Reviving Raven

by Brandi Nadeau

  My heart is still pounding in my chest, but for a completely different reason now. As I look at the guy my Uncle hired, I’m completely speechless. For the first time in... well...forever, I feel something quite remarkable. Nate must be one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen. He has long dark blonde hair that he ties up, a thick beard covering the entire lower portion of his face and the deepest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. Two full sleeves of black and grey tattoos covering each arm. Oh, and he’s massive. Built like a UFC fighter, massive. He seems to be eye to eye with Big Jon so must be 6 foot 6 of pure man. Holy sweet mercy. Just looking at him sends a tingle up my legs and straight to my core. Well, Bob, I hope you're fully charged tonight.

  As I continue drooling over this man like a damn idiot, I hear heavy footsteps coming straight my way.

  “Raven! Jon! What the hell is going on?” Uncle Abel yells out from inside the shop as he comes our way. Great just great, the last thing I need is my Uncle seeing me get all hot and bothered over the new guy he hired. Okay, Raven snap out of it! You can have plenty of time later in the privacy of your damn bedroom.

  “Nothing happened Uncle Abel, I got startled by Nate when I was out back smoking and Jameson sounded off sensing my fear. It’s all good now.” Uncle Abel looks back at me then to Nate. He tells Big Jon to get back to work. “Raven this is why I wanted you to meet him last week when I hired him, I didn’t want you having a panic attack from running into him in one of your safe places.” I have a few ‘safe places’ I learned to call them during therapy sessions which are basically just a place where I feel the safest and I can relax more, The American Ride shop is one of them. I probably should have met Nate last week and avoided this whole fiasco. Yeah, definitely a dumb move on my part. And by the looks of this man, I should’ve met him a long damn time ago.

  "Nate, this is my niece Raven and her support dog Jameson. Be careful next time you want to come around her unannounced, Jameson here will surely bite a hand clean off if you even get too close to her." Nate looks back at me and then to Jameson, smiles at my pooch, kneels and offers his hand out. Jameson carefully sniffs his hand, relaxes just a tad and sits down next to my feet. Oh, and did I mention my jaw that was also next to my feet? Most people are terrified when they see my big 120 pound, all-black German Shepherd. "Nate get back to work so I can talk to my niece in private."

  I can’t peel my eyes off Nate as he walks back into the shop. Oh man, that ass though… “Raven hello, earth to Raven, are you listening to me?" Oh, shit was my Uncle saying something? “Sorry yeah I’m just still a little shaken up, what did you say?” My uncle just looks at me strangely, surely confused at how I'm acting. I mean this man has met the only three boyfriends I’ve ever had, and I never even came close to being this way with any of them. Shit, my exes were lucky if I even acted as if they existed. Uncle Abel and Big Jon used to make bets on how long it would take until I eventually would dump one of them. The last one lasted only a single month. With Nate though, I don’t think he’s the kind of man you could ever quit. “I was saying that if you’re feeling up to it, maybe you should call it an early day and go catch your group meeting, it might help you calm down a bit.” Group. Yeah, that will help sort my thoughts out. Thought more like it, one singular thought…Nathan Pierce.

  Chapter Three

  Raven

  I get myself situated in my chair, holding a cup of ice water I look down at Jameson, curled up quietly at my feet. On either side of me are the closest friends I've ever made, Julie and Arabella. We’re all equally supportive of one another and never judge anything that’s said both during group meetings and outside of them. Anissa is the licensed therapist that leads our weekly meetings and she's truly an inspiration. She has all men crawling to her just because of how absolutely stunning she is. Anissa is from the Dominican Republic, has the most luxurious brown, curly hair I’ve ever seen, as tall as a damn runway model and curves to make a porn star jealous. “Okay guys, who would like to start us off today?” Anissa asks as I immediately raise my hand. Oh, I’ve got something to talk about, that’s for sure.

  “So, I met someone today. A guy…” I begin, looking around the room I see all eyes landing directly on me. “His name is Nate, my Uncle just hired him. He has to be the sexiest man that’s ever walked the freakin' planet." Stopping to practically fan myself, I look over at Julie and Arabella, who are both smiling ear to ear. They both are happily married and have been begging me to let them hook me up. I always put a stop to it immediately. I haven’t been ready to jump back into dating. That was of course, until today’s little meet and greet fiasco.

  I finish my rambling about the new mechanic and the utterly embarrassing way we met and look at my group members and Anissa for support and guidance. Anissa smiles at me, “Well Raven I think you should be asking yourself that question. Are you ready to get to know this Nate guy?” Am I ready? That is a damn good question. On one hand, I've never been more attracted to a man in my entire life. On the other, I haven't talked or even thought about guys since I was assaulted. I've basically sworn off men thinking they're all boring and can't get the job done between the sheets. Then, of course, the dark and twisted part of my brain asks that persistent question begging for an answer, is he, my rapist?

  After group Julie, Arabella and I decide to go to the local cafe just to hang out and catch up on things. It's only about 4:00 p.m. Plenty of time to sit and chat before it gets too dark out. As I bend down to give Jameson a piece of a peanut butter cookie I bought him, I hear a loud rumble of a motorcycle. Looking towards the noise, I see no other than the man of the hour. "Oh my God, you have got to be kidding me right now." Julie and Arabella look up at me and then to the man getting off his motorcycle. Nate parks his bike takes his helmet off and ties his hair back up in a low bun. He looks over at me and gives me a half-smile. Okay, there is certainly a puddle forming between my legs now. My friends just look over at me, trying to stifle their ridiculous giggling. "Okay, Raven we'll call you later, love you!” They both speak simultaneously. Those bastards are leaving me with this man! Before I know it they’re walking away laughing like two young school girls. “Okay okay play it cool Raven” speaking quietly to myself. “I know it’s been a while but maybe try not to act like a total dumbass?” Jameson just looks up at me like I’m some sort of idiot. Yeah…maybe I am, who cares at this point.

  “Hey, Raven I was driving by and saw you and good ole’ Jameson sitting here and thought I’d stop and say hey, I feel like we didn’t get a proper introduction earlier. My name is Nate, I hope I didn’t scare you too much.” Oh, Nathan sweetheart…you're scaring me alright but in a completely different way that I can’t even explain. "It's okay I just startle easily." Nate starts to grab the chair across from me, "Do you mind if I sit down?" Jameson is looking at him ready to pounce at my command, but I just scratch behind his ear, "yeah it's fine, go right ahead." Now I’m entirely wishing I put my effort into my attire this morning. I can’t believe I’m even thinking this! “So Nate, I feel like I’m at a total disadvantage. You know a little about me, but I know nothing about you. Who exactly is Nathan Pierce?” I ask, trying to act natural. And hopefully not failing miserably at it. Nate starts by telling me he was born and raised in Southern Shores of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He told me all about how every summer he would lifeguard and wholeheartedly loved helping the community feel safe. From there it was evident that he wanted to help in a bigger way and decided to enlist in the Marines straight out of high school. He served ten years before he was honorably discharged due to bullet completely shattering his pelvis during his last tour in Iraq.

  I’ve never felt more comfortable with another man other than my Uncle for as long as I can remember. We talk back and forth until the sun starts to set. I’m not even upset about it getting dark outside. Being around Nate, I feel so safe and protected. Usually, I would feel like I could crawl out of my skin if a guy was checking me out, with Nate however… I love his eyes on me. I
nonchalantly adjust my shirt, just so he can get a better look at the girls.

  “Okay I’ve been talking about myself all night, tell me about you,” Nate says enthusiastically. Ugh can we just skip this whole part and you can just ravish me in the back seat of my Jeep? Woah where the hell did that come from?

  "Well, I had a great childhood. My parents were truly wonderful. I am an only child, so my parents put all of their attention on me. They had me when they were only 19 years old, fresh out of high school. My dad was a contractor and my mom stayed home to raise me. We didn't have much money, but we did have a roof over our heads and food to eat every day." I close my eyes and smile, remembering the happy times of family movie nights and my dad reading me bed-time stories.

  “Everything changed when I was eleven years old and a drunk driver hit our car when we were coming home from a family dinner with my Uncle Abel and his girlfriend at the time. I woke up in the wreckage and tried calling out to my parents, but they never answered. When we got to the hospital my Uncle Abel was already there because he saw the whole accident. I barely remember anything until the next day when I woke up and Uncle Abel was holding my hand with bloodshot eyes." I had to stop and take a deep breath. Jameson stands up and nudges my hand to lay it on top of his head. I hadn't even realized I was shaking at this point. "Alright I think that’s enough about me for one night," I say trying to laugh off my anxiety. I reach into my purse and grab out a cigarette. I'm in dire need of a damn smoke after going down memory lane. I’m afraid to look over at Nate and see that awful pity look etched across his face. When I eventually look up, I’m shocked at what I see. Nate’s just sitting there, having a smoke himself, not an ounce of pity. Now that warmth between my legs is starting to rise to my chest. Holy shit am I catching feelings now? Before I can even overthink things, Uncle Abel starts calling me. "Okay well, I’m being summoned back home, see you later Nate, thanks for tonight.” I stand, put out my smoke and grab my purse. Nate reaches out and grabs my hand and strokes his thumb across my fingers. “I’ll see you later Raven, be careful driving home. Jameson, keep doing your job protecting our girl." Our girl? Did he just call me his girl?

  Chapter Four

  Nate

  Watching Raven get Jameson in the passenger seat of her Jeep, I catch her looking back at me one last time before blushing and looking away. She’s so goddamn beautiful. More than just beautiful. Sexiest fucking woman I’ve ever met. Tits that were practically busting through her shirt tonight, an ass that begs for my hands to grab hold and lips that would look perfect wrapped around my cock. I look around to make sure no one is following her. No one being that one piece of shit. What Raven doesn’t know is I’m very well aware of what happened to her. That night is forever burned into my brain. I was just getting back on my feet again after recovering from my bullet wound and renting a room around the corner from The Old Salthouse Brewery. I was having some pretty horrific flashbacks to my time in Iraq and needed to get out of my room that was practically closing in on me. The owners of the house I was staying at were in a constant battle of who could scream the loudest. I walked into the bar and ordered a tall glass of the cheapest beer they had on tap. The bar was getting too rowdy for my current mood and I needed to step outside to calm my mind. I just lit up a cigarette when I heard loud rustling in the woods. Thinking it was just an animal or something, I just continued to smoke, taking deep hits. It wasn’t until I saw a male figure running from the woods with a black hoodie on that I put two and two together. Something very wrong has happened. I ran to the woods and saw the most horrific scene since I've gotten back from my last tour. A woman, half-dressed, bleeding and beaten terribly. I immediately checked for a pulse and pulled out my cell phone to call 911. I was so relieved that she was still alive. That night comes back to me at full speed. A flashback I can’t stop.

  “911 what’s your emergency?”

  “I need an ambulance at The Old Salthouse Brewery, there’s a woman unconscious but still alive, she’s been beaten and appears to have been raped." I'm starting to get flashbacks of horrific scenes I came across during my time in the Marines. Come on cops, where the fuck are you? “We have police en route Sir, can you tell me your name?” Oh, fuck my name? What if the cops think it was me who did this? Don't they always suspect the reporter of the crime first? Panic starts rolling in, my heart is pounding in my chest so hard I can only hear the sound of my pulse. I hang up the phone like a fucking pussy and turn to this woman lying in the dirt and leaves. I don't want to touch her and risk contaminating evidence, but I can’t help but kneel and grab her hand. I rub my thumb across her fingers, and it sends an electrical shock straight to my chest. I wait with her until I see the police lights coming toward us. I get up and start running farther away so the police won’t see me, but I can’t stop watching the girl just to make sure she gets treated and loaded onto the ambulance.

  I shake myself out of the flashback. Hopping on my bike, I start the engine. I've tried to stay away from Raven all these years. I knew when Abel gave me the job at the shop, it was going to be impossible. I knew I couldn't stay away from her any longer. She's been like a beacon of light for me. Calling out to me to protect her, to be by her side. Out of respect for Abel, I've stayed away. I can't stay away any longer.

  Chapter Five

  Raven

  I walk in the house and get Jameson his dinner. “Hey baby doll, you were out later than normal tonight, did something interesting happen?" I turn around and see my Uncle leaning against the kitchen island. Is he seriously grilling me right now? It's not like I’m 24 years old or anything. "Nope not really, group went well and then Julie, Arabella and I went out for some coffee afterward, kind of just lost track of time." He looks at me like he wants to keep grilling but decides not to. Instead, he pushes off the counter and asks, "want to go out back and grab a smoke with me before I head up for the night?"

  It’s nights like these I can’t help but feel thankful for my Uncle. He stepped up to the plate like a damn superhero and raised an orphaned girl all by himself. I take a quick look at him and feel somewhat guilty for him being single all these years. It’s not even like he’s a bad looking man. He’s about 6 foot 2, black hair that he slicks back and tattoos covering the entirety of his upper body. We finish smoking and head back inside. “Alright baby doll, I’ll see you in the morning,” my Uncle says as he heads upstairs. I hope one day my Uncle finds someone to be with. Someone to love him and treat him how he deserves to be treated.

  I lay down on the couch, too wound up to go to bed, and turn on the TV. Jameson goes and lays down by the back door. I keep picturing Nate in my head. The way his blue eyes stare at me, the soft wisp of his hair breezing across his face from the wind. The way his lips looked as he smiled at me. Before I know it the jolt of pure lust is sent directly to my core. It’s as if this man has awoken something inside of me, something I long thought was dead. The throbbing between my legs becomes unbearable. I make a quick scan of the room and I can hear the loud snoring from above and decide the coast clear. I slide my hand down my pants to ease my throbbing clit. Holy shit it’s never felt this damn good. I can’t stop as I feel the pleasurable sensation growing and growing. I keep picturing Nates' lips, his hands, his eyes. Just when I think the pleasure couldn't get any better, my body goes off like the fourth of July fireworks. I gasp for air as I try and come down from this incredible body high. Wow. Just the thought of Nate gives me the most mind-blowing orgasm I've ever had. I wonder what the real thing would be like?

  I’m still laying on the couch when I hear a loud crash coming from the front door. I jump up as fast as I can and let out a scream. Jameson is already running to the front door before I can even fully comprehend what’s happening. Uncle Abel comes barreling downstairs with his gun, fully loaded. “Raven get down and stay quiet!” He tells me as he makes his way to the front foyer of the house. I hide between the couch and the wall and just listen to the chaos. Jameson is barking and snarling, Uncle Abe
l is yelling off command after command to Jameson. The barks seem to be getting quieter which means Jameson must be running after someone or something. Jameson, please be okay please, please be okay. Uncle Abel comes running back inside. “Raven stay there, don’t move I’m going to call the police.”

  Once the police arrive it’s time for questions after questions. I’m still not completely sure what is going on at this point. Did someone try to break into our house? And where the hell is Jameson? Uncle Abel tries to calm me down because I’m shaking so bad. “Raven, I don’t know if you remember me, but we met three years ago on the night you were attacked. My name is Officer Rex, I need to ask you some questions that I think might best be answered by you.” By me? What the hell is going on? I nod at the officer, still too shaken to even speak. “Raven it seems as if your attacker from four years ago has found where you live. This wasn't just a break-in. This predator was trying to send a message. What caused the front door's glass to shatter was a brick with a note taped to it that he threw at the window of the door." Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck I can’t breathe, shit I can’t fucking breathe. Uncle Abel grabs me tighter. “It’s okay baby doll, I got you. Jameson got a good bite or two on him and chased him through the woods. We’re going to get this piece of shit once and for all.” …Can’t fucking breathe.