Chapter Twelve
Ren stared blankly inside the refrigerator. He’d driven over to Stacey’s around nine in the morning. She’d welcomed him with an eggs benedict breakfast to die for before putting him to work helping install a ceiling fan in the family room. He knew his way around tools and do-it-yourself kind of projects, thanks to his father, so he didn’t mind at all. Any excuse to spend time with her was fine by him.
It had taken them almost three hours to get the fan installed. The light she had on the ceiling had been more complicated to remove than they’d originally thought. They’d worked up a thirst, which was why he stood at the fridge with a silly smile on his face. With work done, cold beers and a dip in the pool with Stacey was on the horizon.
He couldn’t believe the path his life had taken over the last several weeks. It’d been a rollercoaster ride, to say the least. He’d gone from elated, to broken hearted, to frustrated, to head over heels in love. Ever since he’d received the ‘love me’ text from Stacey almost a month ago, things have taken a consistent turn in the right direction.
They still had a lot of work to do, but didn’t every relationship? He’d come to learn that relationships required a lot of time and effort. The riding off into the sunset happily ever after was a fairytale. But the benefits more than outweighed the work itself.
He and Stacey had been dating for a month. During the week, he drove over to her house after the office, not even stopping at the apartment he shared with Tyler. Some days that would be six o’clock. Other days, more like eight in the evening. Working for a large engineering firm didn’t necessarily follow the forty-hour work week schedule depending on the project. But not a day went by he didn’t see her.
They snuggled on the couch and watched an episode of Modern Family or Orphan Black, depending on whether they wanted to laugh or tense their muscles. Ren had never been so content as when he wrapped his arms around her, her heart beating against his. They fit perfectly together, physically and otherwise.
On the weekends, they’d go out to dinner, or to the movies, or for a stroll along the beach, whatever her heart desired. They shot pool a few times at the Alehouse with his buddies, who were utterly impressed with her skills on the table, hustling them for some cash. Her sister, Jen, came up for a weekend, showering him with thanks for putting a smile back on Stacey’s face. And his mom welcomed them to dinner on more than one occasion. It had been a little uncomfortable the first time, but Dad did everything he could to ease the anxiety in the room, and the evening had been enjoyable.
The last several weeks had been better than he imagined, even sticking with his no-sex promise. It had been almost two months since they’d had. They’d messed around, kissing and caressing each other. He’d been to second base a couple times, making her come with his fingers. She tested his resolve, slipping her hand down the front of his shorts or wrapping her legs around him in the pool and rubbing against him. Not easy, saying no to her, but he enjoyed exploring the little things, like the ticklish spot on her neck, the curve of her low back, or the way she sighed when he placed a kiss just below her ear. He’d never taken things slow with a woman. Oddly enough, he loved it. He had the distinct impression she enjoyed the chivalrous nature of his promise, too, most of the time.
Bang! Bang!
The knock at the front door forced him out of his reverie. He grabbed two bottles of Corona from the fridge and popped off the bottle caps.
“I got it,” he yelled to Stacey, who had gone to her bedroom to change into her bathing suit.
He walked down the hallway and opened the front door. Not sure what to expect, but it sure wasn’t to see Stacey’s ex-husband, Randy. All six feet and two hundred pounds of asshole. By the look on Randy’s face, eyes round and mouth agape like he’d been about to say something but the words escaped him, he hadn’t expected Ren to answer the door.
“Why’re you answering my door?” Randy sniped, crossing his arms over his chest, which caused his biceps and chest muscles to flex under his blue button-down shirt. Ren, however, couldn’t be happier about the situation. He’d wondered how long it would be before he and Randy came face-to-face. He wanted Randy to know Stacey was his, that he took care of her now. Time for Randy to recognize what he lost, what he threw away.
“It’s my understanding this isn’t your door anymore,” Ren said with a bit of amusement. He wiggled the two Coronas in his hand. “I’m visiting Stacey.”
Randy rolled his eyes, then shook his head in disbelief, and huffed out a breath. His lips drew tight and his hands clenched. “Are you fucking my wife?” He spat the question as if the idea were preposterous.
Ren released a cocky laugh. “She’s not your wife.” Who did this dickhead think he was anyway? First, it’s his door. Now, Stacey’s his wife again. Fuck him.
“You are, aren’t you? You’re fucking her?” Randy ran a hand through his thick, sprinkled with gray, black hair. His agitation was palpable.
“Ren, who’s at the door?” Stacey chimed as she flitted into the hallway in a bikini he’d never seen. Wow! She looked so beautiful it sucked the breath right out of him. Randy gasped.
Her hair, released from its messy bun of earlier, fell into wild waves over her shoulders. The white material of the swimsuit showed off her golden skin from head to toe. The top cupped her breasts snuggly, pushing her cleavage up, and making Ren’s mouth water. Thin pieces of fabric wrapped around her ribcage and connected in the back, making her appear almost tied up. A bolt of lust zinged through him, settling in his groin. His cock sprang to life and his eyes hadn’t even fully devoured her bottoms, which drew attention to the toned curve of her hips and legs. He couldn’t believe she was his. How had he gotten so lucky?
The sound of Randy’s low growl shook Ren out of his lust and made his temperature rise. He’d lost his chance to view her as anything other than his ex. The animalistic sounds fueled a fire in Ren.
“Oh! Randy!” She pulled to a halt in the foyer. Her blue eyes widened to saucers.
“Surprised, Stacey?” he asked, voice full of gravel and accusation.
“What are you doing here?” She crossed her arms over her midsection, as if trying to hide her vulnerability and skin. Ren wished he had a blanket he could throw around her to make her less exposed. Her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment, and he couldn’t tell if she was uncomfortable to be standing there in her bikini or standing there with him.
“I came by to talk to you. To see how you were doing. But I guess the surprise is on me. You’re fucking the neighbor-kid?” He chuckled before shaking his head and giving her the once over. “I mean, I can see why he’s interested. Shit, you’ve never looked better, but he’s a kid. Classy, Stace.”
Stacey blanched.
Kid? They’d come so far on their age difference. If this asshole so much as put an idea in her head that their age was an issue again, Ren would pummel him.
“Don’t talk to her like that,” he snapped, stepping in front of her to shield her from Randy’s view. Anger bubbled through him. He tightened his hand not holding the beers into a fist and clenched his jaw, grinding his molars together in an effort to not punch Randy in the face. He’d been dying to do just that since he heard what he did to Stacey, and the way he talked to her pissed him off. Acting like he still had a say in what she did or that he could lower her self-esteem with a few words. Screw him.
“So, fucking my wife makes you her bodyguard now?” Randy sniggered.
“What about her not being your wife anymore don’t you seem to get? You blew your chance to call her that.”
“Doesn’t seem like it took very long for her to let you fill my spot between her legs.”
Without thinking, Ren cocked his fist and hit Randy on the side of his jaw. His head snapped back. Stacey screamed. Searing pain shot through his wrist and up his arm. He hadn’t hit someone in years and never really enjoyed being in that position anyway. He wasn’t a fighter. But Randy’s words infuriated him. The fact that he could talk about the woman he had loved and been married to in such a derogatory manner had Ren seeing nothing but red. Surprisingly, the Coronas were still intact in his left hand.
Randy rubbed his jaw. He squinted, his face reddened, and his lips pulled back revealing teeth like a snarling wolf.
“If you weren’t a fucking kid, I’d pound you in the ground.”
Ren set the beers down on the table near the door. He shook out both hands, readying for whatever came next. “I’m not a kid anymore. And if you continue to talk about Stacey in such a demeaning way, I’ll pound you.”
“You sucker punched me the first time, but I promise it won’t happen again.” Randy stretched his neck back and forth, then rolled his shoulders like he readied for a boxing match.
“Stop it. If you lay a hand on him, I’ll have you arrested, Randy.” Stacey stepped forward. She sounded exasperated and angry. “Do either of you need an ice pack?” She looked from Randy’s face to Ren’s hand.
Both shook their heads.
“Good.” She inhaled deeply and blew the breath out. “There’s no reason for you to be here. None.” She stood to the right of the door with her hands on her hips. “Shouldn’t you be home with your pregnant girlfriend?”
“I wanted to talk with you.” Randy still rubbed the side of his jaw where he’d been punched. The fact he still felt the hit made Ren smile. Randy glanced at him and glared. He took the meaning “if looks could kill” to whole other level. “Can we talk in private?” His voice morphed into something softer with his request as his gaze found Stacey.
She shook her head. “We have nothing to talk about. Everything is final.” Her lips drew into a tight line. “I’m doing fine. Amazing, actually.”
“I fucked up, Stace,” he blurted. Desperation dripped from every word. “Shit. I made so many mistakes over the last year I can’t even keep track.” He tilted his head toward Ren. “Don’t you have something you can do so she and I can talk?”
Ren straightened his back. He didn’t want to appear intimidated despite the wave of jealousy that rolled through him. They shared a lengthy past. Ten years of marriage. They had planned to share their lives together, have a family. Surely, feelings still existed. His stomach turned at the thought of her giving him another chance. The idea of losing her broke him, but losing her to Randy would kill him.
“Whatever you have to say can be said in front of Ren.” She weaved her fingers through his. The boulder of fear sitting on his chest lifted and he relaxed his shoulders. Randy’s gaze dropped to their joined hands and his face scrunched in anger.
“Is this for real?” He waved a finger between them. “Or are you just pretending to piss me off?”
Stacey smirked. “Super cute of you to think I’d pretend to be with someone just to piss you off.” She rose up on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on Ren’s cheek. He closed his eyes briefly to relish in the attention. “This is the most real relationship I’ve ever been in.”
“But he’s just a kid, Stace. For Christ’s sake.”
Ren stiffened again. If he didn’t stop calling him a kid, the top of his head might blow off. This conversation was getting old. “Do you have something you’d like to convey to her or is this conversation over?”
“Don’t be an asshole.” Randy placed his hands on his hips, trying to intimidate him. He clearly took care of himself, was muscular and fit. However, so was Ren and he had youth on his side.
“I’m losing my patience. We have plans this afternoon and you’re interfering with them.”
She squeezed his hand, letting him know she supported him.
“Just say what you need to say, Randy,” Stacey blurted.
“Fine.” He wrung out his hands in front of him, looking at the ground, then back up at her. “I always imagined it’d be the two of us. From the moment I met you, you were the one.” He swallowed hard. Ren almost felt bad for the guy. Almost. He’d messed up his marriage to the most incredible woman and had finally realized what he lost.
“I wasn’t the one, Randy. Otherwise, there would have never been a Misty or Christie or whatever her name is.”
“I made a mistake,” he pleaded.
“Yes, you did.” A half-smile slipped over her lips. She looked vindicated. Pride surged through him. She’d had her heart shattered in a million pieces by this man and now she stood strong. God, he loved her. “We all have to live with our mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes turn into regrets, but you still have to live with them. This is yours to live with.” She leaned her head against Ren’s shoulder. “It’s not okay for you to come here. Nor is it okay for you to harass Ren, especially in my house.” She pointed to his black Mercedes SL Roadster sitting in the road next to the driveway. “You should get back to your girlfriend.”
“Stace. Just let me talk to you,” Randy begged. He’d clasped his hands together in front of him, almost in a prayer position. “I was jealous of you. Your career skyrocketed. You made twice as much as I did and I guess it made me feel small, less of a man. Like I couldn’t take care of you. Like you didn’t need me.”
“Your girlfriend is pregnant with your child. You being here is unfair to me, her, and your unborn baby. Please go.”
“Stace—”
“Bye, Randy.” She shut the door in his face.
Ren blew out a sharp breath. For a few seconds, he thought Randy’s plea might break through to her and get him some alone time. Stacey was a compassionate soul and Randy had looked pathetic enough to garner some sympathy, even from Ren.
“Are you okay?” She grabbed his hand, which was red. His first two knuckles were already swollen. He winced when she pressed her thumb into the tender area above his knuckles.
“I’m fine.” He grasped her hand.
“Do you want some ice?”
“No.” He pulled her closer. With his unaffected hand, he tilted her head so he could look at her, make sure she wasn’t angry with him. “I’m sorry I lost my cool.”
“Don’t apologize.” She smiled. Her eyes twinkled with delight. “I know this sounds completely horrible because you just decked my ex-husband and I’m not a fan of violence, I swear, but I’ve never been more turned on than when you’re defending my honor.”
All the angst that had built inside of him released in a breath. She wasn’t pissed at him. More than that, she found his superhero side attractive. He’d keep that in mind. She pushed up on her toes and kissed his lips.
“When’d you get this bathing suit?” He snapped one of the straps wrapped around her ribcage. She gasped.
“You like it?” She broke his hold and stepped back, spinning in place, then showing off her round ass with a wiggle. Her hips swayed back and forth, hypnotizing him. He rumbled, his chest vibrating with the sound. She moved with a grace and sexiness that had his knees wobbling and a possessiveness flow through him. She was his.
“Like it? Are you trying to kill me?”
“I’d never try to kill you. I love you.” Her lips curled into a devilish grin, and the air evaporated from the room. Hearing her say those three words still surprised him, made it hard for him to breathe like he still couldn’t believe his good fortune.
She danced around, taunting and bringing him out of his air-deprived state. He’d been standing on a cliff of arousal the last couple of weeks. Two months was the longest he’d gone without sex. Though he enjoyed their abstaining, he craved her. The taste of her, the feel of her. He was near his breaking point, tired of using his hand to release the arousal she induced.
“I don’t like it.” He stepped into her space, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her against him. Leaning forward, he grazed her neck with his teeth. “I fucking love it.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed her lips against his with a smack.
“Good.” She pushed back and walked out of the foyer. He trailed like a puppy dog following its master holding a treat. She traveled through the kitchen and into the family room. Sauntering through the open sliding doors to the pool area, she cast a “come and get me” look over her shoulder.
Something snapped in him, like a rubber band stretched just a hair too far, or a balloon pumped too full of helium. He shredded his shirt and flip-flops, leaving them on the floor before he rushed outside. He expected to see her standing on the other side of the pool egging him on, urging him to come get her. He would capture her, he always did. But she wasn’t where he thought she’d be.
Wound tighter than a jack-in-the-box, his muscles tensed with anticipation. Where did she go so quickly? He glanced around. That sly fox.
Something moved behind him, but before he could react, she pressed her hands into his shoulder blades and shoved him into the pool. He gasped. The chilly water didn’t surprise him as much as her boldness and playfulness.
Things had been quite serious between them when he initiated his pursuit of her. But over the last few weeks, they’d fallen into a more comfortable state, made obvious by her frisky nature. He loved it. This was what a relationship was about, making good times to assist in getting through the bad.
As he surfaced, she giggled. He loved the sound of her happiness. He’d let her do whatever she wanted, would give her whatever she asked for if he could hear her laugh all day, every day.
She stood several feet back from the pool’s edge with her hands on her hips. Her wide smile showed all her white teeth. He couldn’t stop the grin spreading across his face or the laughter that bubbled.
“That’s gonna cost you.”
He swam to the pool’s edge keeping his eyes on her. She stepped back and inched to the right, moving toward the gate. He’d let her think she had a chance to escape. He enjoyed their cat and mouse game.
Placing his hands on the edge, he pushed out of the pool with ease. Water sluiced down his body in rivulets, and he shook his head, splashing her. She squealed and ran from the patio and into the grass toward the gate. Running after her, the grass prickled his bare feet as he wrapped her up in his arms within seconds. She may be a runner, but his long strides caught her easily.
“You’re cold,” she shrieked, laughing hysterically.
“Am I now?” He pulled her closer and rubbed his wet chest against her back.
“What’re you going to do?” Her blues eyes stretched with curiosity and excitement as she glanced at him over her shoulder.
“This.” He picked her up off the ground, her legs kicking and swinging. In a few steps, he jumped with her in his arms off the pool’s edge. She screamed before they crashed into the water together. He released her under water so she could swim. Hilarity belted out of her as they broke the water’s surface, her hair slicked back, eyes dancing with joy.
He tugged her to him. “God, I love you.”
He backed her against the pool’s edge and smashed his lips against hers in a lush kiss. She melted against him. Nothing meant more to him than the trust she displayed, especially after everything Randy had put her through.
She glided her hands up his slick torso, over his neck until she sank her fingers into his wet hair, pulling him into her. The kiss wasn’t gentle or endearing. It was a kiss between two people who had the need to become one.
“Make love with me, Ren. Please.” She wrapped her legs around his waist, rubbing her core against his raging hard on. He dropped his head back, breaking their connection and trying to catch his breath. Time. They’d waited long enough. He needed her. Otherwise, he might not survive the day.
“I’m not going to say no to you.” He huffed. “I can’t.” He leaned forward and trailed kisses down the side of her slick neck.
“Thank God.” She circled her hips against him. He bit into the flesh of her neck, nuzzling her there. She yelped.
“Let’s get inside.” He pulled her away from the pool wall, but she shook her head.
“Right here. I want you right here.”
“I don’t have a condom.” His breath pumped out of him in harsh bursts. He didn’t want to lose the moment going into her bedroom to grab a condom out of her nightstand drawer.
“I want you without one.” She clung to his shoulders and hoisted up. She lashed his bottom lip with her tongue, then bit him. He growled and slammed her back against the pool wall again.
He’d never had sex without a condom. His buddies told him how amazing it could be without protection, but he never wanted to run the risk of pregnancy or disease. He’d been saving himself in that way for the woman he fell in love with and here she was, offering herself to him. His heart squeezed with emotion.
He untied the halter part of her bikini top, letting the minuscule cloth fall forward and revealing her gorgeously pert breasts. Dusty pink nipples pebbled, begging for attention as cold water dripped from him on to her. He pulled one into his mouth, lashing with his tongue and sucking until her begging became incomprehensible. Then he gave the other breast the same treatment.
She writhed against him, her warm core creating too much friction against his erection. If he didn’t get inside her soon, he’d explode in his swimming trunks. Releasing her nipple, he untied his trunks, freeing his cock. He slid a finger between her legs, pushing her bottoms to the side and slipping a finger into her heat.
“Fuck.” She tensed, and her pussy clamped down on him.
“Are you sure about this?” His words came out in a hiss. “I need to know now.”
“Yes.”
That was all he needed to hear. He wasn’t concerned with anything else. Stacey would never put herself in a position she didn’t want to be in. And he was sure he wanted this. Never been surer of anything in his life.
They’d waited. Two months without sex. They’d taken things slow after barreling full-speed. He’d wanted to be sure she understood his intent. They’d never been only about sex. He’d proven his point. But the time had come.
He slid her bikini bottoms to the side, lined his cock up with her opening, and slammed home. They groaned simultaneously. Stacey arched her back, her eyes hooded, and her mouth parted. He knew he wore the same face of ecstasy. Every nerve inside came alive like a bolt of electricity zinged through him. He felt everything. Every touch. Every breath. Every droplet of water. Every inch of her wrapped around him. Warmth washed over him, making his vision fuzzy and his head woozy. The most beautiful experience of his life.
“Oh. My. God.” He punched out the words with his breath. He couldn’t even begin to describe the sensation of being so deep inside her, the feel of her skin against him, the way they felt joined like one. Nothing between them. Incredible. They’d just taken sex to an entirely new level for him. He’d struggle to go back to condoms with her after this.
“It’s so good.” Stacey moaned. She rocked her hips forward.
“You feel like heaven.” He thrust into her, pulled out, and thrust back in again. Their bodies moved in unison, each seeking to give pleasure. He kissed her everywhere, her forehead, nose, lips, neck, breasts. He needed to be in contact with her in as many ways as possible.
“I’m going to come.” She fluttered her eyes open. “Make me come.”
He gripped her hip with one hand, holding her in place as he fucked her with all he had. The pool water sloshed and splashed around them. He slid his other hand between her breasts and down her abdomen, making his way to the little bundle of nerves that would take her over the edge.
“Come all over me, baby.” He flicked his thumb over her clit and she exploded, belting out his name. Her core clenched around his cock, drawing him deeper into her. “Fuck.”
He stood on the precipice of the most amazing orgasm of his life. Her tightness coaxed him over the edge. The thought of emptying his seed inside her, staking his claim over this woman who owned every part of him, edged him off the cliff, and he burst.
Light flashed behind his eyes like fireworks. He lost control of his hips as they ground into her at a rapid pace, rubbing out every last ounce of pleasure. Once every tremor shook free of their bodies, he wrapped her in his arms and held her tight, her head resting on his shoulder and her arms strewn around his neck. He lowered into the water, rinsing the sweat from their skin. He could hold her like this forever. Nothing had ever felt so comfortable and content.
After several minutes of heavy breathing and heartbeats returning to normal, Stacey leaned back and stared at him. Her eyes brimmed with emotion.
“What?”
“I wasn’t sure I’d ever feel this way. I felt empty and lonely for so long. You breathed life back into me. You’ve given me back my confidence. Made me feel whole.” She caressed his jaw. “I love you. So. Much.”
No one would ever call him emotional. He rarely cried, though Stacey had brought him to tears before. This time was different. The tears welling in his eyes weren’t from fear of losing her. No. These were from an overwhelming amount of happiness.
“You have no idea what hearing those words means to me.” He dipped his head and kissed her gently on the lips. A tear escaped down his cheek.
“Don’t cry, Ren.” She swiped his tear away with her thumb.
“I can’t help it, baby. I’m so in love with you. I’ve never had these feelings before and I’m overflowing with them right now.” He kissed her again and again until they were both giggling. “But don’t tell anyone you’re my soft spot.”
“It’s just between you and I.” She winked and kissed him again. “Now that sex is back on the table, maybe you can spend the night tonight?”
“Now that sex is back on the table, you might have a difficult time getting me to leave—ever.”
“I’m not opposed to that in our near future.” She wrapped herself around him and kissed him long and hard.
Neither was he.
THE END.