Page 6 of A Raven Realized (The Raven’s Den #5)

It was just a kiss, for God’s sake. He wasn’t a bloody schoolboy.

And yet, he’d had to put distance between them to douse the lust that had suddenly overwhelmed him.

The kiss wasn’t even for him. It was just supposed to give her the experience she’d obviously longed for.

It was her first kiss and he’d meant it to be chaste and gentle, but when she’d wrapped her fingers around his neck, his control had shattered.

Luckily, her soft whimper had made him remember himself.

“Thank you.” Her words were quiet, but at least she’d spoken. He must not have frightened her too badly. Simon pulled himself together and turned back to her.

“You’re welcome.” With golden skin and dark hair, eyes the color of coffee, and her cheeks flushed just a bit, she was perfection.

Her full lips were reddened slightly and begged him to taste them again.

He’d thought himself immune to those sorts of things.

Not that he didn’t find women attractive, but he didn’t lose control.

The silence that fell was filled with tension and longing.

He could feel her desire from across the carriage, and it was not making it easy to ignore his own.

He’d never thought of himself as honorable or noble, but he wasn’t going to ravish her.

She might be a thirty-year-old woman, but she was an innocent, and for the time being, she was in his care.

Unfortunately, he was also more drawn to her than any other woman he’d met.

What in God’s name had he gotten himself into?

“Would you mind if I ask you some questions?”

“Please do.” Relief flooded him. He’d answer anything if it gave him a distraction.

“Why did you come to Auburn Ridge?”

“Oh.” He wasn’t sure how to answer that. “Right to the difficult questions, eh?”

Her unexpected laughter warmed his heart. “I went to see Dr. Mickelson.”

“It didn’t sound as if you were there for a social call.”

Simon chuckled. “No, it wasn’t a social call. I’m sorry if I frightened you.”

“I was just grateful to be out of that icy water.”

“They don’t even warm it?”

She shook her head. “It’s the opposite actually. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said it was icy.”

He should have killed the son of a bitch while he was there. Better yet, he should have done more researching before leaving Samantha there in the first place. He had failed her.

“I’m sorry you had to endure that, Madelene.”

“If you hadn’t come along and rescued me, I’m sure there would have been more to come. Thank you for coming to my aid, even if it wasn’t the reason for your visit.”

“I only did what any decent man would have.” Although, he’d sent his own sister there, so what did that make him? Certainly not decent.

She shrugged. “I haven’t met a great number of men.”

“Well, you’ll just have to take my word for it then.”

She placed a hand over her mouth to cover a yawn.

“You must be exhausted after everything you’ve been through.

We have a few hours ahead of us yet, so you might as well get some sleep.

” Not surprisingly, the carriage was well appointed—it was owned by a marquess, after all.

He folded a blanket and placed it at the end of her bench.

She’d be mostly comfortable. “Lie down and place your head here.”

As she curled herself into position, the carriage hit a rut, and she nearly toppled onto the floor. She smiled up at him. “Perhaps it’s not such a good idea for me to sleep.”

“Don’t you worry.” He sat down with his back against her seat and spread his arms along the edge. “I won’t let you fall. Get some rest.”

It wasn’t long before her breathing found an even rhythm.

What the hell was he going to do with her? She wasn’t part of his plan.

He didn’t do rash things. Every moment of his life was planned out meticulously. He woke at the same time every morning, took the same route to work, and drank the same tea. His socks were paired up in the left-hand drawer of his wardrobe, and his ties rolled up in the right.

Going to Auburn Ridge on a whim was foolhardy and not how he did things. He’d allowed his guilt and anger to get the best of him, and lost track of his priorities—the men on his list. He never should have gone there. At least, not until he had a plan.

He wasn’t a savior. He didn’t have attachments. He didn’t lose control.

He turned his head to look at her. She was beautiful and peaceful in sleep.

A piece of dark hair had escaped its pins and curled over her cheek.

If he hadn’t gone, she’d still be there, suffering at the hands of those men.

He sighed. His decision may have been foolhardy, but how could he possibly regret it?

Surprisingly, she slept through the rest of their journey.

When had she last had a good night’s sleep?

By the time they neared his townhouse, his body was stiff.

He groaned as he got up off the floor. Gently, he rubbed the back of his hand over her temple.

Her eyes fluttered open and after a moment, a smile grew on her lips.

“We’re nearing our destination, so I thought I’d wake you.”

She groaned as well as she pushed herself upright. “Thank you. And thank you for keeping me safe while I slept.”

“It was hardly a sacrifice on my part.”

Her smile faltered. “What is our destination?”

“For now, it’s my townhouse in London. I promise, there will be no cold baths.”

The words didn’t seem to comfort her.

“Don’t look so worried, Madelene. You’ll have your own room, and I won’t do anything untoward.”

The fear in her eyes gradually shifted into something more mischievous. “Does that mean I won’t be getting another kiss?”

“Do you want another kiss?” That was not what he was supposed to say.

She nodded, her eyes wide with anticipation.

She seemed to have some power over him that broke through all of his control. But it wasn’t some mysterious influence. Her beauty was beguiling and it addled his wits. “I’ll need more than just a nod.”

Her smile was nervous but excitement shone in her eyes. “I want you to kiss me again.”

Wrapping his hand around her nape, he pulled her to him. Her lips were soft and pliant, but quickly she began to mimic his movements. He was once again shocked by his own eager response. He slid the tip of his tongue along the seam of her lips, and when she opened, he slipped inside with a groan.

She gasped and he forced himself away from her. “I’m sorry,” he said breathlessly. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

She shook her head slightly. “I didn’t want you to stop.”

It took every ounce of willpower he had not to crush his lips to hers again. “I have to stop.” He heaved himself onto the bench.

“Did I do it wrong?”

His heart twinged at her soft words. “No, Madelene. You did it perfectly. But I should not be taking liberties. Let’s just focus on getting you settled.”

She nodded and looked down at her lap. He’d hurt her feelings.

That wasn’t his intention, but he had to stop before he went too far.

He reached across and took one of her hands.

“Everything will be alright. I promise.” Somehow the words felt like they were every bit as much for himself as they were for her.