Page 115 of Love Without Demands

Tears threatened the rims of my eyelids, but I managed to hold onto them as I gave him a big hug. “Thank you. I know you two are trying to finalize wedding stuff, but I appreciate you being here for me.”

“You feeling safe is the most important thing to both of us right now,” he said sweetly, kissing the top of my head before pulling back and giving me a gentle shove between my shoulders. “Go do your business, and we’ll turn the TV up loud.”

I laughed as I went into the bedroom and closed the door. I really liked those two, and I hoped that one day, I’d be lucky enough to call them my in-laws.

“He’s on his way up,” Monty informed me thirty minutes later, setting down his phone and standing. He seemed to have as much nervous energy as I did.

My hair was still damp from my shower, and I had donned my most comfortable lazy day clothes, a pair of Lululemon leggings and one of Cruz’s sweatshirts that swallowed me whole. I’d stolen a lot of his shirts over the past few months, and after every laundry day, I’d make him wear them for a while so they’d smell like him when I wore them.

There was nothing better than smelling your man on your comfort clothes.

Monty crossed to the door and opened it, standing beneath the door frame with his fingers drumming anxiously against his thighs until we heard heavy footsteps in the hallway outside. Cruz appeared, and the two men stared at each other for a beat before Monty grabbed him in a fierce hug.

I heard low murmurs but couldn’t make out what they were saying, but it was obviously an emotional moment.

“Oh my god,” Kassie breathed, clutching my hand. “They are so cute. Almost like brothers.”

Kass, you have no idea.

When the guys broke apart, we heard Cruz say, “I promise I’m okay, Mont.”

Kassie stepped forward, and Cruz enveloped her in a hug. “Thanks for coming over, Kass. I know you being here helped a lot.”

She sniffled and nodded.

A second after he released Kassie, I was being lifted off the ground by Cruz’s strong arms and carried swiftly down the hallway. “Thanks for everything guys,” he shouted, keeping his eyes firmly on my face, “but… you know…”

“We’ll see ourselves out,” Monty said with a knowing chuckle.

And then it was just us. Me and the man I loved with all my heart.

He lowered me gently to my feet and cupped my face with his big, warm hands. “I’ve been so worried about you,” he murmured. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I want you.”

His exhale brushed against my lips. “I want you too, but I was afraid you’d be too upset or something.” Blue eyes searched my gray ones, looking for any sign that I wasn’t okay.

“I’m not. I need it. I need you.”

“Thank Christ,” he said, his lips quirking up on one side. “I love seeing you in my clothes, Tink, but I need to have you naked so I can feel your skin, warm and… alive.” His voice cracked a little at the end, and I buried my face in his neck and inhaled. He smelled like sweat and man, and it was about the best scent ever.

We held each other for a long moment before I backed up and pulled the shirt off over my head and removed my leggings. “I’m here, Cruz. I’m here, and I’m alive, thanks to you.”

Cruz dropped to his knees and moved his hands reverently over every inch of my body, following each path with tender kisses. Tears streamed down my face. I’d never felt more adored.

His own eyes were suspiciously moist when he looked up and rasped, “I love you, Lehra. Every beat of my heart belongs to you.”

The sight of Cruz on his knees with tears in his eyes made my legs weak. The man looked like a complete badass in a very tight, black, microfiber tee and black cargo pants. The bulge ofhis biceps threatened the seams, and his tats peeked out from beneath the sleeves.

In a word, he looked invincible. But I loved the way he showed me his softness, the way he shared his vulnerable side with me.

“I love you too, Cruz. Everything about you except for one thing.”

He rose to his feet, eyebrows inching together as he towered over me. “What’s that?”

I dragged my fingers up and down his thick, veiny forearms. “You’re wearing too many clothes right now.”

His smile was devastating, full of affection and dimples. “We can fix that. Why don’t you get in bed, and I’ll go take a shower right quick?”

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