Page 38 of Special Agent Raven

All the time they caressed and touched, their greedy lips hungry with lust to where breathing became difficult. Panting with passion and dizzy with a craving need to penetrate, make her his, he shifted their clothing, lifted himself over her body and plundered her precious gift.

Aware that she was as invested as himself, loving her greedy seductive surrender, swollen from pleasure, he plunged deep – over and over, sensing her climax.

Greedy for his own release, yet wanting to please, and using every ounce of strength he had left, he forcibly slowed down his explosion, giving her time to fully enjoy the moment. Clinging to him, sweetly whispering his name, she rippled with her orgasm. It was those sensations drove him over the edge. With a final thrust into her hot, tight, silken body, he shuddered and found a rippling ecstasy unlike any he’d ever known.

Clinging together, waiting for the rapture to slowly fade, both sunk into the deepest, calmest sleep, transporting them back to dreamland.

***

Waking in the morning to a feeling of overwhelming happiness and relaxation he hadn’t experienced in a long time, Cane suddenly stiffened. Raven! Where was she? His hand felt the emptiness in the bed where she’d slept. When he looked over, the covers were in place, but he was alone.

Tucking his hands behind his head on the pillow, he tried to remember everything that happened the night before. He’d hadan incredible dream, one that had felt so real the memories made him stiffen. Christ. He suddenly shot upright.

Had it been real? Had they made love? Jesus… had he attacked her?

No. Impossible. She’d have stopped him. No way that woman would let any man take advantage. His quickened breathing returned to normal.

Remembering the fantasy enchantress he’d held in his arms the night before, there was one thing he’d bet his bank balance on. She’d wanted him with the same feverish need he’d felt himself.

Son of a bitch.

Had it been Raven?

Goddammit. He sensed the truth and questions ripped through his conscience.

How could he have done something so damn stupid? Raven wasn’t the type of person one played games with. She’d want some kind of commitment, and he had nothing to give.

Slowly readying himself for the day ahead, he called himself every kind of vile name before leaving the room to face his punishment.

Chapter Thirty

As light broke through the dark, early morning clouds, Raven looked toward her window, feeling wonderful. Still cuddled beside Cane and wrapped in his arms, she stayed as still as possible so as not to wake him. The man needed his rest after the last few days. And the truth was that she relished these precious moments of peace before having to face reality.

Loving the warmth of his close body and gentle hands holding her, she let dreams of their future begin to take shape. This man could be the one she’d been waiting for. Her heart said yes, but her brain sent warning signals.Wait. Give him time. You know he needs space… you’ve felt his withdrawal more than once.

Feeling the collapse of her dreamworld, she knew facts had to be faced, and she wasn’t one to shy away from the truth. Since she’d met Cane, he’d given out signals of having no interest of any kind in romance. Not once had he flirted with her to get her into his bed. The times when they’d connected had been moments where being alive and caring for each other’s safetyhad been paramount. Sure, they’d shared their thankfulness over those occasions, and he’d been protective, but he’d kept his distance as far as taking their relationship in any other direction.

Had she built their sexual encounter as a romance in her head? Thinking back to the night before, she tried to remember him saying her name or acknowledging that it had been her in his arms. Jesus, had he been dreaming of his wife? Suddenly, him waking and finding her here like this couldn’t be borne. Time to split.

Taking her own advice, she gently moved his hand aside so she could leave the bed. Soon after, she slipped from the room to join Nana and the kids for breakfast. Before she stepped out where they would see her, she hesitated and crossing both hands over her chest, she said a quick prayer.Please, let him acknowledge what we just shared. I want him to be the one… please.

Shaking off her mood, she walked toward the stove so she could kiss her nana’s cheek before rounding the table and giving each of the kids a hug they seemed to expect... that’s if their excitement while calling her name and arms lifted in her direction was any indication. Before she’d even taken her seat, Nana placed a mug of hot coffee in front of her, and Raven smiled her “bless you” response.

While the kids ate their pancakes, Raven regaled them with modified stories of the day before, explaining that their dad would be out to see them later. Being used to their father’s job obligations, they nodded, accepting her words. Soon, Winona gathered Koda’s dish and filled it with her dogfood, asking Josh and Ami to take it out to the impatient animal. “Make sure she has clean water from the outside tap too, please.”

“Okay.” Happily running to do their chores, they remembered to take their dishes to the sink ahead of putting on their outdoor clothes. Excited to see Koda, they rushed, slamming the door just as the words – don’t slam the door – were drowned out.Both Winona and Raven chuckled at the memory of her doing the exact same thing.

Silence followed while Raven tried to decide how to open the subject of Palmer. Before she could reach for Winona’s hand to soften the blow of the impending news, Nana shocked her quiet. “Palmer passed over last night, didn’t he?” The sorrow in her voice had turned it huskier than usual, showing that her grief had been harsh. “I felt him close, saying goodbye. My poor boy finally seemed to be at peace.” Winona’s eyes were glassy with pain and held a world of sadness.

“I’m so sorry, Nana. It’s the same criminal we were trailing earlier who killed him. He escaped from his cell, stole Brody’s gun and truck after putting Dwayne and Brody both in the hospital. Thankfully, they’ll recover.”

Winona clasped Raven’s hands tighter while she spoke, her dismay highlighted by the worry on her pale face and the narrowing of her eyes. “God love us all, he’s a bad one, ain’t he?”

“Yes, the sicko must have found Palmer’s house lit up as one of the few that had power. We’re thinking he went searching for food, and Palmer got in the way. Carlos Garcia went over when he noticed someone lurking around and also got gut shot for his trouble. When the ambulance took him away, he was arguing with Alice, so we figure he’ll make it.”

Winona smiled at her granddaughter’s way of explaining and reached to force Raven’s face from turning aside rather than holding her gaze. “Were you in any danger at all from the killer?”

Smiling reassuringly, Raven spoke the truth. “No. Not really. He’d left by the time we showed up. But he isn’t getting away with this behavior, Nana. We have to find him before he messes with other folks. You know that, right?”