I grab my small purse off my bed and head downstairs to wait for Ren. He dropped me off after school and said he’d be back in an hour. He was reluctant to leave me, wanting to wait for me to get ready, but I didn’t want him to come inside. Nor did I want to chance my father coming home early. It was unlikely that would happen, but it could, knowing my luck.
And after meeting Ren’s parents, I definitely don’t want him meeting my father. They were so freaking perfect and sweet in every way. I forgot families like that existed anymore. I could see how much they all love each other. How excited they were to meet me just because I meant something to their son.
God, looking at Ren’s mom made me miss my own mom so bad. It doesn’t help that today’s my birthday. Her death is weighing heavily on me today. I wonder what she would have done for me. I’m sure we would have gone shopping. A new dress would have been a must for Mom. My eyes water as I think about all the things we could have done today.
I swallow the lump in my throat and focus on tonight. I grab my coat and slip on my boots, even though they don’t match my outfit. I don’t have any other options, especially with the snow. When I look out the window by the door I see Ren coming up the walkway to the front door. I pull open the door quickly and shut and lock it behind me so he can’t ask to come in. When I turn around he’s already right behind me.
“You’re supposed to let me knock, babe,” he says, smiling down at me. “I was going to introduce myself to your father before I took you out.”
“He’s still at work,” I tell him grabbing his hand, wanting to get out of here. But when I go to pull on it so he’ll come with me, he pulls me back to him, engulfing me in his arms and leaning down for a kiss. His lips lock on mine, and I melt into him. The cold Minnesota night doesn’t stand a chance against Ren’s body heat.
“Don’t try to not give me my kiss,” he says playfully.
“Sorry,” I say breathlessly.
You’d think I’d be used to his kisses by now, but nope. They still knock the air right out of me. He’s been laying them on me every chance he gets. Even at work. Sometimes I think I’m getting paid just to kiss him. He’s always grabbing me when no one is around, and we end up having a little make-out session that does all kinds of things to me. I want to do more.
“Come on, don’t want to be late.” Before I can turn, he swoops me up in his arms like I weigh nothing, and I giggle as he carries me towards his Jeep. I wrap my arms around his neck and smile at him. “I love that sound.”
He puts me back on my feet and opens the passenger’s side door, helping me in. Leaning over me, he pulls the seat belt over me, his whole body rubbing against mine. I try to push into him a little, loving the feeling of him against me. When I’m close to him, I feel safe.
He stops moving when my breasts push into his chest. His eyes meet mine, and they’re darker than normal. I lick my lips, drawing his eyes there. I want to throw myself at him. The sound of the seat belt locking into place breaks the moment, and Ren pulls back but keeps staring at me.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he says before shaking his head like he can’t believe I’m sitting in front of him. My face warms at the simple compliment. His words are plain but exquisite. “Going to make this the best birthday you ever had, babe.”
I know he will.
16
Ren
“Yes, my eyes are closed,” she giggles.
“Promise not to peek?” I ask, looking at her blindfold.
“I promise.”
I sit her down in the chair and make sure everything is perfect. Then I walk up behind her and take off the blindfold, wrapping my arms around her.
“Happy birthday, Lily.”
“Oh, Ren.” She lifts her hands to her mouth, and I move beside her to make sure she’s okay.
I see tears in her eyes, and I look around to make sure it’s okay, suddenly worried I didn’t get it right. I took her out to dinner at the Italian place downtown, and she laughed and smiled the whole time. I told her not to order dessert because I had a surprise for her. I’d told my mom it was Lily’s birthday and asked her if she would help me make a cake for her. I wanted to do it myself, but I knew I would have questions. I explained to her that I wanted to surprise Lily, so she said she and my dad would have a date night tonight and give us some space. I thought that was pretty cool of her, considering she’s leaving me in the house alone with my girlfriend. But I think she knows that Lily isn’t simply a girlfriend. That this is something much deeper.
“Is it okay?” I ask as she wipes away tears.
“It’s perfect.” She gives me a watery smile and leans forward, placing a soft kiss on my lips.
“I made it myself. Vanilla cake with vanilla icing. I didn’t have much help either.”
She laughs and gives me another kiss.
“Quick, make a wish,” I say, looking at the lit candles.
“It already came true,” she says, not taking her eyes off me.
“Then let's make new ones together.” I grip her hand, and she turns to the cake, closing her eyes and blowing out the candles.
Afterwards, she turns to me and gives me another kiss, this time it’s longer and deeper. Her tongue sweeps into my mouth and I moan at the touch. I wrap my arms around her waist and lift her to me, sitting down in her chair and putting her on my lap. We kiss like that for a while, but eventually she’s not satisfied with only kissing. She moves her mouth to my neck and rubs my chest and arms with eager hands. I’ve got one hand on her lower back and one laid on her bare thigh. Her dress has ridden up slightly, but I haven’t moved my hand. I want to so badly, but I don’t want to do anything she isn’t ready for.