Page 35 of Never Gonna Lie (Forbidden #2)
Chapter Thirty-Five
RAVEN
W aking up the next morning, I stretch out my muscles, a smile firmly in place as I recall the details of last night. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I’d lose my virginity to James, and he didn’t disappoint. He played my body like he’d known it for years.
Glancing over at the bedside table, I see a glass of water, Advil, and a note.
Sitting up, I push my hair out of my face, swallowing the painkillers down with the water.
Trepidation fills me at what the note could say.
Is he going to tell me it was a mistake again and to pack my things?
Before I spiral completely, I grab the note and open it.
Drink the water and take the Advil like a good slut.
J x
A gush of warmth floods me. I don’t know what it means that I like it when he talks to me like this.
Surely calling someone a slut or a whore during sex is a red flag?
Is there something wrong with me? I haven’t ever read a book with this type of thing in it, so I don’t know what the protocol is here.
Should I ask Mia?
No. I want to keep this to myself for a while. There are some things she needs to know and some things she doesn’t. I’m well past due for a catch-up with her anyway, so I grab my phone from the side and pull up my messages.
I’m sorry I’ve been so shit.
Mia
Living under James’s roof will do that to you *smirky face emoji’
Ha ha. Nothing happened. He’s the perfect gentleman. I think I’m getting over my crush on him anyway. He’s too grumpy in the mornings for me.
I just lied to my best friend. I’m going to hell.
Mia
Dinner tonight?
Sure, I’ll meet you at Nova’s?
Mia
See ya then!
Closing down my phone, I see a T-shirt lying on the floor. It’s one of James’s, so I put it on and pad toward the door. The nerves start kicking in, knowing he’s going to shut whatever this is between us down.
The early morning light shines through the windows, the house eerily quiet as I make my way to the kitchen in search of coffee.
As I open the door, I find Mrs. Gardner preparing breakfast. She’s an older lady in her 50s, her graying hair pulled back into a ponytail and her larger frame encased in a chef’s uniform. I’ve only met her a handful of times, but she’s always been so friendly.
Lifting her head, she smiles softly. “Morning love, fresh coffee’s brewed and I’m just about to finish up with breakfast.”
Feeling awkward that I’m only in a T-shirt, I smile and walk toward the aforementioned coffee. After making my first coffee cool enough to drink in one go, I pour myself another cup before going in search of James.
“He’s in his office, love.” She nods her head toward the door.
“Thank you.”
I take my cup and amble toward his office, knocking on the door before walking in. He’s sitting behind his desk, hair disheveled, and a frown marring his face. He looks up as I walk in, his eyes blazing as he sees me wearing his clothes.
Sitting in the seat opposite him, I smirk around my cup. “Good morning,” I say cheerfully.
“Get your ass over here now.”
My clit begins to pulse at his low demand, and I stand up, placing my cup on his desk as I saunter over to him, my hips swaying more than usual. A small smile tugs at the corners of my mouth as his eyes darken the closer I get.
“Take off the shirt, Raven,” he growls .
Even though I’ve had multiple orgasms, I still get turned on by the low timbre of his voice.
With shaky hands, I grab the hem of my shirt and lift it off, my nipples pebbling as the cold air hits them and walk the last few steps completely naked.
The level of self-consciousness I feel is uncomfortable on so many levels, but my confidence picks up slightly at the way his pupils blow wide and his lips quirk up slightly.
He hums in approval, his eyes darkening further. As soon as I’m within arm’s reach, he snaps out a hand, wrapping it around my wrist and tugging me, causing me to fall into his lap.
“Anytime I tell you to be naked, you do it. Understood?”
“Yes, Daddy,” I breathe out.
He groans before crashing his lips against mine. I kiss him back, moving my hands up his arms, to his shoulders, before tangling them at the back of his neck as he deepens the kiss. I’m a panting mess by the time he pulls back.
Leaning his forehead against mine, he says, “I expect this to be how all of my mornings start.” He grins and kisses me again.
The inward squeal that’s desperate to surface over the fact he’s not pushing me away and telling me I’m a mistake is hard to keep at bay.
A tinkling sound starts to play in the background, interrupting us.
James leans over and checks his computer. “It’s your dad.” He blows out a breath and squeezes my hips. “I need to take this.”
Sliding off his lap, I quickly pull on the T-shirt, covering myself over.
I grab my coffee from his desk and sit back in the chair opposite, feeling awkward. I haven’t spoken to my dad since before the night in the alleyway, and I’m not sure I’m ready to. There’s an explanation, I’m sure of it. My dad would never put me in harm’s way.
James taps the keyboard, and my dad’s voice rings throughout the room. “How is she? ”
He looks over at me, his eyes locking with mine as he replies, “She’s fine.”
“She’s my?—”
His head snaps back to the screen, cutting my dad off. “I’d watch your fucking tone, Drew. You’re on thin fucking ice as it is.” The venom in his tone as he speaks shocks me. I’ve never heard him like this before.
Sitting up in my chair, I lean forward, trying to get James’s attention. He glances over at me, and his eyes soften. “Ask him what he wants,” I mouth.
“What do you want?” he snaps at my dad, his eyes going back to him.
“Why has access to my accounts been frozen? And why the hell do I have Theo sending me correspondence?” he shouts.
I don’t want to hear anymore. The rose-tinted glasses where my dad’s always been concerned are starting to crack, and I’m worried they won’t ever be able to be repaired.
I stand up and gesture to James that I’m leaving. His face is a mask of concern, but he nods his head. I plan on spending the rest of the day reading and pretending none of this is happening.