Page 49 of A Raven Returns

A genuine smile finally graced his lips. “I’m glad you love it here, Gwen.”

“When can I start working?”

He shrugged. “I’ll have a word with Sarah and Iris and let them know you’re eager to get back to it.”

* * *

Over the next couple of weeks, things did get a little easier. Dancing in the club gave her something to look forward to and a sense of accomplishment. All the ladies had been so welcoming. None of them had even asked her why she came back. Ash had probably asked them not to, which she was grateful for.

She’d also learned, if she returned to the stairwell after the club was closed and the other ladies had gone to bed, she could hear Ash playing his piano. That’s where she was waiting tonight.

Just when she was about to give up and go to her room, notes began to float down to her. She climbed quietly up to the top step where she could be near the door that led to his private chambers. The music made her feel as if she had the tiniest connection to him that wasn’t as his employee.

He didn’t play for very long, and when the notes stopped and didn’t start up again, she eventually returned to her room. The music played her to sleep inside her mind. She could almost convince herself that he was playing just for her.

She found herself looking forward to those moments more than anything else in her day. The few moments she could listen to him play. The next night was no different. She left the club with all the other ladies and changed out of her raven gown. When Daisy was asleep, she slipped back out to the staircase. She waited at the bottom of the steps until she heard him start to play. Once again, she crept up the stairs to the top.

The music always came straight from his soul. It told her how he was feeling, no walls or fake smiles, just truth. Tonight was mournful and his frustration came through when he struck the deep notes a little more forcefully. He was hurting. She needed to comfort him, and before she even thought, she was tapping softly on his door. The music stopped.

“Come.” His voice was deep and laced with concern. No one ever bothered him in his private quarters, so he probably assumed there was a problem.

What was she doing? Her heart began to pound but she couldn’t very well just run away now. She slowly opened the door and stepped through. His black hair was still damp from his bath, his robe open just enough to give her a glimpse of his bare chest as he sat before his piano.

“You can’t be here, Gwen.” He shook his head.

“I know,” she said, butterflies taking flight inside her stomach. “I promise I won’t do anything. I’ll sit quietly. I won’t say anything or come near you. I’ll just listen.”

“Gwen, we can’t do this. It isn’t right. You need to leave.”

Her heart aching, she forced herself to accept his wishes and nodded her agreement. “I’ll go, but please don’t stop playing. I shouldn’t have knocked. I’m sorry.” Panic swept through her. She was going to lose this wonderful thing she had. Why did she have to knock on his door and ruin it? She was such a fool. “Please don’t stop playing. Don’t take this away from me. I promise I’ll never knock again.”

His chest was rising and falling as his breaths accelerated. “You’ve been listening to me out there?”

She didn’t want to admit it, terrified that he’d stop playing if he knew she was there, but she couldn’t bring herself to lie to him. Slowly, she nodded. “It’s my favorite part of the day. You play me to sleep every night.” She met his gaze, her eyes pleading with him. “Please don’t stop. I’ll go.”

She turned to leave, but in an instant, his fingers were wrapped around her upper arm. He pulled her against him and pushed the door closed as his lips slammed against hers. His tongue plunged roughly into her mouth as he backed her up and crushed her against the wall with his body.

“I don’t know how to do this, Gwen. I’ve been desperate for you, and I don’t know how to stop myself wanting you.”

She nodded frenziedly. “Then take me. Please, Ash.” She was panting in her need for him. “I want to feel you inside me again.” He groaned and plundered her mouth, the evidence of his arousal pushing against her belly.

Frantic to have him, she began pulling up her nightgown. Without hesitation, he plunged his fingers between her legs, which she spread eagerly for him.

“My God, how can you already be so wet for me?” He slipped a finger inside her and she groaned her pleasure into his mouth.

She pulled open the sash of his black velvet robe and was delighted to see he wore nothing beneath. She wrapped her fingers around his swollen manhood and reveled in the feel of his hard length in her hand.

“I need this inside of me, Ash. Now.”

“We shouldn’t do this, Gwen.”

“I don’t care.” She pumped her fist up and down and a groan caught in his throat. He grabbed her wrist and placed her hands on his shoulders. Lifting one of her legs to wrap around his waist, he settled his tip against her entrance.

“Are you sure you want this?”

“Yes.” Her need was painful and she was desperate to have him fill her.

He grabbed her other leg and raised it to wrap around his other side, lifting her off the ground. Slowly, he helped her to slide down onto him until he was seated fully within her body. A rush of pleasure and relief burst through her. Finally. It felt like her first time drawing breath in weeks. She’d been desperate for this, her body stretching to accommodate him as he pushed deep inside her.

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