Page 41 of Let Me Love You
He slipped his phone back in his pocket and pulled the sliding door open. No need to wait for a response. He needed to see her, hear her say those words out loud and in front of him where he could touch her, kiss her. Otherwise, he might believe this was nothing but a dream.
“Ty, I’m heading out.” He strolled over to the counter where his keys sat.
“You okay to drive?” Tyler paused the game and set the game controller down, rising from the couch.
“Yes. I haven’t touched anything since Mahuffer’s. I could walk a line straighter than an arrow, dude.”
Tyler nodded his approval. “Where ya headed?”
“Stacey’s. She just texted.” Ren grinned ear to ear. Containing his excitement was impossible. He’d been waiting for this opportunity for quite some time. Tyler knew that. He had offered nothing but support to him. Well, except for offering up several questions about how good the sex was. And for the first time ever in their friendship, Ren didn’t share that information, at least not the details.
“From the look on your face, I take it was a good text.” Tyler squeezed Ren’s shoulder.
“I might have a shot at making this work.” Ren patted his back. “Thanks for everything, man.”
“Are you two going to kiss, too?” Simon said, crouched on the floor clutching a game controller. He snorted at his own joke.
“Shut up, mother fucker. This dude here is like my brother.” Tyler flipped Simon the bird, who returned the gesture. Everyone laughed. Ren scooped up his keys and bounded for the door.
“I’ll see you later.” He jumped down the staircase two steps at a time. Anxious didn’t even begin to describe the feeling coursing through him.
“Good luck,” Tyler called as Ren climbed into his Jeep and tore out of the driveway.
****
Ren parked in Stacey’s driveway and jumped out. He didn’t run up the walkway, but his movements would probably put him in a qualifying round at a speed walking competition. He needed to see her. Touch her. Hear her say she’d give him a chance, them a chance. He hopped the steps and rapped lightly on the door, tapping out a beat of impatience with his foot.
How was it that five minutes could seem a blur and twenty seconds could feel like eternity?
He pushed his fingers through his short hair, leaving the strands standing on end.
The click of the lock sliding knocked him out of his anxious state. The door cracked open and Stacey peeked out. She’d pulled her hair up in a messy knot on the top of her head, revealing her makeup free face and sparkling blue eyes.
Good God!
Beautiful. And she was his.
“Ren.” A whisper on her lips, but hearing his name made him smile.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside. She backed up to let him, standing in nothing but her black yoga pants and a hot pink tank top. No bra. Her nipples pushed on the fabric of her top. He clenched his hands and his jaw to gain composure. She’d never looked more beautiful, more desirable to him than she did in that moment.
“I need to hear you say it, Stace.” He closed the door and strode three steps toward her. He cupped her face with both hands, his thumbs caressing her jawline. She closed her eyes and sucked in a breath, letting the air out slowly before opening her eyes to look at him.
“You’ve been telling me you want more. You asked me to let you love me. I’m going to let you.” She blinked and a shy smile stretched her lips. This look on her—innocence and uncertainty—was beautiful. A big step for her. He knew that. Her usual confidence from years past had been replaced with trepidation, something else besides the house her ex had left her. Yet, she still decided to take this chance.
He couldn’t be more grateful. More in love.
“You won’t regret this.” He dropped his mouth to hers and kissed her tenderly.
The feel of her lips caused his blood to rush lower. He couldn’t help it. She had this instant effect on him. A part of him wanted to slam her against the wall and sink into her. Make love her to her in a frenzy, especially after three torturous weeks of being apart. The thump of his heart, the pump of his blood, his thickening erection were all signs his body wanted to claim her. But he had made a promise to himself on the ride over. Until he was confident she understood sex wasn’t the only reason he was there, no more. As he thought this, she inched closer, rubbing her body against his and moaning into his mouth.
Good luck with that!
He broke their kiss. “Can we talk?” He needed to lay everything on the table. His feelings. His hopes. What he wanted out of this relationship and what he wanted to give her.
She pushed up on her tiptoes and pecked him on the lips.
“Sure.” Grasping his hand, she dragged him down the hall to the family room. They sat on her leather couch facing each other. Folding her leg and pulling it into her chest, she rested her chin on her knee. She looked adorable. Wisps of hair framed her face. Blue eyes big and hopeful. Her full lips twitched with anticipation.
