Eleven

Mason's POV

I arrived home earlier than usual, with some special plans for tonight. I wanted to take Raven out for dinner,  more like a date. Don't get me wrong, I don't have feelings for her. That's the last thing I want after my experience with Candice. My only priority was my company, and to do that, I had to find a way into her heart; that's the only way she'd agree to have my child. But when I walked into the apartment, Raven wasn't home.

I frowned, glancing at my watch. She usually came back around this time after her classes. I pulled out my phone and dialed her number. She didn't pick up, and I tried 3 more times. It rang for a while before she finally picked up.

"Hello?" Her voice was soft and it trembled slightly.

"Where are you?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light, a hint of concern crept in. "I've been trying to reach you, are you okay?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and when she finally spoke, her voice sounded a bit off. "I'm on my way home. I'll be there soon."

"Are you okay?" I asked, my concern deepening.

She hung up before I could press further. I stared at the phone, unease gnawing at me. Something wasn't right. I knew Raven well enough to know she was upset.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I needed to find out what was going on with her. I called one of my guards, someone I trusted to handle delicate situations discreetly.

"Sir?" He answered after a single ring.

"I need you to find out where Raven was earlier today," I instructed. "And do it quietly. I don't want her to know."

"Understood, sir. I'll get back to you soon."

I ended the call and leaned back on the couch, my thoughts racing. Whatever had happened, I'm sure it had to do with her family. I've been doing my research on Raven and I discovered she doesn't get along with them. She was always kept in the shadows, and I'm yet to find out why.

To keep myself occupied while I waited for Raven to come home, I instructed the maids to prepare dinner in the garden. I know she wouldn't want to go out in such a bad mood, so we'll just have dinner at home. I wanted everything to be perfect, a beautiful table setting and her favorite food. I asked Julie earlier what her favourite food was and she told me it was lobster bisque and extra creamy noodles. I wasn't sure why I was going through so much trouble for her; I guess it was because I was trying to win her over.

By the time the maids were finished setting up, I heard the front door open and close quietly. I walked out of the kitchen to find Raven standing in the hallway, her back facing me.

"Raven," I  called softly.

She turned to face me, and my heart sank. Her eyes were red and puffy, her face pale. She looked like she had been crying for hours. Seeing her like this stirred something deep within me: anger, protectiveness, and an overwhelming urge to pull her into my arms and hold her till she felt better.

"What happened?" I asked, stepping closer to her. "You've been crying."

"I'm fine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked away, avoiding my gaze. "I just need to freshen up."

"Raven, I know I'm a stranger to you but no matter what we agreed on, it doesn't change the fact that you're my wife. So please, talk to me." I pressed, gently taking her hand in mine.

She shook her head, still avoiding my eyes. "I'm really tired, Mason. I just want to take a shower and lie down for a bit."

I could see she wasn't going to open up right now, no matter how much I pushed. I let out a frustrated breath, squeezing her hand lightly before letting go. "Fine. But freshen up quickly so we can have dinner."

She nodded, her expression unreadable, before heading to her room. I watched her go, feeling helpless. I need to know what happened to make her this upset.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I quickly pulled it out, seeing Marcus, my guard's name on the screen.

"Sir, she was at the Prescott house," he reported.

I clenched my jaw, my suspicions had been confirmed. "Did you find out what happened?"

"Not yet, but I can dig deeper if you need."

"No, that's enough for now. Thank you," I replied, hanging up. I'd find out the rest from Raven myself.

I paced the living room, my mind racing. If her mother or sister has hurt her in any way, I won't let it slide.

When the maids finished setting up the garden, I decided to go get Raven. I climbed the stairs and knocked on her bedroom door. "Raven? It's time for dinner."

There was no response. I knocked again, harder this time. "Raven?"

"I'm not hungry. You can eat without me." She yelled from inside.

I pushed the door open slightly and stepped inside. Raven was sitting on the floor beside her bed, her knees drawn up to her chest, her face buried in her arms. She was crying, the sight of her like this, made me want to torture whoever was responsible.

Without hesitation, I walked over to her and knelt beside her, gently pulling her into my arms. She stiffened at first, but then she melted into me, clinging to my shirt as if she was afraid to let go.

"Shh, it's okay," I murmured, stroking her hair. "I'm here. Stop crying, don't waste your tears."

She didn't say anything for a long time, she just cried against my chest. I held her close, feeling a mix of anger and helplessness.

After what felt like an eternity, Raven’s sobs began to subside. She pulled back slightly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, her eyes scanning my soaked shirt. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to---"

"Don't apologize," I interrupted gently, brushing a tear away from her cheek. "You don't have to hide anything from me. So, are you ready to tell me what happened?"

I noticed a small cut on her lower lip and a scratch on her shoulder. "Who did this?"

She hesitated, her eyes filled with pain and anger. "I went to my mother's house today to pick up some of my things. But when I got there... I saw Blair burning everything."

~~~~

She finished telling me everything that happened, and I was raging mad. I decided within myself that I was going to visit them. It's high time I make things clear to them.

I had no idea Raven loved fashion. I've never heard her talk about her designs before. But then again, I never showed interest in the things she does.

"I don't know what I did to make them hate me so much." I had almost forgotten I was still in her bedroom.

"They're just jealous of you, Raven," I said, cupping her face in my hands. "Don't let them break you. She destroyed your designs, so what? They're still yours, and if you did it once then you can do it again. Even better this time because you're Raven. Strong and talented Raven."

She stared at me for a long time, her eyes searching mine as if looking for something. Then, before I could react, she leaned in and pressed her lips on mine.

The kiss was soft at first, but I took control and it quickly became more urgent, more desperate. I knew I should stop this, that it was probably a bad idea, but I couldn't bring myself to pull away.

Raven's hands slid up to my shoulders, her fingers gripping my shirt as if she were afraid I might disappear. The intensity of the kiss deepened, and I felt a rush of desire surge through me. I wanted her, more than I had ever wanted anyone. But deep down, I knew it was just lust and my desire to fulfill the ultimatum my dad gave me. I was being selfish.

I couldn't do this, not when she was 8n this state. But just as I was about to pull back and give her a chance to think this through, she whispered against my lips, "I want you, Mason. Don't stop, please."

Those words undid whatever restraint I had left, all my hesitation melted away in that instant. I kissed her back with a hunger that matched her own, my hands moving to her waist as I pulled her closer.

I lifted her into my arms and carried her to the bed, never breaking the kiss. The world outside ceased to exist, and all that mattered was the woman in my arms.

Raven's hand roamed over my chest, her touch igniting a fire within me. I wanted to take my time with her, to savor every moment but the need between us was too intense, too urgent.

Our clothes were discarded quickly, and I finally got to feel the heat of her body pressed against mine. The feeling was electric. Raven's breath hitched as I trailed my lips down her neck, lingering on the delicate skin just below her ear. Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer, urging me to go on.

I lifted my head to get a good look at the treasure beneath me, but she moved her hands to cover herself, her cheeks flushed.

"Never hide yourself from me, you're perfect." I lowered my head, capturing her hardened nipple with my mouth, slowly slipping my hands inside her pussy.

I groaned when I felt how wet she was. I stood up at the foot of the bed gently pulling down my briefs. I chuckled when I saw her eyes shut tightly.

Gently, I tucked a few strands of her hair into the back of her ear. Then kissed her.

"Open your eyes," I said when I noticed she still had them closed, her hands trembling slightly like she didn't know what to do with them.

I took her hand in mine, slowly placing it on my cock. "Go ahead, touch me."

"I don't know what to do... I haven't done this before." She whispered, sounding unsure. I was caught off guard by her response.

"Just follow my lead." I held her hand, slowly guiding her movements until she got the hang of it.

"Fuck! You're gonna make me cum." Just the feeling of her hands stroking my cock almost made me cum, so I stopped her. If her hands could do that, then I can only guess how her mouth and pussy would feel. I couldn’t wait to find out.

I pushed her so that she was lying on her back. I squeezed her breasts, then kissed my way down from her neck to her stomach. I went down further and slowly parted her legs. When I was about to lower my head further down, she tried to close her legs but I held them still and placed them over my shoulders.

"What are you doing?" She tried to wriggle out of my grip, but I held her tight and began to devour her pussy. It became my new favorite food.

"Ah! Please..." She moaned, causing me to smile in satisfaction. I loved how her body responded to my touch.

She ran her fingers through my hair, gently tugging on them. My tongue and fingers worked their magic, and I could feel her getting close.

"Oh my goodness... Mason!" She screamed, her legs tightening around my head but I kept my pace. Her body trembled when she finally reached her peak.

I positioned myself between her legs and slowly penetrated her. My pace was slow, as I tried not to hurt her. She screamed when I was fully inside of her, and I paused my movements, allowing her to adjust.

She urged me to continue when she was accustomed to my size, and I moved slowly.

"Faster." She moaned, and I increased my speed. Our moans of pleasure filled the room as I kept pounding her.

She clutched the sheets and I could feel her getting close to her peak. Tears streamed down her eyes as her orgasm washed over her, causing her body to shake violently.

Soon I found my release, and I emptied myself into her, grunting as I came harder than I ever had. I pulled out of her and rolled off her, breathing heavily.