Raven rubbed her temple. “Exactly what I said.”
“Oops?” Lark offered a feeble laugh.
“This isn’t funny.”
“No, you’re right. It’s not. I mean, if he were a total stranger, we’d have a real problem on our hands, but it’s Jack, so it’s different. We can laugh about it.”
“He is a total stranger to me. And he found me in my underwear.”
“Oh.”
“And we kissed.”
“Ooh, how did that happen?”
“I’m not sure. I think I attacked him in the middle of a sex dream.”
“Wow. Okay. So clearly, your energy’s way out of balance. Should I ask my Reiki master to send you an energy healing?”
Raven groaned. “No. I was drunk. I’m still a little drunk, actually.”
“You’re drunk? Holy shit, Rae, what the hell is going on?”
“Listen, that is not your problem, okay? Your problem is the giant dude standing in the living room.”
“He’s not a problem. Jack’s a great guy.”
“How can you possibly know that? You don’t stay anywhere long enough to know anyone.”
“Hey, I move around a lot, but I get to know plenty of people. I’ve known Jack for three years. He’s a part of my New York City artist group.”
Raven sighed. “Oh God, another artist.” Though that didn’t square with his amazing suit. Unless he was that one in a million artist who made a ton of cash selling his work.
“Please, no. He’s a numbers and money guy. An efficiency expert or something.”
“I don’t understand. How is he part of an artist group if he’s not an artist?”
“He’s good friends with Andre Charles, an art appraiser and a great painter in his own right. I’ve known Andre for years. Whenever I’m in town, Andre and Jack and a bunch of other friends always get together.”
Raven imagined Lark driving her little RV into New York and trying to find a place to park it. That was probably as entertaining as any of her exhibits.
“He’s a good guy. He’s helped me out when I needed him.”
“With what?”
“Business stuff.”
“Why didn’t you come to me?” She wasn’t going to lie. That hurt. How could Lark go to a stranger when her sister was right there?
“I wanted to do it on my own.”
“But you didn’t. You went to him when I literally have a master’s degree in business.”
“Look, I don’t want to argue. My point is, Jack was there for me when I was in a tough spot. You can trust him.”
“It sounds like you two have done a whole lot more than hanging out at a few art parties.”
“We’ve had a few dinners together, but nothing ever happened. I told you. He’s a numbers guy. Totally not my type. You two have much more in common.”
“I don’t care if we’re soulmates. I don’t want him staying at the beach house. I came here to be alone.”
“Now I know you’re in trouble. The Raven I know is always on the lookout for someone to boink.”
Ugh. Lark was using Raven’s favorite joking expression for fun, mindless sex against her.
“Please, Lark, I’m not in the mood.”
Lark huffed out a laugh. “For sex? Are you kidding me?”
“No, for joking around. It’s been a bad day.”
“What happened?” Lark’s tone softened.
“Nothing,” Raven said, a little too quickly.
Lark sighed. “You’re lying. But I learned a long time ago I can’t force you to tell me anything you don’t want to.”
What the hell was that supposed to mean? They were sisters. They told each other everything. Well, almost everything. Lark and Wren usually spilled their guts about everything. Raven was the one with the dark, long-held secret.
Except Lark apparently had some sort of clandestine business arrangement with Jack. That alone made Raven disinclined to like him.
“Look, I need to get this guy out of here,” Raven snapped.
“I don’t see what we can do. I rented the house to him, and he paid for it. Hey, why don’t you go stay at Wren’s house?”
Raven groaned. “And watch them hang all over each other? No thanks.” Wren and Smith’s house was the last place she wanted to be. They’d only just moved in together. Their love and affection were palpable, which was great for them, but a little claustrophobic for everyone else.
Besides, she wouldn’t feel comfortable in their house. Although Wren had spent the last couple of months redecorating, the house was Smith’s, much of it built with his own hands. It couldn’t possibly feel as safe a haven as the Donovan’s beach house.
“Then I’m out of ideas. I’m sorry. If it’s any consolation, he’s super-hot.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed.”
“He’s not dating anyone right now.”
“Also not helpful. I’ll deal with this on my own. You owe me a million favors for this one.” Raven ended the call, then drew several deep breaths and readjusted her afghan to steel herself to face Jack again. It didn’t matter that he’d been correct about his reservation. She had just as much right to be there, too.
She opened the French doors to the study, then swept down the hall and into the living room. Jack was seated in an armchair, his long legs stretched out in front of him, and his chin propped in one hand.
“Well?” he asked, one brow hiked.
She handed him his cell phone. “It appears there was a mix-up on Lark’s end with the reservation schedule.”
“Meaning?” his voice was low.
“She rented you the house but didn’t record it on the schedule. When I looked to see if the house was booked—”
“It appeared free.”
Raven nodded. “Exactly.”
“So, what happens now?”
“Obviously, this is an untenable situation. We both expected a solitary weekend, and I see no reason to change that. I’m happy to offer you a full refund plus ten percent. Although it’s late, I’m sure you’ll have no problem finding a bed-and-breakfast on the island or a hotel room on the mainland tonight.”
Jack didn’t move, except for the slight narrowing of his eyelids. “Lady, I’ve just driven three and a half hours through rainstorms and traffic jams to get to this specific house that your sister raved about. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it’s pouring. I’m not going anywhere tonight.”
Raven stared at him long and hard. She didn’t want to give in, but she knew a losing argument when she saw one. He had a paid reservation, it was late, and he was probably correct about the weather, too.
Damn him. Lark had better be right about him being a nice guy. If he murdered Raven during the night, it’d be Lark’s fault.
Thrusting her chin out, Raven projected her former Executive VP confidence. She might have lost this round, but tomorrow was a new day. She wouldn’t fail. His ultra-fine ass would be kicked to the curb before noon.
“Fine. My bedroom is the third room on the left on the second floor. You can use any of the others. We’ll sort this out in the morning.” Maintaining as much dignity as possible, she collected her blouse, skirt, and stilettos, and went to bed.