Touching Ghost(12)

“Good to hear it, because I have hot plans for later.” After sending the most lecherous look she could muster up and then down his body, she grinned at him, hoping the desperation she felt didn’t show. The clock was her enemy as bittersweet emotion barreled its way through her heart. She wasn’t done with him either. She never would be.

On a mission to gather his things, they stepped from the car and met a small army of maids heading into the house. The troupe of women smiled, obviously recognizing him, and Ren chatted with them, his mastery of Spanish very clear, as they allowed them into the mansion.

“Spanish, too? I’m so impressed.”

Ren shrugged. “Comes in as handy as Arabic these days.”

She supposed it did.

He continued to surprise and impress her with the depth of his knowledge. Brains and brawn. What an intriguing combination.

Once they were in the giant foyer, her attention was captured by the ‘digs’ as he called this spectacular house. Amazing didn’t begin to describe it! She’d grown up accustomed to nice neighborhoods and living in a beautiful home, but it certainly didn’t compare with the wealth displayed here. She wanted to explore every little bit of it, but Ren took her hand and together they walked up the stairs until they found the wing where his bedroom was located.

Oversized terrazzo tiles on the floor practically begged that she kick off her flip flops and experience the coolness on the bare soles of her feet. Elegant light fixtures hung from high ceilings, and gauzy lengths of fabric hung from rods over the massive bed. Across the room, French doors led to a large balcony overlooking the ocean.

Immediately, she walked across the room and stepped out onto it. Leaning against the marble railing, she stared out and wondered why she didn’t just pack up and move out here. Seagulls cruised through the air, their wings vibrant against the azure sky, and the scent of salt and fresh air swept through her head. Sadie took in the view and, once again, wished for more time.

Feeling Ren’s presence, she glanced over her shoulder to see him standing beside her. “I love it here so much. There’s nothing quite like escaping from the ‘real world’ and finding yourself landed smack dab in the middle of heaven. I love everything about this place. I love…it here.”

She’d almost said the words. Almost. Sadie knew he didn’t want to hear I love you. No doubt their time together, the sex, all this, was just a matter of affection realized and satisfying his curiosity about how things might be with them. She was a realist who’d learned long ago that a person just had to get on with things. Husband is gay? Okay, get a divorce and move on. Love a man who is far out of reach? Forget about it and move on. Her entire life had been about accepting things that were out of her control. But now? Now she was going to enjoy this time with Ren and then she would steel her heart and, once again, move forward.

Somehow.

“What thoughts are rolling around in that intelligent brain of yours?”

Sadie laughed, wiggled her brows, and slid him what she hoped was a sexy look. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Ren moved behind her to wrap his arms around her torso. His hands settled over her belly and without thinking, she moved against him, loving the warmth of his body snuggled so perfectly against hers, back to front.

He was every woman’s wicked, smoldering hot dream. But it was about more than his sex-on-a-stick body. Ren was kind, compassionate, and a man who felt it his calling to protect the innocent. No doubt that was because very few people had protected him. Love for him, need of him, ripped through her, and she wanted to cling to every single moment.

Sadie started to turn in his arms, but he stopped her by brushing her hair aside. She tilted her head to the side as he buried his lips against the sensitive side of her neck. “Ren.”

“Not going anywhere.” He nipped her flesh and kneaded her belly. When had his hands moved beneath her T-shirt? It didn’t matter. Anything he wanted to do was fine with her. “Look down, honey. See those men trimming the hedges?”

She dragged her eyes open and, indeed, several gardeners were industriously pruning trees and shrubs flanking the massive pool area. One glanced up casually, removed his hat and applied a handkerchief to his brow before returning to his work.

“Uh huh.”

“Wonder what they’d do if they knew I was going to fuck you right out here, in the open?”

Sadie gasped, started to call him a crazy man, but words escaped her. Ren moved his hands from her belly and slid them with agonizing slowness over her ribcage until he cupped her breasts in his palms.

“Ren!”

He laughed, the sound all low and rumbly, as his thumbs went to work on her puckered nipples. Over and over, he circled the flesh, pinching lightly before soothing them with his fingertips. Sadie’s head lolled back to rest on his upper chest. The thud of his heart pounded against her back. Oh, yeah, he was turned on, too. His breath rushed over her cheek, hot and fast. “Have I told you how pretty your breasts are? You have the sweetest, pinkest nipples I’ve ever tasted.”