Page 110 of Love Without Demands

“I told you I was fine.”

“Cruz, what’s wrong?” she asked.

I was unable to keep the bitterness from my tone. “I saw Dwight, Lehra. He told me he moved in.”

She stared at me for a long moment. “Moved in where?”

“With you.”

“What?” she shrieked so loudly my ears rang. “And you actually believed him?”

“I, uh…”

She stood toe-to-toe with me and glared up into my face. “You big idiot.”

I blinked at her. “I’m the idiot?”

She rolled her eyes and planted her hands on her hips. “If you think I would ever go back with Dwight Jones, then yes, you’re a complete moron. He did show up at my apartment to tell me he’d moved to New York, but he’s certainly not moving into my apartment.”

“He said… the way he said it…” I shook my head in confusion. “I saw him coming out of your apartment while you were at Kassie’s. That’s when he told me, and I quote,I live here now.”

“Ohhh, I’m just sure he did,” she fumed. “The jerk showed up without calling and announced that he was here so we could get back together. Like I would take his sorry ass back.” Lehra flailed her arms and stomped around the kitchen. “And he brought all his things, thinking I was going to let him move in here, I guess. Well, I informed him that he could take a damn hike.”

Every organ in my body seemed to melt with relief.

“So you’re not back together with Dwight?” I asked, just to confirm.

She whirled on me, looking even more beautiful in her fierceness. “Absolutely not. He was in my apartment because I told him he could stay until his hotel was ready.While I was not there,”she emphasized. “Now I wish I’d kicked his ass out onto the street with all his luggage.”

I scruffed a hand up and down my face. “Oh my god, Lehra. I was freaking out all day yesterday and all night. I thought you were leaving me.”

Her face softened, and she took my cup of coffee and set it down before climbing me like a tree. I instantly gripped her buttto hold her up as her legs wrapped around my waist and her arms wound around my shoulders.

“I adore you, you big jealous doof.”

Feeling like an ass, I leaned my forehead against hers. “I adore you too, Tink. I’m so sorry I jumped to conclusions.”

“Well, I’m pretty sure dipshit Dwight knew you’d interpret it that way.”

“Where is he staying?” I growled. “I want to punch him in the face.”

“I have no idea. I didn’t ask. and I don’t want to know.” Any remaining tension I may have held dissipated in an instant. “Is this why you didn’t want me to come over last night?”

“Yes,” I admitted. “I feel so stupid for buying into that. I’m really sorry, Lehra.”

Her soft hands stroked my messy hair. “Stop apologizing. We’ve got it all straightened out now. You know I’m not going back with mama’s boy, and I’m now aware that you have a jealous streak a mile wide.”

“It was more than jealousy,” I whispered, giving her a soft kiss on the lips. “I was devastated.”

“Baby,” she crooned, pressing kisses all over my face. “How about if I’m waiting in your bed when you get home tonight? And I’ll show you how I feel about you.”

I placed my woman on the counter and slid my fingers into the waistband of her shorts. “How about I give you an apology right now? Kinda like an appetizer before the main course tonight.”

“Don’t you have to go to work?”

“I always have time to get you off, Tink.”

She giggled as I worked her shorts and panties down her legs. “You do have quite the uncanny knack for that.”

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