19. Ren
Chapter 19
Ren
S he had made all the difference tonight, giving me the confidence to get through the gala without second guessing myself. But it also made me realize how alone I had felt for most of my life. We were two of a kind, always putting others first, but it wasn’t like that with Piper, and I didn’t want to lose her or how she made me feel like it was possible to have someone who truly understood me.
I opened her bedroom door, nudging her inside and then closing it softly. With a hand braced on the doorframe, I leaned down to kiss her.
She took a step back, her eyes never leaving mine, the air seemed to hum with the electricity between us as she smiled, tender and inviting.
I reached out, my fingers tracing the curve of her cheek, and she leaned into my touch. Her eyes closed as she inhaled softly, and I pulled her close again as we stood there, wrapped in the silence. Her breath was warm against my neck, and the steady beat of her heart matched my own.
“I want you so much,” I whispered. “All of you, Piper.”
Her eyes met mine, filled with an earnestness that took my breath away. “I want you too, but I don’t know how to do this with you, Ren. I don’t know how to feel this way anymore without being afraid that I’ll lose it.”
“Just be with me tonight, no pressure, no expectations. You don’t have to be afraid. Let me make you mine so I can finally be yours.”
“I want to be yours, so much. Please. Yes, Ren.”
It was like I’d been unleashed. I’d wanted her for so long, the word yes , uttered from her beautiful lips, detonated something inside of me. I stared at her, biting my lip as I decided where to begin.
I leaned in, our lips meeting in a slow kiss that seemed to last for an eternity. The taste of her lips, the feel of her body pressing against mine, was everything I had ever wanted.
We moved toward the bed, the moonlight casting a silvery glow across the room.
She reached out, loosening my tie and slipping it over my head, then our clothes fell away piece by piece until there was nothing between us but the heat of our bare skin and the pounding of our hearts.
“I’ve dreamed of this,” I groaned. “Every fucking night.” I slanted my head to kiss her deeper as I boosted her up with my hands on her ass, smiling against her open mouth when her legs wound my waist. “I’ll never get enough of you. Ever.”
“Good. I’ve thought of this. Being with you. More than I want to admit. There are condoms in the drawer. No more waiting. I want you now.” I let her go, groaning as she slid down my body until her feet touched the floor.
Opening the bedside table drawer, I grabbed one, spotting all the toys that had spilled all over the floor the other night. “Almost forgot about those.” I chuckled.
She shrugged, with a sexy little smile decorating her pretty face. “Next time,” she murmured. “All I want right now is you.”
I bent, sliding my lips down the delicate column of her throat, my hands at her waist, pushing her backward until her legs met the mattress and she fell to her back.
Her open arms beckoned me, I sheathed myself then joined her, covering her body with mine. Inhaling a sharp breath as her legs fell to the sides and my cock rubbed against her wet heat.
I slid inside her, moving with deep strokes, hard and slow, smiling into her neck when she arched into me and wrapped a leg around my back.
“Tell me what you want.” My voice was gravel. I couldn’t think. I could only feel. This is where I belonged, buried deep inside her, making her mine.
“This. Just like this. Don’t stop,” she moaned in my ear.
Then we were silent, speaking with sighs and moans, her hands running up and down my back and my thumb rubbing circles around her clit.
This was a body and soul experience. Her smell, taste, the sweet slide of her slick skin enveloping me as I thrust into her became all I knew. She was everything, and I would never let her go.
“Roll over,” she whispered, pressing her hands against my shoulders.
I obliged, inhaling a sharp breath when she straddled me, then slid down, taking me all the way inside, throwing her head back, as her hands ran into her hair, then down her body.
Our eyes met as she pinched her clit between her fingers and squeezed me tight.
“Just like that, sweetheart. Don’t you dare fucking stop.”
“You feel so good.” She was gorgeous, riding me with all that beautiful blond hair spilling down her back, and her gorgeous breasts bouncing every time she moved. “You’re so big it almost hurts.”
I grabbed her hips hard, digging my fingertips into her soft curves as I slid my eyes down to where we were joined. The sight of her stretched full of me almost sent me over the edge.
I slammed my eyes shut. It was too much. The sight of her was undoing me, and she had to come first.
Fireworks burst behind my closed eyes. Tingling erupted up my spine as my body tensed for release. I knew she was close. I felt it each time she squeezed me deep.
Then she ground herself down, rubbing her clit against the base of my cock, shuddering, bucking up wildly until she came in a fluttering wave.
About to go over the peak, I opened my eyes. I had to see her. I needed to watch her as I fell apart.
I flipped her onto her back and rocked desperately into her tight heat. Once, twice, before falling over the edge. I gave her my weight for a second, then rolled to my side, gathering her in my arms.
“I’ve never felt like this in my life,” I whispered into her hair.
“Me either.” She snuggled close, resting her head on my chest. “Stay. Please.”
“Yes.” I would stay tonight. I would stay forever if she wanted me to.
“You make me feel hopeful again, Ren.”
My arms convulsed around her. “Same. For the first time in years, Piper.”
We lay there in silence, listening to each other's breath, feeling the warmth of our bodies as we held each other. I kissed her hair gently, breathing in her scent, and she sighed contentedly. “I’m glad you’re here with me,” she whispered, her voice barely audible in the quiet room.
“There's nowhere else I'd rather be,” I replied softly, my heart swelling with the truth of my words. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”
“’Night, Ren.”
I woke to her sprawled across my chest. I liked her cats, but I much preferred this. Her hair was soft as I brushed it aside to kiss her forehead.
She was peaceful in sleep, her features softened, beautiful and serene. I traced the outline of her jaw, and she sighed softly, leaning into my touch, even in her sleep. She was meant to be with me; there was no doubt in my mind.
“I want this every morning,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, not wanting to disturb her. “You and me, just like this.”
I tightened my arm around her, feeling her body's gentle rise and fall against my side. At that moment, I knew I’d never give up on her or what we could have together.
We were better together, and I was determined to keep it that way. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at me with a sleepy, contented smile that made my heart skip a beat.
“You are here,” she whispered, breathy and soft. “For a minute, I thought it was a dream.”
“Maybe it was,” I whispered. “It felt like one.”
She nestled closer, wrapping me up in her arms and legs. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, sweetheart,” I replied, my voice husky with sleep.
She closed her eyes again and inhaled a soft breath. “Ren,” she murmured. “I feel like I’ve waited years for a moment like this.”
The emotion inside me was so pure and intense that I felt like my heart might burst. “So have I,” I replied, moving to cup her face as I leaned in to capture her lips in a good morning kiss.
Her eyes darted to the clock on her bedside table. “I know you have to go to work soon, so we don’t have time for breakfast. But can I make you dinner tonight?”
“You mean, no more evening porch swing make-out sessions?” I teased gently. “I get to come inside?”
Her hands met my side in a playful shove. “Yeah, something like that.”
I buried my face in the soft skin where her shoulder met her neck. “I can’t wait. Can I bring anything?”
“No, I have it covered.”
“I’ll probably bring you flowers anyway. Sometimes I’m not good at doing what I’m told.”
“Thank god for that.” She leaned back, giving me a radiant smile that I felt deep in my bones. “I’m really glad you’re here, Ren. Last night felt like a dream, but waking up like this feels even better.”
I kissed her softly on the lips, savoring the warmth of her breath and the softness of her skin.
“I’m not going anywhere, Piper. I’ll be here tonight, and every night you want me to be.”
She looked at me like she was memorizing every detail of my face. “Tonight then,” she said with a small smile. “Dinner, just you and me.”
“And Smog, and Nimbus, and soon, Cody too.”
“Yeah. God, that sounds like perfection—it sounds like a dream.”
“It’s coming true, sweetheart. And I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I added, feeling a surge of emotion.
We lay there for a few minutes, wrapped up in each other, before reluctantly pulling apart. I dressed quickly, stealing glances at her as she moved about the room, her presence filling the space with a lightness I never wanted to lose.
“See you tonight,” I said, leaning in for one last kiss before I left for work.
“Yeah.” She breathed. “Tonight.”