Page 67 of Unruly

“Then use it.”

“Listen, I’m not trying to be a bitch, or difficult, or—”

“Are you sure? Every time I try to bring Zeke up, or even having them over so you can meet the woman, you shut down, Catty. Purposely, by the way.”

Catherine grinded her molars in an effort to shove down her irritation. “I’m just … I really don’t want trouble for our family, Cross. Isn’t that what this is? Forgive me if that makes me a little fucking hostile, okay.”

Cross’s gaze met hers, and then he was reaching for her, too. One arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her close, while his other slid under her chin and tipped her head back. Dark, familiar eyes stared down into hers.

Love watched her.

His thumb stroked her cheek, and then he tipped his head down to kiss her. Once, twice, and then she parted her lips for the third, letting him deepen the kiss. She didn’t even mind how he dominated her in his kiss, or how overwhelming it could be to her senses.

She loved this man.

She had always loved him.

“That was nice,” she whispered as Cross pulled away. Still, he lingered close enough that her lips brushed his as she spoke. “Really nice.”

“You’ve been distracted and pissy lately. You actually gave me five seconds to kiss you. Thought I should take it.”

Catherine scowled. “That’s not true.”

“A little, babe.”

So, maybe it was.

“I’m trying,” she told him.

Cross nodded. “I know. And so am I, for all the rest, I mean.”

“Mmm. Zeke. I hear what you don’t say.”

“He loves the woman, Catherine. He loves her like—”

“Don’t say he loves her like you love me, Cross. No one could ever possibly love someone the way you love me, and you know it.”

“Truth.” Cross’s smirk deepened sinfully. “I was going to say he loves her like crazy, actually.”

“Obviously something is crazy about them, considering the position they’ve put themselves in now.”

“Try to understand, Catherine.”

She relaxed in his embrace. “Okay.”

“Just okay?”

“I’ll try, Cross. Okay?”

He kissed her again, and then his teeth nipped her bottom lip playfully. “Okay, babe.”

“Christ, Miguel, give me some good news.”

Already standing from the restaurant table to greet his boss, Miguel gave Catherine one of his warm smiles. “Reginella.”

She waved at his seat after accepting his hug. “Sit, sit.”

He did, and so did she.