Page 47 of Let Me Love You
Ren blew out a sharp breath. For a few seconds, he thought Randy’s plea might break through to her and get him some alone time. Stacey was a compassionate soul and Randy had looked pathetic enough to garner some sympathy, even from Ren.
“Are you okay?” She grabbed his hand, which was red. His first two knuckles were already swollen. He winced when she pressed her thumb into the tender area above his knuckles.
“I’m fine.” He grasped her hand.
“Do you want some ice?”
“No.” He pulled her closer. With his unaffected hand, he tilted her head so he could look at her, make sure she wasn’t angry with him. “I’m sorry I lost my cool.”
“Don’t apologize.” She smiled. Her eyes twinkled with delight. “I know this sounds completely horrible because you just decked my ex-husband and I’m not a fan of violence, I swear, but I’ve never been more turned on than when you’re defending my honor.”
All the angst that had built inside of him released in a breath. She wasn’t pissed at him. More than that, she found his superhero side attractive. He’d keep that in mind. She pushed up on her toes and kissed his lips.
“When’d you get this bathing suit?” He snapped one of the straps wrapped around her ribcage. She gasped.
“You like it?” She broke his hold and stepped back, spinning in place, then showing off her round ass with a wiggle. Her hips swayed back and forth, hypnotizing him. He rumbled, his chest vibrating with the sound. She moved with a grace and sexiness that had his knees wobbling and a possessiveness flow through him. She was his.
“Like it? Are you trying to kill me?”
“I’d never try to kill you. I love you.” Her lips curled into a devilish grin, and the air evaporated from the room. Hearing her say those three words still surprised him, made it hard for him to breathe like he still couldn’t believe his good fortune.
She danced around, taunting and bringing him out of his air-deprived state. He’d been standing on a cliff of arousal the last couple of weeks. Two months was the longest he’d gone without sex. Though he enjoyed their abstaining, he craved her. The taste of her, the feel of her. He was near his breaking point, tired of using his hand to release the arousal she induced.
“I don’t like it.” He stepped into her space, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her against him. Leaning forward, he grazed her neck with his teeth. “I fucking love it.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed her lips against his with a smack.
“Good.” She pushed back and walked out of the foyer. He trailed like a puppy dog following its master holding a treat. She traveled through the kitchen and into the family room. Sauntering through the open sliding doors to the pool area, she cast a “come and get me” look over her shoulder.
Something snapped in him, like a rubber band stretched just a hair too far, or a balloon pumped too full of helium. He shredded his shirt and flip-flops, leaving them on the floor before he rushed outside. He expected to see her standing on the other side of the pool egging him on, urging him to come get her. He would capture her, he always did. But she wasn’t where he thought she’d be.
Wound tighter than a jack-in-the-box, his muscles tensed with anticipation. Where did she go so quickly? He glanced around. That sly fox.
Something moved behind him, but before he could react, she pressed her hands into his shoulder blades and shoved him into the pool. He gasped. The chilly water didn’t surprise him as much as her boldness and playfulness.
Things had been quite serious between them when he initiated his pursuit of her. But over the last few weeks, they’d fallen into a more comfortable state, made obvious by her frisky nature. He loved it. This was what a relationship was about, making good times to assist in getting through the bad.
As he surfaced, she giggled. He loved the sound of her happiness. He’d let her do whatever she wanted, would give her whatever she asked for if he could hear her laugh all day, every day.
She stood several feet back from the pool’s edge with her hands on her hips. Her wide smile showed all her white teeth. He couldn’t stop the grin spreading across his face or the laughter that bubbled.
“That’sgonnacost you.”
He swam to the pool’s edge keeping his eyes on her. She stepped back and inched to the right, moving toward the gate. He’d let her think she had a chance to escape. He enjoyed their cat and mouse game.
Placing his hands on the edge, he pushed out of the pool with ease. Water sluiced down his body in rivulets, and he shook his head, splashing her. She squealed and ran from the patio and into the grass toward the gate. Running after her, the grass prickled his bare feet as he wrapped her up in his arms within seconds. She may be a runner, but his long strides caught her easily.
“You’re cold,” she shrieked, laughing hysterically.
“Am I now?” He pulled her closer and rubbed his wet chest against her back.
“What’re you going to do?” Her blues eyes stretched with curiosity and excitement as she glanced at him over her shoulder.
“This.” He picked her up off the ground, her legs kicking and swinging. In a few steps, he jumped with her in his arms off the pool’s edge. She screamed before they crashed into the water together. He released her under water so she could swim. Hilarity belted out of her as they broke the water’s surface, her hair slicked back, eyes dancing with joy.
He tugged her to him. “God, I love you.”
He backed her against the pool’s edge and smashed his lips against hers in a lush kiss. She melted against him. Nothing meant more to him than the trust she displayed, especially after everything Randy had put her through.
