Of course, that’s what he picked. I close my eyes, remembering that first night we met at Sabor. Cruz might look every bit the rugged athlete on the outside, but I know he’s a fluffy, sweet marshmallow on the inside. With one quick interaction, on a night where I was feeling less than great, he made my life just a little bit better. Something he’s done time and time again since.
I sigh, it’s time for future Lilah to get her shit together and clean up this mess, the one between my legs and my trashed bed before the man who inspired my recklessness knocks at my door.
I’ve barely gotten a grip on myself when that exact thing happens a short time later. “Come on in!” I holler toward the door. My stomach flutters with the anticipation of seeing him. Setting aside my laptop before I push off the couch and head to the connected kitchen.
When he steps into the apartment, Cruz looks back at the doorknob, his brows drawn together.
“Unlocked, Delilah? You’re killing me. Anyone could have walked in here,” he says, handing me a box. “This was on your mat. It’s addressed to the Velvet Lounge, but it has your address. Is that the swanky new speakeasy down the street?”
Oh. My. God. I’m going to murder Poppy—after I thank her. Butthenshe is dead. She’s the only person who would send something to my “Velvet Lounge.” I snatch the box out of his hand and hide it behind my back.
You have precisely zero chill, Lilah.
“Ah–I have no idea.” It’s a lie, one I’m sure he can see right through, but maybe the unlocked door will distract him from the fact that I’m hiding a vibrator behind my back.
He shakes his head and sets the food down on the counter next to the door, stepping across the small entryway and right into my space. His hand softly raises, cradling my jaw. “Is everything okay? You looked flushed?”
Jesus, of course, I’m blushing. I nod jerkily, not sure words are my best bet right now.
My best friend has a body that’s built for sin, add in the southern accent that comes out when he’s flirting, a few affectionate words in Spanish, and my Velvet Lounge is weeping for a go at him. He’s the entire reason I need whatever self-love contraption Poppy deemed necessary. I wish this floor would open up and swallow me whole.
“Don’t make me worry about you. Lock it? Please, Hermosa,” Cruz says, brushing his thumb across my cheekbone and pulling me out of my embarrassment spiral.
“I will from now on. Promise,” I assure him as he retrieves the food and brings it to the kitchen. While he’s busy with that I discreetly open the coat closet and toss the box inside like it might self-destruct, sending dildo shrapnel everywhere.
“It smells so good. You can’t go wrong with Sabor.” I busy myself with the work of grabbing plates from the cupboard to give myself a second to get it together.
Cruz appears behind me, causing me to inhale sharply as he brushes against me, lighting up every part of me. Reaching up to grab the dishes from me. “I picked up a bottle of your favorite wine.” He nods toward the paper bag on the table. “I thought we could have a glass with dinner and then talk.”
“Jumping right to the elephant in the room, you’re not even going to ease me into it,” I say, setting the wine glasses and utensils down before sliding into my seat next to Cruz.
“I’ve been easing you into it for a while now.”He raises his eyebrows while his hands work to uncork the bottle. And I can’t stop staring at his veins bulging with each move.Focus, Lilah.
“Is that what movie night was? I hardly call waking up with your morning wood staring at me easing into it,” I tell him as I pour a healthy serving of wine into both our glasses. We’re going to need it.
Cruz’s eyes bore into me, waiting for me to elaborate. I swallow the dread in my throat before I set my fork down and drop my head into my hands. I suck in a big breath, steeling myself for what I’m about to say. When I peek up at him through my fingers, he’s set his fork down and has his elbows perched on the table as he waits.
“We should probably talk about—” My sentence is cut off when my phone rings. Poppy’s name flashes across the screen—she never calls. I look up at Cruz. “It’s Poppy. She’s supposed to be on her date with Hen right now.” I bite my lip, unable to shake the feeling that something’s wrong.
“Hey, Pop—”
“Lilah,” she cuts me off, her voice broken with emotion.
“Poppy, what’s wrong?” I ask, standing from the table and pacing the length of the table. Cruz’s hand shoots out, and he takes my hand, squeezing.
“I need—can I come over?” Her voice cracks as she asks.
“Always. Is everyone okay? No one’s hurt?” I ask, as I see Cruz go stiff next to me. My hand aches from the tight grip he has on it as the sound of Poppy’s distraught voice carries through the phone. I focus on erasing any alarm that I might be showing to help ease the painful memories of Jarrett’s death that are being triggered for him right now.
“All—physically fine.” She sniffles on the other end of the phone. “Even if I’m so mad at him, I could be capable of inflicting physical pain at this point. I’ll explain when I get there,” Poppy says before disconnecting.
Cruz’s grip on my hand eases as he pulls me into him. I let him tug me between his legs as he sits at the table. My hands go to his hair, scraping my fingernails across his scalp, gently combing through his dark wavy locks. He rests his forehead against my stomach, dragging in a ragged inhale.
“It’s okay. Everyone’s okay,” I tell him softly as I tilt his face up to me. “It’s okay.” I run my fingers through his hair, trying to ease the anxiety that I know must be surfacing for him. Any late night, unexpected calls tend to set him on edge, and my reaction probably didn’t help things.
He pulls me into his lap. “We have a lot to talk about, but it can wait. I’ll wait with you until Poppy gets here and then you can focus on her. We still need to finish this, but you get a pass for tonight.”
I drop my head to the crook of his neck. “I missed you, Cruz.”
