Page 62 of Cruz

“I brought one.”

“One? Jesus, did you get it out of a vending machine?”

“I borrowed it. I mean, borrow is the wrong word. I’m not gonna give it back.”

I snort at that and whip around, swinging my leg over his head, quickly circling so I can look down at him. “So everyone knows we’re doing this? I’m Liam’s mom, that’s going to make things weird.”

“You’re his mom, but you’re more than that, Sloane. I didn’t come here tonight expecting sex, but I panicked on the way over here and thought I should have one just in case. I should have stopped and gotten a box. I asked Odin and he’s perfectly discreet. Although…”

“What?” I hide my face in my hands.

“I’m not sure how old it is. He fished it out of his wallet.”

“It has an expiry on the package. They’re good for like a decade, aren’t they?”

“I don’t know if it’s that long. Do you want me to check?”

“We’re not doing the pull and pray. Although… last time I relied on condoms, I got pregnant, so we probably should use one and do the other method too.”

“What’s your schedule?”

“My what?”

Unbelievably, Cruz flushes. “Do you know your cycle? Is it regular? Family planning is supposed to help.”

“To be honest I don’t track these things because I’ve never had to. My period finished last week, so I should be okay.”

“I can still pull out and for sure wear the condom?”

“Okay. If that’s… is that going to suck for you? I could get some kind of birth control, but it takes a while to work. I know that no one likes condoms.”

“I’m fine with a condom. I’ll buy a box tomorrow, that way we’ll know they’re good and not festering away in a wallet. The only thing that matters to me is that you’re comfortable. If you don’t want to go on birth control, we’ll figure it out. Not everyone can do hormonal changes. I don’t know that I would want to if it was my body.”

I consider that. “Thank you for understanding.”

I’m not sure that most guys would. Some, maybe. I’m glad that Cruz is so sensitive and thoughtful. I’ve known that, but it’s another thing to think about a future with him. About a partner who really cares about me.

Cruz finds his jeans and gets the condom out. He walks over to the lamp in the corner and holds the package under it. “We’ve got a few months yet.”

Thank goodness for that. I really want to do this with him. I don’t want to take a break and go on a condom run.

“Odin’s discreet,” Cruz says as he tears open the package. “Well… at least about this, he would be. He’s an older guy. Way older. He and his old lady got married because she needed health insurance. She was pregnant.” He frowns. “Most of the guys at the club met their old ladies in some crazy and wild way. They all have cool stories.”

“You’ll have to tell them to me sometime.”

“You should meet them. I know you don’t have a lot of free time, but the club has tons of events throughout the year. The women have their own sisterhood. They’ll reach out to you sooner or later and invite you to all their social stuff. They’re great.”

“Oh.”

“Perks of being Liam’s mom and my woman.”

“Am I?” Holy shit, that sounds so official. Cruz’s head snaps up. He holds the condom in his hand. He smiles, a slow, soft smile that turns into a huge grin. He can tell that I’m far from opposed to the idea.

“That’s if you want to be?”

I flop back on the bed, prop my knees up, and let them fall open. I crook my finger at Cruz when his jaw practically unhinges. I can only imagine what he’s seeing. If I was brave enough, sultry enough, I’d look too. I’m soaked and very likely glistening and very—erm—wide open.

He leaves the lamp on in the corner and makes it to the bed in three long strides. He should be careful of his knee, but I don’t say that. I’m too fascinated watching as he kneels on the bed and rolls the condom down his hard length.