Marriage of Convenience: The Raven Brothers - Book 1

by Kaylee, Katy

  With the light, I began to live again. I went to lunch with Alex on occasion. Two of the women I’d met at our party invited me to volunteer with them at a children’s center, which I did two days a week. Chase was supportive of this, although James not only drove me but also was now acting as a bodyguard. I liked James, and I understood Chase’s fear, so I accepted that situation.

  I was glad when Chase started going back to work, because I didn’t want him to get lost in me or his grief. Of course, he couldn’t quite let go. He sent his brothers and father to visit me.

  When Hunter showed up, I’d been surprised, especially when he asked if I wanted to go for a walk in the park. A part of me wondered if he was concerned that I’d be afraid to go to the park after what happened. As we walked and talked, I learned that he’d had his share of trauma in the military. He didn’t tell me the details, but I could sense it was there and that it still impacted him. I appreciated that he didn’t want what happened to me to negatively impact my life. I’d told him that his support as well as the counseling helped. I hoped that maybe he’d consider counseling too.

  The next day, Ash showed up with decadent pastry. We had coffee and pastry on the terrace. We talked a bit about loss and grief, and he spoke in a way that I thought he knew it intimately. Well of course he did, he’d lost his mother, but I had a sense that maybe he lost someone else too.

  When Kade showed up the following day, I knew Chase had something to do with all these visits. Out of all the brothers, he was the one that I felt I knew the least. He was also the one that made me the most nervous. Not that he’d hurt me, but he was always so snarky and negative. He took me to a private lunch at his restaurant and taught me about the proper way to use formal dinnerware.

  “Chase said you worried about it. Truth is, most people don’t know and don’t care what the fuck spoon you use,” he said.

  Still, I appreciated the effort. I didn’t walk away feeling like I knew him better, except that he seemed to have a chip on his shoulder. He was bitter and resentful about something, but I couldn’t get a sense of what it was about. To me however, he was kind. I felt like a protected little sister.

  When the buzzer rang announcing a visitor the next day, I knew it was Chase’s father.

  “Mr. Raven.” I greeted him as the elevator door opened.

  “Please, call me Cam. Or… Dad.”

  I burst into tears. The truth was, in the few weeks I’d known him, he’d been more of a father than my own had ever been. He accepted me from the beginning and had stood up for me against my parents.

  He hugged me. “Ah, my sweet girl.”

  He took me on a day trip out to The Hamptons to a house he had out there, and told me stories about Chase and his brothers growing up.

  “I wasn’t there for them like I should have been, and it shows in how they act sometimes. But they’re good boys deep down,” he said.

  “They are,” I agreed. They were rough around the edges, but deep down, they had good values and strength of character.

  “I have to admit, when Chase married you the week after I gave them my new terms of inheritance, I thought I’d made a huge mistake. He was going to ruin a young woman’s future. In the end it worked out. He loves you more than his own life. Thank you, Sara, for saving my boy from becoming like me.”

  “You’re not so bad,” I said, holding his hand as we walked on the beach.

  “Chase will be better. He won’t neglect you or any children you have.”

  I flinched, as I still was raw from losing the baby. Even so, I knew someday Chase and I would have children, somehow.

  “Now, do you have any girlfriends as patient and sweet as you? I have three other boys that need to learn what Chase has.”

  I laughed. “Sorry, no.”

  And now, six weeks after being so demoralized and experiencing the worst loss of my life, I was engaged to my husband. I woke the next morning in bed, reaching for Chase and hoping he’d make love to me again. The bed was empty and as I listened for him, I heard a lot of commotion going on in the house.

  I rose from bed, put on the robe Chase left for me and headed out to the main area.

  “Mrs. Raven. I have breakfast ready if you’d like on the veranda,” Matilda said.

  “Yes, where is—”

  “There’s my gorgeous wife and fiancé.” Chase wrapped me up from behind and kissed my neck. “How'd you sleep?”

  “Perfect. Once we went to sleep.” The beach wasn’t the only place he made love to me the night before.

  He turned me in his arms. “Me too.”

  “What’s going on?” I looked around as people were busy setting up tables, hanging decorations, and scurrying about.

  “We’re getting married.” He grinned. “Dad and my brothers will be here shortly.” He frowned. “I went to talk to your parents about coming, but—”

  I put my finger over his lips. “You and your family are my family now.” I’d already accepted that. When I left Staten Island, I thought my goal was to build my life around a career. But what I really wanted and needed was the unconditional love I hadn’t had before. To that end, my dreams had come true.

  “I want the perfect day for you, baby,” Chase said, his gorgeous gray eyes shining with such love and happiness.

  I looped my arms around him. “Every day with you is perfect, Chase.”

  He kissed me. “Have some breakfast and then Mathilda will show you everything you need to get ready to marry me.”

  “That’s it? I don’t need to do anything?” I asked.

  “Just walk up the aisle and marry me.”

  “I think I can manage that.”

  Chase sent me off with Mathilda. He’d taken care of everything, including getting me a pretty, flowing white dress.

  As she led me to the beach, I saw a beautiful wedding set up. His brothers stood, two on my side and one on Chase’s, as Mr. Raven… uh… Dad, walked me up the beach to where Chase waited. His pant legs were rolled up, and he was barefoot. His white shirt was unbuttoned at the collar. He looked devastatingly handsome.

  A minister performed the ceremony, giving me a flashback to when Glen said my marriage to Chase wasn’t real because it wasn’t done before God. This time it was real but not because of the minister. It was real because Chase loved me and I loved him. Our vows were true and pure from the heart.

  Along with his family, Alex and other people from work, plus some of the friends from our party a few months ago attended. I was as friendly as possible, but all I wanted was Chase. He looked so happy and relaxed. My goal in life was to make him feel like that as often as possible.

  While the party continued, Chase found me and pulled me away.

  “Where are we going?”

  “To the other side of the island,” he said loading me into a car. “Too many people on this side.”

  The driver edged us along the beach until we reached another, smaller house.

  “We’ll be able to watch the sunrise on this side, if you’re up by then,” he said.

  “I might be too tired.”

  He leaned over and kissed me. “It’s possible we’ll sleep right through it because we have a long night ahead.”

  He helped me out of the car and led me to the house. He lifted me into his arms, and carried me inside. It was filled with flowers and candles.

  “It’s beautiful.” I couldn’t believe how much thought and work he’d put into all this.

  “I was going to have champagne, but after last night, we have seltzer or sparkling cider,” he said putting me down next to a table with an ice bucket and bottles of water and apple juice chilling.

  “Thank you.”

  He tilted his head. “For what?”

  “For everything. For all this. For loving me. For agreeing to make another baby.”

  He rested his forehead against mine. “Don’t you know, Sara? I want to give you the world.”

  I would have melted into a puddle, but he took me in his
arms and kissed me. I was sure he meant it to be a short kiss, but I wanted him, so I bit his lower lip and sucked on his tongue to let him know I wanted him now.

  He groaned and maneuvered me to the bedroom where a wide window opened out to the beach. I could hear the lapping of the waves on the sand.

  I unbuttoned his shirt and his pants. “Since the moment I saw you on the beach, I wanted to get you naked.”

  “You did?” he asked. “You have marvelous restraint.”

  “Not anymore.” When he was naked, I pushed him back on the bed. He laughed as he scooted more fully on the mattress and watched as I shucked off my clothes.

  I climbed on top of him, loving how in control I felt, and loving him for letting me take over. I crawled up his body until I was over his dick, already standing in salute just for me.

  I sucked him deep into my mouth, feeling triumphant when he gasped and let out a loud groan mixed with a “fuck yeah.”

  He reached for me, making me move my body to the side of him, and he fingered me as I continued to love his dick with my mouth until he pushed me back.

  “You need to fuck me now, Sara or I’m going to come in your mouth.”

  I loved tasting him, but more than anything, I wanted us to be joined as one. So, I straddled his thighs and positioned him at my entrance.

  He looked up at me. “I’m all yours Sara.”

  I smiled as I lowered my body, taking him fully inside me. His hands squeezed my thighs. I put my hands over his and began to rock.

  “Yes, so good,” he said.

  “You’re the only man I’ve ever fucked, Chase.”

  His eyes flashed with wild heat, though I wasn’t sure if it was from what I said or because I used the f-word.

  “I’m honored to be the man you chose.”

  “You’re the only man who’ll ever fuck me. Did you know that?”

  He growled and levered up. “It’s been my mission to make sure that’s the case.” He suckled at my nipple, sending a delicious wave of pleasure through me.

  “From now on,” I managed to say. “I’ll be the only one you’ll fuck.”

  “That goes without saying.” He squeezed my ass and guided me to move faster.

  I started to ride, loving every bit of friction from his dick inside me.

  “Ah fuck,” he groaned, dropping his head back. His face was a mixture of pain and ecstasy. “Sara,” he growled, and pulled his head up, his hands reaching for my face.

  “Yes?” God I was so close. I could feel my release teetering on the edge.

  “You’re the only one I’ve ever made love to.”

  My heart turned in my chest.

  “Do you understand what I’m saying?” He bit his lip, as if he was on the edge too but wasn’t ready to jump over.

  I nodded. “Yes.”

  He kissed me hard and then his hands moved to my hips, and drove me faster, harder. “I’m there, baby… make me come.”

  His words combined with his driving up inside me, sent me flying into bliss. He cried out, flying with me, filling me with his essence. Together we soared and then drifted back down until I collapsed in his arms. I held on to him, savoring the feel of his arms around me. The hot wetness of his cum filled me, perhaps creating life. The beat of his heart was under my cheek and I knew it beat only for me. Finally… finally I knew love.

  Epilogue

  Sara

  I’d always known that my life could be happier, but I’d always thought the level of bliss I felt now was reserved for romance novels. Sometimes I woke with a start, worrying that it was all a dream. But then Chase would pull me into his arms and I’d immediately fall back asleep, knowing I was safe and loved.

  Not that everything was perfect. Chase could hover more than I liked. I never felt controlled, by him, and I could certainly understand his desire to keep me safe. Still, sometimes a woman needed a moment to breathe.

  Chase’s life at work seemed to be back to normal if the bickering and sniping that went on between the brothers was any indication. Chase was a loving husband, but he could be pretty ruthless when it came to business and to keeping his brothers in line.

  I could hear them arguing from outside Chase’s office as I made my way to visit him, James in tow because he never left my side once I was out of the apartment.

  “Some things never change,” Alex said as I approached and she nodded toward Chase’s door.

  “I guess not.”

  “How about lunch some time?” she asked. “Someplace not owned by one of these knuckleheads.”

  “Is there such a place?” I asked.

  James snickered and Alex grinned. “There won’t be for long. I think someday the Ravens will own the known world.” Alex shook her head. “Want me to let them know you’re here?”

  “Nah, let me surprise them.” I walked over to Chase’s door.

  “You’ve gone soft, Chase. Too much of a good thing can do that to you,” I heard Kade say.

  “At least I’m not an asshole,” Chase snapped back.

  “Not often anyway,” I said poking my head through the door.

  Chase smiled when he saw me. Kade rolled his eyes.

  “Someday Kade, a woman will get into that prickly heart of yours,” I said.

  “Did you just call me a prick?” he said with a grin.

  “If she didn’t, I will,” Hunter said, rising from his perch on the arm of the couch. “How are you Sara?”

  “I’m very good, Hunter, thank you for asking.” He kissed me on the cheek as he made his exit.

  “I’m heading to my office to work on the new club specs,” Ash said to Chase. To me he said, “Personally, I wish you’d soften him up more.”

  “Stay out of my business, Chase. I mean it,” Kade said. As he walked past me he said, “If you ever change your mind about that asshole, let me know. I’m available.”

  “Get out, Kade,” Chase growled.

  Kade grinned, clearly enjoying that he got under Chase’s skin.

  Chase came from around his desk, greeting me with a hug and a kiss. “Everything okay?”

  “Yep, I just came to see my husband. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything important.”

  He shrugged. “We can get back to it later.” He guided me to his couch. “So, what’s up?”

  “I brought you a present.” I sat down, and he took a seat next to me.

  “It’s not Christmas or my birthday.” He took the rectangle box wrapped in red paper I handed him.

  I frowned. “When is your birthday?” There was still so much I didn’t know about him.

  “Not today.” He studied the box and then shook it. “What’s the occasion?”

  “You need to open it to see.” I smiled at him.

  He grinned back, and then reached for me, kissing me fully on the lips. “I’d rather unwrap you.”

  My body came alive at his words. “That could be an option after you open your present.”

  His eyes flashed with desire and then he ripped the paper off to reveal a gold pen box. “You got me a pen?”

  “I don’t know. Open it.”

  He lifted the lid of the box and his breath caught. He took out the white plastic stick, reading it. “Pregnant.” His gaze whipped up to mine. “You’re pregnant?”

  I nodded, biting my lower lip to keep from blubbering. “Yes.” I hoped that I’d get pregnant right after we renewed our marriage vows, but one month and then two went by and there still wasn’t a baby. I worried that something was wrong, but the doctor assured me that all was well and that sometimes it just took time to make it happen. Then over the last few days I had the same fatigue and nausea I had the first time. And of course, no period. Excited and yet afraid to hope, I’d run out, with James hot on my heels, to get a test. I swore him to secrecy as we returned home and I took the test.

  “Oh Jesus, Sara.” He set the box down and pulled me into his lap.

  “Are you happy?”

  “Ecstatic, baby. How do you feel?” H
is hand went to my belly.

  “Tired and sometimes nauseous, but happy. I have a doctor’s appointment later today, but I couldn’t wait, Chase. I had to come tell you as soon as I took the test.”

  “I’m glad you did. I’ll come with you to the doctor’s office.”

  “I don’t want to interrupt your day any more than I have.”

  “Don’t you know?” he said pressing his palm to my cheek. “You’re more important than the company. You and the baby are the most important things to me.”

  “I love you.”

  “Ah, I love you too.” He kissed me again, at first slow, but then he slowly increased the burn and lay me back underneath him on the couch. “Now can I unwrap you?”

  “Yes.” I hoped no one would come in as he unbuttoned my blouse and undid the front clasp of my bra. He leaned over, sucking one nipple and then the other. They were a little tender, so I winced.

  “Did I hurt you?”

  “They’re just a little tender.”

  He gently cupped one breast and then laved the nipple with his tongue. “I’ll miss these when the baby gets to have them.” He looked up into my eyes. “But it will be worth it.”

  We slowly undressed and I was able to change our position so that he was sitting on the couch and I was straddled his lap. I particularly liked this position because I loved to watch Chase as I took control of his pleasure. I stroked his dick, watching as his eyes flashed with wildfire.

  I guided him to my entrance and slowly lowered down. Our sighs of pleasure filled his office.

  “What will you do if someone walks in?” I asked, nipping on his lips.

  “Tell them to leave,” he groaned, as his hands gripped my hips.

  “You won’t be embarrassed?” I rocked my pelvis, making him groan again.

  “Everyone knows I have sex with my wife.” He snaked out his tongue and licked my nipple, and it was my turn to groan. “They’ll be jealous of me though, so it might be better if no one walks in.”

  “Jealous that you have sex?” I rose up and then slid back down, eliciting groans from both of us.

  “Jealous that I have sex with you.” He brought his hands to my cheeks and pulled me down for a kiss. “Make me come, Sara.”