“I know, Baby Girl, I missed you too. Stop the waterworks.” He wipes her cheeks and hugs her again. “If you’re excited to see me, you’re gonna love who’s with me.”
“Who’s in the house? Declan, did you know about this?” She looks between us.
“I found out a few days ago. I was against the idea because I wanted you to myself for a few days, but I was railroaded. Charlie’s already threatened me today with the mother of all threats, so I have to play nice for a few hours.”
Our conversation is interrupted when Charlie opens the door and screams at us. “Are you two going to hog her in the driveway all night or can she play with us too?”
Raven squeals when she sees the girls crowd the doorway and takes off running. She’s instantly wrapped in a huddle, and there’s no way I can get to her.
Shit, here we go...
*****
Two hours later, Raven has relived her trip to everyone and each time she tells a story, I learn something new. Her girlfriends have crowded her, and I can’t even get close enough to pull her in my lap. Kendall winks at me on my third attempt to sit next to her. Those bitches are doing this on purpose. Charlie smirks at me every once in a while. If I wasn’t scared of her completely kicking the guys out, I would physically move her from the seat next to Raven.
The guys are mostly interested in stories of her corporate and private investigations. Robbie is working for James on a project and thinks her newfound knowledge can help him. She smiles proudly, and I know how happy she is to be recognized.
She jumps up suddenly yelling to the room, “I almost forgot. Did you guys get a package I shipped last week?”
“Yes, I put it in your room.” Ella answers.
“I’ve got something for all of you. Stay right here!” She gets up and goes into her room. Finally! A chance to get her alone. When I get to her, she’s cutting into a large box that explodes with bubble wrap.
I don’t care there’s a room full of people next door. I wrap my arms around her waist and kiss down her neck until I reach her shoulder. I nip with my teeth and then lick to sooth the bite. I spin her around to face me and crush my mouth to hers. I’m desperate to taste her. She groans in my mouth, which has me hard in an instant. I lean down further and caress her ass, pulling her as close to me as possible.
A throat clears behind us, and I pull away. We’re both breathless, and her face has a slight redness from my scruff. I look over my shoulder and see Harper smiling sweetly at me. Her look tells me she knew she was interrupting, and she’s gloating.
“I came to see if I can help with anything.”
Raven starts laughing and pulls away. She goes back to the box bringing out gifts.
“No, thanks Harp, I think we’re good. Be right there.” I can’t help the edge to my voice.
“Don’t be mad, Declan, it’s better me than Charlie. At least I don’t scream or shout.”
I shrug because she’s right.
Raven hands both of us some packages and then we go back to the living room. I free one arm and claim her around the waist.
“I’ve been patient enough, If you don’t find a place for us to sit together, I’m gonna end this party.”
She beams at me and leads us to a small chair in the corner where I situate her in my lap. She hands gifts out to everyone. Raven has done a great job picking out souvenirs specific to each person. The guys mostly get t-shirts, but each girl gets something different. Abbi squeals when she unravels a charcoal sketch. To me, it doesn’t look like much but I don’t pay attention to art.
“Dec, I have your present still in my room. I want to give it to you privately.” Raven whispers in my ear.
“You are my present, but I’ll take anything you want to give me privately.” I nibble on her earlobe and tighten my arms around her.
“For the love of Christ, can you two please quit? There’s a room full of people here.” Charlie yells.
Raven giggles and adjusts away from me; I growl at Charlie.
Robbie looks like he wants to kill me, but Jimi and Tripp laugh.
Charlie starts playing with her phone and texting someone.
“Rave, can I talk to you in the kitchen for a minute?” Charlie asks.
Raven follows her, and I have a feeling this is not good. I wait a minute before I follow, picking up wrapping along the way, so I have an excuse to go into the kitchen. By the time I get there; all the girls have gathered, and Raven is sitting at the table with her head in her hands.