11.

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

The obnoxious buzzing of my phone dragged me out of sleep, vibrating loud as hell on my nightstand. I groaned, rolling over and squinting against the morning light streaming through my windows. My head was pounding, my mouth was dry as hell, and everything from the waist down felt like lead.

I barely cracked my eyes open and reached for my phone, fingers clumsy as I tapped at the screen.

20 missed calls.

Rina.

And right under it, a text:

"Bitch you better not be dead."

I let out a raspy ass laugh, my voice still laced with sleep as I clicked FaceTime and put the phone to my ear.

She picked up immediately.

"Oh, so you're not fucking dead." She was lying on a big ass hotel bed, wrapped up in white sheets, holding the phone close to her face. "You had me worried, slut. What the fuck happened?"

I groaned, dropping my face into my pillow. "Ugh, Rina, I feel like shit."

"As you should, dumbass." She squinted at me through the screen. "You snuck out, got fucked up, and didn't text me once. Not even a 'hoe, I made it home safe.' I had to stalk your location."

I grinned lazily. "Aww, you care."

"Barely," she shot back, rolling her eyes. "Now, spill. I know you did some dumb shit."

I sighed, rolling onto my back and rubbing my forehead. Memories from last night hit me in flashes.

The drinks. The dancing. The big ass man grabbing me. Ren showing up out of nowhere with a gun to his head.

The lecture in the car. The throwing up. Ren holding my hair back, brushing my teeth for me.

And then—

The kiss.

I bit my lip, heart skipping a beat just thinking about it.

Rina gasped. "Oh, bitch, I see it."

I blinked. "Huh?"

"The little smirk! You're thinking about something." She leaned closer to the screen. "Something good."

I scoffed, sitting up and stretching. "You're delusional."

"No, I'm psychic, actually." She narrowed her eyes. "It's about Ren, isn't it?"

I hesitated for half a second too long.

"Bitch!" She shot up, sitting crisscross in bed. "What happened?!"

I smirked, twisting my fingers in my sheets. "What makes you think it's about Ren?"

"Because I know you. And you're obsessed with her fine ass."

I grinned but stayed quiet.

Rina gasped again. "You kissed her, didn't you?"

My smirk deepened, and she shrieked.

"OH, YOU FUCKING DID."

I giggled, dropping back onto my pillows. "Not exactly."

"Hoe, what the fuck does 'not exactly' mean?"

I chewed on my lip before whispering, "She kissed me."

Rina screamed.

Like full-on, high-pitched, shook bitch scream.

I had to pull the phone away from my ear.

"NO, SHE DIDN'T. YOU'RE LYING."

I laughed, eyes fluttering shut as I replayed it in my head. The way she hesitated, the way she moved toward me so slow, so deliberate. The way her lips brushed mine—barely there, just enough to leave me wanting more.

"She did," I sighed dreamily.

Rina groaned. "Oh my GOD, I hate you. Tell me everything. Right now."

I stretched out on my bed, fully ready to spill.

But first, I needed some Advil. And maybe some more Ren.

I propped my pillows up behind me, getting comfortable as I told Rina every single detail from last night.

"Bitch, start to finish," she demanded, fully invested, chin propped up in her hands as she lay across her hotel bed.

I smirked. "Okay, so boom—"

I broke everything down.

How I snuck out like a goddamn mastermind. The bar on 7th, the drinks, the dancing, the random ass man grabbing me.

And then—Ren.

How she came out of nowhere with a gun to his head, how the man boohoo cried like a baby, how she dragged me out and cussed me out like a disappointed mother.

Then, I told her about the car ride. How the drinks hit like a truck, how I was stumbling when we got home, how she picked me up like I weighed nothing and took me to my room.

And then the grand finale—me throwing up, her brushing my teeth for me, changing me into something comfortable... and the kiss.

Rina was kicking her feet, eyes wide with excitement. "Bitch, she's yours."

I rolled my eyes, but I was grinning. "She is not."

"She is," Rina insisted, pointing at the screen. "You don't just brush bitches' teeth and tuck them in unless you care."

I chewed on my bottom lip, about to say something back when my door creaked open.

Ren.

She stepped in like she belonged there, moving toward my bedside table with that same serious ass expression she always had. She set down a steaming cup of something next to me.

"Drink this."

I blinked up at her. "What is it?"

"Hangover tea."

I raised an eyebrow. "You made me tea?"

She nodded, casual as hell, like this wasn't the sweetest shit ever.

I smirked, feeling bold. "You wanna kiss me again?"

Rina gasped so damn loud through the phone, but I ignored her, keeping my eyes locked on Ren.

She just tilted her head, lips twitching like she was fighting a smirk. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Oh, so that's the game we're playing?

I grinned, heart racing, because she was lying like shit.

I could still feel the ghost of her lips on mine. Could still hear the way she muttered, "Goodnight, Yanna," against my mouth before walking off like she didn't just wreck my entire night.

I hummed, reaching for the tea and taking a small sip. It was good. Warm, a little sweet, just how I liked it.

Ren didn't move. She just stood there, looking down at me like she was reading me.

I raised an eyebrow. "You sure you don't remember?"

Her lips twitched again.

Then, she turned and walked out without another word.

Rina shrieked.

"OH, SHE REMEMBERS. SHE REMEMBERS SO BAD."

I grinned into my tea, feeling like I had just won something big.

Rina was still losing her mind over Ren's little stunt, kicking her feet and squealing into the phone like we were in high school again.

"Oh, bitch—she remembers." She sat up dramatically, putting her hand over her heart. "She's just tryna be all mysterious and soldier-like. But I know a stud with a crush when I see one."

I smirked, sipping my tea. "You think so?"

"Duh!" Rina widened her eyes like I was stupid. "Bitch, she held your hair back and brushed your teeth for you. My own mama wouldn't even do that shit."

I laughed, leaning back into my pillows. "Yeah... yeah, she's kinda everything."

Rina gasped. "Wait a damn minute." She sat up like she had just discovered the cure for cancer. "Do you actually like her? Like, for real for real?"

I hesitated for half a second before sighing, biting my lip. "I think I wanna have her Babydolls."

Rina threw her head back screaming.

"BITCH! YOU DID NOT JUST SAY THAT!"

I covered my mouth, laughing hysterically. "I'm so serious."

"Oh my God—" Rina wiped a fake tear. "My bestie wants to be a wife! I never thought I'd see the day!"

I rolled my eyes, but I was grinning. "It's just... she's so fine, Rina. Like, disgustingly fine. And she's so mean to me, but in a good way. I like it."

"Oh, I know you do," Rina said knowingly. "You love a bitch that be ignoring your ass and talking to you crazy. Sick in the head."

I shrugged, shameless. "And she listens. Like, she don't just brush me off or treat me like some spoiled brat. Even when she be tryna act all cold, she still looks out for me. She still... takes care of me."

Rina stared at me for a long moment, then suddenly screamed again.

"Oh, you are GONE!"

I just sank deeper into my pillows, hiding my face with my arm. Because she was right.

Wyatt was texting me.

Babe, I miss you.

I stared at the message, my lip curling. That immediate ick settled in my chest, heavy and suffocating. What exactly did he miss? Controlling me? Picking at my appearance? Making me feel like I wasn't enough?

Meanwhile, Ren was the one who actually took care of me.

And the difference? I felt that shit.

The way she held my hair back last night. The way she brushed my teeth for me, changed my clothes, tucked me in, and didn't complain once. She was silent, steady, secure. She didn't have to say she cared—I just knew.

Just as I was rolling my eyes at Wyatt's text, Ren came back into my room, moving with that same effortless confidence. My eyes immediately locked onto her, and I tilted my head, a smirk playing at my lips.

"You're really not gonna give me another kiss?" I asked, my voice dripping with playful challenge.

She arched a brow, arms crossing over her chest. "Beg for it."

I swear my thighs clenched on instinct. That dominance? That control? Right up my damn alley. My pride should've made me hesitate, but fuck that—I wanted it.

I sat up a little, pouting. "Please, Ren," I whispered, dragging out her name, letting my voice go soft, breathy. "Just one more."

She watched me for a moment, and then she leaned in, pressing a quick peck against my lips. I barely got to feel it before she pulled back, and I whined, my shoulders slumping.

"That baby-ass kiss," I grumbled, lips jutting out.

She smirked—smirked—before leaning in again and giving me another. A little longer this time, just enough to make my breath hitch before she pulled away again like she hadn't just fucked up my entire morning.

Then, without another word, she turned and walked out, leaving me staring after her like a dumbass.

I snatched my phone so fast and texted Rina.

Bitch, I'm soaked.

She texted back instantly.

LMFAOOO WHAT HAPPENED??

I bit my lip, my thumbs flying over my screen as I typed out exactly what just went down. How Ren told me to beg for it. How she gave me that weak-ass kiss just to tease me, and how when I complained, she gave me another one—just enough to make me want more before leaving me high and dry.

Rina's response came quick.

Oh yeah. She wanna get in them panties.

I rolled my eyes so hard, I damn near saw the back of my skull.

Shut the fuck upppp.

I barely had time to process the whole situation before I was getting up, still feeling that buzz from Ren's touch. That power she had over me. That effortless ability to make me crave her with just a few words, a single touch.

I went to my door, yanked it open, and called out. "Ren, come here."

I saw her hesitate for a second before she stepped in, moving with that calm, controlled energy that made me insane. She walked in but didn't sit, instead leaning against the wall, arms crossed like she was unbothered.

Oh, we playing that game?

I nodded toward the bed. "Sit."

She arched a brow but didn't argue, stepping over and lowering herself onto the edge of the bed, her posture still stiff, her face unreadable.

"Drop that act," I said, stepping closer, watching her. "Do you like me?"

Her dark eyes flickered over me, slow and deliberate, like she was drinking me in. And then, her lips parted, and in that smooth, low voice, she said,

"You're an insanely attractive woman. Who wouldn't?"

Butterflies? Gone.

Replaced by straight-up heat.

I didn't give myself time to overthink it. I moved forward, closing the space between us, and swung a leg over to straddle her lap. She tensed, just for a second, but I felt her hands settle against my waist, her fingers pressing into the fabric of my shirt.

"Is that all?" I murmured, my face inches from hers, my breath ghosting over her lips.

Her eyes darkened, her grip tightening just slightly.

And I swore I could hear her breath hitch.

Ren's jaw tensed, her dark eyes flickering with something unreadable as she let my words settle in the air between us.

"I don't know much about you," she admitted, voice steady but lower than before.

I smirked, my fingers playing with the lapel of her blazer. "Then get to know me."

Before she could respond, I slid the blazer off her shoulders, watching as the fabric slipped down her toned arms. Underneath, she had on a short-sleeved, button-up dress shirt that was just fitted enough to make me bite my lip. The first few buttons were undone, giving me just enough of a peek to wonder what was underneath.

My fingers traced the ink on her arm, following the black lines of her tattoo sleeve, moving slow, watching her carefully. I felt the way she exhaled through her nose, felt the way her body tensed under my touch.

She was fighting this. I knew she was.

I pressed closer, my hips shifting in her lap, and that was when her hands finally moved.

Gripping.

Firm.

The heat of her palms settling against my ass, fingers pressing into me in a way that sent a pulse of warmth straight to my core.

I let out a breathy little laugh against her skin. "You're holding back."

Ren didn't say anything.

I knew she wasn't the type to give in easily. I could feel her restraint, the tension in her fingers, like she was trying to keep control of herself. But I didn't want her to.

I leaned in, pressing my face into the crook of her warm neck, inhaling the faint scent of her cologne. Something deep. Woodsy. Just enough spice to make my stomach do a little flip.

I dragged my lips along the skin there, slow, teasing.

"Stop resisting," I whispered, my voice soft but laced with something daring.

I felt her shiver. Just barely.

Then I ran my fingers up the back of her neck, into her hair, and murmured, "Relax, Ren."

"Yanna—" She moaned, soft, barely there, before clearing her throat and shifting beneath me like she was trying to catch herself, trying to reel it all back in.

"Yanna." She said it again, clearer this time, more controlled, like she was reminding herself who the fuck she was.

I smirked, tilting my head, meeting her gaze with those eyes. The ones I knew could make people weak. The ones that always got me what I wanted.

Her hands were back on my waist, gripping just tight enough to make my skin burn beneath her touch, and I could feel her holding herself back. Like she was at war with herself.

She inhaled sharply, exhaled through her nose, then squared her shoulders. "Get up."

I blinked, smirk growing, and leaned in a little closer, letting my breath fan over the sensitive skin of her neck. "No."

Ren's grip tightened, her fingers digging into my waist like she was torn between pushing me off or pulling me closer.

Then, like fucking clockwork—

"Babydoll, come here!"

I damn near growled. My opp-ass daddy.

Ren's eyes flickered with amusement before she let a slow, smug smile stretch across her lips. She was enjoying this.

I groaned, dramatically flopping against her chest for a second before finally peeling myself off her lap.

As I stood, her gaze lingered, running over me like she was committing every inch to memory before she forced her expression back into that blank, unreadable look she always wore.

I sighed, adjusting my shorts before throwing her one last look. One last chance.

She didn't move.

Didn't say shit.

Just sat there. Watching me.

I sucked my teeth, then turned toward the door, calling back in the most fake-sweet voice I could muster—

"Coming, Daddy!"

Behind me, I heard it.

Ren's quiet, amused chuckle.

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

All that fuss just for that?

I rolled my eyes, trying to keep my expression neutral as I stood in front of my father's desk. "That's it?"

He nodded, looking at me like I was supposed to be excited about the offer. "So, what do you think? London with your mother for the week?"

I didn't even have to think about it. "No, thank you."

He sighed, shaking his head. "Yanna, you never want to spend time with her."

I folded my arms. "I would if she actually came home. Why do I have to fly across the damn world to see my own mother? She should be here."

Silence. The kind that meant he didn't have an answer for that.

I sighed, shaking my head. "You could've texted me this, Daddy."

He shot me a look. "Watch that mouth, Babydoll."

I wasn't in the mood to argue, so I just nodded and turned on my heel, leaving his office with an irritated huff. I swear, parents loved making shit more complicated than it needed to be.

Now my whole mood was off.

I decided a lazy day was the move. No plans, no stress, just me, my bed, and some fruit to snack on.

So I headed downstairs, slipping into the kitchen and grabbing a small plate of fruit, popping a grape into my mouth as I turned to head back to my room.

And that's when I saw her.

Ren. Back in position. Standing tall against the wall near my door, arms crossed, watching me.

Her dark eyes swept over me, slow and lazy, lingering just long enough to make my skin feel hot.

Then, just as I passed her, she did it.

Licked her lips.

Deliberate.

Slow.

Like she wanted me to see.

Like she wanted me to know exactly what she was thinking.

My stomach flipped, my whole body suddenly feeling ten times hotter.

I took a bite of my strawberry, chewed slow, then smirked up at her before finally stepping into my room and shutting the door behind me.

Lazy day?

Yeah, we'd see about that.

I was lounged across my bed, iPad in hand, fingers tapping against the screen as I focused on my game. The soft hum of the AC filled the room, my silk sheets cool against my legs. Lazy day in full effect.

Then came a knock at the door.

I didn't even look up. "Come in!"

The door creaked open, and out the corner of my eye, I saw Ren standing there, posted up near the entrance, arms folded across her chest like usual. But this time? She didn't just stand there like a bodyguard on duty.

She smiled.

Small, barely-there, but I caught it.

Before I could react, Daddy stepped inside, blocking my view as he closed the door behind him. I sighed, finally setting my iPad down and sitting up. "What's up?"

He moved further into the room, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable. "I spoke to your mother."

I raised a brow. "And?"

"She's going to try to come home more."

That made me pause.

Not because I believed it.

Because I'd heard it before.

I studied his face, trying to gauge whether he actually believed what he was saying. Did he think she'd actually follow through? That she'd suddenly start prioritizing home when she hadn't in years?

But I wasn't in the mood to argue.

So I just nodded. "Thank you."

Daddy gave a short nod back, then sighed, his tone shifting. "Get dressed."

My stomach dropped.

"For what?"

"Wyatt's on his way to take you to lunch."

I swear, my soul left my body.

"Are you serious?" I groaned, flopping back against the pillows like a spoiled child.

Daddy's expression didn't budge. "Yes. Get up."

Bastard.

I threw an arm over my face, exhaling heavily, already feeling my mood souring. Lunch with Wyatt was the last thing I wanted to do. The thought of sitting across from him while he droned on about himself, making little backhanded comments about my hair, my outfit, my attitude...

Ugh.

I peeked from under my arm, eyeing Daddy. "I don't wanna go."

He just shook his head, already heading toward the door. "Don't start, Babydoll. Get dressed."

And with that, he walked out, shutting the door behind him.

I stared at the ceiling, groaning into my pillow before dragging myself up. I was really about to go spend my afternoon with that man.

I got up, stretching, and as I made my way toward my closet, I caught a glimpse of Ren—still standing outside my door.

This time, her smile was gone.

And I couldn't help but wonder why.