Free Clifford Arbor: The Seduction of Raven Peters by Sam Crescent Page B

out the door.
    "I don’t know what is worst. The fact that my brother is gone and I don’t know what set him off, what made him drink, who gave him the drugs, or the fact that I don’t care because I know deep down inside it was all Patricia’s fault." Jackson pulled up outside of Beatrice’s book shop. Jackson stopped the car, slumping over the wheel as dejection hit him square in the gut.
    Raven unbuckled her seatbelt and moved as close to him as she could get. Taking hold of his face in her hands, she turned him to look at her.
    "Your brother is gone. No matter what you think it will always hurt regardless of the answer.
    Why risk your future happiness? If you knew the answer, would it help or just make you torment yourself more?" Raven kissed him on the lips, not caring who could see. Jackson needed the comfort she could offer and maybe that is why she ended up in Clifford Arbor.
    To offer this man some peace amid so much pain and heartache.
    "I’ll see you and Harley tonight." Raven kissed him one final time on the lips then s picked up her bag and opened her door.
    "I haven’t scared you with my past?"
    Raven turned round and saw the wonder on his face. Leaning over she kissed him again, smiling as he responded. It felt like they’d been a couple for years rather than a few short hours.
    "It’ll take more than a crazy ex-wife to get rid of me. You and Harley have promised me something special and even though I’m doubtful of the time we’ve known each other, I’m willing to work it out." She got out of the car closing the door behind her. She leaned down by the open window. "Drive safely."

Chapter Five
    Jackson watched Raven walk into work, her ass tempting him especially now that he knew the little witch didn’t even wear any panties. He shook his head, amazed at what he’d admitted to her. He said he wasn’t going to bring the subject of Patricia up, but in the heat of the moment, he didn’t want to hold anything back. He wanted Raven to feel comfortable around him.
    He started up the car and made his way to work, which he didn't really have to do but it kept his mind busy. Jackson’s family had managers to run their businesses and manage their wealth. But he needed to do something with his days besides sitting round, twiddling his thumbs. Working on a building site meant he didn’t need to go to the gym and that was great since he hated working out purposefully. Not that he had anything against people who worked out in a gym. He just couldn’t stand the whole organized bent of the machinery. He pulled next to Harley’s beat up truck, grabbed his helmet and protective gear, and made his way into work.
    Al the men were sipping coffee waiting to start their day. Jackson searched the men finding Harley with Carl and Edward Jeffrey and Chase and Lawrence Spencer. Jackson made his way over, smiling and acknowledging people as he walked by them.
    Harley handed him a coffee.
    "So what is everyone discussing?" Jackson asked, taking a sip.
    "Emily is pregnant." Chase and Lawrence answered him simultaneously, both looking worried.
    "Congratulations." Jackson shook their hands, feeling incredibly happy for the loving threesome.
    The two men smiled but didn’t seem happy about her being pregnant.
    "What’s the matter?"
    "You’ve seen how small Emily is, can you imagine her bringing a full sized baby into this world. The doctor already said she is going to keep an eye on the size of the baby in case of any problems. Emily is ecstatic but I’m scared to death. What if something happens to her?" Chase sighed.
    "It’ll work out," Harley tried to console.
    Chase and Lawrence nodded, moving away from the group, probably to phone Emily to make sure she was all right.
    "Those guys are total goners." Carl spoke first, bringing Jackson’s attention back to the two brothers.
    "You’ll meet a woman soon and you'll feel the same," Jackson assured him.
    "I hope so," Carl said.
    Edward just nodded. He was the quiet