Page 34 of Naughty and Nice
“Are you all right?” Julia asked. “You look…excited or scared or both.”
I scoffed. “I-I need to go see someone.”
“Would that someone be Lieutenant Ruiz?” she asked in a singsongy voice.
Pressing my lips together, I quickly nodded. “I thought he was upset with me.”
“Girl, the way he looked at you yesterday in the lecture hall was like he wanted to eat you for dinner. I don’t think you could possibly upset him.”
“We’re just friends.” Even the idea of marriage was meant to be for show.
“You keep telling yourself that.”
I stood, pushing away from the table. “Just friends.”
Excitement and dread created an intoxicating concoction circulating throughout my bloodstream. By the time I made it to the office suite, my palms were moist and my breathing shallow. Opening the main door, I met with Celeste’s and Reina’s wide stares. “Lieutenant Ruiz?” I managed to ask.
“He’s in your office. He said once you arrive, you’re not to be disturbed.”
I took a deep breath. “How did he seem?”
The two women exchanged glances.
“Intense,” Reina finally answered.
Intense.
That was the description Mia used about her husband.
Wiping my palms on my skirt, I approached the door and reminded myself that Nick Ruiz didn’t frighten me. He was nice.
Was that really an accurate description of a lethal cartel lieutenant?
Gripping the doorknob, I turned it and pushed the door inward. My mouth went dry and my breathing hitched. I closed the door behind me.
A vase with a bouquet of roses sat on the table. A picnic basket was near the table on the floor. But my attention went to the man waiting for me. Nick stood with his fine ass leaning against my desk. His arms crossed over his wide t-shirt-covered chest, his dark eyes staring down at his wristwatch. Slowly, his deep brown orbs moved upward, scanning me, inch by inch, from my ballet flats to my plaited hair. My nipples tented my blouse as he studied each place in between. A smile threatened his scowl. “You came precariously close to missing the deadline.”
Swallowing, I took a step toward him. “I’m sorry about yesterday.”
“I want you to be.”
My stomach twisted. “You want me to be?”
He nodded, standing tall.
“You want me sorry?” I wasn’t computing his words.
“Very sorry.” He came closer, his cedar scent filling my senses.
It was then I noticed my desk, the black leather snake lying on top. Not a snake. It was his belt. Reddened ass. My nerves kicked into overdrive. I took a step back as if the leather could strike on its own. “If you think you have the right to punish me…”
“You made it in time.”
“If I hadn’t?” My voice rose an octave.
“I told you in my text message.”
I squared my shoulders. “I’ve lived through one abusive marriage. I’m not doing that again.”
