by Laney Terra
“The rest of my week is open,” Ren said as we stood next to my car. “What day do you want to run into each other? And would you like to do it literally?”
“Shush. Let me think. Hmm,” I said, narrowing my eyes and gaining confidence at the same time. Or was that the sugar? “Tomorrow sounds good to me.”
“Tomorrow is only a day away.”
I lifted my finger. “Don’t even start with the song.”
“You thought I’d break out into song and dance?”
“You were in choir. Back in what grade?”
“Fifth. One of the darkest moments of my life. My mom forced me to take that class.”
“I love hearing guys sing. You sang that whole concert full of Christmas carols. Remember?”
“Ha! Don’t get your hopes up. You can’t count on hearing my baritone rendition of chitterlings broasting on an open fire and other holiday songs.”
My eyes and lips widened. “I can only imagine the other songs. Chitterlings not chitlins. And broasting?”
“You need that combination so they won’t burn.”
“Okay, I don’t need the visual. I’m leaving this conversation and you alone.”
“Until tomorrow at that cinnamon roll place. Desert after work?”
“See you there.” I opened my door to climb in.
“Wait a minute, you forgot something,” he said.
When I turned around his chest was inches from mine and he caught me in a hug. I enjoyed smelling the musk from his cologne. Being secured into his strong arms. My eyes closed. I didn’t want that moment to end but it did. He let go of me, and I drew back, sad to leave him.
I noticed that he wasn’t moving; his eyes were smiling. He felt it too. My mouth opened. A breath escaped when his arms wrapped back around me, pulling me close. I anticipated his lips, which rewarded me with a gentle touch. Two kisses and he drew back. I wanted more. My arms found his shoulders, and I explored his lips again. A few moments later, we parted. I stood, not knowing what I invited him into.
“Tomorrow,” he said.
“Can’t wait,” I said inside and out loud. My subconscious had taken over. I climbed into my car, more than excited though to get to tomorrow evening.
---
The next evening and days after, Ren and I continued to happen to run into each other. And happened to stop ourselves from continuing past our kisses, which became deeper and more frequent. Going on theme, we visited our favorite vendors from the races. We strolled along the outside mall’s stores at night, decorated at the edges with white Christmas lights. Ren bought a little tree, which we dressed with little ornaments and put on his kitchen counter. I received one of the best treats of all, his gingerbread that he had perfected over the years.
Our conversations jumped around to just about everything. He made me feel as though I was catching up with a best friend.
Hearing his words and sincerity in more complex conversations made things real. This man was not the same person from high school and college. He was much more caring. More focused on me.
I recalled Leslie and I watching him check out other girls while he was with his girl of the moment in high school. He was pretty smooth, which was funny to us at the time. We didn’t feel bad for the girl because she knew already. I never thought someone like him could ever change or end up wanting one woman. But it seemed as he had. All of my worries and fears about Ren were melting away.
Chapter 6
The next week and a half went by so fast that I almost forgot to invite Ren to Leslie’s Christmas Party. He let me know that work might hold him from coming on time, but he’d do his best to make it there.
As a semi-formal event, I wore a little green sequenced dress with dark red, heels. The heels had a little bow on the side, which I thought was cute, in the present theme. I kept my hair natural, with the ringlets falling to my shoulders. I got complements from the girls on my touch of lemon scented fragrance. In fact, Casey said that next time she was at my house, I’d better hide it or else.
We got a good laugh over that before Keene, Jackson, their friends, and the other single men showed up. Michelle and Casey had invited a couple of women coworkers as well. The mix was a little more favored to us—more men than women.
During our party, I kept volunteering to refill things and Leslie pulled me aside into the kitchen.
“Did you know that you’re avoiding the men?” Leslie asked.
“I’m not avoiding them,” I said.
Casey came into the kitchen area too and gave me a squeeze. “Leslie, this is the best idea ever,” she whispered. “Those men are fine and available. Good jobs too. Girl, this needs to become tradition.”
“I hope not,” Leslie said. “The whole goal is not to hook up.”
“Speaking of hooking up,” Casey said.
“Please—” I said.
“This isn’t about me,” Casey said. “It’s about you, Shauna. Daniel is very interested. So is Sam but Daniel would be better for you. Fits your personality. So stop running away.”
“I’m not,” I said.
“You are,” Leslie and Casey said in unison.
“Daniel thought this was your house,” Leslie said. “I let him know that you’re really into entertaining.”
“It’s just that—” I said and paused to see Londyn come into the room.
“I came to say that the men are in the media room,” Londyn said. “Not in the kitchen. Shauna, Michelle and Alyssa have their sights on Daniel too.”
I exhaled.
“Now that’s not shyness,” Leslie said. “That’s the Ren effect. The one I warned you about.”
They chuckled.
“Seriously,” Leslie said. “He came up on those girls really smooth in school.”
“Does he really have a hold on you like that already?” Casey said.
“Afraid so,” I said.
“I thought he was a player,” Londyn said.
“He changed.”
“Ren changed?” Leslie said. “You didn’t say this last time we spoke.”
“I know,” I said. “I had to be sure he did and he has.”
“I’d be more careful to accept that in the few weeks you’ve known him,” Leslie said. “You remember what he was like.”
“But you don’t know him like I do now,” I said.
Casey shook her head. “This sounds like the rumors I heard about him all over again.”
“So y’all are saying I should just get rid of him,” I said, becoming more agitated. “Just like that.”
“No,” Londyn said. “We’re saying be careful—”
“And keep your options open,” Casey said, “wide.”
“You all are for sure that he’s going to hurt me,” I said. “Those guys can hurt me too. We don’t know them that well.”
“We’re being protective, Shauna,” Leslie said. “He’s not even here. Look, I don’t like the way this evening has turned. It’s supposed to be fun. Can we put this aside for now and go back to fun?”
“Yes,” I said. “But I still miss him.”
“Shauna,” Casey said and got happy. “I have just the fix for that.”
My eyes lit up. Last time Casey told me she had a fix for something I didn’t remember the rest of the night. “I’m not drinking that concoction that you gave me the other time.”
“Oh, it’s not,” Casey said. “It’s simply egg nog with a little bit of confidence.” Casey scurried towards the drinks.
“Watch her!” I said to Londyn. “You’re my only hope. The one who won’t leave me lied out on the floor.”
Leslie chuckled.
“You’re laughing because you know it’s true,” I said.
“Don’t be scared Shauna,” Casey said. “It’s not even alcoholic.”
“You just put a splash of alcohol in there,” I pointed out.
“It’s nowhere near a shot, so the splash doesn’t count,” Casey said.
“Really?” I said.
I knew not to dare Casey by saying the massage. She’d run up to him and drag us off into another room. She didn’t care how she came off sometimes.
“Give me the glass,” I said.
“That a girl,” Casey said.
The drink Casey made was fine, but I made sure to sip slowly. The second one she’d come up with would be worse. I also went back out there and talked to Daniel, Sam, and the other guys. But it wasn’t the same. There was no urge to be with them. No want to learn more. Where was Ren?
---
About an hour before the end of the party, I got a text from Ren.
Ren: Sorry about missing most of the party. I made it home a few minutes ago. Didn’t want to come through at the very end.
Me: I understand. It’s alright.
Ren: It’s late but I miss not running into you today.
Me: You did?
Ren: I don’t know if I can make it till tomorrow… Forget this. I’m coming over.
Me: No. You said you stayed in your old apartment during the week.
Ren: Yes. I’m there now.
Me: I might be able to arrange a meeting.
Ren: Everything is closed almost. How about the coffee shop? I’ll go there now, so you won’t wait alone.
Me: Sounds good. Can’t wait.
Ren: Neither can I.
Needless to say, I smiled a little bit more that last hour.
---
Ren came outside to meet me as soon as he saw my car.
“Wow,” he said. “Beautiful isn’t a good enough word.” He blinked a few times.
The wind blew, kicking out all of the warmth my jacket provided. I pulled it tighter together. We huddled to make our way back inside.
“It’s so cold,” I said.
“At least it hasn’t snowed yet,” Ren said. “That ice is not my friend.”
“You don’t like snow?” I asked.
“Only on Christmas.” He held his cup up. “I got some coffee already. What would you like?”
“To get a drink to go.”
“Tired. I understand. We can get together tomorrow.”
“Yes, I’m tired. And no, I don’t want to meet tomorrow. I just want to get out of here. I might fall asleep staying here. You have a heater at your house?”
“Mine?” he said.
“Yes.”
“Um, yeah. Sure.”
I followed Ren back to his high rise apartment. Inside, the style was simple and minimal. A few pictures hung on the wall. The color theme was black and steel gray, bachelor style. I took a seat in the black, leather couch. It was cold.
“Does this couch come with a heater?” I asked, removing my shoes and curling up on it.
“Me,” he said and laughed at his own joke. Ren stepped into one of the bedrooms and returned with a blanket to cover me with.
“Thank you, but I’d prefer the first option,” I, or did the drink, said.
“You don’t know what you want.”
I threw back the sheet. “I want you right here.” I patted the couch seat next to me.
“Are you sure about that?” he asked. “Because last time we almost couldn’t stop ourselves. We’re here in my apartment with no one to break up the flow.”
“I know,” I said and patted the seat again.
He shrugged and sat. I straddled him and wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Shauna,” he said, surprised at my advances.
“Be quiet and kiss me,” I said.
“I’m warning you.”
“I want you to.”
Ren slid his hand around the back of my neck and pulled me to him. He kissed me, soft and sweet at first. Then his tongue entered and explored every inch of my mouth. I moaned as I took in every sensation and placed my hand on his muscular chest.
I was surprised to feel him get in on the action, his hand that had wrapped around my butt started squeezing. Not wanting to miss out, his other hand, skimmed down my neck, across my chest, and found a home on my breasts.
This moment had once only lived in my dreams. It was hard to believe it was happening and, like the dream, I didn’t want to lose my connection with him.
I wanted him, needed him, to be against my skin. I wanted to experience his hard thickness. I couldn’t wait any longer.
Accepting the challenge, my fingers hastily found his belt and unfastened it. Then my hand went down into his pants to get a taste for what was to come.
I moaned when I grabbed hold of it. It brushed against me. For some reason, Ren backed away.
“Shauna,” Ren said. “I don’t want to pressure you into something you don’t want to do.”
“I want this.”
“Really?”
I gazed into his mahogany, brown eyes. “Yes.”
A corner of his lip curled. “You won’t regret it.”
He leaned in to kiss me a few more times then patted my bottom and said to get up. “I can’t make love to you here. Not on a couch.”
When I was standing, Ren hopped up and held out his hand. I took it and was escorted to his room. I was nervous, excited, but wondered why he wanted to hold my hand on the way in there.
“For a second, I thought you’d carry me,” I said and laughed.
“You want me to carry you?” Ren said and pulled his shirt over his head.
I swallowed as my eyes searched up and down his abs. Ren smiled and removed the rest his clothes then stood before me. Wow. And when it came to describing his glory, thick wasn’t adequate enough.
I didn’t think I realized I was staring until Ren closed his distance, had unzipped my dress, and called my name with that sexy voice of his. “Shauna,” he said.
“Huh,” I said, moving my gaze back to his eyes. My lips curled uncontrollably. It was as if I got caught with my hand in the cookie jar.
He led me close to the bed, next to the night stand. He tore off a condom that he found inside the drawer and slid it on. I watched, amazed that it fit.
“I’m going to give you all of this,” he said. “But first…” His hands were warm against my skin as he slid them up my sides. My bra was unhooked, freeing my breasts then Ren glided my dress and bra down my arms, legs, and onto the floor.
He kneeled to the wooden floor panels to slide his fingers under the band of my underwear and skim the black lace fabric down my legs. I balanced myself with a hand on his head to step out of them.
“This view is marvelous,” he said as he peered up at me. “Every inch.” His lips kissed their way up my legs and in between my thighs. I was so wet and ready and nervous that I’d fall.
“I got you,” he said and picked up my thigh to guide it over his shoulder. His other arm secured my back.
“Woah,” I said and instinctually grabbed his head and the wall.
“That’s it. Tap me if your legs get too weak.”
I nodded and gasped as I watched his head change positions to rest in between my legs. His lips kissed me; his tongue rolled along and in between my crevice.
“Agh!” I shrilled and tried to reclaim my leg that was over his shoulder. I wasn’t ready for that intense rush of pleasure.
“I’ll go slow,” he muttered. The feeling was too much. My legs threatened to drop out on me. Why did he speak when his face was still in there? Ren tightened his grip.
“K,” I said. Moans proceeded to escape my mouth when his tongue found my sweetness again. As it curled around the folds, my body took over, squatting, trying to get a sense of where his gifted tongue was to put my sensitive flesh in the best position.
I closed my eyes and inhaled deeper as he brought me close to climax. I was almost there and he stopped.
Kisses lined my belly as he stood. He smiled and looked into my eyes. “I need to see you. See your face.” With that, he lifted me up onto him, and I wrapped my arms around
his strong shoulders. His eyes never left mine.
With my back against the wall, he slid in and pumped slow until I adjusted to his width. His thumb found my clit and he massaged it as he thrusted faster. I panted with every push; my core strengthened its grasp.
Ren paused to lie me on the bed. He hoovered over me and curled his hips as he grinded back and forth into me and kissed my breasts. I tensed back up and enjoyed the movement.
Our connection was magnetic. I didn’t want the feelings to end. This was real. Not a dream. And it was just as delicious as I thought it would be.
We moaned together as my body pulsed, pleasure intensified, and glory spilled over. Ren gritted his teeth and thrusted fast and hard until he shook with his explosion.
I grabbed the back of his head as he opened his eyes and recovered from his heavy breaths.
“So,” he said in between each breath.
“You’re amazing.”
“As you are. But the night is young. We’re not done yet.”
Chapter 7
In the morning, I woke up early to see that Ren wasn’t there. I crept around the house, checking for signs of him but there were none. Hungry, I got myself together and headed back to the coffee shop a few blocks away.
I became excited again when I was almost there. Through the glass windows, there was Ren appearing to wait for an order. But some woman slid over to him and wrapped her arms around. My heart dropped. How was he with me the night before then eating breakfast with her? I fought tears to be able to continue to watch from where I became unmovable.
Ren slid out of her grip and said something to her. She smiled and stepped in closer to him. When their order was ready, he grabbed what appeared to be a bag and a drink. She had her food on a tray. They sat at the same table and she smiled at him as I assumed he spoke. After a few more minutes, I had enough. The tears rolled down my face, and I sniffled quietly so no one would hear. As if they could anyway.