His body goes stiff, and his jaw hardens. “If he tried anything, I’ll kill him.”
And maybe to some other girl, that would scare the crap out of them, but it makes that warm tingle from my belly spread throughout my entire body.
“He won’t be that stupid.” Ren takes back the step I gained.
I close my eyes and wish those words were true. I wish that it was just that easy. I wish so much, but it’s just a fantasy. It will never be that easy, nothing is with Sergei.
“You don’t know him.” My voice comes out softer than expected, and I open my eyes to see Ren’s never left mine.
“I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” he says, puncturing something inside me.
I flinch, not used to hearing those words. Whatever is happening needs to stop, before I’m sucked in completely.
“No.” I square my shoulders and get back my spine. “I don’t need anyone to protect me. I was doing okay and I can do it again.”
He leans in closer, his mouth close to my ear. “I know you can. But just in case. I’ll be here to make sure.”
He doesn’t wait for me to respond, or even to just breathe again, which I’m sure will happen soon. He walks out the door and leaves me speechless.
14
Lilly
Myeyesdriftopenfrom a deep, peaceful sleep, warm and cozy, buried deep in Ren's smooth and muscular chest. My hand rests on his firm stomach and his arms are wrapped tight around me. A warm glow spreads throughout my body as his fingers dance across my skin, tracing a path up and down my bare arm. His touch is feather-light, sending shivers of pleasure racing through me.
I’ve woken in the same position as our first morning together, only this time, he’s awake. There’s no sliding out undetected, even if I wanted to, which right now, I don’t.
He looks down at me and gently brushes the hair from my face, lifting my chin with his thumb so that our faces are only inches apart. It feels like he’s caressing my skin with magic, leaving me in a trance.
“Good morning,” he says, his voice low and husky.
“Morning.” My voice comes out as a whisper, as butterflies swarm my tummy from being in his arms.
How the hell did I get here? I remember going to bed last night, this time foregoing the uncomfortable love seat and curling up into the corner of his bed. Far, far away.
“Do you know this is only the second time in six months I’ve slept past five in the morning?” he asks, his fingers sliding up the length of my arm, causing my skin to tingle.
“No.” I struggle to speak, and to breathe, and to pull away from his touch.
“Do you know when the first time was?”
I think back to the conversation with Tommy in the kitchen, the first morning I came here and remember what he said. That Ren never sleeps in.
Words won’t come out. I can only nod instead, wishing I could break the spell he’s cast over me.
“My father was in the hospital after his heart attack, the same night the reigns of the family fell on my shoulders. That’s the last time I could sleep peaceful.” His finger brushes across my cheekbones, to my chin, cupping my face. “Until you.”
My stomach dips, and then my eyes lock with his, my heart racing from the heat of his gaze. He’s caught me with my guards down, hook, line, and sinker.
His eyes drop to my lips as he watches his thumb lightly brush over my bottom lip. My breath hitches and my mind spins, a thousand thoughts chasing each other around my head. The loudest is how much I desperately want him to kiss me.
“You are so damn beautiful.” His voice is deep, quiet, and his eyes filled with desire.
Chemistry builds around us like a storm cloud, waiting to hit. I watch his lips inch closer to mine and I’m fighting between panic and passion. My eyes close as his lips graze mine, the softest of touch that nearly sends me over.
The sound of a phone, loud and rattling against the bedside table snaps my eyes open and out of the lust filled craze. I jump back, fight or flight not only kicks in, but completely overtakes me. I jolt backwards with such force I fall off the bed and crash to the floor. It doesn’t stop me, though. I jump to my feet and run right out of the room.
Yes, run. Like a crazy person.