Jade Archer - Sandpipers 2 - Raven's Mark by Jade Archer Read Free Book Online

d-don’t even know me.”
“No, but I want to.”
The memory of Ryan asking Mark if he wanted to be his daddy’s playmate, then warning Mark off hurting him, instantly filled Raven’s mind. His face heated to scorching and he looked away, thoroughly humiliated.
“The truth is…I’m attracted to you, Raven.”
Panic started to muscle in on the embarrassment. Suddenly, their little spot under the trees felt isolated instead of sheltering. He didn’t do well with people that were attracted to him. Never had, from the ‘uncle’ whose hands had tended to wander inappropriately when no one was looking to his ill-fated marriage. It never ended well.
“Breathe, Raven. Just breathe.” Mark reached out, but Raven was on his feet in an instant, backing away before the hand made contact.
“I c-can’t do this. I just c-c-can’t.”
“Raven! Wait! Please, hear me out.”
“No. Really. It’s just n-not a good idea. For either of us.”
“Why not?”
“Trust me. I’m not a good…p-prospect.”
“What makes you say that?”
Raven just stared at him. He couldn’t believe Mark even had to ask. Once again, he wondered if he was being made fun of. But he couldn’t find any evidence of ridicule in Mark’s eyes. They just watched him patiently—unblinking and terrifyingly sincere.
“I’m m-m-messed up.”
“Well we’re all messed up a bit somehow. But I can be patient. All I want is a chance. Let’s just take things slow and see where they go.”
A chance . The words hit home with a resounding thud that reverberated right through him. A chance was all he’d been looking for when he moved to Riversands. It was all he’d ever been looking for, really. And now Mark was asking for one, with such earnest determination.
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why me? I mean… W-Why would you w-want to pick someone like me?”
“There’s nothing wrong with you.”
“Don’t!” Raven snapped. Even as his teeth clicked together, he couldn’t believe he’d spoken so sharply. But Mark’s glib retort had stirred something dark and angry inside him. The words felt like a dismissal of everything that had happened to him. Everything he had struggled with and fought for to be at this point in his life. “Y-yesterday—”
“You had a panic attack. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Lots of people have them.”
“It’s not just the p-panic attacks. Or the s-s-stuttering. There are…things you don’t know. Stuff you w-won’t understand.”
Mark was quiet for such a long time, Raven started to squirm.
“You’re right,” Mark finally said, and Raven’s heart sank at the admission even though he’d been the one pushing him to finally come to his senses. “I didn’t mean what I said to sound offhand. You’re right when you say I don’t understand. But I want to. That’s what I’m asking for. A chance to get to know you and for you to get to know me.”
Raven just stared at him for a moment. “But…w-why?”
Mark let out a frustrated sigh and ran a hand through his hair.
“I don’t know. I can’t really explain it. There’s just…something about you.” Mark turned his head and grinned at him. “And no, it’s not your looks. Though I do think you’re gorgeous.”
Raven suspected the comment was supposed to lighten the mood, but all it did was make him more uncomfortable.
Mark’s smile quickly faded. “Sorry. What I meant was…I’ve seen you for weeks now— coming to the restaurant, playing with the kids, talking to Lark and Brody and Zak and Jaime and…well, I like what I see.” Mark shrugged, suddenly looking terribly self-conscious. “I’d like to get to know you better.”
Raven couldn’t help wondering when the other shoe would drop.
“What about R-Ryan?”
“What about him?” Mark asked, sounding genuinely confused.
“Doesn’t he… I m-mean…doesn’t the fact I have a ch-child put you off?”
“No. Why would it?”
“Most guys… I can’t d-do a casual fling kind of th-thing.”
“I know.