“Care to share?” I asked, breathless at his proximity.
“Maybe,” he muttered, his minty breath brushing over my face.
I swallowed, enchanted with the man in front of me. My heart hammered against my chest, and my hands were sweaty. Cruz leaned down farther, placing his hands on either side of me, gripping the table ledge. His nose grazed my own. My breath picked up and I leaned in a fraction of an inch as my eyes began to close.
“Walk me to the library?” Cruz asked, dropping a quick kiss on my forehead before standing straight.
“Ugh.” I stared at him, waiting for my eyes to refocus. Shaking off my desire, I stood straight and went to retrieve my handbag from behind the counter. “Yeah, sure. I need to stop at the grocery store anyway.”
Now grinning like the cat that ate the canary, Cruz motioned for me to lead the way out the back of the shop. “You okay, Sunshine?”
“Just peachy,” I sang, taking a long, slow breath to calm myself. “What are you doing at the library?”
The town library wasn’t far, just a few blocks from Wicks Before Pricks, so I decided walking would be best. Besides, my warm cheeks could use some cool fall air on them.
“I have to check on some dates. There’ve been a few questions regarding deaths at the sanatorium, and I needed a break from everyone, so I volunteered to make a run to the library,” Cruz said as I twisted my key in the lock at the back of the shop.
“Someone as high and mighty as Cruz Drakov does the menial stuff like fact-checking?” I questioned, leading the way around the building and to the front sidewalk.
“Only when a pretty girl is involved.” I looked over as Cruz winked at me, causing my cheeks to heat again.
“You have a thing for the librarian?” I teased.
“Definitely not,” Cruz replied, taking my hand and holding it in his as we walked. “Unless you have a costume.”
“Cruz!” I playfully socked him in the arm while he smiled down at me with a face full of mischief.
“What? Just throwing it out there.”
Choosing to ignore his remark, I waved to a few ghosts who were lingering along the sidewalk. Cruz’s hand gripped mine a fraction tighter, pulling me to a stop outside the store, which was about a block from the library.
“I’ll see you tonight. Don’t forget our date, Sunshine.”
I grinned up at him. “Yeah, like that would happen. You leave an impression.”
“Hey, I’ll have you kn—”
“Well, if it isn’t Cruz Drakov and the town pep squad,” I heard a voice on my left say. An irritatingly sweet voice.
“Bianca,” I greeted, breaking eye contact with Cruz to look at the woman approaching us. Out of reflex, my hand loosened its grip on Cruz’s, but he held tight. “I see you made it back to town.”
“I’d forgotten what a hole this place is,” Bianca remarked, trailing a hand through her ebony hair as she eyed Cruz, who nodded a hello.
“You lived here for more than twenty years,” I said, a hint of sarcasm in my tone. Even I couldn’t be nice all the time to everyone. Bianca was living proof that mean girls existed in every town—large or small.
She’d moved to Hollywood last June, which had worked out great for every other resident of Sage Springs since she was a pain. Although she’d left me alone most of the time because she’d had a thing for Jake her whole life, she hadn’t been as kind to Eliza. Now that we were adults, I tolerated Bianca because it wasn’t in me to be hateful, but she sure did test my patience. Especially the way she was eyeing Cruz like he was a steak dinner.
Her face pinched when she noticed Cruz and I were holding hands. Bianca crinkled up her nose like she smelled something unpleasant.
“Don’t tell me you two are a thing,” Bianca tittered, smoothing a manicured hand over her formfitting blouse. “The local lame-o and the up-and-coming TV star?” She shook her head and laughed as she looked around. “Are there already cameras rolling or something? Is this part of a script?”
I gently tugged at my hand, but Cruz simply held on tighter. “We’re—”
“Testing the waters,” Cruz finished for me, his tone serious.
“Oh, I get it.” Bianca flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Lexi’s your flavor of the week. Trying the locals on for size,” Bianca offered, leaning in conspiratorially. “Good luck with that one. I hear she—”
“Bianca, I’m standing right here,” I cut her off, placing my free hand on my hip. “If you have to gossip, at least do it when I’m not within earshot.”
She eyed me with carefully lined lids. “You’ve changed.” Her mouth twisted to the side as she assessed me. “Not so meek anymore, huh?”
Shrugging, I returned her assessment. “Some of us change, I guess. How was Hollywood?”
“Still as polite as ever, I see.” She crossed her arms over her recently purchased D-cups and glanced around, probably to see if anyone had noticed her yet. “Hollywood has been great. I have a movie releasing early next year.”
“A slasher movie where you run around in a bikini?” Cruz guessed, voice as smooth as stone. I bit my lip to keep from laughing.
“My agent said it was a great way to get noticed,” Bianca spit out.
“I bet he did,” Cruz muttered.
“We need to get going,” I said, pulling Cruz along. “I’m sure we’ll see you on set, Bianca.”
“We? Are you on the show?” she asked.
“No, they hired Sweet Stuff for dessert catering,” I replied, coming to a halt beside her.
“Of course,” she said snidely as she took a step toward her car. “Did you get my requests? I don’t want any of your normal fatty stuff. Some of us have to watch our figures,” she replied, lifting her sunglasses to give me a once-over.
“Nice to see you again, Bianca,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Maybe you’ll finally stop eating your way through loneliness now that you’re dating. Your waistline will thank you,” she muttered loud enough for me to hear.
That little—
“They’re called curves, and they’re sexy as hell,” Cruz spoke up, winking at me before he dropped a kiss on my lips.
I heard Bianca scoff as she slammed her car door.
The sting of her comment melted away as Cruz parted from me to walk the final block to the library while I stood frozen to the spot. “See you tonight, Sunshine,” he shouted over his shoulder.
Cruz Drakov thought I was sexy.
☀ ☀ ☀
“You look fabulous,” Cruz praised as I answered my door later that evening. I allowed myself a moment (or three) of preening under his hooded gaze before a forty-pound ball of fur launched himself at my date.
“Nutmeg! Down, boy,” I called, pulling at his collar, but it was no use. The dog rubbed his head on Cruz’s dark gray slacks.
“Who’s this?” Cruz bent down to let Nutmeg sniff his hand before he scratched the dog under the chin. Nutmeg’s eyes rolled back in his head in delight.
“My new dog,” I said, grabbing my purse off the counter. “And that’s Marshmallow.” I pointed to the cat who was lazily staring at us from her perch on a fluffy kitty bed in the living room.
“Two pets, huh? Can’t say I’m surprised. You love animals,” Cruz replied, giving Nutmeg one last pat before standing up. “Are you ready?”
“Uh-huh. Where are we headed?” I asked as I waved goodbye to Nutmeg and Marshmallow and locked the door. The night air was chilly, making me glad I’d worn a thick sweater with my black slacks.
“It’s a surprise,” Cruz said, walking around to the passenger’s side of a dark car. I raised my eyebrows as I slid onto the warmed leather. “You heated the seat for me.” Cruz shut the door, but not before I got a peek of his small grin.
I’d stayed too busy most of the day to be nervous, but now being trapped—in the best possible way—with Cruz and his spicy scent while he drove me to an undisclosed location for a date … Well, nervous was putting it lightl
y. My brain was in overdrive.
If this date doesn’t go well, you could ruin a friendship and make things really awkward, considering he’s one of Ivy’s best friends, my mind warned me. But what if it does go well, huh? Remember, you can’t leave Sage Springs. You’ve made your choice. People are depending on you. What if your feelings for Cruz deepen? You’re being irresponsible.
“You all right?” Cruz asked, glancing down at my firmly locked fingers.
“Yeah,” I nearly shouted, causing both of us to flinch. I needed to stop the duel of thoughts. “How was work?”
Cruz shrugged, his hands sliding smoothly over the wheel. “Okay. The ghosts there don’t seem to be of the evil variety, so nothing too crazy is going down.”
“Any hints on who’s going to be on the episode?” I asked hopefully, launching all my attention to the conversation.
“Can’t say,” Cruz answered, miming zipping his lips.
“You’re no fun,” I accused playfully, looking out the window as the neighboring town of Eureka came into view.
“You’re quite mistaken,” Cruz contested, shooting me a quick arrogant expression before turning back to the road. “I’ll have you know I’m a lot of fun, given the right circumstances.” His right hand found its way to my knee, effectively stopping critical functions, like breathing. “And we’re here.” His hand disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
While we got out of the car, I studied the small, squat building that sat in front of us. It was painted a snowflake white with twinkling lights suspended above the forest green overhang. “Farina’s?”
“Yeah, Aggie suggested it,” Cruz said, coming around my side of the car. “Is that okay? I can take you somewhere in the city if you’d rather.”
“No, no, this is great. It’s actually one of my favorite places,” I assured him, taking the arm he offered. Aggie was going all in if she’d suggested Farina’s. It was a quaint Italian restaurant that had opened just a few years ago, but I’d immediately fallen for the delicious food the first time I’d visited. And with the astounding price for a plate of lasagna here, it was a good thing it was delicious.
“Mr. Drakov, welcome,” said the owner, Emilio, coming around the host station to shake Cruz’s hand. “Ah, and Lexi. I didn’t know she was the beauty you spoke of on the telephone.” He shot Cruz a knowing look, which was followed by a not-so-subtle thumbs-up.
I greeted the aging Emilio before he led us through the small restaurant into a back room that had a table set for two. Candlelight flickered around the room. “Will this be all right, Mr. Drakov?”
Cruz looked my direction, and my face must have said it all for me, because he nodded at Emilio. It was beautiful. I’d never dined in a private room at any restaurant, let alone one lit with candles with a bouquet of fresh flowers resting on the table.
“You’re full of surprises,” I said as Cruz pushed in my chair after Emilio left. Before the door swung shut, the aging owner shot me a wink behind Cruz’s back.
“I thought this would give us a chance to have some one-on-one time,” Cruz replied with a grin. “And not have to worry about eavesdroppers.”
“Or photographers,” I added. “The crazy life you lead.” I unfolded my napkin as a waiter dropped off bread and a bottle of red wine.
“I’m glad you finally said yes to a date,” Cruz said, clinking his glass against mine. “To having fun.” His eyes twinkled from across the table.
“To having fun,” I repeated, sipping the smooth wine. As much fun as I can fit into a couple of weeks, that is.
CHAPTER 13
After an amazing dinner at Farina’s, Cruz asked me what I wanted to do next. Flying on a high of good food, great wine¸ and even better conversation, I’d suggested driving to Clove Crossing for a little dancing. Surprisingly, Cruz didn’t balk at my request. I didn’t think he was the dancing sort, but two minutes on the dance floor, and he proved me wrong. After five dances, several nonchalant caresses, and lots of laughing, I had to be the one to drag him off the dance floor to take a break and grab a drink.
“You did not!” I crowed, slapping my palms against the table in shock.
Cruz chuckled as the club’s lights strobed around us. “It was harmless. The actor on that episode was a jerk, so I had a ghost give him a wedgie.” His hand scrubbed his jaw as he chuckled. “Thankfully, the ghost had been a former prankster in his prime. He had to recharge for a few days after exerting all the energy, though. Turns out nearly ripping the waistband off Jeff’s boxers took a lot out of the spirit.”
“Oh my gosh,” I giggled, thinking back to that episode. “That didn’t make it on TV. I’d have remembered that.”
Cruz rolled his eyes. “Yeah, Jeff called in his agents and lawyers to make sure that particular ghostly interaction wouldn’t be seen by anyone.”
A couple of gasps and a cacophony of squeals drew my attention away from the handsome man in front of me. Three women were watching us with wide eyes, their cell phones firmly in hand as flashes assaulted my vision.
“Just ignore them,” Cruz murmured, reaching across the table and gently turning my head with his hand on my chin. He let it linger there for a moment before he caught my hand. “They’ll eventually lose interest if we don’t pay them any attention.”
“It’s just weird,” I said conspiratorially, leaning across the table and training my eyes on his. “I guess I forget you’re kind of a big deal. You seem like a completely regular guy to me.”
“Should I be offended?” Cruz teased, bringing his rum and cola to his lips.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I rushed, looking at our clasped hands. “It’s just …” I shrugged and leaned back. “I don’t know exactly. I suppose your charm overshadows everything else.”
“You forgot my ruggedly handsome good looks,” Cruz added with a cocky grin.
“Silly me,” I replied, rolling my eyes as a new song pulsed through the bar. “I love this song! Come on.” I jumped from my seat and tugged Cruz onto the dance floor again.
“This seems a little too pop for this kind of place,” Cruz shouted into my ear as the music thumped around us.
I ran my hands over his chest and linked my fingers behind his neck, pulling him toward me. “That’s because it is. But I know the DJ,” I shouted back, moving to the music. I turned to wave at Mad Beats Max, who nodded at me while he surveyed the crowd, bopping his head to the beat.
“You really do have a way of wiggling your way in everywhere,” Cruz laughed, settling his hands on my hips. His fingers dug in, sending shivers of excitement through me. I let my thoughts wander, enjoying the way our bodies felt as we moved. His hands slid up my ribs, leaving a trail of sparks along their way. He flashed me a devilish grin, knowing the kind of reaction he was causing. I wanted to pull him down to my level and kiss that smirk right off his face. It was sinful, really, the way an innocent dance could make my mind turn to indecent thoughts.
“It’s a gift,” I said with a shrug. “Now stop talking and dance!”
Cruz’s eyebrows shot up in surprise as I pressed closer to him, feeling on top of the world. I winked and ran my hands over his chest, splaying my fingers wide. Cruz cocked his jaw to the side and spun me around so my back was smashed against his chest. Finally someone who can keep up with me on the dance floor, I thought happily. I reached up behind me and linked my fingers around the back of Cruz’s neck, effectively fitting us together.
“You smell good,” Cruz shouted into my ear as our bodies rolled against one another. He ran a hand over my stomach when the song switched to a dance remix of a popular slow song. The singer’s voice crooned, begging his love to stay with him. Cruz spun me back around and brought me to his chest.
“This isn’t really a slow-dance song,” I told him, but not really caring as I snuggled against him.
“It’s as close as we’re going to get, so I’m making my move,” Cruz rumbled. I didn’t have to see his face to know he had a mischievous glint
in his eyes. He placed one hand on the back of my head as I rested it against his chest, breathing him in. “Tonight’s been fun, Sunshine,” Cruz murmured. I felt the words reverberate through his chest as he spoke.
“So fun,” I sighed, closing my eyes as we swayed to the music.
“Maybe we should do this again,” he muttered close to my ear. This time I tilted my head back a little to see him biting his lip uncertainly. “I mean, if you want to.”
“I think that can be arranged,” I replied. A slow grin spread across his face. He stopped swaying to the song and bent toward me. My insides humming, I closed my eyes and rose to my tiptoes, feeling intoxicated by his proximity and scent.
Flash!
My eyes popped open in shock. “What was that?” I asked Cruz, who had turned from soft and cuddly to lethal within seconds. His jaw was tight, posture stiff while his eyes darted through the crowd, searching for the source of the flash. Cruz pulled me to him, wrapping a protective arm around my shoulders as he surveyed the area while bodies pulsed underneath the lights all around us.
“Damn it,” he muttered as my eyes landed on a woman with a huge camera standing about ten yards off the dance floor. She snapped a few more shots before Trysta and a bouncer started running interference.
“You. Out,” Trysta yelled at the woman and pointed to the door.
“Come on,” the woman complained, placing a hand on her hip. “It’s a free country.” The bouncer began ushering the paparazzo to the door, but the woman was like a dog with a bone. She had a mission. “Cruz, where’s Lana? Are you guys over? And who’s the blonde? Is she your latest conquest?” I gasped as the woman brought her camera up again, flashing away while both the bouncer and Trysta escorted her outside, all the while placing their hands in front of the camera to block the shots.
Around us people froze, staring at Cruz and me while fast-paced music throbbed through the speakers. “That was intense,” I muttered, turning to Cruz. His eyes were expressionless and the beautiful mouth that had almost been pressed to mine—and nearly immortalized for thousands of people to see online—was drawn into a deep frown. “You okay?”
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