Marriage of Convenience (The Raven Brothers 1)

“Yes.” I bit my lip wanting to ask her about him but not wanting to get in trouble. “Is he always so… grumpy?”

Alex laughed. “Yes, but Chase is all bark and no bite. He can be worse around his brothers, but you get used to it.”

“He and his brothers don’t get along?” I used to wish I had a sibling. Just one person I could feel connected to. I supposed that’s what I’d hoped for in Glenn and initially took his overbearing as a sign he cared for me. Now I knew differently. I was alone in the world and people couldn’t be trusted.

“I don’t know if you’ve been around children, but siblings often bicker and squabble. The problem with the Raven boys is that they never grew out of that. They fuss a lot, but deep down, they do care about each other. They’re all a little rough around the edges, but they’re not bad people.”

“Okay. Who is Hunter?”

Alex let out a breath. “He was around earlier although you may not have seen him. I can tell you that he saw you, and I’m sure that’s why Chase has asked you to work with him.”

I swallowed. “Is he a problem?”

Alex laughed. “No, he’s a horndog. He tends to obey the rules, but like I said, you’re a pretty woman, and Hunter isn’t as predictable as he was before.”

“Before?”

“Before he did a stint in the marines.” Alex patted my arm. “Don’t worry, Sara. You’re safe here. Even from Hunter. But if he asks you out, say no. Come on.”

I followed her back to Mr. Raven’s office. This time when she knocked, he told her to come in using a polite voice.

“Ms. Sheppard is ready,” she said.

Mr. Raven stood from behind his desk, his eyes raking over me. I felt a bit like a sheep going to slaughter. I knew that look and hoped Alex was right, that the Raven men were safe to be around.

“Good. I’ll have a desk brought in for you by tomorrow,” he said.

“There’s space right outside, Mr. Raven,” Alex said, clearly surprised by his statement.

“I have one word for you… Hunter.”

Alex looked at him and then me. She started to say something, but he cocked his head and his eyes held censure. She pursed her lips together and stayed quiet.

“Thank you, Ms. Oliver. That’s all for now.”

She nodded toward him, her eyes clearly irritated. “If you need anything, Sara, let me know.”

I swallowed, but nodded. When the door closed behind her, I looked to Mr. Raven. He was looking at me again, but this time I didn’t see the lust I’d seen before. Perhaps I misinterpreted him before.

“Please, sit,” he motioned to a chair in front of his desk, and he sat back down behind it.

“Thank you. I’m excited about this opportunity and honored to be working with you.”

The corner of his lips twitched upward. “I hope you’ll find the experience educational and rewarding. You’re studying marketing?”

“Yes sir. In Staten Island, although I’d like to transfer to a school in Manhattan.”

“You like the city?” he sat back, looking comfortable and less intimidating, which helped me relax.

“Yes, sir, I do.” Taking a chance, I asked. “Where did your other interns work if there’s no place for them here?”

He shrugged. “I’ve never had an intern before.”

“I’d like to think that makes me special, but I know that’s not the case.”

He leaned forward, his brows furrowed as if he was trying to figure something out about me. “You must have been treated special before.”

I bit my lip. “There’s special treatment and then there’s being treated special because it’s been earned. I haven’t earned anything.”

He jerked slightly and sat back, as if I reprimanded him. I suppose in some ways I had. I knew I often got special treatment from men who hoped I’d give them special treatment in return.

“You earned an internship at Raven Industries.”

Inwardly I scoffed. If he only knew.

“And I’ll expect you to live up to that, just as I expect all other employees and even my brothers to do.”

“Yes sir.”

He studied me for another moment and then gave a short nod. “Good. Here’s some information on a resort I intend to buy. Go through this and then show me what you know about marketing by coming up with a plan for how to draw in visitors.” He handed me a file.

“Yes, sir.” I took it and looked around the room for where I could work. There was a couch with a coffee table. I stood and went to sit, opening the folder to read about a resort in Palm Beach. I looked up at him. “Would there be a computer for me to use if I needed it?”

“I’ll have a laptop brought up for you.” He lifted his phone receiver and ordered a computer to be brought to his office. I supposed everything in his life was like that. Whatever he wanted or needed, he could order. Probably even women.