Page 17 of Feral Touch
“Hi Natalie and Jen. I wanted to thank you personally for all your love and support. None of us would be here if it wasn’t for fans like you. I’m sorry you couldn’t come to our fan meeting, but hopefully you’ll make the next one.”
He gave the camera a provocative smile, his narrowed eyes and full lips practically inviting the camera to have sex with him.
I tapped to stop the video and coughed. “Yeah, that’s good.”
I was still in a Jayce-induced haze when I found myself face to face with Morris. Or maybe it was more accurate to say face to chest. The man’s size was impressive, all muscle and bulk without an ounce of fat on him. He stared down at me impassively.
“My friend Natalie wanted me to tell you thanks for taking a picture with her because she knows you don’t always like to do that.” I blurted the sentence out in one breath.
The corners of Morris’ lips tilted up slightly, then fell back into a somber expression. I was relieved he was amused and not irritated by my babbling.
“Your friend Natalie is very welcome.” His words were quiet and subdued, but the soft look in his eyes kept them from being too intimidating. “You’re a friend of Ren’s?”
How much had Ren told them about me? About his past? I decided to go with the simple explanation.
“We used to go to the same music school when we were younger.” I didn’t mention Ren’s disappearance or those brief moments between us when I thought maybe we could be something more. “I haven’t seen him in a long time.”
Morris nodded briefly before patting me on the shoulder. He leaned down and spoke his next words in a quiet voice.
“He misses you.”
My breath caught in my throat, but I didn’t have time to respond because the person in front of me was ushered away by a bodyguard, leaving Ren free for the next fan.
Me.
CHAPTER 4
IWORRIEDMYheart would stop. I worried my voice would freeze in my throat. I worried I’d make a fool of myself.
I did none of those. As soon as Ren turned to me and I met those warm brown eyes, the lump in my stomach disappeared. I could only think of doing one thing.
I laughed. A heartfelt laugh of relief. I held my hand in front of my face to hide it, but my grin was too wide.
Ren looked uncertain for a moment, no doubt wondering what my reaction would be, but his eyes lit up in a matching expression of relief as soon as my lips curved into a smile.
“Hey,” I choked out between giggles.
“Hey yourself,” he grinned.
I don’t know which one of us reached out first. It seemed as if the both of us moved forward at the same time. Within moments we were in each other's arms, my hands flung around his neck while his tightly gripped my waist.
I laid my head on his chest and breathed in, taking in deep lungfuls of his scent. He smelled earthy and warm, like sunshine and sweet grass. His fingers brushed against my ribcage, squeezing lightly. It sent a shiver up my spine. A slow ache began to burn inside me, my nerves singing with delight. I imagined those fingers touching my bare skin, no clothes between us.
As much as I tried to insist otherwise, even after all these years, my attraction to Ren was undeniable.
After long moments he relaxed his grip. I leaned back and looked him up and down, taking stock of him now that we had more time.
He was taller than I remembered. He must have hit a second growth spurt. He wore his suit jacket like he was born to it. I could make out the muscles of his chest, just a hint of them exposed by his unbuttoned collar. My heart thumped a strong beat and a flush made its way to my cheeks. I quickly lifted my eyes up and away from the tempting sight. I wasn’t here for that.
I stepped out of the circle of his arms, needing some distance. We stared at each other silently for a few moments. He spoke first.
“It’s been a long time.” The expression on his face was earnest, eager. A few minutes ago I might have been upset, might have thrown it back in his face.And whose fault is that?
But now that I was standing in front of him, all my anger was gone. I was just glad to see him, to know that he was safe, that he was happy.
“I guess I don’t have to ask what you’ve been doing since I last saw you.”
He looked abashed, his smile faltering. I felt bad for a brief moment. It was supposed to be an innocent comment, pure small talk. I hadn’t wanted to bring up his past.
