Page 35 of Erotic Behavior (Observant Behaviors)

I cut through to the old pathway and smiled to myself when I realized Andrew, my mother’s gardener, still maintained it.I picked up my pace now that I knew where I’d find her.Sure enough, when the tree line opened to the large clearing, I saw my girl, with her head in her hands, sitting on the bench.It was the same bench I sat on and cried a million different times as a child.Her body stilled when she heard me and she looked up, wiping her face.I had to give her credit.As upset as she was, she still had a look of determination as she gazed in my direction.

“Are you ready to go?”she asked in a voice more calm than I would have expected.

“Go where?”

“Your place.Or do you need to stay?If you do, I’m sure Michael can come get me and I’ll see you at the penthouse later today.”

I stood a few feet away from her.It killed me not to reach for her and pull her into my arms, demanding she tell me what was bothering her.

“I don’t want you to leave me.”

She shook her head and just stared at me for a moment.“I’m bound by a contract Beckett, I wouldn’t be going anywhere but back to your home.”

“Bound by a contract?I thought we were past that.”

“We aren’t.”

“Raven, why don’t you just tell me what you really want to say instead of beating around the bush?”

She bit her lower lip and tears welled in her eyes, but she shook her head again and stared right through me as if I weren’t even there.“There is nothing I want to say.”

“Bullshit.”

I couldn’t take it anymore.I stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, pulling her up to me.Her body was rigid, and she turned her face from mine as she tried to avoid eye contact.I wrapped one arm around her and held her tightly.

“We aren’t doing this.We will not live the rest of our lives with you swallowing down whatever pissed you off rather than you communicating with me what you need.Running away is never the answer.So tell me, Raven, what do you need?”The tears that she had been fighting back spilled over, and I reached for her chin, turning her to me.“Talk to me.Please.”

“How could you not tell me?How could you talk about starting a family with me when you already have one here?I thought we had grown closer than that, but now I don’t think I know you at all.”

“Raven, listen to me,” I said as I leaned forward until our foreheads were touching and I could look straight into her eyes, “Ashlee and William are my family.You are right about that, and until you showed up, they were my entire world.But Ashlee is my sister, and William is my nephew.They live here with my mother and I do everything I can to help them and keep them safe from her.”

“Your nephew?”

“Yes, I’ve been part of William’s life since the day he was born.But he’s not my son.You will be the mother of my children, only you.”

Raven’s arms wrapped around my body and her head nuzzled into my chest as I ran my hands up and down her back, trying to reassure her she was still just as important to me as ever.

“I should have told you sooner.About my mother, and about my past here.I didn’t want to leave you alone today, but now I’m thinking I’ve just made you even more upset by bringing you here.I’m sorry for hurting you so deeply.”

I looked down at Raven as she clung to me and I hated myself for what I had put her through.Regret tore through me as I thought of the selfishness I had displayed by hiding too much from her.Everything from the auction, to hiding my business, and now my family was like a black cloud hanging over us and she didn’t even know it was there.

Misunderstanding

Raven

IstoodinBeckett’sarms, wondering why the hell I always jumped to the worst-case scenario.He must think I’m crazy and I couldn’t even blame him.

“I’m sorry.I shouldn’t have run like that.”

“You’ve been through a lot, and this isn’t your fault.It’s mine.There are things you need to know about me, Raven.I just don’t know the best way to share it all with you.”I stepped back and looked up at Beckett.He had a look of regret I didn’t understand.“I know it’s a lot to ask of me, but if you will give me a chance to do better, I will.”

“Maybe we both could do better.”

“Will you come back with me?I’d like to introduce you to my sister and nephew.”

“What happened with your mom?”

“The paramedics already left with her.”