Page 14 of A Raven Realized (The Raven’s Den #5)

Chapter Eight

M adelene was in the kitchen when he got home.

She was singing to herself and hadn’t heard him come in.

Her swaying body captivated him as she poured steaming water from the kettle, humming an unfamiliar melody.

He was utterly enchanted. She picked up the finished pot and turned for the table, but when she saw him standing there, she shrieked and dropped it.

He swooped in and caught it just before it hit the floor.

Hot tea sloshed over his hands and he hissed at the burning of his skin, quickly depositing the teapot on the table.

“Simon!” Her eyes were wide, her hands fluttering up to her chest. “How did you do that? I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone move so quickly before.”

He laughed. With his job, he had to have quick reflexes.

“Are you alright?” She looked down at his hands.

He nodded. “This is a change. It’s usually me doing all the talking.”

She smiled sheepishly before grabbing a towel. Rather than just handing it to him, she reached for his hand. She gently wiped away the tea, but red spots marred his skin. Her eyes were sad when she looked up at him. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so clumsy.”

“No harm done. That’s what I get for lurking and startling you.” He smiled down at her and eventually the sadness melted away as she gazed into his eyes.

“I was just about to treat myself with a scone and some jam. Will you join me?”

“I would enjoy that very much.”

With a delighted smile, she pointed to the table. “Sit.” She poured them both a cup of the tea she’d just brewed, then split the scone and spread strawberry jam on both halves before depositing one on his plate.

“You don’t have to share your only scone.”

“I had one earlier,” she said quietly, as if it were a confession. “I was probably more bored than hungry, but they’re delicious. And even more so when shared with good company.”

His heart warmed at her comment. Rarely did he get to be good company.

“Well, thank you.” She seemed to be waiting for him, so he took a bite.

Only then did she finally do the same, but she also closed her eyes to better savor it.

Watching her made him realize how much he took for granted in his life.

Things that were simply mundane to him brought her so much joy. He could learn a lesson from her.

For the past year, he’d been so wrapped up in delivering justice and exacting revenge, he’d forgotten what joy was. But in spite of being put through a lifetime of misery, Madelene was the embodiment of it. Her enthusiasm brought a smile to his lips as well.

Suddenly, he realized he’d been staring, and she was now staring back.

He swallowed, a frisson of excitement rushing through him as hunger grew in her eyes.

He forced himself to take another bite and she smiled before following his lead.

A scone had never tasted so good, nor had eating one ever been so sensual.

Their eyes stayed locked but they shared not a word as she licked jam from her lips.

“Do you want to go upstairs?” Simon asked breathlessly.

“Yes.” She immediately started gathering their dishes.

“Leave it.” Simon wrapped his arms around her and crushed his mouth to hers. Her urgency matched his own and she gripped him in a tight embrace. She didn’t hesitate to plunge into his mouth this time, and their tongues swirled around one another.

He skimmed his hands down to grasp her backside and she hummed her approval against his mouth. Her hands moved between them and she opened the top button of his jacket as he pulled his lips away. She looked up at him before moving onto the second one, seeking his permission.

“Yes,” he said simply.

She opened the remaining buttons and he shrugged out of the garment and hung it over the back of the chair. Not putting it in its proper place felt odd, as if it set the world off-balance. But then her hands were back, opening the buttons on his waistcoat and it ceased to matter.

“Are we going to do this in the kitchen?” he asked.

She shrugged. “I don’t know the rules for these things, but I don’t see why we would enjoy it any less down here than up in your bedroom.”

“There are no rules, I suppose. I’m just somewhat…”

“Particular,” she supplied when he didn’t finish.

“Particular.” He couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ve noticed, have you?”

“What I’ve noticed is that, although that seems to be the case in the rest of your life, you haven’t been that way with me, and I don’t see why you should start now.”

Apparently, she was more observant than he’d realized. He’d underestimated her… again. She was also smarter, stronger, and more self-assured than he’d originally assumed.

“Yes or no?” she asked as she grasped the last button. How had their roles suddenly reversed? Perhaps it would put them on a more even footing if he was outside the comfort of his bedroom. It was a challenge he was keen to accept.

“Yes.”

She slipped the button free and watched as he loosened his tie. He draped them over the back of the chair with his coat. He pulled her in for another kiss as he reached around to open her belt. He added it to the growing pile before reaching for the buttons on her bodice.

“Yes or no?”

“Yes,” she answered without hesitation. The rising and falling of her chest increased its rhythm as he worked his way to the bottom. She hung the garment on the back of the other chair, along with her corset cover. The white of her corset made the golden swells of her breasts all the more enticing.

Her smooth skin tasted divine as he slid the tip of his tongue over one breast before dipping between them.

“Yes,” she said, breathlessly, driving him on. He licked over her other breast before taking a long, meandering path over her chest and collarbone and eventually up the side of her neck so he could whisper into her ear.

“If you want me to open your skirts, turn around.”

She looked into his eyes briefly before turning, but it didn’t feel like a hesitation. Instead, it was a moment of connection. He pushed her skirt and petticoat to the floor, and she stepped out of them.

The anticipation he had endured as she’d removed her nightgown was nothing compared to this slow torture. Before she could turn back, he wrapped an arm around her waist and tasted her neck. He bit her shoulder lightly and watched as goosebumps rose on her arm.

“Do you want me to loosen your laces?” As desperate as he was for more, he needed her to understand that she could still tell him no.

“Yes, but then it’s my turn to undress you.”

Her enthusiasm only made him want her more.

His fingers trembled with anticipation as he untied her laces, loosening them slightly.

He turned her around and gripped the top of her corset, pulling her in for another, urgent kiss.

He’d never experienced passion like the heat that burned between them.

He reached in with his other hand and unhooked the corset, allowing it to fall to the floor.

He pulled back, sweeping his gaze over her, but there were still too many clothes. As he reached for the hem of her chemise, she stopped him.

“No.”

He froze. Slowly, he uncurled his fingers to let go of the fabric. He’d stopped seeking her permission and chastised himself for it. “I’m sorry, Madelene.” He pulled back but an unexpected smile graced her lips.

“You’d better be.” Her tone was teasing and it caught him off guard. “I said it was my turn next.”

She wasn’t telling him they had to stop. Thank God. “So you did.”

* * *

He had stopped. One quiet word was all it had taken and he had stopped without the slightest hesitation. She knew just how strong he was, knew he could easily force himself on her, but he had stopped. The power he allowed her to have over him made her want him even more.

Her stomach fluttered as she reached for his buttons.

He stood, simply allowing her to open each one, not rushing her or asking for anything.

He draped the shirt over the chair. His skin was fair and smooth as she brushed her hands over his chest and stomach.

He didn’t stop her when she moved to unfasten his trousers, but she paused.

She owed him the same courtesy he’d given her.

“Yes or no?”

He closed his eyes briefly and swallowed.

“Yes.” Was he nervous? She waited a moment, giving him a chance to change his mind, but he didn’t, so she continued.

As she pushed his trousers to the floor, she stared at the part of him that stood out against his underwear.

Tentatively, she brushed her fingers along its length.

His groan startled her. His gaze bored into hers when she looked up.

“Yes,” he said, his breathing heavy.

She cupped her hand lightly around it, but she wasn’t really sure what to do with it. She drew her fingertip along its length, more firmly this time, and he groaned again.

“When do I get another turn?” he asked.

She stepped back, excitement filling her. “Right now.”

“Thank God, because I need to taste you.”

The words sent a rush of desire through her, only intensified by his lips as they landed on hers, urging her to respond in kind. She barely had a chance before his kisses were moving down her neck.

“May I?” He grabbed the hem of her chemise again.

“Yes.” She was desperate for his mouth on her breasts as it had been last night.

He didn’t disappoint. The fabric had barely whisked over her head when the heat of his mouth engulfed her sensitive nipple.

They groaned in unison as he suckled. His obvious appreciation of her body made her enjoy it all even more.

“I need more and I’m not going to stop and ask you for each and every thing. Promise me you’ll tell me to stop if I go too fast or do something you don’t like.”

She nodded, desperate for him to continue. He raised a brow, waiting for more.

“I promise.”