Page 37 of The Companion Love Trap

“Yep. That’s Buns.”

“Buns.” I smiled, peering down at the corgi. “She?” I asked, glancing back up.

Cruz nodded, giving me his cocky grin like he’d just won something. His long hair was up in his usual top-knot, earrings shining on his ear. He was dressed casually in gray shorts and a white tee shirt with slip-on canvas shoes. He looked relaxed like he was meant to be here and not thousands of miles back home.

“We’re getting some lunch. Care to join?” Jace asked, startling me as I’d forgotten they were there. My two worlds were clashing, and I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t even think there was a companion rule for this.

“Um, this is Jace and Kieran,” I said to Cruz.

“We’ve met.” Cruz grinned like he was in on some big cosmic joke to bring all the men I wanted to fuck together in one place. Now all I needed was for Phantom to appear, and I’d have a quartet. Cruz’s gaze shifted to Jace, something simmering there. Now that was a new development. I licked my lips, wondering what they would be like together and if I could be in the middle.

“How are you here?” I blurted when I couldn’t stand the heat licking up my body.

“Well, I bought a ticket. Flew down to Miami. And then walked onto the ship. I’m sure you did the same.”

I groaned; not liking when sarcasm was directed back at me. I was the sassy, sarcastic one—no one else.

“Yes. I know how the logistics of it work. I mean, how are you on the same cruise as me?”

“Fate.” Cruz shrugged his shoulders, irritating me even more. “I did tell you. But you didn’t read my messages,” he added, the corner of his mouth tilting up in satisfaction. Jerk.

Fudge-a-roni. Ugh. I wouldn’t put it past him to have purposefully waited, knowing I wouldn’t read them just so he could tell me this.

“Fine. You’re here, but I’m working. So, no distractions,” I said, trying to regain control.

“From what I understand, Meu Tudo, you’re only required to work parts of the day, leaving other times open to your discretion. Am I wrong?”

“You’re not,” Jace supplied so helpfully. “Also, I made it very clear that Everly could fuck whoever she wanted.”

The way he said fuck had me closing my eyes and pressing my legs together. Buns panted in my arms, but I kept her close, worried my nipples would be hard as diamonds in this dress.

“I don’t know how to take you two together,” I said when I could open my eyes.

“However you want,” Jace teased, nudging me forward. “Food first.”

Nodding, I let him direct me back on course, focusing on the dog as I tried to make sense of this. There was no way I could boycott dick now. My pussy was already throbbing at the thought of Cruz being here.

The man had mad dick skills. And tongue. And fingers.

Okay, he had skills. Period.

“Do you need some sunscreen, Meu Tudo? You’re looking a little flushed.”

“Nope. All good.”

I pushed forward, taking Kieran’s hand and dragging him with me, setting Buns down and using her leash. Kieran peeked at me like he was trying to see if I was okay. I squeezed his hand and pressed my cheek against his arm. At least I had him.

Which admittedly was odd considering I’d only just met him, but he felt safe and secure, giving me the space not to have it all figured out for a second.

Lunch was quiet, the guys talking as I listened, trying to figure out how they knew one another. It had to be Howlers. Cruz spent most of his time there, and Kieran said he and Jace had gone. Though, I’d never seen either of them. I would’ve remembered both.

“The boat disembarks soon. Do we want to watch before we head to our cabins?” Jace asked.

“Yeah. Sounds good.”

Then I could get some more space to think through things. I’d need to double up on the walls. I always kept Cruz at arm’s length, knowing too much of him and he’d absorb me or something, like an amoeba.

We joined some others against the rail as the ship pulled away. I watched the flurry of activity below on the dock, amazed at all the steps that occurred. People waved, so I returned it, smiling as we set off. The sun felt nice on my face, and I dropped my shoulders as I tried to relax. It didn’t matter that my fuck buddy was here. I could still do a good job and keep my boundaries. Nothing had to change.

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