Exaltation (Insight #11)(78)
Raven waited for him to say or lead into something like ‘oh yeah and he has a wicked speed to him, because though my Dads a dick our coven kicks ass and all,’ but he just held her stare.
“When you were gone yesterday…something bad happened…and he helped keep me safe.”
“He told me,” he said as his hands moved to her waist, a reflex he didn’t entirely regret. The silk barrier was still in place, like some kind of supernatural sign that clearly stated ‘claimed’ or ‘keep out.’ Unfortunately, the barrier only made him crave to feel her touch more so. This girl was every temptation he didn’t need but wanted right then.
“Did he tell you how?”
One nod.
“You’re going to make me pull this out of you aren’t you?”
He let out a slow breath. “I don’t know how to explain it.” I don’t want to kill you anymore, but I think you’re going to have to kill me…until you do…keep bringing the good out in me, will you?
“Try.”
His eyes moved to her lips once more before he spoke. “We know how to use energy, vim, to defend ourselves, to move ourselves.”
“Who taught you that?”
“Who taught you?” he asked quietly.
“Family trait.”
“Same.”
Yep, he’s a witch, Raven thought to herself.
“He knew Benjamin.” Raven reached for the blonde streak to point out who Benjamin was to her.
Anger was in his eyes once more.
“We both do,” he said as his jaw clenched.
“Should I be afraid of you?” Raven whispered.
His gaze danced across her face. “Not anymore.”
Raven swallowed nervously. “What changed?”
He hesitated, clearly searching for words. “You kissed me.”
Raven had to stifle a laugh. “Flattery will get you nowhere. I know I’m bad at it.”
He furrowed his brow as if she had spoken a different language. “Who told you that lie?”
“You’re answering me with questions again.”
Seriousness overcame him. “People like us, who come from strong families, sometimes we lash out, we think the other side is bad, that they’re not real, but sometimes we figure that they are very real and that we don’t have to be enemies.”
“I’m no one’s enemy.”
“I know,” he said in a hoarse whisper. “And I’m not going to let anyone near you that would think otherwise.”
“Are you fighting with your dad because of me?” Raven asked timidly. She assumed that his coven and hers must be enemies. That whatever this was between them was forbidden. For it sure as hell felt that way to her right then.
She wanted to be right there, and help him through the pain in his eyes, but at the same time she felt guilty for doing so. Felt like she should be doing anything but living out her life as if she had felt nothing the day before in the Veil.
“Not all of it is because of you. I’m not even sure he knows about you.”
“I don’t want you to have trouble at home because of us.”
“There’s an us?” he said with a shy smile.
Raven felt the emotion of shame do its best to halt her, but right then and there, she felt safe, surrounded by Rydell. She felt like the carefree girl she was just weeks ago.
“I was the first one to kiss you. I was the one who asked you out last night. I’m not about to be the one that asks you to be my boyfriend.”
His hands clasped her waist and pulled her forward so she was sitting on his lap. “I don’t want to be your boyfriend.”
Rydell let a playful grin emerge. He’d decided after talking to Jamison that he was right. Raven was meant for someone that could give her more than he could. He’d known that before, but before that boy was another enemy.
It was different now. Now that Rydell was here, he was going to protect her. Rydell was going to take care of her. And when that ass, that shared her soul, finally did emerge Rydell was going to give him a piece of his mind. He had no right to leave Raven to face all this alone. It didn’t matter that she was as young as she was. She had been in danger and he should’ve sensed it. Lore said he should have, and he clearly ignored the call. If anyone else beyond Rydell had come this close to Raven she would be long gone.
Rydell’s mercy was keeping her alive.
“I want permission to smell your hair whenever I feel like it.”
A beaming smile filled Raven’s face as she moved her head side to side. “Who are you?”
No answer.
He held her gaze, as she stared back, she took in a deep breath. “I think we need each other right now.” She took a lock of her hair and moved it across his lips.
With utter ease he leaned toward her, kissing her as slowly and innocently as he had the other night, broaching against each side of her lips. Just before he really kissed her he whispered, “Sure?”
Raven reached back and pulled his arms around her. “Just don’t let me go.”
The last thing she wanted to do was go soaring across this field and land in a pile of mud.
His arms tightened around her as their lips connected.
Sin. He was sin.
Raven’s head began to spin. A numb sensation overtook her. Their first kiss was raw, the second was near innocent, this one was still guarded but sensual.