Embracing Forever Read online

  “Hmm, interesting. Ava got married in September, which means you have roughly three months to make good on the pact.”

  “Something like that,” Raven murmured. She had no chance of making that deadline and the feeling left her strangely disheartened. “So do you guys have everything in place for the summer program?” she asked, changing the subject.

  Bryson smiled knowingly, but to his credit didn’t push. “Just about. We’ll have the new laptops on Tuesday and meet with the teachers we hired on Wednesday.” He paused when the server returned with their salads, which they prepared tableside in a spinning stainless-steel bowl atop a larger one filled with ice. He thanked the man. “I mentioned your idea to Tonya,” he continued, “and you should’ve seen her. She said she would start working on a program proposal for me.”

  “Very cool.” That he’d taken her suggestion spoke volumes about his confidence in her and she sensed the wall around her heart cracking. He continued to share his vision while they ate and she was even more impressed. When they were done, he talked her into sharing dessert. They opted for the warm apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream. The food had been excellently prepared, the service outstanding and the company exceptional. Hands down, it was the best date she’d ever had.

  Bryson settled the bill, helped her with the wrap and escorted her out to wait for the car.

  After they were in the car, Raven placed a hand on Bryson’s arm. “I really enjoyed myself. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. The night’s not over yet.”

  She studied him. “I thought we were just going to dinner.”

  He grinned. “I never said that.” He leaned over, kissed her and drove off.

  The next stop turned out to be a dance club that played funk, hip-hop and R&B music. She had a ball even though her feet complained about being in heels for such a long time. They danced to song after song. She did a little spin move that had her swaying with her back to Bryson, her arms in the air. He came up behind her, placed his hands on her waist and moved with her for a moment before stepping back. She rotated until she faced him again. Bryson stopped dancing and slowly came toward her. The look in his eyes made her breath catch. Everything faded away—the noise, the music—except the man in front of her. He bent and captured her mouth in a long, drugging kiss that turned her knees to jelly and sent a sweet ache flowing through every part of her body. She clung to him as he devoured her mouth in the middle of the dance floor.

  Bryson lifted his head. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Still reeling, she let him lead her out of the club and into the car. She sat with her eyes closed, waiting for her heart rate to return to normal. The sexual tension was so high that if either of them spoke they’d be on the side of the road and naked in a flash. She felt the car going around curves and opened her eyes. He was driving through a neighborhood in the hills and came to a stop at an open area that overlooked the city.

  “Do you want to get out for a minute?”

  “Yes.” When they got out, he placed his jacket around her shoulders and the faint notes of his cologne drifted up to her nose and she resisted the urge to bury her face in the warm, earthy fragrance. The black velvet sky was filled with stars and they had a clear view of the city below.

  Bryson turned her to face him and tilted her chin. “You take my breath away with your beauty, inside and out. You are mine, Raven Holloway.”

  Before she could fully process his statement, she was, once again, swept away by his kiss. And she decided that yes, for tonight, she would be his.

  Chapter Seven

  Sunday morning, the ringing phone startled Raven awake. She blindly searched for it on the nightstand. “Hello,” she mumbled. She’d had a restless night dreaming about Bryson and the impact of his words.

  “Hey, girl,” a chorus of voices said, sounding way too chipper for the hour—Mackenzie, Ryleigh and Quinn.

  She opened one eye, squinted at the clock and groaned. “It is eight thirty in the frigging morning. Why are you all calling me at this hour? Somebody better be dying.”

  Quinn giggled. “Oh yeah, we forgot it’s three hours earlier in LA.”

  “Yeah, three hours earlier.”

  “Aw, we’re sorry.”

  Raven flipped over on her back. “Mac, lightning is going to strike you dead lying like that.” More laughter came through the line. “So, why are y’all calling me at the crack of dawn?” Like she didn’t already know. Since Mac and Ryleigh had gotten married, every month they called to get an update on Raven and Quinn to see if they were any closer to following them down the aisle.

  “How’s Darren?” Ryleigh asked.

  “I have no idea.”

  “Um, what does that mean?”

  “Exactly what I said. One minute he was talking about us moving toward something more permanent, the next, after a couple of my clients stopped by the table, he decided that he couldn’t handle me working with athletes and suggested I get a job more to his liking so he wouldn’t have to worry about them flirting with me. Then he had the nerve to grab my arm.”

  “I would’ve punched him in the throat,” Ryleigh said.

  “I wanted to, but we were out to dinner. I just agreed that we were moving toward something permanent—him being permanently out of my life.”

  “Oh, Raven, I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s no big deal, Quinn.”

  “Yes, it is. I was hoping you were going to tell us that you were either engaged or close to it.”

  Mac chimed in, “Girl, don’t worry. Some other guy is going to show up. Mark my words.”

  Raven didn’t have to mark her words. Another guy did show up, one that had been in front of her face the whole time.

  “Yeah, girl,” Ryleigh said. “Do you need us to come down? You know we’ll be right there.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You sure? Because we can scout out a few new prospects.”

  “No thanks, Ryleigh. I don’t need a new prospect. I already have one. Well, he’s not new and he’s not really a prospect. Well…I mean…”

  “Raven. Just tell us who it is.”

  “It’s Bryson.” They were silent for a full minute then their screams came through the line. She jerked the phone away from her ear.

  “It’s about damn time,” Ryleigh said.

  “Right,” Mac agreed. “I would’ve jumped his fine ass a long time ago.

  “Friends to lovers. That’s so romantic.”

  Of course, that would be the first thing out of Quinn’s mouth.

  “I just want to know how he is in bed? Can he bring it or what?”

  “Mac, why is that always the first question with you?” Mac had been the queen of one-night stands until the last one backfired and she ended up married.

  “Come on, Raven, you know that’s a requirement for any candidate. No sense in wasting your time on a man who can’t even make you wet.”

  “Girl, that’s the truth,” Ryleigh said.

  Raven sighed. She loved her girls, but sometimes they got out of control. “The answer is yes. It was all that and more.” She recalled every moment of that evening from the first unsure kiss and wonder of the moment to the featherlike caresses of his hands and mouth and the feel of him thrusting deep inside, setting her body on fire and making her scream his name over and over.

  “Raven!” Mac, Quinn and Ryleigh chorused.

  “What?”

  “Evidently, Bryson did more than bring it if the mere mention sends you off into fantasy land,” Mac teased.

  Quinn squealed. “Ooh, so are you two dating now or was it a one night thing that kind of just happened?”

  “We’re sort of dating. He wants us to see where this goes.”

  “You don’t sound so sure about it, though.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, Ryleigh, Bryson is a great guy, one of the best, but it is freaking me out because we’ve been friends for twelve years and not once did I ever think of him as anything other than a
friend.” She shared the details of how he had comforted her about the breakup with Darren. “It was just like always at first, then something changed. He touched me and I felt…I don’t know. Something. He felt it, too. Then he kissed me and the next thing I knew, I didn’t want him to stop and we were in my bed. But I don’t want to lose my best friend if this doesn’t work out.”

  Mac’s sigh came through the line. “Please don’t tell me you’re trying to friend zone that brother.”

  “Well, not exactly, but I don’t want to get too close, just in case. He’s making it really hard, though.”

  “If he wants to be with you, he’s supposed to make it hard for you to resist.” Raven heard papers rustling then Quinn came back on the line. “I was reading an article about how you can tell if a man is really into you.”

  They all groaned.

  “No, listen. It’s says he’ll make time for you, even if he’s busy, call you or text you just to say hello. Ooh, and here’s the good part. During sex he’ll make eye contact with you or kiss you on the forehead, and after sex, he’ll want to cuddle with you, instead of leaving right away. There’s some other stuff about humor, having a career versus a job and a rate-your-mate scale. I can send you the article and you can see how Bryson measures up.”

  Raven didn’t need to fill out any scale to know how Bryson would measure up. He’d rate at the top of the list in every area. “No, thanks. I don’t need it.”

  “That’s because Bryson did everything I read, huh?”

  “No comment.”

  The women screamed with laughter and Ryleigh started humming the Wedding March.

  “Just don’t do like Ryleigh and sneak off and get married. We want to be there,” Mac said.

  “Y’all know I don’t like a lot of hoopla,” Ryleigh mumbled.

  “Who said anything about getting married? I’m just trying to get used to the fact that I slept with my best friend.”

  “In a way, that’s a good thing, Raven,” Quinn said. “He already knows the things that make you happy.”

  “I guess.” If last night was any indication, he could be elected president of the Make Raven Happy fan club. “Last night, he took me out to dinner at Lawry’s, then dancing. Afterward, we ended up in the hills overlooking the city.” She ran her hand over her face. Why did she just tell them that?

  “Hot damn! Bryson is the man.”

  “My thoughts exactly, Ryleigh. Girl, I’m sending you a high-five.”

  “Got it, Mac.”

  “Are you two finished?” Ryleigh and Mac had always been the wild ones, and Mac had a thing about being first in everything.

  “I totally get what you’re saying about this transition from friends to lovers, Raven. But it sounds like he’s still the same Bryson, only now things are a little more intimate. We know all about what you say is your track record with men. Don’t let your fears stop you from being happy because I believe he could be the one for you.”

  Quinn had always been the voice of reason when it came to romance, even though she drove them crazy with all of her articles and quizzes on love. “Thanks, Quinn.”

  “At least the three of you will make the deadline.”

  “Quinn, if you put away all those lists and articles and just be yourself, you’ll be right with us,” Mac said. “So, what are you going to do, Raven?”

  “The only thing I can. And pray I don’t end up with another broken heart.” Or worse, lose my best friend.

  * * *

  Thursday evening, Bryson stood under the frigid spray, hoping to calm his body. Five days. It had been five days since he left Raven at her door and he’d been in a constant state of arousal from that moment until now. And no amount of cold showers, thoughts of baseball or blizzards had helped. The only thing that would douse the raging fire threatening to consume him was making love with Raven. It had taken every ounce of his control Saturday night to walk away. He’d read the desire in her eyes, the expectation of what should follow, then the question when it didn’t.

  It would be easy for them to jump into bed every time because the chemistry between them was strong, but he wanted this relationship to be different than his previous ones.

  Bryson turned the water to warm and washed up. He heard the doorbell just as he finished drying off. Rushing out of the bathroom, he pulled on a pair of basketball shorts and grabbed a T-shirt out of the drawer, putting it on as he walked to the door. He flipped on the porch light and checked the peephole. Raven? What was she doing here at this hour? Bryson snatched the door open. “Hey, Raven.” He pulled her into the house and closed the door. “Is everything okay?” Her hair had been pulled up into a ragged ponytail, she had on a pair of shorts and a tee, and flip flops. He searched her face. She’d never come over to his house late at night unannounced.

  “Yeah. Can we talk?”

  “Of course. Come on in. Can I get you something to drink?” He guided her to the family room and gestured for her to sit.

  “No, I’m fine.” She perched on the edge of the sofa.

  Bryson waited for her to speak. When she didn’t say anything for a couple of minutes, he scooted closer to her. “What is it that you want to talk about, sweetheart?” he prompted gently.

  “I…” Raven seemed to struggle with her words.

  “We’ve never had a problem talking to each other and now is no different.”

  She squared her shoulders and shifted to face him. “You’re right. I think I want you to kiss me.”

  The corner of his mouth kicked up into a lazy smile and he lifted a brow. “You think? As in you’re not sure.”

  She stared at him. Her gaze dropped to his mouth briefly, then moved back up to his face. “Yes, I’m sure. I want you to kiss me.”

  “Good, because I’m very sure I want to kiss you.” Bryson crushed his mouth to hers. The kiss was hot and demanding, but filled with a sweetness that flooded his soul. For a long while, he fed himself on her kisses—some soft and gentle, others sensual and intense. But all left him mindlessly intoxicated with the taste and uniqueness that was Raven. Her breathless sighs and small whimpers of pleasure had him as hard as he’d ever been. Feeling himself hovering on the brink of losing control, he eased back.

  “Where did you learn to kiss like this?” Raven murmured, kissing him again.

  He took over the kiss, deepened it, twining his tongue with hers. “The way I kiss depends on the woman I’m kissing and your kisses,” he said, still nibbling on her lips, “are sweeter than the most expensive chocolate. They fuel my passion. You fuel my passion.” Unable to help himself, Bryson captured her mouth again, absorbing her essence into his very cells.

  “We need to take this to your bedroom.”

  His straining erection throbbed in agreement. “Not tonight, baby. As much as I’d like to, you and I both have to work in the morning.”

  Raven groaned in protest. She lifted her arm and checked her watch. “It’s only eleven forty-five.”

  He chuckled. “Ah, I think your watch stopped.” He gestured to the clock on the wall.

  Her eyes widened. “It’s after one in the morning. We’ve been kissing for two hours?”

  “Hey. When it’s good…” He shrugged.

  “And you are very good,” she said sultrily, reaching down to stroke him.

  Bryson jerked upright. He grabbed her hand and placed a kiss on the back. “Stop that.” He set her away from him, closed his eyes and drew in several deep breaths. He had never been so tempted by a woman in his life. “I’m going to get my shoes, keys and wallet so I can follow you home.”

  “You don’t need to do that. I’ll just text you when I get there.”

  He shook his head. “No deal. I have never let you go home alone at this hour and I’m not about to start.” Over the years, he, Kendrick and Jerome alternated following her home whenever they were out together past a certain time. But now that she belonged to him, he planned to take sole responsibility for her safety and wellbeing. “Be right back
.”

  Bryson stuck his feet into his slides, and grabbed his wallet and keys from the dresser. Any other time he would take full advantage of what they both obviously craved, but he needed to prove to her that they were more than just bed buddies. He could get that from any woman. What he wanted from Raven was a commitment. He wanted her heart, with no reservations. He, who had gone more than a decade shying away from commitment, now wanted exactly that. And he had promised not to rush things. Bryson saw another cold shower in his immediate future. It’s going to be a long night.

  Chapter Eight

  Friday morning, Raven was still thinking about last night with Bryson. She had never known a man’s kisses could stir her emotions to the level they had. The other men in her past had used kissing as a means to an end, at no time going past a minute or two before wanting to jump into bed. However, Bryson treated kissing as if it were an act unto itself. She couldn’t believe that they had spent two hours kissing. No sex. Just spine-tingling, toe-curling, slow-as-molasses kisses. She knew he wanted more—the huge bulge in his shorts said so—and, truthfully, so had she. If he had even hinted at wanting to go further, she would have been all over him. But that he held back out of concern for her being tired at work only endeared him to her more.

  The way I kiss depends on the woman I’m kissing and your kisses are sweeter than the most expensive chocolate. They fuel my passion. You fuel my passion. His words came back to her in a heated rush, sending a shiver down her spine. All of his kisses had been amazing, but the one that followed those words had been different, connecting them on a deeper level that shocked and terrified her. Even so, against her better judgment, the cracks in her walls widened and she felt herself falling harder for him.

  David poked his head in the office. “Hey, Raven. Chris is here.”

  “I’ll be right there.” Raven looked at the computer screen and realized she hadn’t entered one thing. “I have got to stop thinking about him,” she muttered and closed the file.