Page 48 of Mayhem
“This is…amazing. It is, and I don’t want you to think I’m ungrateful, but it’s a lot,” Erin stated. “I know how much these stations and the ink you bought cost. And I truly appreciate it, but add this to the security system, letting me use your plane, the birthday trip, and—”
Paetyn cut her off, pulling her to him and covering her lips with his. He slipped his tongue into her mouth and led her in the kiss, effectively silencing her protest. Paetyn wasn’t naive enough to think it would stop her protest entirely, but he knew it would knock her off balance for a minute, effectively knocking the wind out of her sails.
When they pulled apart, he gripped her chin, his green eyes staring into her deep brown ones. “This is a birthday present. At some point, Angel, you’ll have to realize that both of your men are fully capable of paying for whatever you need and want.”
“It’s the perks of making ten figures,”Cruz informed her.
Erin pulled her face from Paetyn’s grip, her attention snapping to Cruz. “That’s…”she trailed off.
“It is,”Cruz responded, knowing what she was trying to say. “So, let us spend what we want to on you.”
Paetyn watched Erin think about it before sighing. “Will you at least let me pay you monthly rent?”
“No,”he and Cruz answered together.
“The utilities, then?”Erin then tried.
Paetyn shared a look with Cruz, andthey agreed to it. “Fine,”Paetyn told her. “I’ll get you the information you need.”
She nodded. “Thank you for my birthday present. I don’t think I could have asked for anything better.”She kissed him again before stepping out of his embrace and into Cruz’s.
Paetyn went to the private room, turning the lights out before closing the door. He went back over to Cruz and Erin as she was being kissed breathless. When they pulled apart, Paetyn took the keys from Cruz, pulled off one of the extra building keys, and handed it to Erin.
“You’llhave to think of a name, Angel,”Paetyn told her as the three headed out the door. Cruz used his credentials to set the alarm.
“I will.”
The drive to Erin’s apartment was filled with her tossing around different names only to throw them out after speaking them. When they arrived, they walked her to the door and kissed her goodnight. Cruz promised she could have the other surprise she wanted during the upcoming weekend.
They’d both decided to wait till the weekend before sliding between her thighs. It was about as far as either of their patience would go. Birthday sex was always nice, but the amount of time they needed and planned on taking, they wouldn’t have since Cruz had to fly out of the city at six the following morning to see a client. Naturally, he’d been willing to reschedule, but he’d already done so twice.
Once they were back in the car, Cruz said, “She’s going to be mad when she finds out we’re not actually letting her pay any bills.”
“I’m banking on her being more accepting of us doing things for her by the time she finds out,”Paetyn responded. “I’ll have a miscellaneous account opened for it to go into, and when we’re no longer battling her with this, I’ll give it to her.”
Cruz nodded before pulling out of the parking lot. Paetyn would do it tomorrow morning before doing a surprise inspection atAefinity.
12
As planned, they showed up at Erin’s apartment at nine-thirty on the dot. Cruz had expected to possibly have to wait for her to finish getting dressed or packing. He had not expected her to have breakfast made waiting on them. He and Paetyn planned for them to stop and get something.
However, he wasn’t upset that she wanted to cook for them. It had been a while since someone they were dating cooked for them. Typically, they’d want Paetyn to do all the cooking, and Cruz could understand that. Paetyn was arguably, in Cruz’s opinion, one of the best chefs in the world, and he didn’t mind cooking.
After eating, he and Paetyn volunteered to wash dishes while Erin double-checked that she packed everything she needed.
When they finished, they turned off the lights. Cruz took Erin’s suitcase from her, and they exited the apartment, stopping momentarily for her to set the alarm and lock the door. Cruz placed her suitcase in the trunk, and they offered her the front seat as usual, but she chose to get into the back. He was sure it was because she might fall asleep, and the back would be more comfortable.
When they merged onto the highway, Erin began telling them the names she’d come up with for her tattoo shop. Cruz liked them but didn’t show if he favored one more because he didn’t want to influence her decision. He was sure they both wantedher to be satisfied with whatever she chose and for it to be her choice.
The entire drive was filled with conversation, and Erin pinched them both twice when they passed two Volkswagen Beetles. Cruz felt it may have been her favorite car game as a kid.
When they pulled up to the house they’d be staying in for the next few days, he popped the trunk, and the three got out. He grabbed his and Erin’s suitcases when she reached for it. Paetyn grabbed his, took Erin’s hand, and led her to the front door.
Once inside, they left their suitcases by the door and followed Erin as she looked around the house.
The house was spacious, with an open living, dining, and kitchen area. Glass sliding doors led onto a deck with lounge seating, a grill, and a table. There were three bedrooms, each with connected bathrooms. They looked at the first two rooms before going to the last one. It was further away from the others and easily the primary bedroom.
“Why are there three bedrooms?” Erin asked as she walked through the room towards the open bathroom door.
