Page 28 of Mayhem
Both men nodded at him before looking around the room to find the mentioned man. When they did, Cruz shifted his eyes around the room again. If Kieran decided it sounded like something he was interested in, Cruz would point out that it would be more useful and effective as something discreet like a bracelet or a watch.
He'd been standing there alone for a few moments when someone approaching him, calling his name, caught his attention.
"Um, Mr. Adair."
Cruz looked down at the young woman in front of him. "Yes?"
"Well, I was wondering... we're...the magazine... I'll get Chayse to ask you!"she blurted before turning on her heels and hurrying away.
"What was that about?"Paetyn questioned as he came to stand beside him.
"I have no idea."But Cruz could assume it would have something to do with an issue ofGorgeous. He sincerely hoped they would not call on him more often since he'd participated in their Forty under Forty issue.
Again, his eyes found Erin as she sipped what Cruz was assuming was her second drink, if for no other reason than it was a different color than the one she'd had half an hour ago. Even he thought it was strange that he'd noticed that, but over the last year, he'd realized that he noticed things with her that he usually wouldn't have.
"She's going to feel both of you staring a hole into her,"Nik said, coming up behind them. Cruz could hear the amusement in his voice.
"I'm surprised she hasn't combusted from the thoughts I'm sure are running through at least one of your heads,"Kieran tacked on as he walked up, looking at Cruz.It seemed he'dgotten rid of Nik's employees quicker than Cruz could.
"Why do you assume it's me?"Cruz asked. "You're right. I just want to know why you assume it's only me," he added with a smirk.
"I said, at least. I don't put it past Paetyn to have even worse thoughts."
"True. After all, something dark lives under that patience,"Nik threw out with a chuckle, causing the rest of them to laugh along, but they all knew he was only slightly exaggerating.
"Just go tell her you both want to destroy her,"Kieran spoke. "She lives in town now, so you no longer have an excuse."
"It wasn't an excuse,"Paetyn told him. "Besides, I'd rather show her I want to destroy her."
Cruz chuckled because he was aware that Paetyn meant it. "She does know that we both want to be in a relationship with her,"he decided to say and leave it at that.
"It's about time,"Nik and Kieran responded in unison. "Speaking of time,"Nik continued, "I received a call from the broker Richard. They're willing to sell and want to know when a good time for us would be to sign the paperwork."
"As soon as they can get it drawn up. I'd like to have it done and furnished by May. It'll be a good birthday gift," Paetyn responded.
Cruz watched Nik nod. "I'll call him first thing tomorrow. It’s the weekend, but I’m sure he’ll answer."
The four men talked for a bit longer before the women approached them—each one with a plate housing a slice of cake in their hand.
"Are the four of you over here being antisocial?"Alijah questioned.
"Your husband is the only antisocial one among us. Well, and Cruz sometimes," Nik responded.
Cruz was too preoccupied with Erin's lips wrapping around her fork to respond to Nik. As she slowly pulled it from between her lips, his eyes traveled up to find her looking at him. She stuck the fork back into the cake before holding it out to him.
"Do you want some?"
Cruz was aware that Alijah and Chayse had also turned their attention to him. He leaned down, took the fork into his mouth, and ate the cake. Cruz wasn't even the biggest cake fan, but she'd offered it so he would eat it.
When he released the fork, Erin scooped up some icing with the back of the fork, licking it off, and Cruz watched as if she was showing him the secret for world peace. Her eyes shifted to Paetyn before she placed more cake onto the fork and held it out to him.
While Erin studied Paetyn as she fed him the cake, Cruz studied her. He hadn't missed the flash of mischief behind her eyes when she'd fed them both.
"Delicious,"Paetyn stated when he swallowed the cake.
"Did you like it, Cruz?"Erin questioned, turning her attention back to him.
"I don't really like cake," he told her honestly, watching as her eyes grew concerned.
