Page 11 of The Companion Love Trap

“Are you Everly’s missing twin?” he questioned, taking me by surprise. I sputtered out a laugh, not having expected that.

“Fuck no. My cock’s hard as nails from watching you two. This isn’t a Luke and Leia thing.”

Cruz sat back, and I didn’t miss the heat that grew in his eyes at my words.

“Then I’m confused. You’re trying to trap her parents? Everly doesn’t talk to them. They disowned her years ago.”

“Assholes,” I muttered, my hackles rising at the knowledge anyone would dismiss that girl. “But no, more of the concept, not the parent or twin part. I think I have the perfect solution to Everly’s job and home problem.”

I took another drink and leaned back, enjoying the power I had between us. Cruz didn’t take the bait, though. Instead, taking a sip of his own drink and held my eyes. When I blinked, something shifted, and I sat forward.

“Kieran placed an ad for a companion to accompany him as his fake date on a cruise. He needs to impress some investors, and they don’t take him seriously enough because he’s single. I suggested he find someone to be a stand-in.”

“Sounds more like Pretty Woman than Parent Trap,” Cruz mumbled, looking at me like he was trying to figure out my angle.

“Yes, that part, I suppose, is more like that movie, but the other dynamic, the trap part, is only because it’s her. So, it’s a Pretty Woman meets the Parent Trap on the Love Boat type of thing.” I swirled my hand around, words flying out of my mouth a mile a minute in my excitement.

“You’ve lost me,” Cruz said, taking a swig of his drink, peering at me skeptically now. He kept searching my face like the answer to my brilliant idea was stored there.

“First of all, the ad’s for a companion, not a hooker. There’s no canoodling required. And second of all, you can’t deny the chemistry between Kieran and Everly.”

“Kieran’s Phantom?” he asked, apparently wanting to ensure he had the characters right.

“Yes. Kieran’s my best friend. I’ve known him since boarding school. He’s awkward and quiet and timid around women. He spends most of his time with his head in a project. He has a brilliant mind and is very skilled at the piano. But Kieran will never leave his comfort zone unless I push him. He gets stuck in his ways and accepts his life as it is, believing the only way to make himself worthy is to keep being the best.”

“So by putting them together, you’re hoping they what? Fall in love?” He didn’t laugh, but I wasn’t sure if he believed me.

“They’re already there, and you know it, but it sounds like neither of them will admit it.” I sat back, my drink empty, and crossed my arms in triumphant. Try to argue that, Gato! Point for me.

Cruz nodded slowly as he observed me; a million things appeared to run through his mind as he sat quietly. His fingers tapping on the table were the only outside movement as he processed everything. He leaned forward a moment later, and I held my breath, hoping I’d get everything I wanted.

“I’ll be honest; I thought you were with Kieran. And I’m not sure how you expect me to give up Everly. I love that girl even if she can’t accept it. I’m never going away. If she ever decides to marry, her husband will have to deal with me sticking my dick in her, too. I’ll be her creepy neighbor if I have to.”

I smiled, his words not creeping me out one bit. I liked his intensity and knew I had him exactly where I wanted him. This I could work with.

“Kieran and I are together sometimes, and we aren’t other times. The two of us only work to a certain extent. We need a third to balance us out. It’s just how it’s always been with both of us. As for you, if you’re willing to share, I don’t see why you would have to give up Everly. I never pictured myself in a traditional relationship. Can you honestly say you did either, Gato?”

His pupils dilated again, and he bit the inside of his mouth. I’d become excellent at reading people’s cues, and I knew if I reached over and touched his cock, it would rival how hard mine was.

“So let me get this straight. Your plan is to trap her in a relationship with the two of you when it sounds like you’ve never even met her? And you’ll let me have a relationship on the side?” he asked, bitterness finding its way into his words. His protectiveness was sexy though, his eyes slitting with danger. My pulse picked up, and I shifted.

“Stop whatever bullshit nonsense you’re dreaming up. I already know she’d be perfect for both Kieran and me. And I would never trap someone into a relationship if they didn’t want to be with me. I merely mean the term in the sense of locking them both up until they have to admit their feelings. Haven’t you ever read a romance book? Forced Proximity always works.”

His face relaxed, his eyes more intrigued now. Swallowing, I licked my lips, liking how he tracked the movement.

“What they do from there is up to them. I’m not a wizard, just a mastermind of design.” I smirked at my own joke. “As for your relationship… that would depend on you, Gato. Do you only want to be on the outside? Or would you be able to open yourself up to something bigger and better?”

Cruz stared at me, and I yearned to know what he was thinking. He was an enigma I hadn’t been expecting but one I look forward to unraveling. The list of things I wanted to do to him was growing.

“Everly doesn’t do relationships. You’ll just be wasting your time.”

Was that his only defense now? Another point to me.

“Let me worry about the details, Gato. If you’re amenable to the idea, the hardest part is over. Tell me what coffee shop she’ll be at tomorrow, and I’ll do the rest. Believe me; no one can say no to me.”

I let that hang in the air for a second as I looked him over, leaning forward to give him my most charming smile.

“Have you ever shot a group of models who loathe one another, are hangry, and yet make the picture look like they’re the freaking Brady Bunch? No. I didn’t think so. I have a gift. So, let me do my part, and I’ll let you know when it’s time to do yours. Okay, Gato?”

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