Marriage of Convenience (The Raven Brothers 1)

One of the perks of being Chase Raven was receiving premier treatment, especially at one of our business holdings. Our dinner came quickly, so I was sure my order was moved to the top of the list and likely prepared by Dom himself, and not one of the other cooks.

“What do you think?” I asked Sara, as I watched her take a bite and again, closing her eyes to savor the taste.

“It’s wonderful.” She sniffed and I thought I saw tears in her eyes.

“You okay?” The food wasn’t spicy, so I could figure out why it would make her emotional.

“I’m perfect. This is perfect.” She didn’t look at me and instead took another bite her meal.

I poured a little more champagne. “Well, eat up, because after this, we’re dancing.”

8

Sara

I wasn’t kidding when I told Chase that I felt like I was Dorothy in Oz. Everything I’d experienced since getting into the limo was new and foreign to me. It wasn’t just that he was rich and catered to that was new, but also things like the taste of champagne or the pasta. I’d had plenty of pasta in my time because it was cheap and easy to make. But I had no idea that pasta could taste so delicious. In the span of an hour, I had my first limo ride, first drink of champagne, and first taste of shrimp. It reminded me that Chase and I were worlds apart. I appreciated him letting me in to view his world and only hoped I wouldn’t embarrass him.

Chase’s phone rang just as we were finishing our food.

“Shit, I need to take this.” He moved out of the booth. “I’ll be right back.”

I nodded, and watched the people on the dance floor. I studied how they moved so I’d be able to mimic them. All of a sudden there was a flash, and holographic images appeared with the other dancers. There was a whoop from the crowd as if they’d been waiting for the ghostly images to appear.

Enthralled, I left the booth and went to the dance floor. I watch one of the holograms, and began to copy its moves, swaying my hips and reaching my hands overhead.

“Nice moves,” a breathy voice said from behind me. The voice wasn’t Chase’s. Neither were the hands that gripped my hips and tugged until my backside was against his body.

I flinched and pulled away. Not wanting to be rude, I turned to say thanks but no thanks. The man was in his twenties, and while handsome, his leering at my chest annoyed me.

“I’m here with someone,” I said as I tried to move away.

“Right now, you’re with me,” he said with a slur. He grabbed my hips again and started to rub himself against me.

“Back off.” A hand flattened on the man’s chest and pushed him back.

The man’s eyes narrowed. “Hey, I was here first, she’s mine.”

“She’s nobody’s, you fuckhead,” Chase’s gray eyes darkened lethally.

“She was dancing with me.”

Chase nodded to someone and within a few moments, a very large man who looked like he could lift a car appeared. “Problem Mr. Raven?”

“Get this dick out of the club. If he’s too much trouble getting him out, put him on the never list.”

“Yes, sir.”

The big man, gripped the other man by the arm and pulled him to the door. I couldn’t see if there was any problem because Chase stepped in front of me.

“You okay?” His hands rubbed my arms, and I felt reassured.

“Yes. I forgot how bold people in the city can be. What’s the never list?”

“Never allowed back in.” His eyes studied me. “Still want to dance?”

I grinned. “Yes.” I looked at the holograms. “I don’t know if I’m doing it right.”

“Just move with the music, Sara.”

I began to move my hips again, and did as he said, feeling the pounding of the bass reverberate through my body. As we danced, the area became more and more crowded with people, pushing Chase and I closer together. I was okay with that. I didn’t like that other guy getting too close, but with Chase, I couldn’t get close enough. He moved with such power and grace, and my body heated in the same way it had when he’d kissed me.

I was bumped from behind, getting pushed against him, and a shock of electricity fired though my body as my breasts pressed against his chest. His hand went to my hip. I’d thought he’d set it here to help me stay balanced, but he left it there, sliding it back, and holding me to him when I started to move away.

Every neuron in my body was on fire. My head felt dizzy and giddy. My breasts ached for something I didn’t understand. I was sure I was going to spontaneously combust.

“I need a drink,” I said, taking his hand and pulling him back to our booth.