Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

RAVEN

“ E xcuse me.” I walk in a straight path, hoping no one and nothing is in my way. I don’t have my cane and I’d like to make a classy exit, but if I don’t get away from Ren soon, my fingers will explore more of the man than is proper, especially in public. I need to clear my head.

“Where are you going? I didn’t mean to upset you,” he says, his voice pitching high with concern.

My shadow’s following me again, only this time he’s making a ton of noise pushing past people and jumping over… a gravestone? I don’t know, but the point is I hear every one of his steps as he catches up to me. All other sounds, thoughts, and worries disappear in his presence. It’s unreal, overwhelming even.

“To the bathroom,” I answer.

“There is no bathroom here.”

“There is at Noah’s. And I know where he hides the key. He thinks because I can’t see that I’m dumb and unaware.” When I stop suddenly, Ren nearly barrels into me, but he grabs hold of me to keep me from falling.

I lay my hand on his chest, his bare chest, oh my! Full of chiseled muscles and… fuck, I can’t keep my hands off this guy. While I still have a modicum of willpower left in me, I remove my hands. “I promise, I’ll be right back.”

He’s not talking again, so I place my hand on his cheek to gage his expression. Not to continue touching him erotically. I swear.

Okay, that’s a partial lie. It’s a combination, but I want to know what he’s thinking, to know if he’s falling for me like I’m falling for him, or if he thinks I’m just a scatterbrained woman.

Ren pushes my hair behind my ear. OMG, his touch feels amazing!

“Why did you do that?” I ask.

“To see your face better.” He guides my hands to his. “Though I like how you see much better.”

I laugh. No one has ever talked to me as if I have the advantage. He’s unabashed, this man. Treats me as if I’m no different. Accepts me as is, and that is a rarity.

My fingers linger as they learn the nuances of his face. I want to take my time and soak in every inch of him. Every sensation of bone, stubble, skin and then his lips… so soft, and they’re curling at the ends. That’s his smile!!!!

He’s smiling at me!!!!!

I press my lips to his, hard, then tear away before I go down the rabbit hole again except this time exploring him with my mouth. “Give me a few minutes. I’ll be right back,” I call behind me.

As I enter the gate to Noah’s backyard and follow the stone path to his back porch, Ren appears to disappear. I no longer hear him. I guess he’s giving me the space I requested. A smile forms every time I think of him.

Technically, I don’t have permission to enter Noah’s house, but I refuse to pee behind a tree, especially in a cemetery. It’s not only uncouth but sacrilegious.

I climb the five steps to Noah’s back porch and reach out touching nothing but air as I search beside the door for the clay pot. My hand finally brushes dried-up flowers. I forgot this pot is smaller than the one out front. Sure enough, the key rests beneath the pot.

Noah’s house is a good size for a single guy without roommates. Not as large as my family’s home, but unlike me he supports himself. I envy him for that, and only that.

My few minutes leaning against the bathroom sink and splashing my face with cool water don’t bring me any clarity regarding Ren. It’s odd how eager I am to burst out of here and find him, talk to him, even hold his hand, as if I can’t get enough of him.

Love isn’t supposed to be this fast, is it? Maybe this is just lust. With one deep breath, I remind myself there’s no rush in getting to know him. We have all the time in the universe.

As I dry my hands on the crappy towel Noah has in here, I hear voices in the house. I guess the party’s moving inside. Rain, maybe?

The second I open the bathroom door, someone grabs me and pulls me into the hallway. My brain seizes in terror and the man slams me against a wall once, twice, three times, while demanding answers. His words jumble together as air rushes from my lungs. I can’t make sense of what he’s saying, not with my heart pounding in my throat and my entire body shaking.

“You said no one would see us meeting here.” He’s talking to another person, off to my left. He sounds young, but his voice is deep, and his breath strikes me from above, making him at least five inches taller than my five six.

“It’s just my blind cousin.”

“Noah, help me!”

“You don’t have to worry about her,” Noah’s says, his voice blasé. His voice is coming from down the hall by the front door. “She can’t see anything.”

No, I can’t, but I smell the unique scent of ash, smoke, and garlic on the person who’s pinned me to the wall with his forearm across my throat. I will recognize him if I ever get close to him again, but that’s the last thing I’ll tell them.

“Noah!” I beg, to no avail.

“Shut up, Raven. Or I’ll shove a cloth in your mouth.”

Footsteps. He’s finally approaching. “Take the money and go. Don’t worry about her. She won’t say anything.” Noah’s voice betrays his irritation, with me, no less.

“She’ll be able to identify my voice, won’t you, bitch?”

I shake my head.

“Liar. How you gonna keep her quiet?” the man asks.

“I’ll figure it out.”

“Take care of her, Noah. Permanently.”

“There’s no money in it.”

Meaning what? He has no problem killing me if there were money in it?

“I didn’t see anything!” I repeat, hoping that will convince the guy to forget about me.

“If you want her gone, take care of it yourself,” Noah says a moment before the back door squeaks and shuts.

He left me here! The bastard left me!

“Renikk!” I shout at the top of my lungs seconds before a fist connects with my face.