Page 39 of Just One More Moment

Then, laughing, Dex did just that.

Chapter Fourteen

After Dex hadgone to his room, Remy remained in the family room, thinking more about what Dex had said, about Remy and his past, the women he’d dated, and especially the one he’d married. Had he been drawn to Sadie’s vulnerability? Yes. He liked women with a soft inside but he’d quickly realized he preferred them with a hard-core outside, too. And Raven? She was as strong as they came or else she’d have picked up and run far from Lance as she could.

Though Dex’s words and concern came from a good place, Remy was certain. His feelings for Raven were deeper and more meaningful than for anyone in his past. And she was not just his usual, damsel-in-distress M.O.

As he came to that conclusion, she joined him, walking into the large den. It had to be massive to accommodate his big family.

“Hey, did you like the house?” he asked.

She nodded, eyes glittering. “It’s incredible. Did your parents own it when you were a kid?”

“Sure did. This is the best place for four rambunctious boys and their sister to play.”

Her smile seemed wistful and he decided to break whatever thoughts had her frowning. Probably ones about her childhood that centered on her asshole brother.

“So, Dex went to bed. He plans to be out of here early tomorrow morning. But he said to say goodbye.”

“That’s nice.” She glanced away, then raised her arms over her head and stretched, the hem of her shirt lifting up and revealing an enticing strip of bare skin. “Despite sleeping most of the ride here, I’m tired.”

Walking over to her, he tugged on the bottom of her shirt. “Let’s go upstairs. You can take a warm bath and relax, then get some sleep.”

And while she was doing that, maybe he’d take care of his dick, which was hard from watching her stretch and push her breasts against the long-sleeve T-shirt. With all that was going on in her life, he didn’t want to push for sex and his cock wasn’t happy with him.

“That sounds perfect,” she said.

They walked out to the foyer. Remy grabbed the larger suitcase and let her take the smaller carry-on. She followed him up the stairs and to the bedroom that had always been his. When they were kids, he and Dex had twin beds on opposite sides of the room. As they grew into adults, Dex took his own room and their father, with Lizzie’s help, redid Remy’s with a king-size bed.

“You can unpack now or later,” he said to Raven after putting the larger suitcase on the mattress.

“Will we be here long enough to bother?” she asked, walking around the bedroom, taking in the light wood furniture, modern abstract photograph on the wall, and yes, the large bed.

“I wish I knew.” Up until now, he hadn’t been informing her of his daily calls to Garrett, preferring to let her live in peace. Or as much peace as she could find with Lance out of prison.

He sighed. “I’ve been speaking to Garrett. My last call to him was while you were packing up your toiletries.”

She paused in the midst of unzipping the luggage. “What did he say? Is he going to question Lance again?” Her voice lifted with hope.

“No,” he said, hating to disappoint her. “He got nowhere regarding him breaking your window. There were no prints. Lance denied being anywhere near the apartment and as you know, your mother provided an alibi.” As a result, the case had been labeled an ordinary break-in, one foiled by the alarm system scaring off the would-be intruder.

Raven lowered herself onto the light gray comforter. “What about Lance showing up tonight where I just happened to be?”

“Unfortunately, he’s done nothing illegal. Not unless you have a restraining order and without solid proof of harassment, no judge will sign off on one.”

She clenched her hands in frustration, her knuckles turning white. “It’s so unfair.”

He stepped closer and put his hands on her shoulders. “Lance will slip up. Even the smartest criminal always does.” What neither of them asked was just how long it might take. Remy knew they couldn’t hide out here forever.

Their trip here was supposed to give her some time to relax and breathe. “Why don’t you go take a nice, luxurious bath? There are soaps and other… girly things in Fallon’s room. I’ll go grab some.”

His words broke the tension and Raven smiled. “Girly things?”

He lifted his shoulder. “I don’t know. I think they’re called, what? Bath bombs?”

“Oooh, I love those but I haven’t indulged in a while.”

He stepped back, giving her breathing room. “Then go ahead and do it now. I can unpack for us if you don’t mind me going through your things.”

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