Page 15 of Special Agent Raven
Heading to where she saw female items, Raven put her mug down and rifled through a few piles before finding a fleecy gray sweatsuit that would work for her size. Not thinking, she began to strip down. The groan from across the room startled her. Without turning in his direction, she grunted her truth. “I’m sorry if I’m shocking your sensibilities, but I’m too cold to act like a shy virgin.”
“Hey, it’s not the sight of your naked body that prompted my reaction. It’s the relief of changing from drenched clothing to warm, dry ones.” His explanation fell a bit flat, but who was she to argue.
Upon hearing his reaction, she’d gripped the sweatshirt to cover her breasts and turned to see his muscled form highlighted by the lantern. Captivated, the sight made her wish she was getting her warmth from human contact… his.
As if he’d sensed her thoughts, he made his way toward her, carrying a pair of thick socks. “I thought you’d like these. They’re on the smaller side and might fit your feet.”
Quickly slipping into the sweatshirt and glad for the instant warmth, she looked up into his face to thank him and found him staring down at her, a look of tenderness coating his expression.
“What?”
“Nothing. It’s just that seeing what a slender woman you are belies the strength you’ve shown today. It’s mind-boggling to a mere male that you’re so strong.”
“I thought you didn’t look.”
“I lied.”
Caught off-guard, Raven’s composure melted. A sigh blocked by a sob escaped, and her body slumped. “It’s all an illusion. Truth be told, I was terrified on the river, frightened I’drun Palmer’s boat into an embankment, and now seeing his condition, I’m scared silly to deal with what’s next.”
She heard his shocked reaction and then felt strong arms wrap around her, pulling her close, holding her gently… protectively. “I’m here with you, Raven. I won’t leave you alone in this, I promise.”
Her glance drawn to his, she read the truth in his piercing gaze. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d have done without you, Cane. I’m serious. You’ve been wonderful.”
Slowly his look changed, an unfamiliar teasing smile lightened his expression. “You could thank me again like you did before.”
She knew he referred to their kiss, and his sudden playfulness made her feel much better. Without thinking through her next moves, she stepped up on tiptoe and aimed a kiss to his cheek only to be stopped by his lips. He’d moved his mouth catching her off-guard. This time, they both indulged in the moment, both sunk into the sudden heat, and both satisfied the growing passion.
His hands smoothed her wet hair away from her face and then cradled it in his gentle palms while he devoured her mouth. Feeling like a woman whose man wanted her and only her, she put her arms around his back and let him have his way.
If Henry hadn’t called out that their sandwiches were ready, they might never have left the room. Instead, she pulled back, swiped the socks from where he’d dropped them, and bent to put them on with shaky hands. Christ, what just happened? She’d never responded to a man like that before.
Knowing she hadn’t been the only one aroused made her feel slightly better. When interrupted, she’d heard his groan of denial, and it pleased her that he’d been as invested in the tender moment as herself.
Refusing to look his way, she gathered up her clothes and said, “Bring along your things, and I’ll put them all in the dryer theyhave behind the kitchen. Shouldn’t take too long for our own things to dry.”
Chapter Thirteen
Soon, Cane found himself sitting next to Raven at a small table with some of the town’s leaders. Looking around, he scanned the shock on faces that wore grave expressions of sadness and anger.
Ravenous, both he and Raven devoured their food, and still thirsty, he got up to bring the coffee pot over and offered refills to everyone. While he took care of their comfort, he watched Raven getting drawn into many discussions and sensed that her hesitation to speak frankly dwindled.
Being in a position of control came easy to her, and the others accepted she could handle the pressure because of her background. Or more likely, they didn’t want the responsibility themselves.
Well… except for Henry. The man tended to interrupt her, monopolize the conversation, and at times, even rudely cut her off. Which didn’t sit well with Cane. He’d worked with – and for– some incredible females in his past, and his respect for them had grown exponentially over those years.
As he watched this interaction, he noticed that Raven handled the insulting behavior with a teasing kind of acceptance. It’s like she knew how to maneuver Henry’s chauvinistic mind-set without dumping on him, so the conversation never turned into an argument.
Her skill amazed him. He didn’t lie earlier when he’d told her that he was stunned by her size in comparison to her capabilities. As he watched her debate the issues, he remembered what her lips were doing not so long ago, and his body hardened with the memory.Seriously? What the hell are you thinking? No way, buddy… no Goddamn way.
Zooming out of the conversation, he let his mind wander to how it felt to hold a woman in his arms again, and the madness of letting his passion rule his head.
No more. That bullshit has to stop. He didn’t deserve such a female.
Those incredible moments they’d just shared in the classroom had been his fault. He’d taken one look at her glorious nakedness and lost his priorities… never mind his sanity. And there was no way in hell he’d ever travel that same path again. Giving over his life to another. Suffering the pain of losing his whole family again. And being the person who killed them… instead of saving them. Never.
His conscience reminded him of the earlier folly.Total fucking madness you fool. And you know it. Been there – done that.
Why he’d lost his composure, he put down to one thing… getting close to Raven. After experiencing such a crazy, breath-taking reaction to her nudity, it had been madness. He’d known it, tried to stop himself but couldn’t seem to dredge up the sense God gave a cornered rat. He’d told her the truth about his shock at seeing how tiny she was compared to the womanwho’d managed such heroic accomplishments. Bastard that he was used it as the reason for ignoring his principles.