Page 64 of Make You Mine

Finally, he pulled into my driveway and turned to me, his expression a mixture of weariness and warmth. I hesitated for a moment before speaking, unsure of what to say.

“Thank you for tonight,” I said softly, my voice carrying the weight of all the emotions I couldn’t quite articulate.

He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re up next,” he murmured. “Something Sweet’s grand opening is coming up soon.”

“Yes, it is. I’m going to get through it, then celebrate for real once Jake gets Dana to let me buy her out. Like, have a grand re-opening once she’s gone. I let her take over for now. I emailed her to order whatever she wanted for decorations and food, and I’d pay for half. Which reminds me, I need to check in with Jake in the morning.”

“I’m so sorry. But I’ll be there with you for the first grand opening, no matter what. Don’t worry. I will be at your side the entire time. No one will hurt you. I won’t allow it.” He looked down at me with a devastating smile—it held promises and truth. He meant every word. The pang in my heart was undeniable.

I wanted to kiss him immediately, but instead, I invited him inside, as if our relationship or whatever we were doing wasn’t already complicated enough. “Come inside with me?”

“Absolutely.” Without hesitation, he opened his car door, stepped out, and rounded the vehicle to open mine.

As I got out, the light breeze made me shiver, and he wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

We walked up to the front door together. The porch light cast a warm glow over us as I fumbled with my keys, my hands trembling slightly. He noticed and gently took the keys from me, unlocking the door with ease.

I flipped on the light and spotted Nimbus and Smog asleep on the couch in the living room. “Shh,” I whispered. “If they wake up, they’ll expect to come up to bed with me.”

“Ahh, am I coming up to bed with you?” He eyed me carefully.

I felt the heat rise in my cheeks as I nodded, words failing me, as they often did whenever I was near him.

“Then let’s not wake them.”

We moved quietly through the house, his hand never leaving mine.

He paused at the top of the stairs, looking at me with a question in his eyes. I answered by gently pulling him along and leading him to my bedroom.

I turned to face him, my heart pounding hard in my chest. He reached out, cupping my cheek with his hand, his thumb brushing lightly against my skin.

“You are so beautiful.” His voice was thick with emotion. “I know I keep saying it, but I can’t help it. I feel it in my heart whenever I look at you. You take my breath away.”

“Ren…” I couldn’t help but smile and step closer to close the distance between us. “Do you want to stay the night with me again?” I whispered, trailing my hands up his chest.

He chuckled softly, pulling me into his arms. “Yes, and I find the fact that you asked me that hilarious. There is nowhere else I’d rather be than wherever you are.”

The warmth of his embrace made me feel safe, like nothing else could. His lips descended toward mine, and every fiber of my being seemed to come alive with anticipation.

When our mouths finally met, all the fears and worries from the evening dissolved into the background, and for a moment, I wondered why I’d had them in the first place.

He was gentle at first, a soft press that sent warmth flooding through me. Then he paused, allowing me to catch my breath before deepening the kiss. His fingers threaded through my hair, and I melted into him.

“Are you sure?” he whispered against my mouth as he pulled back.

I nodded, pulling back in for another kiss.

“Say it. Tell me what you want. Say the words.”

“I want you, Ren. I’m telling you yes.”

Chapter19

Ren

She 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.

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