But now as I sat in the passenger seat, looking at the smooth interior, the scent of leather filling my nose, I couldn’t help but feel very aware of him.
As in... embarrassingly aroused just by his presence.
The night was a bit chilly, and he turned the heater on, the warm gust of air moving across my knees. I didn’t know if I should dress up for dinner, even though we were going to his house, so I’d gone casual and kind of regretted that decision now.
I glanced over at him, the lights from the dashboard illuminating his masculinity, seeming to make him even more handsome, if that was possible. He wore dark slacks that encased his big, muscular thighs perfectly. He wore a light-gray cashmere sweater, and underneath that, I could see a white dress shirt, the color crisp as it peeked out from underneath the collar, the bottom hem, and at the cuffs of his sweater.
God, a man shouldn’t look that good in clothing.
I could only imagine how he’d look completely naked.
Hard. Muscular. Golden skin. So much power.
I snapped my head forward, my cheeks feeling hot at the images of what he might look like with nothing on. I shifted on my seat, clenched my thighs together, and tried to tell myself this was dinner and not the start of a one-night stand.
And then of course thinking about sleeping with him just made my desire even worse.
Looking out the passenger side window, I closed my eyes and breathed out slowly. The arousal I felt for him had been growing steadily over the last day. And it was insane to think I felt this out of control in my desire for a man I’d just met twenty-four hours ago.
But there was no denying it.
Ever since he’d taken me to the village and walked me back home, I felt the lust uncoiling inside me, as if it had been dormant this whole time, as if it had always been deep within me my entire life and he’d been the key to unlocking it.
And now being so close to him, smelling the addicting and concentrated scent of his masculinity, a dark and spicy aroma that had me embarrassingly wet between my thighs, I idly worried that maybe I wouldn’t be able to sit through an entire meal without eventually embarrassing myself.
This low rumble started in the interior, and at first I thought it was the engine, but when I looked over at Ren, I realized the noise was coming from him.
It was this deep vibration spilling out of his chest and filling the interior of the car.
My heart sped up, my palms started to sweat, and my nipples hardened.
He glanced at me then, his nostrils flaring as if he were scenting me. His eyes were hooded, and I couldn’t help but picture him looking like this in the throes of passion.
His expression was almost severe, animal-like in its intensity. It sent a shiver up my spine. And then it was my turn to feel chills racing up my arms and legs, and I forced myself to look away, the breath getting sucked from my very lungs just from that look he had in his eyes.
I swear it’s as if he can smell my arousal.
I offered a smile that I knew didn’t reach my eyes, but that smile faded at the pure look of... desire on his face. And just as he faced forward again, I swore I saw his eyes flash blue.
Pulling my brows down low, I chalked it up to a trick of the light and shadows and cleared my throat, needing to talk about something else to keep my mind off other things.
“So, you’ve lived here your whole life?” I heard him shifting on the seat and glanced over. His jaw was tight, a muscle clenching under his golden flesh.
A flash of heat slammed into me, and I bit my lip, thinking of extremely inappropriate things where Ren was concerned. His jaw clenched again and again, his hands tightening on the steering wheel, his knuckles white from the force.
What would he think if he knew I wanted him this badly? What will he think, knowing—even though I’m a virgin—I’d give every part of myself to him tonight if he asked?
Just the very thought of being with Ren in that way had the breath leaving me.
“I’ve lived here my whole life. Yes.” His voice sounded strained, as if he forced himself to get the words out.
“Have you traveled out of the country much?” The conversation was being led into weird territory now, random questions that popped into my head, because I was desperately trying to steer my brain in another direction that was safe.
But even I knew it was pointless. Fruitless. I wanted him too much.
More shifting on the seat from him, and I lowered my gaze to his tree-trunk-sized thighs, my eyes growing wide as I noticed a very prominent bulge laying against his thigh and pressing against the fabric of his slacks.
Another clearing of his throat before he said, “I’ve traveled extensively over the years, but my home has always been here.” The steering wheel creaked a little, and a moment later, he rolled down the window.
The cool air rushed in, and I shivered, but it had nothing to do with the sudden chill in the interior, and everything to do with the man sitting next to me.
“But I haven’t traveled in a very long time, staying close because of my brother.”
Once again, I felt a pang of sadness for him and for the man I’d never met.
“And you?”
“I haven’t been anywhere outside of the US, not since before I took this trip.”
He glanced at me with a surprised expression on his face. “And how are you enjoying your time in a foreign land?"
I smiled genuinely. “My time in each country has been incredible. I have learned so many new things, experienced different cultures I’d only ever dreamed of.” I left out the part about how I enjoyed my time in Romania the most… because I’d met him.
Ren was by far my most enjoyable reason for taking this leap in life.
And given the fact that we’d just met yesterday, it seemed like admitting that to him now would be just the thing to send someone running in the other direction.
“I’m glad.” He cleared his throat again, the wind softly blowing in the car still. “I’m glad you decided to come here for your trip.”
I smiled again, even blushed. God, what was it about this man that made me feel so alive?
It was only another ten minutes driving and then Ren was pulling into his stately driveway and up to the massive home. I had a feeling he’d taken the long way to get here, but I didn’t mind. And as I looked at him as he pulled the luxury car to a stop and cut the engine, I knew I wanted to see how far things could go with him. I wanted to experience things with Ren I’d only ever fantasized about.
“Shall we?” he asked and looked at me.
I nodded and went to open the car door, but his hand on my knee stilled me. My heart started racing, my breathing quickening. And all from that small touch. It was like fire on my body.
“Please, allow me?”
I licked my lips and nodded. This man was very old school. And I liked it.
He was out of the car and moving around the front of the vehicle, his big body causing my breath to come in short pants. He was just so… fearsome in appearance.
I spent some time with Mini today before Ren picked me up, and I wanted to ask her about Ren, but given the language barrier, and with Andrei still in the city, I was at a dead end. But as I’d been looking toward the forest, no doubt having this faraway look in my eyes because I’d definitely been daydreaming about Ren, I caught her gaze on mine. She had this knowing smile on her face as she murmured soft words in her native tongue.