Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 841

Ronald was practically steaming when he finally stepped out of the bathroom—twenty minutes under ice-cold water, and he still looked like he needed another round.

With nothing but a white towel wrapped low around his waist, he looked every bit the picture of self-control, water still clinging to his hair and trailing down his shoulders to abs that would make any gym rat jealous. He radiated coolness—literally and figuratively.

Stella had just hung up with Susie, her best friend.

She turned to ask Ronald something, but the words caught in her throat when she saw him. She swallowed hard, unable to help herself.

God, she thought, it wasn’t like she’d had much experience with this sort of thing. From first opening up to now, she’d barely gotten a taste. She didn’t stand a chance.

Catching her staring, Ronald smirked, his voice teasing. “Do I look good?”

Stella nodded, honest as ever. “Yeah. You do.”

His grin widened. “Wanna touch?”

She blurted out, “Yeah— I mean, no. No, I can’t.”

She’d barely nodded before she changed her mind, shaking her head quickly. If she touched him, he’d be back in the shower for another half hour of cold water, and they’d never get to sleep.

Ronald just laughed and grabbed his robe from the sofa, slipping it on in one smooth motion. As he pulled off the towel, those long, athletic legs of his made her mind wander all over again.

He climbed into bed, pulling back the covers on his side. He didn’t immediately reach for her—he was still ice-cold from the shower, and didn’t want to chill her too.

But Stella didn’t care; she dove right into his arms anyway, snuggling up close. Ronald placed a gentle but firm hand on her head.

“Hey, quit wiggling around, okay?”

Stella mumbled, “Okay,” but she really hadn’t been wiggling—just trying to find the perfect spot to get cozy.

Ronald sighed, his voice softening. “Be good. I’m still freezing. Let’s wait a bit before we cuddle.”

He tried to gently nudge her away, but Stella latched on tighter.

“No, I want to cuddle. Let me warm you up.”

“You’re gonna catch a cold,” he warned.

Stella stared at him. “What?”

He admitted it without shame, as if it was totally normal to mess with her like this. How could he be so shameless?

“If I told you, you’d tell your sister. Then what excuse would your sister have to go after Dan?” he explained.

Stella blinked. “To go after Dan? She never needed an excuse before! Even before Susie was involved, Yvonne was always giving Dan hell.”

That was true. Yvonne had a habit of giving Dan a hard time, Susie or not.

Ronald just grinned. “Yeah, but now she’s got even more of a reason. She can really let him have it.”

Stella had to admit, Dan’s “man-cave” had basically been destroyed at this point.

Ronald shrugged. “And now Xander’s in on it too. As long as the Susie thing keeps going, Dan’s not off the hook.”

Stella just shook her head, equal parts impressed and exasperated. Poor Dan. He didn’t stand a chance.