Page 29 of Let Me Love You
Chapter Seven
Thump! Thump!
Stacey startled awake. Ren’s breath hit the back of her neck in soft little bursts. His arms wrapped around her tightly, holding her close. A small smile that shouldn’t be there split her lips. She knew that, but couldn’t help it. She hadn’t slept so good, so soundly, in months.
Shaking her head to rid the morning cobwebs, she noticed the first glimpse of daylight seeping through her living room windows. Her glass of pinot noir sat half-gone on the coffee table. She’d completely forgotten about it after he arrived. They’d fallen asleep on the couch where Ren had ravished her.
Thoughts of his wicked tongue working between her legs and his naked body moving against hers caused her skin to tingle. He’d wrung her dry until she had no orgasms left.
He knew his way around her body. It had been fantastic. Amazing. She’d never been so sexually satisfied. Though she wasn’t dreaming of some long-standing relationship—God knew that couldn’t happen—a few nights of rumpled sheets with him wasn’t the end of the world. In fact, this was quite possibly the beginning of her getting out of the funk that had plagued her for months.
Thump! Thump!
Someone knocked at the front door. That’s what must have jarred her awake in the first place.
“Shit.” She tried to pull away from his hold. Panic percolated in her chest, constricting her heart and making it difficult to breathe. She lay on the couch naked with Ren while someone pounded at the door. Who the hell would be knocking at this hour? The only people she could think of were Ren’s parents. Her stomach lodged in her throat and a sick feeling permeated through her.
“Uh-uh,” Ren whimpered groggily, dragging her closer as he pressed his pelvis against her backside. He was already hard. Despite the situation, her body stirred at the feel of him. “I want to wake up inside you, Stace.”
Stacey pushed aside the rush of lust.
“Ren, get up. Someone’s at the front door.”
“Oh shit.” Ren scrambled up, grabbed his jeans, and pulled them on. He dragged his fingers through his hair, his jerky movements indicative of nerves.
Stacey dragged her t-shirt over her head and scurried down the hallway to her bedroom, avoiding the foyer and the front door. She needed to throw on a more appropriate outfit before answering.
“Ren, what are you doing here? And half dressed for that matter?” Stacey heard Shannon’s voice.
He’d answered the door!Fuck!
Stacey slipped into a pair of jean shorts and a blue tank top, then paused in front of her dresser mirror.
Good God!
Her rumpled hair was everywhere, giving the term “thoroughly fucked” a visual definition. She tamed the tresses as best she could before hustling down the hallway. Her bare feet slapped the hardwood floor. The brush from last night still sat on the floor where she’d dropped it. Dread settled over her. This was exactly what she feared, meeting Shannon with a guilt-ridden face.
“Mom, relax.” Ren stood at the door with zipped but not buttoned jeans. He had ruffled hair and sleep eyes. No way to disguise the fact he’d just woken up or why he’d slept there. It was written all over his face and the red lines down his back from where she’d dragged her nails the night before.
“Relax? You want me to relax? You park in the driveway and never make it to the house…all night.” Shannon huffed out a breath and turned her attention to Stacey. “Then I come looking for you and you’re half-naked at the neighbor’s.” Her voice tightened as she said “neighbor,” taking all the warmth out of what used to be a friendly reference.
“Good morning, Shannon,” Stacey said, her voice soft. Folding her arms across her body as if to protect herself, she stood there, unsure of what to do or say. Awkward didn’t even begin to describe the situation.
“Mom, I told you yesterday to stop worrying. There may be nights I don’t come home at all. I’m twenty-three, for God’s sake.” His lips pulled tight and his brows drew together. His gaze shifted in Stacey’s direction. Apology softened his eyes. If nothing else, he made it clear he didn’t want her to take the brunt of his mother’s anger.
She gave him a tiny smile.
“Did you spend the night here?” Shannon didn’t look at Ren when she asked the question. Her narrowed gaze targeted Stacey. She already knew the answer to the question, but wanted a confirmation. Shannon stepped through the doorway and in Stacey’s direction.
Her heart accelerated, but she couldn’t move, her legs like cement pillars, weighing her to the floor.
“Mother, let’s discuss this at home.” Ren reached for her arm, the one not in the sling, but she evaded his grasp. She was on a mission to confront Stacey and Ren couldn’t stop her. At least that’s what the mother-bear determination in her eyes said.
“No. I think we’ll discuss it right here. Right now!” The ice in her voice caused a chill to run down Stacey’s spine. Shannon had figured everything out and was pissed. Rightfully so. “Are you sleeping with my son?” She stepped even closer to Stacey, who glanced down at her bare feet before meeting her angry gaze.
She swallowed. She could lie and say it was all a big misunderstanding, but she had never been much of a liar. Dishonesty only caused more destruction. She’d learned that firsthand. “Ren and I have had sex. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.” Ren looked at her, his eyes pleading.
