Ruby
“Me?”
Without taking his gaze off of her, the one on the left leaned over to mock-whisper to his brother. “I think she’s onto us.”
She couldn’t help but grin, although nerves ramped up in her stomach. Had Morgan sent them? “Hi.”
The other was more slender and seemed to be the youngest of the three. “Manuel,” he offered, taking her hand next.
She let her eyes travel between the two of them. “Does Morgan know you’re here?”
“Of course not,” Alexander answered nonchalantly.
“Not that it’s hard to keep secrets from him,” the youngest chided.
“That’s rather rude.” Then, she shrugged it off. “But you are his brothers, so I guess teasing is part of your relationship.”
“You have brothers as well,” Alexander stated, as if it were written across her forehead.
“I do.” She gestured to the man’s menu. “But maybe we could at least try not to get me fired for chatting on the job and pretend to be indecisive about the food options.”
The brothers exchanged a smirk, then picked up the cards in front of them. “Morgan said you invited him for cake.”
“I’d recommend the cinnamon strudel, followed by the cheesecake.”
“Well, that seals the deal for me. I’ll have the cheesecake,” Manuel announced.
Alexander was more indecisive and after a few more moments of deliberating, he selected a chocolate cake, along a wine for each.
She swiftly took the order to the kitchen and returned with their drinks.
“I don’t like secrets,” she told them honestly.
“I would prefer if you told him that you came by.”
“It’s always better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission.” Alexander grinned around the rim of his glass. “Maybe we should just walk you over to his place.”
“Gives us time to ask a few questions.”
“Well, you two better tell him you’re dropping me off, because that sounds like a rather bad surprise.”
“Why?” Manuel teased. “You think he’s going to surprise you in his birthday suit?”
“His birthd—oh…” She could only stare at him, her cheeks as red as a ripe strawberry. “That would be awkward.”
“But clearly something you feel strongly compelled to see.”
Unable to hide exactly how intrigued she was to see where Morgan’s tattoos led, she whirled around on the spot.
“I’m going to go back to work now.” She walked off with the sound of their laughter in her ears and by the time she returned with their cake, her cheeks weren’t so hot anymore. “Anything else I can get you?”
“So professional.” Alexander grabbed his menu again and pretended to read it. “Why did you take him to the Zoo Lights?”
“Because I’m Christmassy.”
“But you knew he is blind, so why take him there?”
“Because it’s fun and he still has some vision.”
“Fair enough. What made you ask him out?” Manuel asked, carving out a bite of his cheesecake.
“I thought he was handsome and when that girl left without so much as a hello, I took my chance.”
Alexander’s brows furrowed, and he studied her briefly before nodding his approval. “We don’t need anything else right now.”
She checked on them periodically but didn’t stay long enough to be interrogated any further. Once her shift ended, she walked over to them with their check in hand. “Are you two still my escorts for the evening?”
“We are,” Alexander confirmed, setting some cash on the table.
“I’m just going to change really quick.”
“Perfect, we’ll wait outside—and don’t even think of running away.”
She cocked a brow, then gazed down at herself. “I’m not really into running.”
With that, she spun on her heel to get changed into the red dress she’d selected the night before.
She cleaned up her ponytail and added a matching wine-red bow to the elastic.
Checking her outfit—red really suited her, she thought or maybe…
‘tis the season—she looked herself over in the less-than-ideal bathroom mirror as best as she could.
The final touch was a splash of apple-scented body spray, then she made her way outside.
Manuel and Alexander were waiting by the door, amusement written all over their smug faces. “Your man is mad.”
“Understandably.” They sandwiched her in, guiding her in the direction of Morgan’s condo. “So, what else would you like to know?”
“Don’t you want to know anything about Morgan?” Manuel asked.
She glanced at the man to her left. “I’m sure he’ll tell me when I ask him.”
“We just wanted to make sure he’s in good hands.”
“I believe he has himself handled. He seems like a man who strives for his independence.”
“He does, but we just wanted to get a feel for the woman you are. We might be assholes but that doesn’t mean we want our brother hurt.”
“Hurting people isn’t really my thing.”
Alexander scanned a card that gave them access to the building, and they led her right up to Morgan’s floor. The door sprang open before Manuel could even knock.
“We brought you someone.”
Ignoring his brother, Morgan offered her a hand. “Ruby,” he hummed, though his anger simmered behind those pretty green eyes. When she took his hand, Morgan pulled her over the threshold. “Piss off,” he growled and slammed the door shut.
She giggled, bending down to greet Blue, who’d come up to her. “Hey sweetness.”
“I’m sorry they bothered you, especially at work.”
She stood and looked around. “I don’t think they intended for me to recognise them.”
“Then they’re either dumber than I thought, or just as blind as I am.”
She let out a soft laugh. “Mind if I take my shoes off?”
“Please do. Make yourself at home.”
“Good thing you said that—I brought my own slippers.” She dropped her bag and sat on the bench next to the door to switch out her footwear. “My feet always get so cold.”
“Did you get in trouble?”
“With my boss?” She shook her head, then kicked herself and answered verbally instead. “No.”
He gave a nod and when she stood again, he beckoned her closer by opening up his arm, holding her close when she stepped up to him. “Were they at least nice to you?”
“Curious, but respectful.”
He let out a gruff, “Fuckers.” His free hand found her neck, fingertips tickling over her skin until he cupped her jaw. “I told them they would meet you once we were ready.”
“They’re your brothers. I’m sure they were just worried about the girl who asked you out.”
“They can stick their concern up their ass.”
With one last caress of his thumb over her cheekbone, Morgan took her hand and led her down the hall and into a galley-style kitchen. Large windows on the far wall flooded the space with evening sunlight, casting a glow over the ingredients spread out on the countertops.
“Do you have a recipe?” Morgan asked.
She shook her head looking through everything. When he didn’t answer, she grimaced. “No. I’m sorry. I keep giving nonverbal answers.”
“Habits are hard to break.” He grinned and squeezed her hand, he didn’t seem to want to let go—not that it was a bother, she welcomed the touch. “Just let me know what you need me to do.”
“I thought I was cooking you dinner.”
“I’m more than capable of assisting.”
She frowned. “That’s not what I meant, Morgan.”
“So, what did you have in mind I do?”
“Sit down and look pretty.”
Morgan blinked, one brow raised, but then he nodded. “As you wish.” Letting go of her hand, he pulled himself onto the counter and smirked.
“Perfect.”