Page 116 of Bad Cruz

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I gave her a defiant, what-are-you-going-to-do-about-it look.

She rubbed the back of her neck, her cheeks crimson-stained. “I guess…I just…” She chuckled. “Okay. Wow. This is moving fast.”

“We’ve known each other since nursery school. You were pretty late to be potty-trained, by the way,” I said flatly.

“I had nightmares.” She punched my arm, laughing. “And what I mean is a month ago I didn’t even know that you liked me.”

“Well, I do.” I softened on a sigh.

“I like you, too. I just…” she trailed off, shaking her head. “I’m scared of my family, and to be perfectly honest, I’m scared of myself, too. I’m Messy Nessy. I mess things up. And I’m pretty scared of you. Can we keep it on the down-low for now?”

Ah, yes.

Messy Nessy didn’t deserve anything good. Especially when that something could overshadow her precious sister’s wedding.

“Until after the wedding,” I said curtly. “I’m not going to live in shame. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“A girlfriend,” Tennessee murmured, her eyes wide. “I haven’t been someone’s girlfriend since I was sixteen.”

“Well, it’s high time someone tamed you, Miss Turner.”

I turned around and walked away, out of the diner.

I watched from the reflection on the glass door as she ran to whisper something in Trixie’s ear, then followed me out, not bothering to say goodbye to Jerry.

Tennessee slipped into my car, ducking her head to make sure no one saw her.

“Are you following me?” I asked extra loudly as she buckled up, just to be a dick.

She grinned at me like a loon, her head tucked next to the glove compartment, still in hiding. “Maybe. Where am I following you to?”

“My house.”

“Nice. Bear is with his mamaw all day and mentioned he wants a sleepover so he can help my dad tomorrow morning with putting together a tree house for their neighbor.”

“All I heard was quality time with my girlfriend.”

She reached across the center console and kissed my thigh, still out of sight from whoever peered into my car.

It was secretive, and forbidden, and even a little crazy.

A calamity waiting to explode in my face in a very public, very un-Cruz fashion.

And I fucking loved it.

I woke up in Cruz’s bed to hot coffee, a heated croissant, and a note.

Dear girlfriend,

Shanna Duggar, Beau’s wife, went into labor earlier this morning and they called me to help. I’ll be back as soon as possible. Your clothes are on the right-hand side of my walk-in closet (don’t freak out).

—Cruz.

I clutched the note to my chest. Instead of freaking out, I contemplated how nice it would be to actually date Cruz.

After I woke up and used a spare toothbrush he left for me in his bathroom, I gave myself a tour. I’d never been inside my Barbie Dreamhouse before.

Yesterday, we were too busy having sex and wolfing down takeout food for it to be appropriate to ask for a tour. Plus, a part of me was still heavily guarded around him.


Tags: L.J. Shen Romance