A Redo (Sterling Shore 6)

“I really do have some nice places in the area. I have a pent house that you’d probably love. There’s a large pool with numerous waterslides on the premises. It’s indoor. It’s in a resort that happens to have a spa. And all the perks are free, so technically no money would be exchanging hands,” I tell her hopefully, shrugging as though it’s no big deal.

She rolls her eyes, but a grin graces her soft, inviting lips. “Fine. Deal. But on one condition.”

Ray shrugs. “Name it.”

She smiles while shaking her head. Then she turns her attention to me. “Not him. You.”

“Name it,” I echo, still grinning at her. Please God don’t let it be anything that will have me taking a cold shower tomorrow.

“You have to stay and watch movies with Angel tonight. She’s already asked me numerous times to invite you, and we stay up late on Saturdays because there’s no work for me and no school for her on Sundays. Deal?”

I breathe in the first easy breath I’ve had in more than a month. “Deal. But don’t ask me to make popcorn. I always screw it up. You’ll end up with half a bag of kernels because I panic when it actually starts popping.”

She laughs softly while nodding, and then she bends over to grab one of throw pillows that has landed on the floor. One look at her ass has me biting my knuckle.

So much for no cold shower.

Chapter 9

ALLIE

“You’re still looking at them?” Bella asks.

I can’t help myself. I’ve already cried three times this morning. It’s just so damn… It’s what she wanted, and it’s… well, hell. It’s beautiful.

When I don’t answer, Bella continues. “Should we wake them?”

I glare at her and whisper, “Don’t you dare.”

She smiles while winking at me, and I prop a hip against the wall while returning my gaze to the sofa. Wren is still asleep with Angel neatly tucked against him. She’s half way on his chest, sleeping harder than I’ve ever seen her sleep. And his arms are very securely wrapped around her in a protective embrace.

Damn. I’m crying again.

Between last night and this morning, Wren has been inserted into my every thought. We were dangerously close to doing something I’d regret last night. He feels even better than I remember. Especially when he’s pressed up against me with his much harder body than he had back then.

We kept our distance, sitting at opposite ends of the sofa, after the nearly disastrous moment we shared that got too intense. Thank God Ray Capperton… or Drivel… or whatever… Thank God he walked in when he did, because I was seconds away from just kissing Wren and possibly forcing him to the ground so I could straddle him.

Even after I regained composure, I couldn’t stop looking at him, and he kept looking at me just as much.

I went to make another batch of popcorn last night, only to return and see that Angel was talking Wren’s ears off about the movie. Instead of intruding on their moment, I backed away and gave up the rest of movie night to them—in her space where she’s comfortable. It was also an excuse to put some distance between Wren and me.

Somehow I fell asleep and woke up this morning feeling freaked out because I never went to make sure Angel was tucked in, or that the doors were locked when he left. But instead, I found… this.

I move to the kitchen to start the coffee, and I let a few more tears escape. Shit. Why am I so emotional over something so simple?

Because I’ve waited six long years to see Angel have this. Seven years ago, I never would have thought Wren Prize would be in my living room. Well, I didn’t think he’d be in my living room without being wrapped in plastic while I plotted an unseen path to an unmarked grave.

Too many mob movies.

After wiping my eyes once more, I head back to the living room to see Wren’s eyes are open and he’s smiling down at Angel. When his eyes meet mine, I fight hard not to smile.

“She’s a hard sleeper,” he says in a sexy morning voice that has my stomach flipping.

I don’t bother telling him that she usually doesn’t sleep hard at all.

“Are you late for anything?” I ask him, unsure how to really act right now.

I’m still in my pajamas. Sadly, they’re the sexiest ones I own, even though they weren’t meant for sex appeal. That’s not the sad part. It’s sad that I want to be as sexy as possible in front of him.

“Not today. I told you I was free for bike shopping.”

I can’t believe Angel is sleeping through our conversation. Usually, one word wakes her up.

“Coffee?” Bella chirps from the kitchen, astonishing me with the fact that Angel still manages to sleep peacefully.