Attorney, Raven Gould, is tired of defending scumbags and fending off the advances of her boss. So she decides to quit her high-powered career and take a job at a popular ice cream parlor. Her aunt is alarmed at Raven’s decision and secretly convinces psychologist, Lucas Lusk, to check out her niece’s mental state.
Reluctantly, Lucas agrees. But after meeting the dusky beauty, he realizes he wants to do a lot more than check out her mental state. The problem is, Raven has a thing against psychologists and if she discovers why he keeps running into her—seemingly accidentally—she’ll never give him the time of day.
Raven soon finds herself intrigued by the tall, quietly sexy doctor, completely unaware of his relentless pursuit, or his determination to have her at all costs. And when a dangerous enemy from Lucas’ past wreaks havoc on his career, Raven must choose between guarding her heart or standing by the man she thinks betrayed her trust.
Changing the
subject, Raven said, “I want to thank you again for taking me to the theater
tonight. Our seats were practically on stage. I felt as if I was part of the
show.”
“I’m glad
you had a good time and that the show lived up to its reviews,” Lucas said
before sipping his Manhattan. “I really enjoyed the show, too.”
“Music is so
powerful. It has a way of bringing people together. I came away with the
feeling that we should hold fast to our dreams. That made me think of your
mother and her fierce desire to live in the United States, no matter what.”
“I thought
of her, too. You would’ve definitely liked her.”
Raven sipped
her drink and dabbed at her lips with her napkin. “I’m certain I would have. Is
your father still alive?”
“No. He died
several years before my mother. Heart attack.” Lucas looked away a moment.
Raven
touched his hand gently. He turned back toward her. “I’m so sorry.”
“At least my
brother Michael and I had them both around while I was growing up.”
“Okay.
Official change of subject to a happier topic,” Raven declared sensing his
melancholy.
“Like what?”
Lucas asked.
“Like I’d
love to pick up the cast recording of the show,” Raven said.
“Here you
go,” Lucas said, removing a CD from a pocket in his coat.
Raven’s eyes
widened. “When on earth did you get that?”
“During
intermission while you went to the ladies room.”
“Don’t you
mean when I got on that mile-long relief line?”
Chuckling,
Lucas said, “Yes, then.”
“I can’t
believe this. How did you know? Thank you ever so much! You’re so thoughtful!”
“I know,”
Lucas replied.
“And so very
humble, as well.”
“Now, now,
be nice. By the way, do you piss off Santa, too?”
Raven
laughed until tears filled her eyes. When they cleared, she said, “Sorry my
sarcastic side sometimes overpowers everything else.”
“We’ll
listen to it together,” Lucas suggested.
“Fabulous
idea. I second it.”
They
finished their drinks and enjoyed another round. There seemed to be no limit to
their conversation until a band consisting of a pianist, drummer and guitar
player began to play a lively rendition of All You Need is Love.
“I had no
idea this place had a band,” Lucas admitted.
“And they’re
quite good.”
“I know you
love music, but how do you feel about dancing?” Lucas asked. A big grin
occupied most of his face.
“Would love
to!”
The song
ended and the band started to play Unchained Melody. Lucas reached across the
table for Raven’s hand and led her to a small area where several other couples
were dancing. Raven slipped into Lucas’s arms. His closeness was so male, so
bracing and she soaked in his unique scent. A familiar shiver of awareness
rippled through her, as if emerging from a long sleep. Her heart hammered in
her chest foolishly.
Was this an
indication that Lucas had already breached her defenses? Had she already cast
her fate to the wind? It would certainly appear so. Especially since the
thought of being alone with him—skin touching skin—was suddenly crowding her
mind and allowing no other thoughts to enter. The sensations Raven now felt
were not the usual ones she’d have whenever she desired to have sex with some
guy she was attracted to. These feelings were similar to those she once had
when she thought she was in love with Gordon White. That made sense, she
reasoned. It definitely wasn’t casual sex she now desired to have with Lucas.
No, not in the least. She wanted to make slow, sweet love with him—again and
again.
Lucas
nuzzled her neck. Oh, yeah. She wanted him all right. And if that hard object
pressing into her thigh was what she thought it was, the feeling was quite
mutual.
The band
launched into their rendition of I Will Always Love You, and Raven continued to
enjoy his closeness as she casually slipped her arms around his neck. She gave
into the desire to run her fingers through the back of his hair. In response he
kissed her neck sending a fresh sensual thrill straight to her sex. Raven moved
closer continuing to soak up that uniqueness of him that was making her heady.
The urge to run her hands up and down his body under his clothing was nearly
overwhelming. Her logical mind was running scenarios of them having sex.
Some were so hot she thought the circuits in her brain would overheat. She
hadn’t felt so sexually charged in ages and began to fear what might happen if
she didn’t sleep with him.
When the
song ended, the band played a rendition of She’s a Maniac, before taking a
well-earned break.
Lucas led
Raven back to their table and got them another round of drinks.
Raven took a
sip of her drink. “You seem to know your way around a dance floor.”
“My mother
and father loved to dance. I guess I caught on watching them.”
“Well you
obviously paid close attention.”
He grinned
at her impishly. “Most girls liked boys who knew how to dance. And I liked
girls.”
“Good to
know. Perhaps after we leave here tonight we can listen to the CD from the
show. ” Raven hoped he’d take the hint.
“It should
sound wonderful on my Bose system,” Lucas said.
Raven’s
heart fluttered as she began to anticipate what was going to happen.
After they
finished their drinks, Lucas said,” if you’d like another drink, Raven, that’s
fine. As for me, if I have another, we’ll have to take other transportation
home.”
“No. I’m
fine. In fact, I feel great!” She attempted to rise to prove her point, but
never quite got to her feet. Gravity won the battle and she sat back down.
Lucas
stifled a chuckle. “You seem to have gotten a real buzz on. Perhaps, I should
get you home.”
“Nope. The
night is still young. And the last time I checked, so are we... Or is it the
other way around? Who cares? We’re in the greatest city in the world and should
enjoy ourselves,” Raven said, as she nearly slid off her chair.
“Okay, happy
girl, let’s go,” Lucas said as he came around to help Raven into her coat. He
bent to kiss her tender neck. She made a purring sound of contentment.
They walked
the short distance to his car and he helped her inside. As he drove out of the
lot, he glanced at Raven. Her eyes were closed, but there was a smile on her
face. It looked like she was just resting her eyes a moment, but by the time
they were back on the expressway, the sound of her soft snores filled the car
nearly making Lucas laugh. He fought valiantly to stifle them, not wanting to
embarrass her. It wasn’t exactly the way he imagined the end of the date would
go, but shit happens as they say.
Raven woke
up when Lucas cut the engine in front of her house. Disoriented a moment, she
asked, “Where are we?”
Lucas smiled
at her. Her cheeks were flushed with sleep making her look adorable like a
little girl. “At your place.”
“I thought
we were heading to yours to listen to the CD?”
“That was
the original plan.”
“Uh-oh,” she
said quietly. Was I asleep?”
“Yup. You
slept all the way home.”
“You’re
kidding. Please say you’re kidding. I’m so embarrassed. That never—
I’m so
sorry.”
“Don’t be.
You’re adorable when you sleep,” Lucas said, unbuckling his seatbelt.
Raven rolled
her eyes. “That won’t happen again. I promise.”
“You know we
can keep doing this until we get a perfect,” he said. “Same time, next
Saturday?”
A yawn snuck
past Raven’s defenses and she apologized quickly, but not before Lucas
chuckled. “I’d better get you inside while you’re still awake.” He leaned over
the console and opened her seatbelt. Then he got out, walked around the car,
and opened her door.
Smiling down
at her, he asked, “Would you like me to carry you to the door?”
“Heavens no!
What would my aunt think?”
“That I wore
you out of course,” he said, offering his hand.
Raven took
it to steady herself a moment before they walked to the door together. She had
removed the keys from her purse and Lucas took them to unlock the door. Then he
encircled her in his arms, drawing her closer to him. He kissed her gently.
“Shall I pick you up at seven next Saturday?”
She nodded
and placed her arms around his neck. “I’m truly sorry about tonight. I’ve never
fallen asleep on a date before.” Her lips covered his, intending to be a sweet
good night kiss. But instead of parting, their lips were pulled together like
electromagnets coming together in an attraction of savage harmony. Both had
totally forgotten that her aunt might be up and about. They were too engrossed
with each other to think of anything else but kissing and touching one another.
Raven’s back
was against the door as Lucas leaned into her, first devouring her mouth and
then her neck. She grabbed handfuls of his hair, pulling his face close to
hers. Their lips came together again in a fury, their tongues meeting in a
tangled heap while they breathed as one.
Closer
still, Raven rubbed against his straining cock. A soft moan escaped her lips.
Lucas cupped her breast through her silk dress as he planted hurried kisses
down her neck. His other hand inched up her dress toward her drenched panties.
Whether she’s writing a short story or novel, Candy Caine will make her interracial romances hot and spicy. Always striving to entertain her readers, Candy tries to breathe life into her characters, making life often interesting for her husband, Robert back in their home on Long Island, NY. And both are trying to teach their fifteen-year old yellow Lab, Sammy, new tricks.
