Roberto pulled out a wallet with pictures of ivory-and golden-skinned young women and men. Six total. Her sisters and brothers!
“Anita contacted me about your mother’s death. She did not mention you, but I think she hoped that we would meet. I will be returning to Belize soon. I hope to see you again before I leave—and I want you to come see the beautiful country of your people.”
Thirty-Three
After giving Pierce a quick hug and Raven a peck on the cheek, Eric swiftly grabbed Raven’s keys and disappeared.
“Pierce, where’s your luggage?”
“I didn’t have time to pack,” he said softly. “Eric called me at the office from the airport and told me you needed me. The only flight that would get me here on time left an hour later.”
“So this wasn’t…”
“No, sweetheart, I got the feeling that Eric wrestled with the decision a long time before he picked up the phone.”
At Mermaid Towers, Raven scooped up the few envelopes from her mailbox and placed them on the foyer table as she entered the living room.
“I don’t think I have any clothes that will fit you. Maybe a T-shirt or something, but nothing substantial.”
“That’s all right, I don’t think it’ll be necessary.”
Raven chuckled, giving his body a major once-over. “You’re going to walk around in the buff?”
“We’ll manage something. I wasn’t expecting to stay more than a night at the hotel before heading back to New York tomorrow morning.”
Her smile disappeared. “You didn’t want to stay?”
“I didn’t think you’d want me to.”
Raven was silent for a few seconds before answering, “I want you to. Our differences don’t seem to matter much anymore. I’m not going to spend my life second guessing or…” She looked up at him. “I love you, Pierce.”
His sharp intake of breath was barely audible over the sounds of jazz flowing from the living room.
“Pierce, I’m so confused about a lot of things, but I know I love you.” Raven wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him closer.
“I love you, Raven. I need you, and I’ve missed you like crazy.”
He held her for a few heavenly minutes before lifting her in his arms and carrying her to the sofa. He slipped off her heels and blazer, then his jacket and tie, cuddled her in his lap, and held her in a solid embrace.
She placed her hand on his chest and opened the first few buttons of his shirt, then rested her fingertips over his heart. Slowly, the tension drained from her, along with the wiry buildup of pain that had welled inside her heart.
Something precious had been taken from her, something she hadn’t taken the time to cherish. Now something precious had been given to her, something she wouldn’t waste time trying to analyze. She loved him. He loved her. Her eyes slowly closed as the rhythm of his hands stroked her back.
They’d make their way from there.
❤ ❤ ❤
Pierce woke at the crack of dawn with Raven still cradled in his arms. During the night he had moved her to the master bedroom, undressing her, then himself. She’d finally expressed her feelings, and he couldn’t have been happier. He just wished it hadn’t taken the pain of losing someone to make her face reality.
“You’re awake,” she whispered.
“How can you tell? You’re not even looking at me.”
“Your breathing changed,” she said, stretching a little. “When did you bring us in here?”
“Two hours after the sofa told me that it doesn’t like overnight guests.”
Raven chuckled. “You didn’t take liberties with me when you…”
“When I do anything to you, I want you awake, pliant, moaning, and screaming like you normally do.”
“I don’t scream.”
“Tell that to the front desk at Kahana Resort.”
She playfully tapped him on the butt, then grabbed a handful. “Mmmmm,” she moaned. “I wasn’t the only one.”
Pierce couldn’t help smiling. “Yelling out your name doesn’t count.”
“Anything above eighty-five decibels over a two-hour period isn’t a scream.”
“So now we’re getting technical?”
She winked. “Every little bit helps.” Then, her jovial mood vanished, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
He pulled her close as small sobs wracked her body. “It’s all right, Raven. Let it out,” he said, as she tried to stop the flow by holding her body rigid.
Slowly, she relaxed and melded her body into his. She lay quietly as he silently comforted her. “Just when I think I’m okay, it all comes back.”
Pierce whispered sweet words of comfort in her ear.
“It hurts so much. You couldn’t know how bad it is.”
“Of course I do.”
She sniffled quietly before her tear-stained face turned upward.
Pierce stroked a hand across her back. “Guilt that you didn’t do more, say more, pain as though someone yanked out a portion your heart with no intention of giving it back. Sorrow for the parts of your life they’ll miss…”
“Yes.” Raven’s voice wavered with even that one word. “This must bring back memories for you, too.”
“My parents have been gone a little more than two years. The pain isn’t as sharp as it was in the beginning, but it’s still there in the background.” He reached down and stroked her legs. “It’s sort of like the wound on your knee, the one you told me you got in second grade. It hurt then, but now, as my finger touches it, there’s no pain, even though you still remember in detail how you got it.”
“It’ll be that way with my mother?”
Pierce nodded. “It’ll take time. You’re working through the guilt of being separated from her and not having as much time as you felt was necessary.” He tipped her head to face him. “May I ask you something?”
She touched his face. “Anything.”
“Did she read your novel, Searching for the Sun?”
Raven nodded. “I found her note in her safe deposit box. She said it was her favorite.”
“Then she knew how you felt, Raven. She knew you had forgiven her. She knew you loved her. Anyone who reads it can see that.”
Raven’s lip trembled like that of a young child.
“I understood and I didn’t even know you when I read it,” he remarked gently. “I was trying to get inside your head so I could find you.”
“But I should have told her more. My stubbornness, my unwillingness to bring up old things to clear the air…I was so afraid that I would break the bond that was so fleeting at times.”
Pierce peered down at her a moment. “Maybe writing is your way of saying things. All of your novels have that common theme. Healing, forgiveness, spirituality, and issues that men and women need to address in their lives.” His hands played in her hair. “Your mother had to know. The book she said was her favorite dealt heavily with childhood abuse, mother-daughter issues, and forgiveness. And just like I’m sure your mother knew, I know more about what drives you than you think, Raven. I know what you expect and need from a man.” His lips gently brushed hers.
“Damn, I made it too easy for you.”
Pierce’s laughter filled the room. “No, you didn’t. Writing is one thing; the author as a living flesh and blood woman is a gift and a challenge.”
Raven’s soft brown eyes searched his. He pulled her into his arms, easing the tension, while also noticing she hadn’t lessened her grip on his ass.
“Raven?”
“Hmmm?”
“Are you checking that part of my anatomy for purchase?”
Raven howled loudly as she patted him. “Just making sure the property is still in great condition. It’s been out of my sight for a few weeks—no telling what’s happened.”
“Come on, let’s take a shower and get some food in the goodie wagon, or another country will speak up.”
“Can you cook something other than breakfast
?”
“I manage.”
“I’ll have to see that for myself.”
Pierce pursed his lips in an attempt to look insulted. “The woman doubts my abilities.”
“Not the important ones.”
“And in what,” he kissed her lips, “areas have I,” he kissed her breasts, “been deemed worthy?”
A mischievous glint lit her eyes. “Kidnapping, transportation, entertainment, and stimulation.”
“I asked for that one, didn’t I?”
“Yep.”
“Join me,” he said, extending his hand as he stood, butt naked. “I promise to behave.”
“And I was hoping you wouldn’t.”
“That can also be arranged.”
Showering together was a unique experience. Pierce behaved himself in the shower, simply washing and massaging her, letting even more tension drain away.
“What are you smiling about?” Pierce asked in the kitchen later, putting the finishing touches on the mushroom, onion, and cheese omelet.
“Oh, nothing.”
“If showers do that for you, we need to take one together every day.”
“I totally agree…”
They fell silent at the truth. No, they wouldn’t cross that bridge yet—not so soon. But she would have to tell him about the Castle, since an appointment could happen at any time. Martina, her sponsor for this liaison, understood what had happened with Pierce and was trying to pull the loose ends together so Raven could move forward. This was her last chance. They’d rescheduled her first appointment, but she would lose the opportunity this year altogether if she didn’t arrive with Martina and her husband Jonathan when they called. It would be another two years before she could get in again.
The phone rang, and Raven reached for the cordless on the counter behind her.
“Good morning.”
“Well, hello there,” Ava said, her tone teasing and light. “Aren’t we sounding chipper?”
“Speak your piece,” Raven said shortly, taking a bite of turkey bacon.
“Piece being the operative word.”
“I’m going to smack you.”
“How’s Pierce?”
Raven looked at him. He winked at her, then followed with a leering once over. “He’s good,” she said with a chuckle.
His left eyebrow shot up as he grinned.
“How good?”
“If I tell ya, I’m gonna have to kill ya,” Raven replied, in a thick Italian accent, avoiding his curious gaze.
“Only after you spill all the juicy details.”
“Maybe later.”
“Tell Ava I said hi.” Pierce’s baritone voice seemed a little closer. Soon his hands encircled her waist. A small kiss gently placed in the hollow of her neck made Raven shiver with delight.
“Pierce says hi.” Her hands reached up, encircling his head, fingertips trailing the smooth, bare surface as he teased her with expertly mobile lips.
“Pierce…” Ava’s voice faded into the background as his hands trailed to her thighs, cupping a hand over her moistening center, teasing her pearl with soft strokes.
“I’ll call you back later. Much later,” she moaned, dropping the phone on the table. How could she have been so stupid? Her stubbornness could have cost her so much. She needed him. She needed…this. “Pierce…Pierce.”
His lips trailed over her back to her buttocks.
Raven’s breathing became even more labored. “Pierce.”
He turned her around, greeting her with a full, passionate kiss just as her world exploded. His tongue trailed in a sweet, sensuous line from her breasts to just below her navel. Then the pleasure-filled moment turned to panic when he stopped, stood, and asked, “Are you going to finish your breakfast?” as he pointed to her plate.
“You’d better quit playing with me!”
Pierce’s eyebrow shot up, then his head tipped back as rich, hearty laughter poured forth. “Woman, what am I gonna do with you?” Pierce asked as he stabbed at the meal. “Come on, let me feed you. It’s not often I get to serve such a willing victim.”
“You’re going to leave me hanging like that?”
“Just prolonging the pleasure. Eat! You’ll need your strength.”
❤ ❤ ❤
Hours later, a sated and drowsy Raven picked up the phone on the third ring.
Ava’s soft voice floated into Raven’s ear. “Hey, don’t hang up on me this time.”
“Then next time call about business, not pleasure.”
“Sure, just deprive me of a lurid fantasy life.”
“You’re married,” Raven protested, slipping out of Pierce’s embrace.
“Exactly, so now I have to live vicariously through you. One question before I get down to business,” Ava said.
She wrapped a bright red kimono around her. “Shoot.”
“Was it good?”
“Mmmmmmm, mmmm!” Raven moaned into the phone, swaggering to the front of the house. “It’s better than good. It’s downright sinful.”
“You heifer. I’m jealous.”
“You asked.”
“Yeah, don’t remind me,” Ava said, giggling. “Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I filed the custody papers today and put a hold on the children’s money.”
“Wow, that was fast.”
“Had to be. Your sister had already had an emergency hearing.”
Raven froze at the patio door. “What?”
“Had the case heard before another judge who actually granted it.”
“That fast?”
“Evidently someone’s trying to make sure it doesn’t clog up the court’s arteries.”
“That sneaky bitch.” Raven slid open the door and stepped out into the cool breeze.
“Oh, and here’s something else that should get your panties in a big twist, and not in the way they’ve been since Pierce came to town. Janetta also faxed a letter to your mother’s pension board requesting they release the money into an account she already has set up. I’m asking the judge to freeze that account until things are sorted out.”
“Well, I guess moving faster doesn’t mean smarter.”
“But I wanted to talk with you first,” Ava said, her tone wary and foreboding. “Are you sure you want to take on the responsibility of not one, but two children? One with a learning disability and the other who is bipolar and psychotic? Eric is practically grown, plus with Pierce and––”
“I really don’t have a choice. My sister can’t take care of them,” Raven argued. “When Mama got Manny, he had a rash so bad he cried if we touched him. He had to be sedated because of the pain. The state would have put them in foster care if my mother hadn’t stepped in.”
“Calm down, Raven.”
“Don’t tell me to be calm!” She gripped the edge of the balcony. “She’ll use those them, take everything my mother left for them, then leave the mess for someone else to clean up.”
“All I’m saying, Raven, is you can’t make a decision that will drastically change your life based on emotion or guilt. You have to think practically of how this will affect your life.”
“I have.”
“No, you haven’t,” Ava replied. “Be honest—you decided to take the children just moments after your mother passed.”
Raven swallowed her anger and blinked back tears. She hadn’t really thought about the decision at the time. It was what her mother would want. She had no choice. She couldn’t just let her niece and nephew go into Janetta’s uncaring hands or to some stranger. Eric wouldn’t have a problem with it. Or would he? Raven had raised one young man alone, and he had turned out all right. She could handle anything, couldn’t she?
Exactly what kind of help was needed for Manny? The school hadn’t placed him in any special classes. And how psychotic was Kayla for that matter? She seemed normal, just a little high strung at times. What had her mother really been dealing with? Raven knew about the times her niece had run away from home, but she had always believed
it was because of her mother’s strict rules. Maybe there had been more to it than that. And more importantly, who did the children want to be with?
“Raven?”
“I’m here.” Raven let out a long, slow breath, taking in the seafoam beauty of Lake Michigan, comparing it to the range of blues of Hawaii’s ocean. “I’ll call you back.”
“Raven, please. I’m being objective here.”
“You’re being a lawyer.”
“I don’t like your tone,” Ava opposed. “Look, I’m making sure that a friend, my best friend, doesn’t let her guilt talk her into something she’s not ready for.”
“I know.”
“What happens when this disrupts your business? Your writing? What happens when you decide that two children, with the depth of problems they may have, are much more than you’re equipped to handle?”
“My mother dealt with it,” Raven replied, bare feet rubbing across the concrete.
“Raven, I hate to point out the obvious, but…you’re not your mother. And you don’t know what kind of toll it took on her.”
Oh, she knew all too well. Heart attack. Oakwood Cemetary.
“I love them.”
“But you don’t really know them. And they don’t know you. They only know what they’ve heard.”
Raven tapped her finger on the glass patio table. “How did you find out about them? I didn’t even know the details.”
“That’s what you pay me for. They’re receiving monthly Social Security benefits. I have a friend who works at the southeast office.”
“What made you check with them?”
“Benefits means they qualified for Supplemental Security Income.”
“How did you know about—”
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