that she’s always wanted me. It was why she used to roll her eyes in disgust when her brother and his friends tried to gang up on me.
Well, well.
There’s only one woman in this room capable of making my blood run hot, but still … this opens interesting possibilities. A quick glance flickers between Raven and me. I look away back to Annabelle and smile slowly. Instantly, I sense a tremor of tension pass through Raven even though her face remains composed. Then Raven shifts slightly, her shoulders squaring as she feels the competition drawing closer.
The teachers as if on cue walk away.
A spike of adrenaline rushes through my veins as Annabelle arrives in front of us. Her perfume is light and floral, wafting into the space between us. Raven stands just a little taller, as if bracing for a blow. I feel the subtle shift in her demeanor, the tension coiling beneath her composed facade. It almost amuses me how easily Annabelle’s presence can tilt the balance of Raven’s carefully held calm.
Annabelle’s painted lips bestow a graceful smile on us. Her mother has taught her well, she may be a yoga teacher, but she carries herself like a Queen. I force the corners of my mouth to widen further so she has no doubt that I am flirting with her.
Her eyes widen as she gets the message and she glances at Raven in surprise before she responds. “Hello, Earl,” she drawls, her voice lilting in a way that must charm most men. She stops just shy of too close, as her arms extend out to me. I let myself be pulled into a casual hug.
Raven was expecting that.
Her reaction is immediate—a flicker of shock flits across her face, her lips parting as if to say something, but she quickly catches herself. Still, her lips tighten, and her eyes narrow just slightly, betraying the irritation she’s struggling to suppress. The tension radiating off her is palpable, even as she tries to appear unaffected.
I feel an instinctive urge to pull away from Annabelle, but the sharp glint of annoyance in Raven’s gaze intrigues me, stoking me. Still so possessive, are we? The realization sends a ripple of dark satisfaction through me.
There. Tonight won’t be entirely tedious after all.
Instead of creating the distance I know Raven wants, I wrap my arms loosely around Annabelle’s frame, leaning in to press a light kiss to her cheek. The contact is brief, but calculated to send Raven’s annoyance into full bloom. From the corner of my eye, I catch her expression—a flash of pale shock, followed by a storm of barely contained fury. Her fists curl at her sides and her composure slips for the first time this evening.