Page 71 of Saving Ren

I suddenly feel stupid and self-conscious. I’ve pyjamas and knickers that Jo bought me the day after I got here that I could’ve worn, but last night I thought it a good idea to be wearing his clothes when he got home.

I shrug one shoulder and look away from him.

“No, I just. . .”

“You look good in my jocks, Ren. Fucking gorgeous.”

My hands go to my hips and my eyes go to his. He rakes his top teeth over the corner of his bottom lip, and I feel them, those teeth. On me.

“C’mere.” He holds out his hand.

I shake my head.

“No?” he questions.

“No,” I whisper before pulling his T-shirt over my head and throwing it to the floor.

He releases a rush of air, followed by, “Fuck me, fucking hell, Ren.”

And that’s when the bloody alarm sounds to let us know Jimmy’s arrived.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me?” Gabe almost snarls out the words. “Stay there. I’m gonna go down and drown Jimmy, it shouldn’t take long.”

I watch as he moves from the bed and stalks towards the door. Feeling self-conscious, I retrieve the T-shirt from the floor and pull it back on.

“What time is it?” I call after him.

“Just after nine.”

“Are we still going on our date tonight?” He stops in his tracks and turns back to me.

“No, the restaurant I wanna take you to is full tonight, I’ve got us a booking for a couple of weeks’ time, but we’re on the waitlist for next Saturday.”

I feel relieved at this news. The white of my eye is still a little red and bloodshot, and I have some faint yellow bruising right in the corner. I also have nothing to wear, and if he’s taking me somewhere with a waitlist, it’s likely upmarket, and Ido notwant to go wearing leggings and my UGGs.

“You okay with that?” Gabe asks from where he’s still standing at the bedroom door.

“Yeah, I’ve got nothing to wear anyway. I really need to talk to Jay about collecting my stuff.”

I thought I mumbled the last part under my breath, but apparently not.

“Yeah, no way in the fuck is that happening. Did you not go out with the girls at all while I was away?”

I shake my head. Not wanting to admit I’m not yet ready to face the world outside. Gabe’s eyes roam the room, and I know when they land on mine, he’s made a decision about something.

I like that I know that about him already. I’m nervous as to what that decision might be, but I like that I already know his tells. It gives me the warm and fuzzies inside.

When you’re young and naive, you assume that goes, the ability to feel the way I’m feeling now. If you’d have asked eighteen-year-old me about dating in your forties, I probably would have made a gagging sound and used the wordgross. But it’s no different. Whatever age you are when girl meets boy, the racing heart and back flipping belly still happen, and if anything, the fanny flutters are even better. I know about sex now. Know what I like, and howgoodsex can make me feel.

That thought has me crossing my legs.

“Get dressed, Ren,” Gabe’s low rumble interrupts my thoughts.

“Get dressed?” I question. Not trying even a little bit to hide the disappointment in my voice.

“Get dressed, we’re going shopping.”

Wait. What?