Page 64 of Saving Ren
Looking across at him, I chew on my bottom lip and shrug while fighting not to smile.
“Well, seeing as you asked so nicely, how could I possibly say no? But not till you’re back from your holiday, when my bruises have faded a bit more.”
He aims a small smile my way that warms my insides, mostly the inside of my vagina, but I think I manage to hide that reaction from him.
“I did ask nicely, didn’t I? Of course you couldn’t say no.”
“You have a seriously high opinion of yourself, Wild.”
“Don’t pretend you don’t like it, Day.”
I choose to ignore that comment because I do like it. It’s one of the many things I like about him, and one of the reasons I’m glad that he’s going away in the morning.
A little bit of space, some distance between us will be good. I need it.
I thought about using his holiday as an excuse to move out, but if I do that, I’ll have to go and stay at either Jo’s or Ryder’s and there’s a chance Jay might turn up. Plus, if I stay here, I could have over a week all to myself.
I’ve never lived on my own. I moved from my parents’ house straight in with Jason, and right now, I really like the idea of some alone time.
“I’ll book us somewhere nice for the weekend after I get back,” Gabe says as he moves towards the kitchen. Pausing, he turns back and looks at me. “We good?” he asks.
“We’re good,” I tell him with a smile.
”You wanna beer?” he asks. I shake my head and watch his fine arse as he walks towards the kitchen.
* * *
Like every morningsince I’ve been here, it takes a few heartbeats till I get my bearings, then I’m hit with a flood of every kind of emotion. This morning though is different because I’ve woken with my head resting just below Gabe’s bare chest.
Last night’s dream was the most vivid and terrifying I’ve had so far and the only one I’ve remembered from beginning to end. Jay, kicking in the front door as I sleep next to Gabe, grabbing me by the hair, and pulling me from the bed as I scream at Gabe to help me. But he doesn’t wake up. I kick, and I fight, I reach out my hands, but Gabe continues sleeping while Jay drags me further towards the door, further away from Gabe.
The recollection of the fear, the absolute terror of knowing what’s going to happen, what Jay’s going to do if he gets me through that door has my eyes burning with tears. Remembering how I felt when I woke up, the way I cried as I clung on to Gabe. The way he held me, told me he wouldn’t leave, that I was safe.
I close my eyes, listening to the sound of the waves out on the bay. I attempt to slow my racing heart and drift back off to sleep, but I’m too wired and too warm.
Opening my eyes, I take in my view. Gabe’s flat stomach, my arm, slung across his hips, the trail of hair leading from his chest, disappearing under the sheet that’s covering us.
He has one arm curled around me, the other raised above his head. I'm hot, not just because of the hot body pressed against me, but also, very much because of thehotbody pressed against me.
I’m a little bit uncomfortable, but Gabe has a long day today, he’s picking up his daughter late this morning, before they catch their flight up to Queensland with the rest of his family, so I don't want to wake him. . . or move away from him. Without thinking it through, I turn my head slightly and kiss his belly. When he sighs and tilts his hips towards me, I freeze.
When he settles, my eyes travel lower. I’m sure he’s not naked but decide to double-check.
Lifting it slowly and as carefully as I can, I take a peep beneath the sheet.
My stomach churns. I wish I were more like Jo, and brave enough to do more than take just a peep. I wish I had the confidence to reach across and take what I really want.
Confidence, or lack of it, is the key. I’ve always been an outgoing, confident person, but months of put-downs and insults from my husband have rattled the foundations of that confidence, and it’s going to take a bit more than a younger man being interested in me to get it back.
I hold my breath as Gabe shifts. Moving the arm tucked behind his head, he slides his hand inside his boxers. Still holding up the sheet, I watch as he gets comfortable and just leaves his handthere. Tucked down his jocks. Cupping his dick. And for some unknown reason, I’m hit with an uncontrollable fit of the giggles.
I manage to keep quiet but can't stop my shoulders shaking up and down or the tears rolling down my cheeks.
“Something funny down there?”
“No,” I snort out.
“I’m up here getting a complex about the way you’re down there, laughing at my dick, babe. Just sayin’.”
