Page 118 of The Way We Collide

“The things you said to Larry.”

“That fucking dickhead.” My teeth clench, and I wrap her tighter in my embrace. “I meant every word. You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“I worked hard to grow past their judgment. It took a while, and sometimes I still fall back into old thoughts.” Her cheek is next to mine, and I kiss her neck. “It’s nice to have someone else on my side.”

“I’m always on your side.” Reaching up, I smooth her hair back from her face. “If we hadn’t had an audience…”

“I love you, Hendrix.” She blinks, shy as she says the words that send me over the moon.

“I love you, Raven.” My thumb is on her full bottom lip, her chin. “There’s not an average bone in your body.”

She leans closer, kissing the side of my cheek as she moves her hips. “You’re right. It’s an exceptional bone.”

My stomach tightens, and I bark a laugh. “It’s going to be in your ass when I get you home.”

A little moan comes from her throat, and she kisses my ear. “That’s motivation to get back to LA.”

“Let’s get to bed. I want to fuck you a few more times then get up early, get our baby, and get out of here.”

“Me too,” she sighs, leaning her head against mine.

Donald Becker’slaw office is in the heart of downtown Atlanta, overlooking a landscaped courtyard between three tall buildings.

After Amelia’s tearful goodbye at her father’s mansion that rivaled anything Dylan might do to make me feel like shit for leaving, we drove here to finalize the paperwork and have Raven’s trust transferred into her name.

My chest was tight the entire drive, watching my pretty wife dabbing tears from her eyes and rationalizing going back to LA with me and leaving her family behind.

We had a pretty amazing night, but I don’t want her getting cold feet on me now. I’ve always been pretty confident in my effect on women, but at the moment, I’m glad to have our baby girl on my hip, tilting the scales a bit in my favor.

Donald sits across from us behind his desk, and he’s reading off the controlling terms of her mother’s trust while sliding the documentation into the folder showing compliance.

“I don’t know why I’m nervous.” Raven’s voice is quiet, and I reach out to hold her hand.

“You got this, babe.” I give her a squeeze, and she gives me a brief, sweet smile.

As much as I know about her early life, I can’t imagine the emotions she’s wrestling with right now. This document was meant to hold her down. She was ready to walk away, but instead, she turned the tables for our daughter.

“It’s all pretty standard procedure.” Her family’s lawyer takes a sheet out of the folder and slides it across the shiny desktop to her. “If all of this is correct, sign the highlighted blank at the bottom, and my secretary will wire the money to your account.”

I’ve arranged for Raven to meet with the guy who does all my financial planning when we get back to LA, but for now, her money will go into a regular bank account.

Her full bottom lip disappears into her mouth, and she studies the sheet. “It’s all correct.”

A wobble is in her voice, and I can’t tell if it’s nerves or something else.

I watch as she signs, and Haddy chews the little fan thingie on the side of Axel’s head. Or is this Axelita? I can’t tell.

“I’ve got your marriage certificate here, which fulfills your obligation.” Donald stands, closing the folder and reaching across the desk. “Congratulations, you’re officially a millionaire.”

“Minus taxes, of course,” Raven deflects, standing and tucking her purse under her arm.

“Actually, there is no inheritance tax in the state of Georgia.” He walks around the desk to where we stand, nodding at me. “Or the state of California for that matter. By all accounts, you’re a rich woman. You don’t need anyone anymore.”

Raven’s eyes drift to the window, and I wish we were on the jet headed back to my place. I want to argue everybody needs somebody. I want to tell her we need her.

I want her to tell me what she’s thinking.

Donald puts his hand on her shoulder. “Your mother was a hard woman. It’s how she was raised, and I guess it’s what she thought was right.”

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