POV: Raven
When I see Greg approaching, I lean away from Hugh, to compose myself before Greg makes it to us.
Regret washes over Hugh's face as he reaches his hand across the table to grab mine.
“Whose sentiments are you speaking? You’ve always wanted the happy ending. Those are Dexter’s thoughts not yours! You have nothing to prove to him anymore. Don't you see that?” he asks, squeezing my hand.
“I’m not doing this because of Dexter, I’m doing this because of y—”
I stop, realizing for the first time since constructing my bucket list that this is all about Hugh. The night he kissed me, was when I discovered what genuine passion was. And every night since then, I've wanted to feel that sensation again. I’ve never experienced such strong and unbridled emotions like that before... and my body has been coveting it, not just craving it from just anyone, but needing it from him. I have been progressing through withdrawal, wondering when I would ever find it again.
Heat rushes to my face as Hugh squints his eyes at me, realizing what I’m thinking.
“I’m sorry I left you, Raven, I have regretted it since that night and every day afterwards. But if you think I’m going to just sit by and allow you to do this as some penance for that, you are mistaken. I will not stand by and let another man put his hands on you or touch you how I—”
I don't let Hugh finish his statement before jumping in with my rebuttal. “This is my choice, Hugh, not yours, you have nothing to say about this!” I shake my head, cutting off his demands.
“The hell I don't, Raven. I care about you too much to allow you to make this terrible mistake. I will do whatever I have to do to stop you!”
“Enough! I can't believe you of all people would be here doing Dexter's bidding, knowing everything he has put me through! I will never forgive you if you interfere.” I snatch my hand from his as Greg makes it to the table.
Displaying a strained smile, I rise from my chair and walk toward Greg. When I arrive in his arms, he pulls me in for a lingering kiss. I hear a growl escape Hugh's throat as he sits there waiting for us to finish.
I pull away from the greeting and wipe my red lipstick from Greg's lips as he smiles at me.
“Hi gorgeous. I'm sorry I’m late...” Greg says, looking between me and Hugh, taking my hand into his. “Is everything okay?”
“All is fine now that you’re here.” I smile asHugh's eyes grow dark with jealousy.
“Greg Buckley, this is Hugh Daniels, my ex-husbands best friend and emissary. Hugh, this is Greg, a very close associate.”
Greg holds out his palm to shake Hugh's, but Hugh is too busy glaring at me, unappreciative of my description of him.
Greg, embarrassed, retracts his hand, letting it drop to his side, before pulling me closer. “Are you ready to go?”
Hugh answers the question before I can release any words from my mouth.
“Can you give us a minute, Greg?” Hugh asks, looking at me with an expression that says he’s asking as a courtesy and not as an option for refusal.
Greg protests, but I squeeze his hand, signaling to him it’s okay.
“I’ve lost my appetite and would prefer to go dancing instead of eating dinner. Can you cancel our reservation and bring the car around? I’ll be out as soon as I’m done… I promise it will only take a minute.”
Greg looks between us again, a little more skeptical this time, before nodding his head in agreement.
“Sure darling. Whatever you want.” He kisses me on the cheek before releasing my palm. He gives Hugh one ending look, before walking away.
Hugh walks toward me, stopping right in front of me, before grabbing my fist, and pulling me to toward the restrooms in the back of the restaurant.
“Hugh. Where are you taking me?”
He ignores my question and continues walking me pass the bathrooms to a dark hallway. He walks me backwards to a corner until my back touches the wall. I find myself trapped as I look up at him. He stares down at me with his gray eyes, sending a surge of heat throughout my body.
“What are you doing, Hugh?” I ask, panting, looking deep into his eyes.
He places his arms on either side of the brick, before leaning in to whisper. “Trying to convince you not to do this, baby girl,” he mumbles against my ear as his lips brush against my earlobe. This quick but significant graze is enough to cause my entire frame to lift from the surface, crashing forward into him sending an electric shock through my torso as if I’m being shocked by a defibrillator.
“Do you feel this with him?” he asks, before trailing kisses down my neck.
“Mm,” I moan my response as my legs become weak and I slide down the wall. He grabs me by my midriff, pulling me even closer to him.
“Pull your dress up and wrap your legs around my waist.”
My body stiffens at his command and I panic. He senses my trepidation and trails his index finger along my cheek, then to my lips as he looks me in my eyes.
“When I make love to you for the first time baby girl, and I said when, it will never be in a hallway of a restaurant. I will go slow with you, sucking, licking and kissing every inch of you, making you scream my name before I enter you. And trust me, you will never have to fake an orgasm with me because I’m very, very thorough. But tonight, I just want to give you something to think about when you’re on your date with Greg,”
I suck in my breath and close my eyes as my panties moisten with his words. I slide my hands down my thighs and pull my skirt up to my waist as he lifts me off the ground, so I can wrap my legs around him. He moans his approval.
“Good girl,” he answers, gripping me tight. We stay like this, holding each other before he brings his mouth to mine. When our mouths first make contact, it feels like a bolt of electricity and I pull away.
“Oh no you don't... Come back here,” he says, pushing my me to the wall as he places one of his hands in my hair, pulling me closer, until our lips touch again. The kiss starts off very slow and sensual, but the gentleness fades as we devour each other.
When our kiss ends, he eases my legs from his waist until they reach the ground. We stand still, holding each other until we both catch our breath.
“Raven... You might assume my motives for coming here were faulty, and maybe in the beginning they were, But, not for the reasons you might think. I would never come here as Dexter's proxy, I came here for you... It has always been for you and I don't want another man fucking you while they handcuff you to a bed or doing anything else on that list of yours. Promise me you won't do it, baby girl,” he begs as he brushes his soft lips against mine again.
“I can't make that vow, Hugh. I've made commitments, signed contracts and I can't bail out now, even if I wanted to,” I explain through hurried breaths.
“Well, then there are only two things that can happen here. Either I will use all of my money, power and resources to stop you from doing this, or you can consent to let me fulfill every fantasy on that list for you,” he says. “You have until Friday to decide.” He gives me one last kiss before he strolls down the hallway.
“Hugh!” I call out to him just as he makes it down the hall. “You don't have to wait until Friday for my decision. I will give it to you now,” I tell him as I stalk toward him. He shuffles back toward me and meets me halfway.
When he steps in front of me, I slap him as hard as I can. “I will not be manipulated or controlled Hugh. I experienced enough of that with Dexter! I’m doing this my way!” I yell at him as shock covers his face. “Now if you'll excuse me, I have a date.”
I move past him and hurry down the hall as my name echoes in the shallow foyer. I don't turn back when he calls me because I don't want him to see the tears falling from my eyes. I wanted to say yes to him, because the chemistry between us is all consuming and leaves me breathless. Being with Hugh tonight makes me realize I need more of him, and that I’ve been aching for him all this time but didn't know it until now. But I can't give in to it because he will walk out my life again in six months and I can't watch him leave again. It’s safer for me to complete my bucket list with a man I can't fall in love with instead of someone who will break my heart...
