by Candy Caine
“Certainly. Right away, sir.”
Lucas turned back toward Raven. “We can have coffee after the show, if you’d like.”
After Lucas settled the bill, he and Raven walked hand-in-hand to the Jacobs Theatre at 242 West 45th Street, joining a group of people streaming inside.
An usher led them to their seats. Lucas had wanted to impress Raven, and when they reached their assigned seats in the center orchestra section, the look on her face told him that he had succeeded.
“These are fabulous seats, Lucas.”
He merely shrugged. “I thought you might appreciate them and wanted to make sure we didn’t miss a thing.”
Raven smiled and looked around at the filling theater. She could hardly wait for the play to begin. “These seats are really great. Thank you.” She squeezed his hand.
He smiled. “You’re very welcome.” Then he closed his hand on hers.
The excitement in the theater felt like arcs of electricity pulsating through the air. There was something about seeing a live performance. The same play could be done night after night, but each performance was unique. Raven and her aunt had often traveled into Manhattan to see a show before her job at the law firm took control over her life.
Now as the lights dimmed and the musical began, she felt her senses come alive.
* * *
Holding Raven’s hand, Lucas guided her out of the Jacob’s Theatre. When they got onto the street, he asked, “Ready for the coffee now?”
“Perhaps something stronger than coffee?” Raven suggested.
“If I’m not mistaken, I think there’s a decent bar not too far from here.”
Raven had been enthralled by the show’s musical score. She well understood the power of music to connect people and thought of Lucas’s mother. Like the musician in the play, his mother never gave up on her dream to play the piano and be free in America. Raven wondered if Lucas saw the similarities, as well.
She hadn’t realized she was so deep in thought, until they’d reached O’Reilly’s Tavern and Lucas said, “We’re here, but where have you been?”
“Sorry. I was just thinking about the show and its deeper meanings.”
“Hold that thought. Let’s find a place to sit and we can talk about it.” Lucas held the door open for her.
The bar was packed. Lucas took her hand and they made their way through the crowd of people talking and gesturing until he spotted a small table in the rear. “Come on,” he said. “We’re almost there.”
“This place is really hopping. It must be popular,” Raven said, looking around at the clientele. “I feel like the oldest person here.”
“I can assure you, you’re not. I am.”
Raven laughed. “So what makes this bar so popular? It looks like any other bar.”
“They don’t water down the drinks. Word travels quickly. Speaking of alcohol, what’s your pleasure?”
“A Pinot Grigio, please.”
“I’ll be right back,” Lucas said, pushing his way back toward the bar. Raven watched him go, noting that he was the best-looking and best-dressed male in the place. And he was with her. That made her smile.
A big man in a black leather coat, sporting a goatee and long, black hair tied back in a ponytail, sat down in the chair opposite Raven, interrupting her pleasant thoughts and blocking her view. “Waiting for me, babe?”
“No. I’m waiting for my date to return.”
“That’s what they all say until I show up,” the stranger said.
“That’s nice, but I’m not interested,” Raven said, attempting to peer around the man to see where Lucas was.
“I can take you to places you’ve never been.”
“Oh, like jail?”
“Now why would you say something as nasty as that?” the guy asked angrily.
“Because the lady belongs to me,” Lucas said, placing the drinks on the table before turning to face the man. “Now, I suggest you leave quietly.”
The man stood slowly, his black eyes lit with fury, and his beefy hands balled into fists. Taller and stockier than Lucas, the man glared down at him making gestures that unnerved Raven. Though Lucas stood his ground, Raven feared for his safety. And finally, several tense moments later, the man decided not to fight and stomped off.
Raven let out her breath, glad that the man had walked away without hurting Lucas.
“I should never have left you alone,” Lucas said.
“No harm done. You stood up to the asshole.”
“I’m glad he left without a hassle. I have no idea what I would’ve done.”
Surprise flashed across Raven’s face. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Of course. I would have protected my lady at all costs from that dastardly usurper.”
Raven giggled and rolled her eyes.
“Besides, the drinks would’ve been spilled and I’d have had to push my way through that mob again to get fresh ones.”
Raven lifted her glass and Lucas lifted his. “To my hero,” she said. He clinked his glass against hers and they sipped their drinks.
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 in 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 sc
ent. 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 wanted 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 wanted 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 in to the desire to run her fingers through 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 we 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 as adorable as 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 sneaked 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.
Just then a car came down the street, forcing them to their senses and pull apart.
“Haven’t done that since high school,” Lucas said.
“Me, neither. I’d better get inside. For all we know, my aunt’s been taking copious notes.”
With one hand on the doorknob, Raven turned to face Lucas. “I had a lovely time tonight. Thank you.”
“I’m glad. I did, too. Good night, Raven.”
Lucas gently brushed her lips with his and watched her go inside before he walked back to his car.
Raven was smiling as she took off her coat and hung it in the closet. Heading toward her bedroom, Raven noticed her aunt sound asleep in her easy chair with an open book on her lap. Some habits were hard to break, Raven realized, as she went over to Dottie and gently roused her.
“You’ll be more comfortable in your bed,” Raven said before adding, “and yes, I had a wonderful time.”
Dottie grinned from ear to ear. “That’s what I like to hear, baby girl.”
Once alone in her room, Raven did something she hadn’t done in a long time. Making out like a teenager with Lucas left her horny, so she quickly dispensed with her clothes, leaving on her heels. The thought of masturbating in her heels made her feel so naughty and whorish, which excited her more—not that she needed much to get off at this point.
She pulled down the cover on her bed and climbed into it, feeling the cool sheets against her hot body. Slowly she traced a finger around each areola of her breasts, feeling her nipples tighten before she began to pinch and pull at them. All the while, she fantasized it was Lucas’s beautiful hands with his long, tapered fingers touching h
er.
Raven continued to pinch and pull at a nipple as her other hand dropped to her drenched pussy. She rubbed her clit with her thumb for several minutes before slipping a finger inside her sex. She closed her eyes, imagining Lucas slipping his cock inside her, as she began to finger fuck herself. She needed more and slipped another finger inside. Raven quickened her pace until she finally brought on an orgasm.
Little did she know that Lucas was busy relieving himself, as well. He’d gotten home wishing that he’d carried her back to the car and driven her to a motel. His mind was filled with her. The scent of her perfume. The taste of her lips. He stripped down to his underwear and sat on his recliner. He closed his eyes and envisioned Raven’s beautiful face as he reached for his cock. It was still semi-hard and he felt it grow harder as he imagined Raven’s hand closing over its tip before slowly sliding up and down his shaft as her other hand stroked his balls. He groaned as the pleasure heated his loins and then moaned as it quickly intensified. Finally he could hold off no longer and ejaculated into his shorts.
Chapter Ten
Raven truly loved working with Marge at the ice cream parlor. It was fun creating the individual patron requests. However, after a few weeks there was a growing undercurrent of feelings within her that Raven could no longer deny. She missed the adrenaline rush of the courtroom. Seeing the happiness on a child’s face when she handed him his ice cream just wasn’t enough anymore.
She was a lawyer. Practicing law was in her genetic makeup, and she could no longer deny this. It was a good thing for her to have taken a sabbatical, for it had given her the clarity to know what she wanted. She had sorely needed the time to de-stress, as well. Though she wanted to return to the practice of law, she didn’t want to repeat her former mistakes and take a job at a firm like Behr, Stern & West.
Raven began to research the legal firms run by women. Although there might be problems as there would be in any office, there’d not likely be any sexual harassment. She also looked for firms that practiced a wide variety of law, not just criminal law.
When her research was done, she sent out resumes to several firms. She wondered how long it would be before she heard back from any of them—not that she was in a hurry.