Richard and Beckett just recently moved into an office building because of the amount of business they are getting. They needed something a little more professional, with a conference room to meet prospective clients in. They had been working out of Richard’s home, but moved to grow the business. This was the first time I was seeing their office space.
I walk through the door not expecting anything but see the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. As I walk in and step toward her desk, she stood and introduced herself to me.
“Good afternoon, welcome to Stonework’s. I’m Raven.” She reaches her hand out to me, and I am caught speechless. I’m never without words, but there is something about her. She’s a good foot shorter than I am. Her name was perfect because her hair is a beautiful raven’s black. She has piercing green eyes, porcelain skin and she smells of vanilla and light floral and oh God, she smelled good. She’s wearing a simple black pencil skirt and green blouse that accentuates her eyes. She isn’t what I am typically attracted to; I am more into tall blonde women, the type with long legs that could wrap around you twice. Raven is the polar opposite.
I reach my hand out to her “Toby” is all I can say. My dick twitches at her touch and I smile. What the fuck? Toby? I never let people know my first name. Shit, it was a good six months before I even told Beckett my name, and what’s up with my dick? I know I haven’t let it have company for a while, but the fuck ‘em and chuck ‘em is getting old. And fuck, how am I going to hide this from Beckett?
Of course, who turns the corner when I introduce myself but Beckett. He has a huge-ass smile on his face. I clear my throat and straighten my stance. “Uh, hey Beck, I was just uh, introducing myself to uh, Raven here.” God, I feel myself turning red. Shit, why do I feel like I was just caught with my hand in the cookie jar? Although, I might not mind her cookie jar. Shit. Stop!
Beckett turns and I follow him back to his office. He sits down as I shut the door behind me, trying to nonchalantly adjust myself, and then take a seat across from him. Beckett looks at me with a big-ass smile still on his face.
“What?”
“Uh huh...”
“What uh huh?
“Toby? Mitchell, how many years have we known each other? Eight, nine years or so, wouldn’t you say?”
“Yeah, there about.”
“And how many times have I seen you interact with a female?”
“Never.”
“Exactly.”
“What’s that suppose to mean?”
“It means that you have never interacted with a female because they didn’t appeal to you. Now, little Miss Whitehorse out there, not only did you interact with, but you flirted with and you had the biggest smile on your face that I have ever seen. Hell, you hardly smile anyway. In addition, you gave her your first name. It took six months before you gave it to me, and that was so if you didn’t make it back from your deployment, I would know who you were. If I didn’t know better, I would say that you kind of like our Fair Raven.”
“The last thing I need is a relationship. I don’t do relationships, Beckett. I’m not like y... my childhood was shi...”
“Mitchell, I know you had a rough childhood, but that doesn’t mean your whole life will be that way.”
“Beckett, love is something I can’t do. I don’t even know that I believe in it. It’s like unicorns, you want to believe in them, but have you ever seen one?”
“Mitchell, unlike unicorns, love does exist. I know it one hundred percent. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be standing here today. Mitch, you know my story. Love and the hope of finding Harlow again were the only things that kept me going.”
“I know, Beck, but I’ve gone all my life without love. I don’t know that I am capable of love.”
“I know you have, Mitch, and I think that is really sad, because it’s the most wonderful feeling ever to know that someone cares for you so much that they will be there for you no matter what. I think our Ms. Whitehorse has been through a lot too. Just keep your options open. Get to know her. I’m not saying marry her.” Beckett laughs.
“God, I just love her name,” I say, thinking aloud.
“Earth to Mitchell.”
“Oh, sorry man, I was just...”
“Uh huh.”
“Man, I don’t know what it is about her, but there’s just something with her. I never get involved. I’m sorry. I’ll keep my hands off.”
“Mitchell, I don’t care if you see Raven, that’s up to the two of you. It’s none of my business. You’re both adults. I just thought it was funny because I’ve never seen you act like that before.”
“You really don’t mind?”
“Nope.”
“Okay, well, maybe I’ll ask her out.”
Beckett smiles and shakes his head. “Now, back to business. Have you found out anything about Harlow’s ex-boyfriend, Brad?”
“No, not as of yet. Whatever he is doing, he’s off the grid. He hasn’t used his bank accounts or credit cards.”
“So, what do we do? How can we find him?”
“We’re just going to have to be patient. He will surface and when he does, he will screw up and then we will be able to get him.”
“Mitchell, it’s been five years already. What makes you think he’s still holding a vendetta?”
“Beckett, do you really want to take that risk? If he weren’t looking to come back after her, he wouldn’t be off the grid like this. He would still see his family, and he isn’t doing any of that. If what Brad did to Harlow’s father is any indication of what he is capable of, then yes. Either he is still out there looking or he has found her and is waiting for the right moment. Paul told me it wasn’t easy finding anything on Harlow, either. It’s because she went off the grid too. That’s why you couldn’t find any information on the web about her—there’s nothing in her name. However, it’s just a matter of time. If Brad happens to track her parents down, or he remembers anything about friends or family she might’ve mentioned when they were together, he can find her that way as well. He’s biding his time until the time is right. Then he will make his move, and we’ll be ready for him. “
“I hope to God you are right. I can’t imagine what Harlow’s been going through the last five years.”
I stand to leave. “We’ll get him. It’s just a matter of time.”
“Thanks, Mitchell. I appreciate your help on this.”
“What are friends for, Beck? I’ll let you know if I find anything.” I walk out and close the door behind me.
I walk back out to the reception desk. Raven is sitting down when I approach. I lean on the desk and look her in the eyes. Shit, I haven’t dated in years, not since I came home.
She smiles up at me as if waiting for my question. “It’s just like riding a bike. At first, it’s a little shaky, but once you start, you get your balance.”
I tilt my head, looking at her. It’s as if she knows what I am thinking, so I start to speak, but my words come out in a whisper. “Raven, if you’re not involved with anyone, I would love to take you out sometime.” I feel lightheaded.
Raven stands up, leans over, and whispers in my ear, “Breathe, Toby, Breathe.” I hadn’t even realized I am holding my breath. With her head still by my ear, I can feel her smile against my neck. I close my eyes as I breathe in her scent. “I would love to go out with you, Toby.” Then she nips my earlobe and licks it.
Fuck me. I instantly get hard. She pulls away, looking up at me through her thick black lashes and smiles as she runs her tongue over her bottom lip. Again... Fuuuck.
“May I see your phone?” she asks. I hand her my phone. Shit, I just handed a stranger my phone. What the hell? She puts her contact info into my phone and calls herself. Then she labels herself in my phone.
“Thank you, I’ll give you a call.” I turn and walk out. I can’t believe I didn’t say anything else to her. I just turn and walk out.
I have so many things running through my mind and body. My body ne
ver reacts to a woman like that. Then again, I haven’t ever asked anyone out with the intention of dating before either.
When I was in the Marines, I never wanted to get into a relationship with anyone just in case I didn’t come home or only part of me came home, like Michaels. The last thing I want is my woman to feel obligated to stay with me.
When I did get home, I didn’t think about relationships because I was too wrapped up in self-loathing to worry about anything long term. I found people that were only interested in the physical act and nothing more. That was easy. I didn’t have time for relationships.
However, Raven, she’s different. Why? I don’t know. Just the way she struck me, which is so not typical. This is different. What is it about her that makes her different from all the other women? I don’t even know her.
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