Page 41 of The Raven
Joy andsorrowrushed through me like a tidal wave as I shook theimageaway. I wantedMasonto be happy more than anything, and if thatmeanthe moved on, then so be it.
He deserved nothing buthappiness.
But I could have my last night with him.
When we reached his bedroom,Masonsat on the edge of the bed with mestraddling him, our hands roaming over each other’s bodies, and the discomfort in my arm long forgotten.
Breaking thekissto lift mytopover my head, my bra swiftlyfollowed.WhenMason’smouth worked its way down my jawline, neck, and to my breast, a surge ofelectricitypowered through me, intensifying when he grazed his teeth over my nipple.
I laced my fingers through his hair, holding his head in place as I ground myhipsagainst hissoliderection.“More,Mase. Please.”
Panting,Masonflipped us over, yanking his sweatpants and boxers down to freehiscock. I popped the button on my leatherpants, and withMason’shelp, I pulled them off,leavingme naked.
Mason’s heated gaze traveled the length of my body as he fisted his cock, pre-cum gathering on the tip. He didn’t move for several long seconds as if he was committing every inch of me to memory.
Just as I was about to beg him again, hepushedmy legs apart and loweredhimself over me, hiscocknudging at my entrance as he held himself up with his strong, muscular arms.
“There are so many things I want to do to you,Blackbird,”he said, pressingasoftkissto my lips.“But I need to be inside you before we run out of time.”
The two of us groaned in unison as he slowlypushedinside me, my coreaching deliciously, stretching around him. He moved with unhurriedthrusts, peering down at me, andseeingright into my brokensoul.
Potentelectricitycrackled between us, pressure buildingdeepinside. I wrappedmy legs around hiswaistand held him impossibly close to me as histhrustsincreased, his head burrowing against the crook of my neck.
“I love you, Raven,” he whispered between pants. “I loved you from the day I met you, and I’ll love you until the day I take my last breath.”
A singletearslid down my cheek.“I’ll love you for eternity.”
You Asked for This
The Cop
From sunup to sundown,we drove around Hadleigh Peak looking for anysign of Grim. Every so often, Raven’s eyes would glaze over as she focused on the bird flying with a damaged wing, attempting to look for Grim.
Nothing.
I called in favors with colleagues. Contacted sources. Threatened criminalswho’d done business with Grim before. No one had seen or heard from the lowlife. It was like he’d vanished off the face of the earth.
With less than six hours to go until midnight, we returned to my apartment.Every minutethatticked by was a minute closer to our time together expiring, something the two of us were all too aware of.
I didn’t know what would happen when midnight came, and truthfully, I wastrying not to think about it. But the deadline was there, lingering in the air, and serving as a constant reminder of what I was going to lose.
My mind churned with chaotic thoughts. I’d never said goodbye to Ravenwhen I found her a year ago; I didn’t believe she wasreallygone. I held onto hope when I ripped the bag covering her face open and started CPR.
I had hope when the paramedics managed to get her heart beating again,evenif her pulse was weak, and she had crashed several times before sheevenarrived at the hospital.
I held onto hope when the doctors wired her up to machines and told methatthere was practically no chance she’d wake up.
I never gave up hoping, never said goodbye.
Until now.
She paced the length of my apartment, back and forth, back and forth, andall I could do was watch her helplessly. After the umpteenth time of pacing by where I sat brooding on the couch, I stood and pulled her into my arms.
“We’ll find him, Blackbird. He’s out there somewhere.”I tucked a strand ofhair behind her ear, pushing away the thoughtthatit might have been the last time I got to dothat.
“We’re running out of time. If I don’t-”she paused, her eyes glazing overlike they’d done throughout the day.
“Raven?”
