Chapter 30

I stare up at Raven’s office building, thinking back to the last time I was here.

I’d come to pick her up because I needed a birthday gift for Hannah, and Raven had been more distant than usual.

Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but could it be that she acted that way because she didn’t want me marrying Hannah?

I shake my head and run a hand through my hair as I walk inside.

Lately, my thoughts have been a complete mess.

Maybe this is all just cognitive dissonance — some desperate attempt to convince myself there’s always been something between Raven and me.

Or maybe there’s actually some truth to it.

The receptionist rises to her feet the moment I walk in, surprise flashing across her face.

“Mr. Windsor,” she says.

“Hello,” I reply politely.

“Sorry for showing up unexpectedly. Could you tell me where I can find my wife?”

A smile spreads across her face, and she points toward one of the doors.

“Raven is in her office.”

I nod in thanks and push the office door open, only for my smile to vanish instantly at the sight in front of me.

My wife is standing near the window with her face inches away from Diego Massimo’s.

Diego fucking Massimo.

One of the most famous fashion designers in the world.

And far too handsome for his own fucking good.

What the fuck am I walking into?

Why the fuck is he standing so close to her?

A violent wave of jealousy crashes through me the moment he looks up.

Raven’s hands are resting against his shirt, and she immediately steps back when she notices me, putting distance between them.

“Ares?”

She sounds shocked.

As though I interrupted something.

Jealousy twists viciously inside me.

I grit my teeth and stalk toward her, wrapping an arm tightly around her waist and pulling her hard against me.

Her eyes widen.

I smile at her despite the anger boiling beneath my skin, my free hand sliding into her hair.

“Cupcake,” I say through clenched teeth.

She looks up at me, confusion filling her eyes.

“What are you doing here?”

Her voice is soft.

Confused.

I thought she’d be happy to see me.

Clearly, I was wrong.

Maybe I’m not the only one struggling to let go of the past.

I tighten my grip on her hair and lean down until my nose brushes hers.

“Why?”

My voice is loud enough for Diego to hear.

“Can’t I surprise my wife at work?”

Then I close the remaining distance between us and brush my lips against hers.

Raven inhales sharply, and I catch her lower lip gently between my teeth before sucking lightly on it.

Then I tilt my head and kiss her properly.

She melts against me instantly as my tongue brushes over her lips, and fuck…

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of kissing her.

Of claiming her as mine.

Raven’s arms slide around my neck as she rises onto her toes, and I smile against her mouth before finally pulling back enough to look at her.

Kissing her like this in front of Diego is petty.

Territorial.

But I don’t give a fuck.

Especially not when she looks at me like that afterward.

“This is definitely a pleasant surprise,” she murmurs softly.

Relief floods through me at both her words and the absence of guilt in her eyes.

She wouldn’t be touching me like this if there were something going on between them.

Raven glances at Diego and takes a small step away, but I keep my arm firmly around her waist, refusing to let her go.

“This is my husband, Ares Windsor,” she tells him.

I immediately catch the flicker of displeasure in Diego’s eyes as he looks at us.

Yeah.

He definitely wants my wife.

“I suppose the rumors are true after all,” he says, disappointment evident in his voice.

Raven smiles and looks up at me.

It’s been weeks since I’ve seen her smile this brightly.

“Diego and I are collaborating on a new fashion line,” she explains.

“We’re co-designing several pieces I’m really excited about.”

I nod and brush her hair behind her ear, overcome with the sudden urge to mark her as mine somehow.

I don’t want there to be even the slightest ambiguity when she’s around other men.

I want everyone to know she belongs to me.

And I can’t explain why, because I’ve never been a possessive man before.

“I can’t wait to see your designs, Cupcake,” I murmur.

“I already know they’re going to be incredible.”

She grins up at me, and I smile back, my irrational fears easing slightly.

She genuinely seems oblivious to the way Diego looks at her.

And honestly?

I’m glad she is.

“I wanted some of your time today, Rave,” I tell her.

“I brought my laptop so I could wait for you while you work.”

Her eyes widen.

“Oh.”

She glances at her desk.

“Well, I’m basically done already. I can finish the rest from home.”

She turns toward Diego and smiles politely.

“I’ll finalize the revisions we discussed today and send them over.”

Diego looks between us before nodding reluctantly.

I’m almost certain he’d planned to ask her to dinner afterward.

That sure as fuck isn’t happening now.

“Then I’ll see you again soon, beautiful,” he says before nodding politely at me and leaving the office.

The moment the door closes behind him, I turn toward Raven, barely containing my irritation.

“Why was he standing so close to you?”

There’s a knowing look in her eyes as she smiles sweetly at me.

“I was fixing his tie.”

My jaw clenches.

“Don’t do that again.”

I stare directly at her.

“The only man you’re touching like that is me.”

Her eyes widen in surprise before a grin slowly spreads across her face.

“Is that so, Ares?”

Her fingers slide up to my tie, straightening it slowly.

“And what if I have needs you can’t fulfill?”

Pure violence surges through me at the mere thought of her with another man.

I grab her waist and lift her effortlessly.

A soft gasp escapes her lips as I carry her to her desk and set her on the edge of it before stepping between her legs.

Her skirt rides up her thighs, revealing a glimpse of bright red lace underneath.

“Cupcake,” I murmur darkly.

“There’s no need I can’t fulfill.”

My hands slide over her thighs as I pull her tightly against me, letting her feel exactly how hard she makes me.

“You will not go looking for another man.”

My voice roughens dangerously.

“If you want sex, I’ll give it to you.”

I lean closer.

“I’ll fuck you right here on this desk if that’s what you want.”

I tighten my grip on her thighs.

“But don’t even think about turning to someone else.”

I hold her gaze firmly.

“Am I making myself clear?”

She nods slowly, her eyes filled with an emotion I can’t quite name.

She’s never looked at me this way before.

Maybe that drunken night wasn’t just a fluke after all.

Maybe some part of her has truly wanted me this entire time.

Images immediately flood my mind.

Raven beneath me.

Her thighs wrapped around my waist.

Her tight heat gripping my cock until I lose my fucking mind.

Maybe…

Maybe my fantasies could actually become reality.

I’ve never allowed myself to think about her this way before.

But she’s my wife now.

Raven clears her throat, a blush staining her cheeks as she looks away.

There’s insecurity in her eyes.

Doubt too.

And I don’t understand why.

Can’t she tell what she does to me?

Can’t she feel how badly I want her?

Now more than ever, I need her to understand she’s the only woman on my mind.

The words she said to her mother keep replaying in my head, and every single time they do, rage burns through me all over again.

I need Raven to understand that looking at her makes it impossible to think straight.

Impossible to think about anyone else.

“How come you’re really here?” she asks softly, her voice still trembling slightly.

I force myself to calm down and slowly let go of her.

“There’s somewhere I want to take you today.”

I offer her a small smile.

“I guess it’s kind of a surprise.”

“Where?”

I extend my hand toward her, and after a moment’s hesitation, she takes it.

“You’ll see.”

Raven stays quiet as I lead her toward the car, and I can’t stop wondering what’s going through her head.

Did I push too far just now?

Fuck.

Why do I always lose my composure around her?

The mere thought of another man touching her made me see red instantly.

And honestly?

That confuses the hell out of me.

I never felt this way with Hannah.

I never cared how many men wanted her.

I always considered it part of her job.

But with Raven?

I can’t separate the two.

I can’t explain the way she makes me feel.

I should be devastated over how things ended with Hannah.

Maybe I should even resent this marriage.

But I don’t.

And I don’t know why.

“Where are we?” Raven asks when I pull up in front of one of the buildings owned by a friend of mine.

“You’ll see.”

I walk around the car and open her door before offering her my hand.

It’s strange.

Hannah and I almost never held hands.

She was always terrified of being photographed with me.

But with Raven?

I can’t seem to stop myself.

Holding her hand feels necessary somehow.

Raven threads her fingers through mine, and I smile to myself as we walk inside.

“I meant what I said before, Rave.”

I glance down at her.

“You told me my house doesn’t feel like ours.”

I squeeze her hand gently.

“And you were right.”

I pause.

“So let’s fix that.”

Her eyes widen the moment she realizes where we are.

“Castello Designs,” she whispers.

I smile as Selena and Damien walk toward us.

They’re a husband-and-wife team responsible for some of the best architectural and interior design work I’ve ever seen.

Selena’s gaze immediately drops to our joined hands, and she grins.

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. and Mrs. Windsor.”

She looks genuinely pleased.

“I’m honored you chose us to design your home.”

Raven looks up at me questioningly, and I smile reassuringly.

“They’re friends of mine, so I told them about us before our public announcement.”

My wife beams at me, and something about that smile lights my entire chest on fire.

I don’t think I’ve seen her look this happy since we got married.

And honestly?

That’s entirely my fault.

I need to do better.

“Selena, Damien,” I say.

“This is my wife, Raven Windsor.”

Raven Windsor.

Fuck.

I love the sound of her name attached to mine.

It’s ridiculous how much I enjoy saying it.

I expected Selena to treat Raven with the same coldness she always showed Hannah.

Instead, she surprises me.

Selena and Damien refused to work with Hannah for years.

And although I could’ve pressured them into it, I never did.

When I contacted them a few days ago, I honestly expected them to refuse Raven too.

Instead, they agreed immediately.

I’m not entirely sure why.

But I suspect it has everything to do with Raven herself.

The strange part is, I don’t think they’ve ever even met before.

Selena quickly steals Raven away to discuss renovation ideas while Damien claps me on the shoulder knowingly.

“We’ve got this,” he says confidently.

“We’re going to build her a home so incredible she’ll never want to leave.”

I smile and nod.

I fucking hope so.

Because Raven deserves the entire world.