Cinnamon and Sunshine

by Hollie Westring

  “Me? Am I okay?” he asked, studying me. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” I said with a shrug. “But I do need to run to the ladies’ room and freshen up if people are going to keep taking photos of us.”

  Cruz looked at me as if I were an alien before he started laughing. “Nothing fazes you, does it?”

  I waved a hand the direction the paparazzo had left. “Eh, who cares? It’s not that big a deal. It’s not like she caught us naked or something.”

  Cruz’s eyebrows drew up and his infectious grin was back in place. “That can be arranged.”

  “Ha.” I rolled my eyes as very naughty thoughts tumbled through my mind. “I really do need to redo my lip gloss. I’ll be back, okay?”

  “I’ll walk you.” Cruz placed a hand at the small of my back and guided me through the crowd that had returned to its normal level of chaos.

  “I can make it on my own,” I reasoned, even though I was more than a little flattered that he wanted to make sure I made it through the crowd in tact.

  “I know you’re more than capable, but humor me, all right? It’s not every day I get to play the overprotective date.” He motioned to a small alcove off the hallway. “I’ll wait here.”

  I smiled and nodded at him, walking the few yards to the ladies’ room on my own. I pushed the door open and about ran into one of the women who’d been taking photos of Cruz and me earlier. I doubted she was a paparazzo based on her use of a camera phone, but I was still leery as her eyes widened when she saw me.

  “You’re with Crazy Cruz, right?” she gushed as the door snapped shut. I nodded, knowing full well I had a deer-caught-in-the-headlights expression. “He is so freaking hot. I hear he is crazy in the bedroom. Is that true?”

  I opened my mouth and all that came out was a croak. I was so out of my element.

  “That’s okay. You keep playing coy. Seems to be working.” She winked at me like we had shared a special secret. “You go, girl.”

  Since words seemed to be evading me, I pasted on a grin that had to look creepy to her, but it was the best I could muster, and dashed the final five feet to the safety of a bathroom stall.

  “And don’t even worry about that Lana chick. She was so three weeks ago. That paparazzo was way behind the times,” the woman called out before I heard the door open and close.

  Sighing in relief, I left the stall and stood in front of the mirror. I pulled out my tinted gloss and smoothed it over my lips, after which I shook my head at the crazy turn of events. Some people were simply loony. Taking photos in clubs? Asking strangers about their alleged exes to put on some site? Making friendly conversation with people in the bathroom about bedroom habits? What the heck was I supposed to say to that? I asked myself. It’s not like I knew the answer, but all of her attention stymied any words from actually leaving my lips. Now she probably thought Cruz and I were sleeping together and it would be submitted as some juicy tidbit to a celebrity site.

  Whatever. The recent turn of events would not stop me from enjoying the rest of my evening with Cruz. I tidied up my hair—to the best of my ability since I wasn’t a miracle worker—and strode out to woo my date.

  “For later,” a voice echoed down the hallway as I approached the alcove. The woman from the ladies’ room was standing next to Cruz, handing him a folded piece of paper. “The blonde looks sweet, but a little innocent, if you know what I mean.” Her comment and throaty chuckle caught me off guard—as did her hand clutching Cruz’s bicep. “I’m more your speed.”

  Cruz shrugged off her hand and crossed his arms over chest. “Thanks, but I don’t date fans,” he said in a bored tone. “And the woman I’m with is exactly the speed I’m looking for.” He eyed her coldly before he finally caught sight of me. “Speaking of. Ready to get back out there, Sunshine?”

  The woman turned and offered an apologetic shrug. “Had to try. You understand, sugar.” She patted my shoulder as she passed me, heading back into the bar.

  A feeling I’d not felt before hurled itself around my stomach. It was like a hot ball of pizza dough, only with sharp barbs. I wanted to trip the woman as she pranced away in her three-inch heels, and that was not a normal reaction for me. Gulping, I made myself take a few deep breaths, willing the sudden rise of anger to abate. I was jealous.

  “You all right?” Cruz asked, coming to stand in front of me in the hallway.

  “No, but I will be in a sec,” I admitted, gently shoving him back into the alcove and jumping up to wrap my legs around his middle. Cruz sucked in a sharp breath, his gaze scorching. “Don’t ask questions.”

  “Fine by me,” he muttered right before I captured his mouth with my own. I ran my hands along his short crop of dark hair, raking my fingernails lightly against the back of his neck.

  While my subconscious was telling me I was marking my territory, I told it to shut up and turned all my attention to the way Cruz’s lips felt pressed against mine as his hands snaked around my body. The passion between us was searing, and after a few minutes I knew I had to break away before I did something embarrassing—like ask him to come home with me after our first official date.

  “Better,” I chirped as I shimmied down his body and placed my feet on the ground. I swayed a moment, but quickly righted myself. “Yeah, I’m definitely better.”

  Cruz grinned down at me as if he was seeing me in a new light. “I’m not sure what that was about, but please, if I can ever be of assistance in the future, don’t hesitate to … use me.”

  I smiled up at him and chuckled. “Noted.”

  “There you two are,” Trysta’s low voice drew out, making me spin around with what I knew had to have been a guilty expression painted across my face. I’d just made out with Cruz in the alcove of Clove Crossing.

  “Yeah, here we are,” I stammered, brain scrambling. “I was … I mean, we were …” Trysta held up a hand to stop my stuttering. Cruz chuckled darkly, so I shot him a look. He winked at me before snagging my hand in his.

  “I don’t need to know what you were doing,” Trysta informed me. “I just wanted to apologize for that woman who got in. We try to keep an eye on everything, but sometimes people like her slip in.” She ran the end of her long braid over the palm of one of her hands in agitation.

  “It’s cool,” Cruz assured, squeezing my hand. “No harm done, right? Besides, who wouldn’t want a photo with this beauty?” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

  “Okay, well, you two have fun.” Trysta wiggled her brows knowingly. “And swing by anytime you’re in town, Cruz. It’s always good to see you.” She pinned me with a motherly expression, even though she was only a few years older than I was. “And you be careful, hm?”

  I wasn’t sure if she meant with the cameras or with Cruz, but I had a feeling she was referring to me getting hot and heavy in public with a man who was going to be leaving town in a week. Valid concern. I nodded and gave her a quick hug before she waltzed off to go work the bar.

  “What do you want to do now?” Cruz asked, releasing me from his grasp.

  Five minutes ago I probably would have had a different answer, but Trysta’s warning had sobered me up to the fact that I was doing things I never did—with a man who wasn’t in town long, and who had a reputation of going through women like I did all-purpose flour in the kitchen.

  I stifled a yawn. “I’m pretty worn out,” I responded. “I’m ready to call it a night.”

  Cruz immediately nodded and led the way to his car. “Your wish is my command, milady.”

  We were about to the door when a man dressed in dark jeans and a shirt with spikes—actual pointy spikes—stopped us on our way out. “Hey, um, can I get a picture with you guys?” His eyes shot from mine to Cruz’s.

  “Uh, me?” I asked, confused. The man nodded and I shrugged my compliance. “Okay.” I said it more like a question, but I decided to go along with it.

  “What’s your name, man?” Cruz asked as the guy handed his phone to another patro
n to snap the photo.

  “Tony,” he said, tugging at his gauged earlobe. “I’m a big fan of the show. You do awesome stuff.”

  “Great to meet you, Tony.” Cruz tugged me to his side and we all smiled—some of us more cheerfully than others—as the phone flashed.

  “Thanks. It was great meeting you,” Tony mumbled, quickly walking away.

  “What was that about?” I asked while Cruz and I sauntered out the front door and toward his car.

  “A fan wanted a photo,” Cruz said simply.

  “Yeah, but of you and me?” I choked back the laugh ready to erupt. “Why would anyone want that? I’m not some boobalicious movie star.”

  “You’re plenty boobalicious,” Cruz said dryly.

  “Um, thanks,” I muttered as Cruz opened the door on my side of the car. “I think.”

  “You keep thinking. But trust me, I know what I’m talking about.” He chuckled at my thunderstruck expression while he gently shut the door.

  He was trouble. Delicious, tempting, scorchingly gorgeous trouble.

  CHAPTER 14

  “Really, I’m sure it’s nothing,” I said, taking the cloth Jodie pressed into my hand. “I’m such a klutz.” I wiped at my scraped palm and groaned in embarrassment.

  Several sets of eyes stared at me as I took a peek around the open room in the sanatorium. Tripping over wires on set had a way of drawing attention. At least Cruz wasn’t here to see how ungraceful I was. We’d spent a lot of time hanging out the last few days since our date, but I wasn’t ready for him to see me in my accident-prone-idiot stage quite yet.

  “Let me just take a quick look,” said a woman with long umber-colored hair. She was dressed in a purple shirt and dark jeans, and she held a first-aid kit in her hands. “I’m Elizabeth, the paramedic on call around here.”

  I attempted a smile as I waved her away with my right hand. “I’m fine, really. I had a little mishap, which isn’t unusual for me.” I tried to joke through the shooting pain in my left wrist.

  “You’re not the only one who’s had a mishap,” Elizabeth said kindly. She lowered her voice to add, “A few months ago Mikey Willis tripped while on set. He cried and rolled around on the ground for fifteen minutes, shouting that he’d broken his leg and was going to sue. All he had was a tiny scrape on his knee.” She patted my shoulder comfortingly.

  My eyebrows rose at the image of Mikey Willis, former child star, throwing a tantrum. “That makes me feel a little better,” I said as I noticed that the people milling about had gone back to their tasks.

  “I need to check a few more things to see if I should send you to the hospital,” Elizabeth stated as she touched my left wrist.

  “Ouch!” I yanked my hand back.

  Elizabeth pursed her lips and nodded. “I thought that might be the case. You broke your fall with your left hand, didn’t you?”

  I cradled my wrist to my chest and nodded. “It’s not broken, is it?”

  “I doubt it, but it wouldn’t hurt to have an X-ray done,” Elizabeth recommended. “Just to be safe,” she added once she saw my fearful expression.

  “I concur,” said a voice to my left. I looked up from my spot on the cold stone floor to see the ghost doctor I’d glimpsed when Jodie was handing me my security badge days ago. “You’re lucky you didn’t break an ankle with the way you fell.” He clucked his tongue.

  “Thanks,” I told him dryly.

  “No problem. It’s my job,” Elizabeth said, obviously not seeing the ghost. I took the hand she offered, careful to keep my left wrist close to my body, and stood. “Do you want me to drive you to the hospital?”

  “N-no, I, uh, I’ll take care of it,” I responded, hoping to get out of there before word that I was injured traveled to Cruz. “Thanks again.”

  “You really shouldn’t drive with that wrist being questionable,” Elizabeth warned as I turned around and began walking toward the door. I made a beeline for outside, only to run right into Cruz’s broad chest.

  “Ouch,” I muttered, lowering my sore wrist and trying to appear normal. Maybe he hadn’t heard.

  “What happened?” he asked, holding me at arm’s length while he inspected me. “Sadie said you’re hurt.”

  Darn Sadie, I thought.

  “Oh, it’s nothing,” I assured, moving my tingling wrist carefully to my side. “You know me, a little klutzy.” I attempted a grin, but Cruz narrowed his eyes.

  “Elizabeth!” he shouted through the doorway. The paramedic rushed to us, a frown on her face. “What’s going on?” He gestured at me.

  Elizabeth’s eyes shot to mine in confusion, probably wondering why I hadn’t told him. “She tripped and fell on some wires inside while she was dropping off cookies. It’s likely she only sprained her wrist, but an X-ray will tell for sure.” Cruz nodded once as his eyes narrowed to slits. Elizabeth must have taken that as a sign to vacate the area because she practically kicked up dust behind her as she stalked off.

  “Let’s go,” Cruz grunted, gently placing his hand on the small of my back and steering me toward my Range Rover. “I’ll drive.” I didn’t see his car in the parking area.

  “Where’s your car?” I asked.

  “Aimee has it. Give me your keys.” He held out his hand, leaving no room for discussion. The problem was the keys were in my left pocket. I tried to use my right hand to fish them out without looking like a complete moron, which was pointless. I’d already fallen in front of a TV crew. Cruz sighed impatiently as I struggled. “Here, let me.” He reached over and slid three fingers inside my pocket. Injured wrist pretty much immediately forgotten, I heard his breath hitch at the same moment mine did. He quickly scooped me up in his arms and opened the passenger’s side door.

  “Cruz, it’s only a little sprain. I’m not dying, and I can walk just fine on my own,” I drew out, all the while secretly loving the way his arms wrapped me up. He coddled me like I was breakable and delicate.

  “Not taking any chances,” he muttered, eyes resembling sharp pieces of green glass.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked as he slid behind the wheel. He ignored me, so I reached out with my good hand to squeeze his forearm. “Cruz. Tell me.”

  He turned to me, his body as stiff as steel and eyes piercing. “I’ll be fine once I know you’re all right.” He shook his head as he backed up the vehicle. “Those stupid wires. They’re all over the place. I’m going to kill Trevor. He should have marked those with brighter tape and used more of it to make sure the wires were secure,” Cruz fumed, his back rigid as he stared straight ahead.

  “It’s not Trevor’s fault I’m clumsy,” I reminded the man next to me who was ready to erupt. My wrist began throbbing as the road whizzed by. “Cruz? You’re going, like, eighty miles an hour on gravel.”

  “I should have called an ambulance,” he muttered, running a hand over his face. “That would have been better. You could have gotten immediate attention.”

  “For a possible wrist sprain?” I asked, puzzled. “Elizabeth looked at it. I’ll be fine.”

  “You better be.” His fingers were wrapped around the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles were white.

  “You need to breathe,” I soothed.

  He turned to me after he parked at the small hospital and softly ran a hand over my cheek. “I’ll make certain you’re all right. Give me your wrist.”

  Unsure of what he had planned, I gingerly placed my wrist in his outstretched hand. Cruz closed his eyes and muttered something under his breath. My wrist began to feel better, but something was off. It felt as if warm water was rippling under my skin in the places Cruz touched. “What are y—”

  He opened his eyes and brought my hand up to his cheek, holding it there—resting between his face and his hand. He released a deep breath and closed his eyes for a fraction of a second before lowering my hand.

  “Does this hurt?” he asked, gently touching the same area Elizabeth had poked earlier. But this time I felt no pain. I shook my head in won
der. He’d used magic to fix my wrist.

  “It’s fine now. Thank you.” I moved my hand around in circles, but it felt completely normal now. Cruz gave me a partial smile, but I could tell he was still worked up. The smile didn’t match his otherwise agitated expression. “What’s the matter?”

  “I just don’t like seeing you hurt.” He shrugged, placing a hand on the door handle before popping it and stepping out of my car. “Let’s get a doctor to give you the all-clear, all right?”

  Knowing I was okay, but also knowing Cruz wouldn’t feel better until I agreed, I hopped out and met him in front of the Rover.

  “Come on, gorgeous.” Cruz wrapped an arm around me and walked me inside.

  ☀ ☀ ☀

  “Absolutely not, Mom.” I crossed my arms and stood as tall as my slight form would allow.

  “But what would one night at home with your dad and me hurt? I’ll even make you pizza bites,” my mom coaxed, standing across from me in my kitchen.

  After a quick check by the doctor, I had been told there was not a thing wrong with my wrist. However, someone at the hospital had called my mom to tell her I’d been X-rayed, so guess who was waiting for me on the front porch when Cruz drove me home? Lucky for him, he got to escape because Aimee picked him up nearly as soon as he dropped me off.

  My mother’s hazel eyes pleaded with me to stay with her as she ran a hand through her hair, which reminded me of cornsilk with a few strands of gray that had recently weaved themselves in. She’d been at my house for nearly three hours.

  “I appreciate your concern, Mom, but I’m fine. Really.” I wiggled my wrist for effect. “See?”

  “Melinda, our Lexi’s a grown woman. She knows what’s best,” my dad said, wrapping an arm around my mother’s petite frame as he patted Nutmeg’s head.

  Nutmeg pranced around, showing off, and Marshmallow was hiding under a chair, which I was slightly envious of. I was tired, and my mom was relentless.