Chapter 31
Closer
The next week I spend locked away with Paige putting together my audition dance between midday and three, then I start my shift at the club.
I go home late, driven by either Asher or Jagger and collapse in an exhausted heap, but it’s all going to be so worth it if I can pull this off and actually get in.
My application was approved, and I have my audition in three weeks, hopefully enough time to perfect my dance.
Today I have the day off from the club. I have lazed in bed for way longer than I should, but part of me is still avoiding the boys, trying to stay out of sight and hopefully out of mind.
The more time I spend with them, the more I want them, and right now, I just need to focus.
It’s not like they haven’t tried to get my attention.
I wake up most nights with Cruz or Asher’s arms wrapped around me.
But they know I need space to focus, and mostly other than a cheeky kiss in a dark corner, they are being respectful.
Jagger is avoiding me just as much as I am him and hasn’t even tried making another pass since our night together.
Maybe he felt it too, that there was more going on between us than there should be.
When my stomach growls, I know I can’t avoid the kitchen any longer, I need to get up and at least eat something.
Also, I’m in dire need of coffee. Still in my silk pajamas, I pad into the kitchen, my body aching all over from the constant dancing.
I turn the coffee machine on and find a mug, staring down at my feet as I wait for it to heat.
They are bruised and battered from being back in pointe shoes after so long.
It’s the strangest kind of pain. It’s so satisfying, like every blister brings me closer to my dream.
I stretch my toes back and try to ease the discomfort.
A phone screen glides in front of my face.
I glance over my shoulder to find a grinning Cruz, all sleep-mussed and sexy as all hell, with his hair flopping over his eyes and his bare chest on full display.
I take the phone from him, trying to focus on what he’s showing me.
It appears to be a booking for Nestled Serenity Day Spa. “What’s this?” I ask him, confused.
“Thought you could do with a massage and maybe something to help those feet.” He grimaces when he sees how bad they look.
I smirk at him, surprised but grateful. “This is sweet, Cruz.”
“I am sweet.” He kisses my cheek and then passes me, taking over the making of my coffee.
I eye him suspiciously. Why do I feel like this sweet gesture means I’m going to owe him something?
He hands me my full mug with a cheeky smirk, and I know it.
“When you’re done at the spa, I’m picking you up.
You’re mine for the afternoon.” He holds his finger up to my lips to silence me.
“Before you brush me off and say you’re too busy, I have checked your schedule.
You’re not working, and Paige has given you the day off. ”
I can’t help but smile back at him. He’s kind of adorable like this, all needy and desperate. “What did you have in mind?” I lean into the kitchen island as I sip at my coffee, letting the delicious caffeine bring life into my tired body.
He rubs the back of his neck as if he’s uncomfortable. “It’s Mal’s engagement party in a few weeks. He’s having it at the casino, and I need something a little swankier than jeans and a tee to wear. You’re good with fashion, I thought maybe you could help me.”
That was the last thing I expected him to ask of me, and I can’t help but laugh. “I’ll do my best, but I don’t see how we can fix this up.” I wave my hand down his body to imply he is this.
He pulls me in closer to him. “Funny girl.” He kisses my forehead.
“You left that open for me.” I giggle at his expense.
He cups my face, looking down at me, all dreamy. “I’ll get you something nice as well, just to sweeten the deal. It’s cocktail, and from what I have seen in your closet, you don’t have anything suitable.”
My body stiffens. “I’m not coming to the party, Cruz, it’s a family thing.” I pin my glare on him as I push out of his grip on me. “Also, stop going in my room when I’m not home.”
“You leave me for hours on end, working that ass off with your dancing. Sometimes I need to smell your clothes to remember you.”
I shake my head, trying to stay mad at him, but it’s impossible with the puppy-dog eyes he is giving me. “Creepy, Cruz. Real creepy.”
“Endearing, little darlin’. You know you love how into you I am.” He pins me with a kiss. “Also, you are family now, we have decided.” He gives me a look, one that is hard to say no to.
I go to tell him I can’t, because I really shouldn’t let them believe I’m family. It’s not right when we both know this thing will end when they tire of me. But he presses his finger to my lips again.
“Besides, it’s not negotiable. Boss’s orders. It’s a security thing when all of us are going to be there.”
Of course, it is! Should have known it’s not that I’m wanted there. “I’m working that night, Cruz,” I try instead, because even if it’s for safety reasons, I can’t just turn up as three of their dates to their brother’s engagement party; that’s just weird.
His grin widens. “Ash got it off for you.” He runs his hand down my silk sleep shorts. “You’re coming, and you’re going to wear a sparkly dress, get your hair done, and you’re going to have fun. That’s final.”
I roll my eyes, taking a step back from him so I can drink my coffee.
“If you say so,” I mutter, taking a seat at the breakfast island.
Some arguments aren’t worth having. Not when I have my focus on getting into this school.
I guess I go and try to lie low, and maybe I can hang out with Sloane instead and avoid them altogether.
He pulls a bowl from the cupboard and places it in front of me, along with a box of cereal and some milk.
I have noticed he’s been doing this for me a lot this week.
Fussing over me. It’s almost as though we have fallen into a routine, one I never thought we would.
Jagger is the same. I haven’t seen him much at all, but he’s been making me dinners to take to the club, leaving a note in the fridge on a little tub of food that just says “flower.”
Cruz holds his bowl as he leans against the fridge, watching me as he scoops in mouthfuls.
He’s always watching me, even when I’m doing the most mundane things, like eating a bowl of cereal.
I munch it down quickly, ready to escape back into my room before he pounces on me.
Because I know that look. Those eyes are come-fuck-me eyes, for sure.
When I’m done, he takes the bowl from me, stacking it in the dishwasher.
“Don’t you have something better to do with your time?
” I ask because curiosity gets the better of me.
I never see him working, but I’m sure he must do something when he’s not staring at me. How else would he make money?
His forehead wrinkles. “Doc won’t let me train till I’m fully healed, so no.
” He comes around behind me, kissing my cheek.
“Besides, what’s better than helping you get ready for the day?
I think the next item on the list should be a shower.
And lucky for you, I’m an expert at washing hair.
” He spins my chair so I’m facing him, the desire in his eyes intensifying, if that’s even possible.
My stomach does that damn flip-flop thing he seems to make it do. “Cruz. You’re not showering me,” I say, but my voice comes out as a breathy whisper, not sounding convincing at all.
He buries his head in the crook of my neck and starts a slow, careful descent over my body, kissing down my neck and over my shoulder as his hands move to cup my breasts.
I press my body into his, not able to help it.
This is why I have been avoiding them. They have this effect over me, this disarming way of getting me to forget what I’m supposed to be doing, and instead, I just melt into them, my body begging for more.
“Let Cruz get you all dirty, then real clean. Come on, little darlin’, don’t make me beg you.
” He chuckles out a laugh, his lips vibrating over my skin.
My hand settles on his chest, and I push him away just a little, trying to catch my breath. “Maybe I should enjoy a little payback, for you and Asher making me beg.”
He hooks his hands in the sides of my silk sleep shorts, and in one move, he strips them down my legs and drops to his knees in front of me.
“Cruz,” I gasp, not expecting the sudden movement or to be panty-less in the kitchen.
He doesn’t care. His eyes light up, all playful and cheeky, then he wastes no time in pushing my legs out wide and dipping his head to taste me.
When he flicks his tongue over my clit, I can’t help but lean back into the kitchen counter, allowing him better access.
Because what this man can do with his tongue should be a sin, and I’m not stopping him now, no matter how dangerous I know it is being this close to him.
He pulls back, with a wicked gleam in his eyes. “How am I doing, little darlin’?”
“More groveling and I might just let you shower with me.” I smirk, knowing I sound like a hussy, but I’m enjoying this way too much to stop him now.
He takes one of my legs and throws it over his shoulder, then his lips are back on my pussy, licking, sucking, flicking his tongue over my most sensitive spot in the best way possible.
My hands tangle into his long hair, pulling him closer to me, needing more.
The way he looks up at me with his big, stormy, lust-filled eyes is all too much and has me on the edge already.
Jagger’s bedroom door flies open, and he stalks into the room, his phone up to his ear. He takes one look at us and his angry expression simmers down, his lips curling up at the sides. “Get your shit, Cruz. We have a situation to take care of.”
“Fuck off.” Cruz pulls back from my pussy just long enough to growl at his brother, then his lips are back on me again, more fervently this time as he pushes two thick fingers inside of me.
I suck in a breath and grip onto the counter, not sure where to look or what to do. All I know is my cheeks are the color of a beet, and my pussy is thrumming, so damn close to cumming I couldn’t stop Cruz now if I wanted to. I ride his hand, whimpering as Jagger’s lips curl up at the sides.
“See you soon.” Jagger disconnects the call then stalks across the room, his eyes locking with mine in a way that makes my insides turn to liquid.
This shouldn’t be hot, but the way he’s looking at me is crossing a line I have been craving to see the other side of.
“I know she tastes as fucking sweet as honey, but this shitshow can’t wait. ”
Cruz holds up his middle finger, signaling for Jagger to fuck off.
Jagger tugs him up to standing by the back of his shirt.
I quickly cover myself up, crossing my legs and tugging down my silk shirt. “What’s wrong, Jagger?” I ask, trying to ignore the sinful look in his eyes and the way my pussy begs for more. Now is clearly not the time.
“You spoil all my fun,” Cruz grumbles, shoving past his brother, making sure to knock his shoulder with his on the way past him as he heads to his room. “Don’t you worry, little darlin’, this isn’t over.”
Jagger leans into the kitchen counter, his eyes lazily scanning all the way down my body. “Go get dressed, flower, before I fucking finish you off myself.”
“Jagger,” I warn. That look in his eyes is dangerous.
“Quickly, we don’t have a lot of time, and you’re going to have to come with us.”
“What? No fucking way,” Cruz growls back, turning on the spot.
My eyes bounce between the brothers, not enjoying the way the tension just shifted from hot as hell to agitated. “I can just stay here while you go sort out whatever the situation is.”
Jagger leans in closer, grabbing my hand. He tugs me to standing and swats my bare ass cheek. “Not negotiable.” His lips brush over my earlobe as he sends me on my way.
Cruz curses something under his breath, then slams his bedroom door.
I sigh heavily, still feeling Jagger’s eyes on me as I close my door. Damn him, now I’m on edge in more ways than one. What on earth is he dragging me along to? And why do I get a sinking feeling that I’m not going to like it.