Doughnut Darlin' (Plus Size Romance 4) (3 page)

Suddenly, his nerves were strung tighter than a banjo string.  He grappled for a quick explanation, a believable lie.

“Okay, I have a tiny confession.  When I was at the doughnut shop, I saw the reflection of your computer screen in the window.  Your name was on the document you were workin’ on.  Later, I stopped back by there after you had left.  I asked the old man about you.  He’s a pretty nice fella.  I don’t think he would have been as forthcomin’ with your address if Sally had been there.  I kinda got the feelin’ she don’t like me too much,” he said, flashing her his most charming smile. 

Raven frowned, and he couldn’t tell whether or not she was buying his story.

“I find it hard to believe Irvin would divulge my personal information that easily.  Did you threaten him? If you did, I swear to God I’ll call the police right now and have you locked up!”

“Look, I like you. Okay? I might have told Irvin a tiny fib, but it was harmless.  I swear.”

“Harmless or not, that makes you a liar.  I don’t like liars, Mr. Dark.”

He grabbed her arm and spun her back around when she turned to walk away. 

“I’m not a liar.”

She scoffed.  “I’m betting that’s another lie.”

“I told Irvin I was a former classmate of yours.  I said our high school was havin’ a fundraiser for one of your favorite charities, and I was sure you’d want to help out.  I told him I was leavin’ town tonight and needed to see you right away. He gave me your address, sayin’ he didn’t want you to miss out on the chance to be involved in such a noble cause.”

He was surprised when she gave him an earth-shattering smile.  Even more surprised when she took a step closer, invading his personal space. The tips of her cute, tiny white Keds pressed against the big square toe of his black leather boots was the most adorable thing he had ever seen.

He was a solid six-foot-two-inches tall, and her sweet, gorgeous face was nearly flush with his chest.  Gently, he took her chin between his forefinger and thumb, lifting it so he could gaze into her lovely brown eyes.  They should have been cold with anger, but they weren’t.  They were warm and forgiving.  He didn’t deserve the quiet compassion she was showing him.  He had been a jerk.  After teasing and coaxing her out here, he shouldn’t have hidden.  Shouldn’t have made her think he had taken off without her.

Her voice was soft and sweet.  “Well, I guess as far as fibs go, that’s not the worst one you could have told.”

“Does that mean I’m forgiven?” he asked hopefully.

When she didn’t answer immediately, he cleared his throat in an effort to dislodge the gravel of emotion. 
Fuck!
What was wrong with him? No woman had ever been able to choke him up before.  To make him feel remorse for his actions.  To make him feel
anything
.

“I truly am sorry, Raven.”

His stomach did a flip-flop when she gently touched his cheek.  Her expression was beautiful and bright.  So damn luminous he could feel her light flickering in the darkest part of his soul.

“I accept your apology.  Now how about that ride?”

His breath rushed out in a wave of relief.  He felt lighter than air.  “I thought you’d never ask,” he said, winking at her.  “I have to admit, I was kind of hopin’ you’d beg.”

Playfully, she punched the back of his arm.  “Yeah, that’s not gonna happen.”

He moaned and rubbed his tricep like it was killing him.  The truth was, her fist had felt like a feather tickling his rock-hard muscle.  He liked it.  Before the night was over, maybe he could make her hit him again. 

HOOKING HER LEG OVER the Harley, Raven settled herself onto the plush leather seat behind Ronan. He didn’t put on a helmet, and he didn’t offer her one.  For all she knew he didn’t even own one.  Raven wasn’t crazy about the idea of her skull being smashed like a pumpkin against asphalt if he wrecked them.  But tonight wasn’t about being responsible.  It was about taking chances, living fast and dangerous.  About getting a real rush instead of a sugar one.

When the motorcycle roared to life, a jolt of adrenaline coursed through her veins.  The intense vibration of the powerful machine between her legs made her feel energized and weak all at once.  

Ronan revved the engine a couple of times and said, “Hang on tight.”

Raven wrapped her arms around his waist like a vice, and they tore out of the parking lot like a couple of bats out of hell.  When they hit the highway, she felt like she was flying.  She had no idea how fast the bike was going, but she imagined it was approaching a hundred miles an hour.  To say traveling at that speed with her hair whipping in the night air was exhilarating would be the biggest understatement of the year. 

Never in her life had Raven felt so free, so buoyant, so alive. It wasn’t just the good vibrations between her legs that had her whole body humming.  It was a hard, masculine back pressed against her breasts, a hot ass clad in Levis nestled close to her womanhood that had her electrified. 

Ronan had been right: a bike ride at night with him was the ultimate rush.  It made the sugary jolt of an éclair seem like child’s play.

She had no idea where he was taking her, and she didn’t care as long as they were together.  Part of her wished they could just keep going, riding fast and far.  Never looking back. But that was irrational thinking, spurred by fantasy.  The reality of her situation left no room for romance.  She was certain her stepfather was trying to find her.  If she got involved with Ronan, she would be putting him in danger as well. 

Raven had been super-careful to cover her tracks.  She had brought her laptop with her when she left home and only used it for writing.  Well, she did do some occasional research, using the Wi-fi at The Little Doughnut Shop.  She had paid cash for her bus ticket to Erman, and she used cash to pay her rent on the apartment.  With no paper trail, she was hopeful Alan wouldn’t be able to locate her anytime soon.  She really wanted a chance to spend some time with Ronan even if it was short-lived.

The bike slowed down, and they took a hard right off the main highway onto a dirt road.  Dust particles danced in the glow of the headlight.  About a hundred yards in, they stopped.  Ronan cut the engine.  The rough driveway ended abruptly, melting into a wide-open meadow.  A few hundred yards past that stood a cute log cabin.  There was a porch light casting a soft yellow haze around the perimeter.

Ronan got off the bike and extended his hand to her.

Raven shook her head.  “I don’t think we should trespass.  People get shot for that sort of thing, you know.”

He smiled, pointing to a small FOR SALE sign.  “The place is empty.”

She accepted his hand and dismounted the Harley.  Her legs were wobbly and felt like rubber.  She swayed, nearly losing her balance.

He put his hands on her waist to steady her.  They were like secure iron braces cinched around her middle.  Strong and possessive yet warm and gentle.  “Easy, darlin.’ Gettin’ your bike legs is a lot like gettin’ your sea legs.  It takes a few minutes.”

Raven had a feeling she would never get her legs back as long as she was standing this close to an honest-to-God heartthrob.  She never imagined herself going for the bad-boy biker type.  But lord-a-mighty, he was sex on a stick.  If she didn’t put a little space between them, she just might unashamedly throw herself at him.  Act like some wanton, horny harlot.  The truth was, she had only been on a few dates.  Taking care of her mother hadn’t left any time or energy for a social life. 

Ronan would probably laugh his fine ass off if he knew he was cavorting with a virgin.  He probably liked experienced women.  Ones who had been around the proverbial block a few times—on a Harley.

RONAN COULDN’T HELP STARING at the sexy, voluptuous, full-figured woman in front of him.  She was even more beautiful in the moonlight.  Standing in lush grass beneath a heaven full of stars with this goddess was magical.  Never had he wanted to share any part of himself—his hopes, dreams and plans—with anyone until now. But in order to that, he’d have to tell Raven the truth.  The first thing he’d have to share with her was the real reason he was here in Erman.  It was a conversation best conducted indoors. 

He had met with the realtor before staking out Raven’s apartment.  He filled out the paperwork and put down a deposit.  She gave him the keys to the cabin.  He had planned on using the twenty thousand from Shore to pay the remaining balance. But every second he spent with Raven pushed him light years away from turning her over to that vulture and collecting the money.

Slowly, he slid his hands from her waist and asked, “Are the legs feelin’ stronger now?”

She nodded.  “Yep.  I’m good.”

“Great,” he said, gesturing toward the cabin.  “Wanna have a look inside?”

Her big brown eyes got even bigger.  “You mean like breaking in?”

He chuckled.  “No, darlin.’  I mean like usin’ this key and goin’ in like civilized folk.”

“How’d you get a key? Let me guess.  You told the realtor you needed this place for a high-school fundraising event.”

He rolled his eyes.  “You’re such a smartass.”

“Don’t you mean sweet ass?”

She was throwing his words back in his face, and he liked it.  Hell, he liked everything about her.  She was smart and sexy, sweet and sassy.

“Yes.  Now get that sweet ass in gear.  I want to show you my future home.” 
The place where we’ll spend a lot of time together.  Maybe.  Hopefully.

“Ronan, you’re buying this place?”

“That’s the plan.”

He placed a steadying hand on the small of her back as they walked up the steps to the porch.  He stuck the key in the lock and pushed the door open, his hand gently nudging her to step over the threshold.  Standing close behind her with his groin pressed flush against her glorious behind, he reached around the corner and flipped on the light switch.

She gasped.  “Oh, Ronan! This place is precious.  I love it!”

His chest puffed with pride.  There was no way for her to know how much her approval meant to him. “Yeah, it’s surprisingly spacious yet cozy.  The high ceilin’ beams and shiny hardwood floors are a nice touch.  They make the rooms appear larger than they really are.”

Her face beamed.  “And the bay windows are magnificent.  What a cheerful, peaceful home.  It’d be the perfect place to write a romance novel.”

Home.  It wouldn’t be a home until he had a wife to share it with. 
God
, he must be losing his mind.  Ronan Dark was a loner—a selfish bastard, not husband material.  What kind of spell had this sexy woman cast on him?

“Speakin’ of romance, let me show you the bedroom.”

He couldn’t help but smile when she rolled her eyes.

“Do I look like I just fell off the turnip truck, Biker Boy?”

His smile turned to laughter.  “No.  You look like an angel who just fell from heaven.” He stepped closer, pushing his fingers into her hair.  Gripping the silky strands in his fist, he gently pulled her head back. 

She sighed.

He dipped his head and pressed his lips to hers.  The kiss was soft and sweet but sent a bolt of electricity clear to his toes.  The effort to control himself, to keep from plunging his tongue into her mouth made him tremble.  He wanted to take things slow with this beauty, but the urge to ravage her was strong.

Ronan released her hair and took her hand, leading her to the bedroom.  He held his breath, waiting for her to resist.  Instead, Raven laid her head against his arm as they walked down the narrow hallway.

The master bedroom was on the left.  The four-poster king-size bed served as the centerpiece.  The frame was made from solid oak.  It was strong and hard and masculine just like its new owner.  But it wasn’t the reason Ronan wanted her to see the room.  It was the walls; they were literally made of bookcases. From floor to ceiling, the shelves were inset as part of the construction.  After her romance novel comment, he could imagine her sitting in this room writing it, surrounded by books.

“What do you think?” he asked.

The look of amazement on her face would have been answer enough, but he was tickled when he heard the excitement and pleasure in her voice.

She walked from one wall to the next, running her hands over the bindings.  Her breath was soft and fluttery.  “It’s heaven on earth.  I could stay right here in this room forever.”

“Darlin,’ havin’ you here is heaven.  Spend the night with me, Raven.”

She pulled her gaze from the books and gave him a questioning look.

“Are you that anxious to put a notch on your new bedpost?”

He shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his jeans.  “What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”

She answered him with another question. “Have you looked at yourself, Ronan Dark?”

He was getting more confused and pissed by the minute.  “Like in a mirror?”

“Yes.  You’re so hot and perfect.  You can have any woman you desire.  You can have one of those skinny, sexy biker chicks in your bed.  You can’t honestly want a chubby girl like me.”  Her voice came out in a whisper. 

Her insecurities clenched his heart.  Before the night was over, she would understand she was the most beautiful woman in the world to him—the only one he desired.