Life With HIM: Rennillia Series Prequel (Companion Novelette) by M. Sembera Page B

involuntarily, I slid onto his lap.
    Henley wrapped his arms around my hips as I kissed him. I was wary of being so close to him after the horrific experience the night before. For some reason, my body seemed to welcome his touch, acting on its own accord. I closed my eyes and tried to relax, truly wanting it to be different this time.
    ~
    Lying close to him, I kept my legs around his. It was more than just the high of coming undone, I actually felt like I belonged to him.
      Recalling him say he needed to go to his shop, I asked, “You’re not going to leave me now are you?”
      Shaking his head with a serious expression, he replied, “Not ever.”
      “I meant to go to your shop,” I said, smiling at his answer.
      Biting the corner of his lip, he proposed, “I might close it down and spend all day every day in bed with you.”
    Tugging him closer, I kissed him.
    ~L~w~H~
    We spent the next few days growing more familiar with each other. I discovered there wasn’t much I didn’t like when it came to the physical part. I also learned that his obsessive shirt changing was a result of the scar on his side. If he didn’t constantly change his shirt while it was healing, it would stick to the wound. More or less a habit now, he grew uncomfortable if he wore the same shirt to long.
    ~
    Standing in the bathroom brushing my teeth, I leaned my head to the side when Henley came up behind me. Sliding his hands under his t-shirt that I wore, I couldn’t help pressing my back against him. After sharing good mornings, good afternoons, goodnights and ‘it’s been an hour let’s do it again’, my body practically bowed at the sight of him.
    Disposing of the toothpaste in my mouth and my toothbrush , as quickly as possible, while still following his tidy guidelines, I turned and faced him.
      Running my fingers into his hair, I pulled him to me and kissed him before saying, “ Morning.”
      Pulling back, I noticed his unhappy expression as he informed, “Herterand needs to meet with you.”
    Instantly , my face fell as I shook my head and walked away from him.
      Following behind me, he said, “ I’ll lay you out something to wear.”
      Quickly turning around , I fussed, “No you won’t. I’m not going.”
      Shoving me back onto the bed, he hovered over me saying, “It’s important.”
      I closed my eyes and whispered, “I can’t.”
      Feeling his lips brush against mine, I pushed up towards him before he said, “ You need to make arrangements for your parents.”
    My eyes filled with tears as I realized, it was my responsibility.
      Nodding, I agreed asking, “Where?”
      “Roberts ’,” he shared before pulling away and walking to the closet.
    Scooting towards the end of the bed, I watched him lay the jeans and a bra he bought me on the foot of the bed before setting a pair of socks on top of them. I grabbed the bra and pulled my arms out of my shirt to put it on before quickly replacing the shirt. Lifting my feet one at a time, he slid my socks on for me. Appearing to take the matter seriously, Henley held my jeans to the floor allowing me to step into them. Once he slid them up and fastened them, he pulled me against him.
      I nodded when he asked, “Are you wearing my shirt?”
      “I still don’t have shoes,” I reminded.
      Nodding at me, he replied, “I’ll carry you to the car.”
    Turning away from him, I walked out of his room. Feeling as if I could start crying at any moment. I had trouble concentrating on what to do next. When I made it to the front door, I turned around and he was standing there with my keys.
    Piggy backing me down the path to my car, I felt a little bad that he had to walk through muddy puddles from the rain. Henley opened my car door before turning his back to it allowing me to slide in without getting my socks dirty. I started to say something but decided against it when he continued to the house without looking back at me. Sitting in my car, I