Page 197 of Now and Forever

“Oh, okay. It must’ve been really important, then.” My light comment didn’t seem to rouse any response from him, so I decided to keep my mouth shut.

As the silence stretched, the music in the background that I hadn’t really noticed before seemed much louder.

“I should take you home,” he suggested, breaking the awkwardness that seemed to grow more daunting as the time ticked away. “My mother would be appalled if we didn’t take care of you.”

What time is it?I thought as I glanced towards my old cell phone to check the time. It was barely thirty minutes before midnight, and I wasn’t in a rush to go back yet. I didn’t know why, though maybe it was because this was my first time out in a new city, and I wanted to get to know it more. The vibe and ambiance was so different from what I was used to. I was intrigued by it, sans the bitchiness of a few women.

“I’m fine. It’s still early,” I argued softly, not wanting to come off as rude. Besides, I wasn’t a child, so there was no need to treat me as one.

“All right. That’s fine by me,” he conceded. “How about I take you for some coffee to sober you up a little?” he suggested, making me glance at him.

“Coffee?” I asked, smiling broadly. “Geez, aren’t you a downer?”

There was no question that Cruz was the serious type compared to his brother. How old is he, anyway? I wondered as I gazed into his eyes, making me inwardly sigh.

“Yes, Miss Coffee Snob,” he quipped back, matching my grin. “I’m much better company than this spoiled lot.”

The smile he gave me was highway robbery. Staring at him, I let my eyes roam his gorgeously chiseled face in pure, unparalleled admiration. How could any man be allowed to be that good-looking?

“Well, you certainly are the best looking one here, hands down.” I wasn’t one to say compliments to any man, but with the alcohol hazing my mouth filter, there was no stopping it from being blurted out.

He made a face, as if he couldn’t believe what he had just heard before he gave a throaty, deep-bellied laugh. “My dear Serena …” he finally said after his laughing hysterics began to calm down.

I tried to brush his endearment off as if it didn’t make me feel like I was floating on clouds. Instead, I brazenly challenged him further.

“Come on, don’t pretend like you’re not used to the attention. You’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen … to date.”

“To date?”he huffed as his face broke out into another toe-curling smile. “My, how you instantly shatter a man’s ego just as quickly as you inflate it.”

“A man with deflated ego, how are we going to fix that?” Raising my brow at him, I found myself immersed in him and this little world of banter he and I were dancing around.

“Easily. Just have coffee with me.”

“Okay,” I finally agreed. “But just so you know, I’m not drunk, so I don’t need sobering up.”

“Of course you’re not.” His eyes twinkled, not buying the load I was selling him.

Gathering ourselves out of the booth, I barely noticed people watching us depart. I was too absorbed in the fact that he had his hand on the base of my back as he guided us out of the bar. His warm hand made me feel electrified, and I simply wanted to stop thinking and have fun with him, come what may.

Emerging from the bar and walking towards his parked car, I noted that his hand hadn’t come off my back. I was beginning to like it too much, having him this close to me.

“What is that scent you’re wearing?” I blurted out as I leaned a little closer to get a whiff of it. “What cologne is it?”

“I don’t wear cologne. Maybe it’s my aftershave.”

Well, hell, was there anything about this guy that I didn’t like? I just wished I could find something to put me off so I didn’t have to act like a fool around him. All this excitement was too much for my blood pressure.

“My car is through here,” he said, guiding me towards a black Range Rover.

Just as he was opening the door for me, I spun around to face him, curious. “Is there something wrong with denim skirts on this side of the world that I wasn’t aware of?”

His brows furrowed, taken aback by my random question. “You’re asking me about denim?”

“Yeah …”

“I find it … well …” His gaze dropped to my skirt, lingering on my legs while his eyes burned. “You have quite the lovely gams,” he rasped out in such a way that it sent tingles all over me.

Sexual thoughts, here we go once more. Fuck.

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