Page 18 of Splintered Security
“She’s in the Springs now.”
“’Kay.” He stirs and adds something to the pan before looking over his shoulder. “What do you want to tell her?”
Crap. I hadn’t thought of that. I shrug, but his back is still to me.
He drops a shallow bowl in front of me and a glass of water before grabbing his own. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
I shake my head, not needing any help making my thoughts even more confusing. “No thanks.”
I dig into my plate and moan when the flavors burst on my tongue. I never thought I’d marry a man who could cook. A snort escapes me, and his eyes search my face.
“What?”
I shake my head, offering a partial truth for all his honesty. “I’m going to have to find a new workout regimen if you keep cooking like this. Seriously, this is delicious.”
His eyes are soft, and his lips tip just enough. It’s all I get, but it’s enough.
He mumbles something under his breath, but I accidentally drown it out with another moan. Chewing and swallowing, I ask, “What? I missed that.”
He simply shakes his head and licks his lips. And I’m mesmerized.
His glittering eyes.
That deep, raspy voice.
And a straight-up sinful mouth.
I’m going to be horny round-the-clock. I am so fucked.
9
shit to do
Anni
I wake in the morning in the same position as yesterday—tucked into Ren, facing him. He’s got at least a foot on me and carries himself with the poise of a military man. I would never take him for a cuddler.
But he’s so good at it. Too good.
Today is the day. Today I free myself while shackling Ren.
I want to hate myself, but what I know about the man whose arms I’m wrapped up in is he wouldn’t have agreed had he not meant it. He’s a man of his word, and that word is gold.
For one moment, I snuggle in deeper. I know it’s folly. This pretending won’t help either of us. But he’s warm and strong. His chest is solid and broad, not to mention his steady breathing is lulling me into a deep sense of security, and maybe just a little snooze.
Warm soft lips hit my forehead as stubble tickles my brow. “Morning, Sunshine. Time to rise and shine.”
“I’m too comfy torise or shine.”
My cocoon vibrates with laughter, before his face dips lower. Navy eyes hold mine. “It’s our wedding day. There’s shit to do.”
“That sentence right there is the entire argument aroundDie Hard. Is it an action movie? Is it a Christmas movie? Nothing makes as little sense as—” I dip my chin to make my voice deep, “‘It’s our wedding day. There’s shit to do.’ So romantic. Make me swoon, why don’t you?”
His body continues to shake, but he holds my gaze. “Die Hardis a Christmas movie. Every man knows this. Romance is recognizing that and not pretending it’s not.”
His eyes dance with mirth.
“Oh no.” The sudden realization comes out on a groan.
