Page 174 of Isolation

Her smell.

Her hair.

The shape of her body under my hand.

Everything. Everything about this woman drives me crazy. Drives me out of my mind.

I little too soon Raven breaks the kiss. I am panting. I want more, but she already gave in. I can’t push her right now.

“Neither of us wants to be with anyone else so we have all the time. Just think about it, for my sake. It’s not too much to ask for, is it?”

Raven shakes her head. “No, it’s not,” she sighs. “I will think about it, I promise.”

“Good.” I close my eyes and let my forehead fall back to hers.

I kiss her gently one more time on the lips.

“Okay, I am going to go to my room before I start getting dirty ideas.”

Raven laughs. It still feels natural between us. We are already joined at the hips. The progression of a relationship between us wouldn't change our dynamic all that much.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I give her one last kiss. I can’t stop kissing her. I never want to stop kissing her ever again.

“Goodnight, stud, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, beautiful.”

I stride out of Raven’s room. After years, there is a weight that’s been lifted off my chest.

We can do this.I have a feeling that Raven will get over her reservations. I can remind her why she used to write Mrs. Reid Sinclair in her notebook when she was little.

Then a thought occurs to me.

I could turn that into a reality.

What do I have to lose?

I already know if she agrees to a relationship, I am going to marry her. We have basically been together for twenty-two years. If you think about it, we should have been married by now.

I have sowed my wild oats. Meaningless sex. Endless parties. I am over it. I was over it before I even started. There is only one woman I have ever wanted to have sex with. There is only one person I have ever wanted to party with.

We can travel the world together. We can get to know each other intimately. I can convince her to get married. She can work on her fashion design career without having to work a part-time job.

Raven won’t have a problem with me paying the bills as long as it’s not Milo’s money. We are like one person. My money has always been hers and everything she has is mine. It’s always been that way between us.

It’s only since Milo started supporting me that she has felt reluctant about accepting my help.

We are already like an old married couple. Once I have my job and trust fund, I can make that into our reality. We can live the life I have always wanted.

There is one more thing that I have to take care of before. I have to talk to Milo. I have to do right by Raven.

I am sure Milo is long over whatever happened between them. But I still have to make sure that he never tells anyone.

Stepping into my room, I try his cell phone. No answer. He is probably busy with work. Milo travels all over for his business. I am racking my brain. What city would he be in today?

I haven’t even told him that Raven is moving back to the house. I should tell him before he gets here. I type out a text, in case I don’t get a call back from him until he comes home.

Reid: Hey, bro, heads up. Raven is back in NYC & moving back to the house. And… I’m going to ask her to be my girlfriend. Long story, but I think she is going to say “yes.”