encasing a king size bed fitted with silk sheets and fluffy pillows. The windows were dressed in black velvet drapes, tied back with gold ropes. It was almost too pretty to mess up. Like something you’d see in a museum or magazine.
An open walk-in closet revealed clothing and shoes conveniently in my size. That’s odd. Inside was an antique dresser. I opened up the drawers and found an array of silk pajamas, lacey lingerie, and even yoga pants. I opted for a silk chemise tank and matching pajama shorts. Ozi had done too good a job of heating my room and I didn’t want to sweat all over his silk sheets. I was already hot and bothered knowing he was just down the hall.
Ugh, there I go again. Why did my brain always wander to sex with him? When I was with Alex, I loved our intimate moments but it wasn’t quite so carnal. I didn’t crave Alex’s touch the way I did Ozi’s. I had never craved anyone’s touch the way I do his.
I drank the glass of water that someone had set on the dresser and then climbed into the silky sheets. As soon as I laid my head down, I was instantly relaxed. My sore muscles began to finally unclench and sink into the floaty marshmallow bed.
But I couldn’t sleep. My mind and body were both wide awake despite how tired I thought I’d felt earlier. I was finally in bed in a quiet room, but all I could think about was Ozi. How his hands would feel on my body. How his lips tasted earlier when he found me in the room I wasn’t supposed to be in. How dangerous it felt. The way I enraged him yet excited him at the same time. A tingle rolled down my thighs and I was lightly damp.
I threw the sheets back and stared up at the canopy for a few minutes before doing what I swore I told myself I wasn’t going to do. I peeked out into the hall and seeing it empty, tiptoed toward his room.
Ozi opened the door after one knock. I didn’t know what I was going to say or what I was even doing here in the middle of the night. I just needed to see him again. I craved his presence like a drug.
A smirk edged at the corners of his mouth. “You looking for something?”
“I—I don’t know,” I stammered.
He leaned into the door frame, towering over me with nothing on except black trousers. His tanned chest was ripped and covered in black and gray tattoos.
“What can I do for you, Raven?” He lowered his head toward mine until I could feel his hot breath on my face. What in the hell was I doing? This was dangerous.
“Thank you for sticking up for me earlier. I overheard Tori and Mara talking.” I looked down but he lifted my chin up so I’d have to look him in the eyes.
“You have such a beautiful soul, Raven. So kind and caring. When I see anyone trying to hurt you…it brings out a side of me that I didn’t know I had. I want to protect you, darling.”
No one had ever protected me before. I’d always been so alone. Tears threatened to spill out at the thought of it. “I…I shouldn’t be here. Sorry. Have a good night.” I backed into the hallway, suddenly aware of how vulnerable I was and how little I was wearing. My nipples poked through the thin cotton fabric of my tank top like high beams.
“Yes, you should.” In one quick motion, he pulled me into his room, shut the door, and pinned me up against it. His hands pressed into my wrists which he held firm above my head. My body quivered, ached for him. I couldn’t take it anymore. His lips traced the tip of my ear and he inhaled a deep breath. “Tell me to stop, and I will,” he whispered. “Just say the word.”
I couldn’t. I didn’t want him to. He held both my wrists with one strong hand while his other trailed down my chest, stopping short at the neckline of my tank top. His fingers teased, dipping just below the edge. He stroked the line of the fabric while just barely caressing my skin.
I was practically panting as our eyes never broke contact. I had never been this turned on before ever. I wanted more. “Please…don’t stop,” I murmured.
The look in his eyes turned