Page 114 of Vexatious Queen

She didn’t notice when I walked around behind her. Teddy Swims was singing just loud enough for me to hear him. I stopped a few feet away, waiting to see how long it took for her to sense me.

I stepped closer. Ren lifted her head, and her body went still. When she looked down at her textbook, I shifted so that I was only a foot away. She grabbed her earphones and put them around her neck. When she looked to the left, I leaned to the right, moving just enough to keep out of her line of sight.

“Hello,” Ren called out.

“Hello, Little Rabbit.”

She screamed, leaped to her feet, and grabbed a textbook, holding it like a baseball bat. As soon as she realized it was me, she sagged.

“You jerk. You scared the crap out of me,” Ren said, scowling. I ducked and laughed as she threatened to throw the textbook. “God, I’m so jumpy after that stupid text, and you guys are not helping.”

Chuckling, I wrapped my arms around her.

“You’re right, I’m sorry. But you’re just so adorable when you’re scared.”

“I don’t like being scared,” she said voice softer.

I tipped her head up and nipped her lip.

“Have you gotten another one?”

She shook her head.

“Good, then it was probably a sick prank. I’m sorry I scared you.”

“No, you’re not. I can still see you laughing behind your eyes.”

“Guilty,” I said with a grin.

“So, you’re my babysitter for the evening?” Ren put her hands on my chest. “You’re a very sexy babysitter, but you seem…overly jubilant.”

“Overly jubilant?” My eyebrow arched at the description. “That is a new one for me. But yes, I’m very happy.”

“Oh, and what has you this giddy?”

Smiling, I kissed her softly.

“You know that asshole biker my sister was dating?”

Ren tensed up.

“Yeah?”

“She dumped his sorry ass. I told her that guy was no good. I’m happy she finally saw reason.”

Ren relaxed and smiled.

“Phew, I’m so happy she told you. I really didn’t want to keep it from you.”

I narrowed my eyes at her.

“What do you mean, keep it from me?”

Ren searched my face.

“You’re talking about Nora and Drew, right?”

“Yeah, but how did you know they split up before me?”