Page 44 of Caught Up In You (Indigo Royal Resort)
“I’m sure.”
At least she was pretty sure she wasn’t lying to herself.
As had seemingly become the norm, Josef was one of the last kids to be picked up for the day. Cullen didn’t mind one bit. In fact, he had to admit that the time he got alone with Josef either at the beginning or end of the day had become his favorite part of camp. It was time he could spend one-on-one with him, without other campers vying for his attention. Not that any of the other kids seemed to have noticed that Cullen favored Josef in any way. He’d worked hard to make sure that it didn’t shine through that there was a soft spot there at all.
The little guy was bouncing the ball on his left knee as Cullen wandered over to him. He still wasn’t able to get over just how small Josef was for his age. He was easily five inches shorter than most of the boys in his group at camp, yet he could run circles around each and every one of them. It remained to be seen if his speed would change at all when he actually hit puberty, but Cullen would guess that with the right coach and training, he would be able to harness the changes to his body and work them to his advantage. He just hoped Josef would be able to find that coach.
“Who’s picking you up today, buddy?” Cullen asked as he tried to kick the ball away from him. He missed, mostly since he didn’t try too hard, not wanting to get his cleats near Josef’s face.
“Lena, I think, unless something changed,” he answered, dodging his coach’s attempt.
“Sounds good.” Cullen paused. He wanted to ask Josef something, but didn’t want to put ideas in the kid’s head. “So, what would you think if we asked her to join us tomorrow for the last day of camp?”
“Yeah!” He stopped bouncing the ball. “She’s not very good though.”
Cullen couldn’t help but let out a loud laugh at the response. Such a little brother thing to say.
“Well, we won’t hold it against her. I just thought it might be fun for her to come hang out and see all the things you’ve learned.”
“Are you two friends now?”
The question caught Cullen off guard. What was the right answer to that question? It wasn’t that they weren't friends, yet it wasn’t exactly the right word either. And he certainly wasn’t about to tell her little brother about all the “extras” that were happening between them. He liked the kid—he didn’t want to scar him with thoughts of his sister’s sex life.
“Yeah, we’re friends,” he answered, deciding to keep it simple.
“Good. I’m glad. I like you being friends.”
Cullen wasn’t sure why, but he felt like he had just passed some test. It was an approval of sorts that he wasn’t aware he’d needed or wanted. But suddenly, he was damn glad he’d gotten it.
Chapter Twenty
"I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Leona said as Saul pulled out of the resort and into moving traffic.
“What? Spending the day at camp?” Cullen asked, slightly taken aback by her statement. “I thought you would enjoy getting to watch your brother. His skills have sharpened over the last two weeks.”
“No, I meant getting into the car with you. Especially after how it ended the last time,” she hissed.
“You didn’t enjoy our last car ride together, Menina?” he asked, lowering his voice and giving her a look she interpreted as him trying to be seductive. Problem was, it was working.
“You know I enjoyed it,” she whispered in return. “Which is why I question whether or not it’s a good idea.”
Josef and Cullen had proposed she come spend the day with them at camp when she had arrived to take Josef home the day before, and she had been excited on many levels. One, it gave her the chance to see just how much Josef had gotten out of the camp. Not that she doubted that it was time well spent, but after hearing about it not only from Josef this week, but also Cullen, she was excited to see it all in action. Two, she’d finally be able to see Cullen in his role as a coach. She’d only ever seen him play on TV or the odd video recap if one of the guys showed her. And while she knew watching him here wouldn’t be the same as seeing him play at a professional level, it was an excuse to watch his body move in ways that she knew she would appreciate. Lastly, she was looking forward to getting to hang out with him in public. Part of her knew she would have to be careful not to lean over and kiss him as she’d let herself get used to over the last few days, and they would have to keep their hands to themselves. But other than the boat trip almost a week ago, all their time spent together had been behind the closed doors of La Isla Bonita, and it thrilled her a little to think about being out where the world could see them together. Even if only they knew just what kind of together.
Of course, when Cullen and Josef sprung the idea on her, Cullen had left out that he seemed to have more up his sleeve. In saying yes, she’d just assumed she would meet them there late morning, maybe bring them lunch and then hang out for the afternoon before taking Josef back home. So when she found Cullen standing in her office doorway when she arrived at seven thirty am, after having rushed through her morning shower back in the staff dorm, holding two large to-go cups and what appeared to be a pair of breakfast sandwiches wrapped in foil, asking if she was ready to hit the road, she had been very confused. It had taken running into Vaughn in the lobby to convince her that it was acceptable to miss another whole day of work. It was that utter confusion that led to her allowing herself to get into the town car alone with Cullen Cruz again.
He simply laughed at her response, leaning in to give her a quick kiss.
“I promise to keep my hands to myself this morning. Besides, I’m much more concerned with you being able to behave yourself on the pitch today. Please remember there will be children present,” he said teasingly. “Your own brother included.”
“And just what makes you think I’m not capable of controlling myself? Hmmmm?”
“Once you see me in action, you’re going to want to immediately tear my clothes off. You won’t be able to help it. I possess the elegance and beauty of a ti
ger when on the pitch.”
“Is that the reason behind the tattoo?” she asked, placing her hand on his thigh, right where his track pants covered the piece in question. She’d been curious for years about the meaning behind the body art, but never let herself ask.
“Sort of,” he said, readjusting in his seat. “I wanted something symbolizing speed and strength, that was fierce, bold, and sleek, but still graceful.”
