Page 19 of The Incubus's Angel
I can’t quite read the expression on Ren’s face, but his eyes narrow like he’s trying to puzzle me out. Meeting his gaze directly, I let him search for whatever he needs so he knows I’ll always be a safe space for him.
I’m pretty sure he lets very few people into his life, and I’m grateful that he’s allowed me in this far already. I won’t push him, but I want him to know that I’m just as invested in him as he is in me.
Ren’s throat bobs on a swallow, then he relaxes into his chair. “I’m a software engineer, also known as a computer game programmer. I write the code that makes a game function.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Wow! So you’re like smart smart. And what a fancy-sounding job. And fun, perhaps?”
“Fancy, no. Fun? Kind of. It’s not for everyone, but I really enjoy it.” Ren takes another sip and explains, “My company is also based in Cape Easton, but I thankfully don’t have to go into the city at all. I just upload my work to the shared server. The island isn’t great with technology or connectivity, but Bodin and Beck helped me set up a strong generator so I don’t have any problems with power or connecting to the internet out here.”
“That’s very thoughtful of them to get you set up like that. I love that about Starry Hill. The community here is really something special. You’re lucky.” Before he can respond to that, I throw another question at him. “What kind of games do you make?”
Ren’s eyes narrow momentarily, clearly reading into my wistfulness, but he doesn’t remark on it. Rather, he allows me to lead the conversation and only comments on the question I asked, “They’re action-adventure games. The company’s design team comes up with concepts and then I write the code to make it all happen.”
Mouth gaping open, I stare at Ren as I process how impressive he is. “That’s so cool. Can you show me?”
“You’d want to see?” he asks in a soft voice tinged with surprise.
I reach across the table and squeeze his hand. “Of course. You can show me now while the cake’s cooling. If you want? After I add the coconut pastry cream we can have a picnic and enjoy it outside.”
Ren turns his hand so our palms can touch. “That sounds really nice.”
I jump up from my chair, still holding onto Ren’s hand, and march us over to his desk. I don’t have to look over my shoulder to know what expression is on his face. It’s almost as if his half smile is a caress down my back.
Plonking my butt down in his desk chair, I lean back to let him click through whatever he has to and try my best not to take a deep breath of his enticing scent.
I fail miserably.
Ren smells delicious. Almost like I want to lick him.
Maisie Carmichael! Rein it in. Ren doesn’t need to know whata hussy you are.
As Ren closes one window on his computer, something catches my eye. Whipping my head toward him, I ask, “Uhm, what was that?”
Ren is absolutely still. Frozen. I’m not even sure he’s breathing.
Tension thickens in the room and Ren’s swallow is audible.
“Uhm… would you believe me if I said nothing?” he asks, staring blankly at the safe wallpaper on his computer.
“Nope.”
“It’s…”
Before he feels like he needs to make up an excuse for something he does in private, I quickly say, “I mean, I won’t believe you if you said nothing, but you also don’t owe me an explanation. I can pretend I didn’t see anything. Maybe I’ll still have questions, but I can keep them to myself. Seriously, don’t worry about it.” I pause, take a breath, then add carefully, slowly, “But, if you would like to tell me, then I’m all ears. And eyes.”
I note the tiniest of twitches at one corner of Ren’s mouth, then he’s shaking his head. Walking over to the couch against the opposite wall, Ren lowers himself down and sits forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. I swivel the desk chair to look at him, not touching anything to do with the computer.
“I don’t even know where to begin,” Ren starts, head hanging between his shoulders.
I don’t say anything. Just sit still and provide my silent support for him to continue when he’s ready.
One laborious sigh later, Ren admits painfully, “It’s an agency website. A sex agency.”
Nodding, I wait for him to elaborate.
Ren’s head lifts slowly, a deep wince on his face as if he expects me to say something against it. The silence lengthens and I realize he’s waiting for some kind of verbal response from me.
“Okay. And?” I prompt gently.
