Page 62 of Elite Connections: an LGBTQ Romance Charity Anthology

“Where exactly arewe going shopping today?”

“Do you always have to know everything?” Raven smiles, pulling me closer to her on the crowded sidewalk.

With her heels on, she matches me in height. My smile mirrors hers. It’s hard not to after the night we spent together.

And the morning.

“Yes. I don’t like the unexpected.”

My life has had too much unexpected. I like easy. I like predictable. Routine makes it all better for me.

“There’s some shops just around the corner, and if you’re lucky we can get gelato after.”

“I already got lucky this morning. Gelato is happening.”

“Good to know then.” Raven drops a kiss on my cheek and draws to a stop in the middle of the sidewalk.

“Eden. Laney. Nice to see you.”

Laney’s gaze studies the two of us. The way her eyes flit back and forth has nerves coiling deep in my belly.

“Raven. Blair. What are you two up to today?”

Eden pulls off her sunglasses and tucks them into the front of her shirt. Her gray hair is stylishly coiffed into spikes. With a sweeping duster jacket on in a bright and colorful pattern, she looks every bit the fashionable Italian today.

“Doing a little shopping before the opera tonight.” Raven links her arm with mine. “We’ve never been.”

Eden’s face goes wide with excitement. “It’s fantastic. I know you’ll have a wonderful time. Be sure to find us for a drink before the show tonight.”

“Yes. We want to get to know more about you two as a couple.” Laney’s words are direct.

“That sounds great. We look forward to it,” I tell her, swallowing down the nerves that rise up.

Eden seems to like us. Laney, on the other hand, I can’t get a read on. Every time we’re around her, I feel like she’s going to figure out our secret and send us home. Like some business version of Survivor. That’s the last thing I want to happen for Raven.

“Good, good. I don’t want to keep you ladies. Enjoy your afternoon.” She wiggles her fingers at us and disappears into the crowd.

“I really feel like she likes me, don’t you?” Raven questions.

“She’d be crazy not to.”

“Should we be worried about Laney, though? She’s harder to read, and I’m wondering if she has doubts about us.” Raven’s eyes follow where the two women left.

“I don’t think you need to worry.”

It seems no matter who meets Raven, they are instantly captivated by her. Hell, I know I was.

It was only a matter of time before I could no longer resist her. I don’t think I ever stood a chance. Not since our first meeting at the airport.

“You ready?”

Raven holds the door open to a small boutique tucked away on a bustling arcade full of high-end fashion stores. Herringbone-patterned wood floors gleam under the golden lights. Racks of clothes line the walls. Black cushioned chairs sit at the back of the store.

It screams high-end and fancy.

No doubt out of my budget.

“Ciao. Raven?”

The saleswoman greets us.

“Yes. Marie?”

“Si. A pleasure to meet you both.” She sweeps her arm out to us, welcoming us into the store. “I have everything all set up for you. If you have any questions or need different sizes, please let us know.”

Her heels click against the floor as we follow her back to the fitting room. Nothing about this store says casual. As we walk, I am captivated by the high-end fabrics, some adorned with pearls and lace.

My mind immediately starts calculating how much everything is going to be. There is no way I can afford anything in this store.

“Stop it.” Raven grabs my hand and pulls me closer to her.

“I’m not doing anything.”

“Yes, you are. I can hear you thinking from here.”

A puff of air leaves me. I’m never not calculating prices in my head.

“I’ve got this covered,” Raven whispers against my ear. It sends shivers racing through me.

I hate how much she affects me. I shouldn’t let her get to me, but she is.

“Raven, I don’t even know how much these are, but you can’t.”

“You wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me, so there’s no argument. Besides,”—a knowing look enters her eyes—“it’s as much a gift for me as it is for you.”

“What do you mean?”

The hand on my waist dips lower to my hip, squeezing. “It means I can’t wait to see you in it. And I can’t wait to peel you out of it even more. Now, get your ass in that dressing room.”

With a slap to my backside, I scurry into one room and she struts her way toward hers.

I don’t know what I’m going to do with her.

* * *

Raven

I can’t wait to see what Blair is wearing when she comes out of the dressing room. I called ahead to have a few pieces collected for us. I knew if she saw the prices, she’d balk and leave the store.

But with the opera tonight and the gala coming up, I wanted to be sure we both look the part.

And I know whatever Blair wears, she’ll look phenomenal.

Zipping up the side of my own black dress, complete with cap sleeves of tulle and a short skirt made of the same fabric, I love how it complements my olive skin. It’s the perfect dress for the opera tonight.

Stepping out of the room, I find Blair’s door still closed.

“Are you going to show me what you’re wearing?” I ask, smoothing a hand down my dress.

“This is too much.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

The lock on the door clicks and out comes Blair.

And…wow.

I’m not ready for how gorgeous she looks.

The deep-purple dress is embroidered with darker purple flowers. The strapless, sweetheart neckline highlights every curve of hers. The skirt sweeps out, kissing the ground. Like it’s bowing down to her.

“Wow.”

“Good wow?”

I nod, my words failing me. I close the distance between us, fingering the soft material.

“Very good wow. Stunning.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” Her eyes are focused on the deep V of the front of my dress, dipping between my breasts and showing the top of my stomach.

“Think we’ll give those old opera singers a run for their money?”

Blair laughs. “I don’t think I’ll be able to pay attention to the opera with you sitting there in that.”

“Feeling is mutual.”

I can’t stop touching Blair, fingering the patterns of flowers that seamlessly flow throughout the dress.

Each soft caress has me aching for more.

I didn’t even know Blair a week ago, and now she is consuming my every thought. It’s never been like this before.

I can’t pinpoint why. There’s something different about her. Guarded. Closed off. I want her to open up to me and tell me everything. I want it all with her.

Christ.

And isn’t that a problem? When our time together is limited and we’ll both go our separate ways.

Hell, I’m paying her to be here.

Except that wasn’t on my mind at all last night.

She’ll go back to her life, and I’ll hopefully have a new company to add to my portfolio.

This doesn’t mean anything.

Maybe if I keep telling myself that, I might start to believe it.