Reuben Chapter 7
Things have been going great between Cristiana and me over the past several days.
Even though we were both busy with work, we spoke every day, usually spending a few hours on the phone before I went to work and she finished her day.
Or it had been until she adjusted her hours to match mine.
I didn’t ask her to do that, but when she did, I was thrilled and somewhat humbled that she would do something so big to spend more time with me.
Once she did, we’d speak before my shifts started and after I got off, and before we’d go to sleep.
On Monday and Tuesday, when I was off, we spent a large chunk of the days together.
I hated not being able to touch or kiss her on the days we had to video chat instead of being together in person.
It made me more anxious for things to progress between us to the point that I talked her into moving in with me.
I’d dropped a few hints about it, and she never knocked them down by saying it was never happening. That gave me hope.
During those days, we discussed our sexual wants and needs.
Our limits and absolutes were defined. I took careful note.
And I now had the contract laid out in writing.
All it needed was for Cristiana to read and sign it.
My signature would swiftly follow. Then we’d be ready to progress our relationship to its full potential.
My heart raced every time I thought of it.
However, today, our mutual schedules were thrown out the window.
And it was all Tajah and Mikhail’s fault.
Taj woke up and decided today was the day to have their baby.
Mikhail had called me around eight this morning to say he was taking her to the hospital.
I offered to make calls to Cady and anyone else, like Taj’s mom.
He thanked me and asked if I’d let Carver and Alex know.
They were on the list. Cady already knew, and so did Taj’s mom, Tamara.
I didn’t doubt that the waiting room would be packed with people.
But it didn’t matter, I wanted to be there, too.
After speaking to Mikhail and promising I’d be there soon, I called my floor manager, Sheila.
Whenever I had to miss work for any reason, she would take over my job.
She was technically my assistant manager.
She didn’t advertise it, but we ensured she was paid for the additional work.
When I told her what was happening, Sheila automatically told me not to worry about covering tonight at Lustz.
She’d be there and ensure everything and everyone was taken care of.
Sheila asked me to let Mikhail know that she and the other employees would take care of Lustz and that they were excited and happy for him and Tajah.
I thanked her profusely before ending the call.
The call I made next was to Carver. Then I called Cristiana.
I wanted her to be with me if she agreed.
“Good morning, you look so good,” I told her, as the video chat call went through and she answered.
“Thank you, and so do you. Yummy, in fact. How did you sleep?” she asked. Her voice was still husky from sleep. Her slightly rumpled look was sexy as hell. I pictured that I’d been the one to muss her up in a pleasurable way.
“It was okay, but it would’ve been great if I had you with me. Our nap last Sunday was the best sleep I’ve had in ages,” I confessed.
“Ahh, poor baby. Well, if you’re a good boy, maybe we’ll do that soon.” Her sultriness came through.
“I’ll hold you to that. By the way, I have something for you to read and sign. Once you do, we’ll be open for whatever you want,” I added, letting her hear the desire in my tone.
“God, Reuben, don’t do that when we’re on the phone, and I won’t get to be with you until Monday,” she moaned.
“Well, what would you say to us spending the day together and then you staying the weekend with me at my place? I won’t be at Lustz tonight.”
“Why not?” Cristiana asked in surprise.
“Well, Mikhail called not long ago to tell me that Tajah is on the way to the hospital. She’s having the baby sometime today.
I plan to go there for a while. Would you go with me?
I admit, I want to see their little one.
You’ll have the opportunity to meet a few others in my life and theirs.
If you don’t want to, just say so. Afterward, we’ll have the night and most of tomorrow to ourselves until I go to work.
You can hang at Lustz while I work if you want, though I’ll have to ensure those other guys who were panting after you know you’re unavailable,” I growled.
Cristiana laughed. “Reuben, you’re so territorial, but I like it, which is weirdly not like me.
As for seeing Tajah and Mikhail’s baby, meeting more people, and staying with you, I’d love to.
When do you want me there? And should I come to your place or go straight to the hospital and meet you there? ”
I was overjoyed at her acceptance. If she’d said no, the day would’ve been less enjoyable.
“Meet me at my place, that way we can leave your car here and take mine. Later, we’ll come back here. Does eleven sound reasonable? She’ll be in labor for a while, as you know. My sisters were. We’ll leave and be there no later than noon.”
“That’ll work perfectly for me. As much as I hate it, we have to cut this call short so I can finish one task and get ready. I’ll see you in a couple of hours, carino.”
“I can’t wait. Drive safe, mi hermosa nina.”
Cristiana smiled at her nickname. She did every time I said it. She blew me a kiss before ending the call.
God, I’d almost slipped up and said I love you.
I caught myself barely in time. I didn’t feel relieved that I hadn’t said it.
Instead, I was aching to tell her because it was the truth.
I already felt as if I loved Cristiana. However, to say it this soon would be too much for her, I think.
And I wanted her to feel the same way about me.
Wanting everything to be immaculate when she arrived, I went through my flat, straightening things up, in a few cases, tidying up, sweeping, or scrubbing.
My cleaner wasn’t due until next Friday.
I chuckled as I recalled Cristiana’s comment about empty pizza boxes and beer bottles.
If I had any, I would’ve staged some just to mess with her.
Once my place was acceptable, I showered and got myself ready. Before I did, I texted Mikhail to get an update and to let him know when we’d be there. He responded that she was being monitored and had a way to go, so no rush.
I was pacing near the door as the minutes until eleven o’clock ticked down.
When the knock came at six minutes til, I practically ran to open the door.
Swinging it open, her smile made my whole mood lift even more.
Cristiana walked straight into my arms as I pushed the door closed.
Our mouths met and greedily ravaged each other, but in a good way.
When we eventually parted, both of us were red-faced and breathing heavily.
I had a killer erection straining my jeans, and I knew she had to be wet.
It was close to impossible not to shove my hand down her pants to check. But somehow, I resisted.
“Hello again. Thank you for that greeting. I’m here and ready when you are. Any news on Tajah?” she asked.
“Hello, and you’re very welcome. As for Taj, she’s doing well, still in early labor according to Mikhail. Do you want to rest here first or head over now?”
“Unless you want to stay here, I’m good with us going.”
It took mere minutes to exit my flat, lock up, and get in the car.
I’d shown her where the open parking was in the private garage, so her car was inside.
The drive wasn’t particularly long. If there were no traffic, it would’ve been very short.
Even though they lived in Culleoka, about sixty miles from Nashville, Tajah was having the baby in the city at one of the best hospitals we have.
There was no other way that Mikhail would have it.
He treasured his wife and unborn child, as all men should.
We discussed on the way there what time we thought Taj would give birth. We’d see who was the closest. I’d been to hospitals to see babies and be part of the waiting room crowd for all my siblings’ kids. Cristiana said it was the same for her brothers’ and sister’s children.
We found parking without much trouble and were soon on the elevator to the labor and delivery floor. A volunteer had told us where to go once we reached it. We followed his directions and ended up at the door of the waiting room. As I guessed, it was packed with people.
Before announcing our arrival, I scanned the group to see how many were part of our crew. I chuckled softly. Currently, all but three people were here for Tajah and Mikhail. I squeezed Cristiana’s hand. I noticed the increased tension in her when we arrived at the door.
“You’ll be fine,” I whispered before walking inside, bringing her with me. The buzzing chatter died away as we were spotted. I saw surprise or curiosity on most faces. Cady was the first to break the silence.
“It’s about time you brought your ugly mug here, Reuben.
And look what you did. You dragged poor Cristiana with you.
At least she’s appreciated and will help us pass the time.
You, I don’t know about,” she said dismissively in her bratty way.
I didn’t take offense because I knew it was her way, and it didn’t mean she disliked me. We got along great.
“I told Tajah she shouldn’t allow the riff raff around at a time like this. Where’s the security in this place? They need to do their job,” I smarted off back.