Page 11 of Cinnamon Strudel
“Amazing.” His phone pinged and he quickly picked it up to see that Ruby was safely at home.
“Is that her?”
“Yes, Ruby texted to let me know she’s home safe and sound.”
“Good, now I want to hear all the dirty details.”
“There’s nothing dirty to tell.”
“Why not?”
“Because it was our first date.”
“That’s never stopped you before.”
“One-night stands don’t count.”
“Ah, so this mysterious Ruby is more than a quickie.”
“Definitely.”
“Manuel said she didn’t make you feel inadequate, I assume she kept that up.”
“Yes. I can’t even pinpoint it, but it all feels so natural. I think the biggest thing is that she treats me like anyone else while also knowing my disadvantages.”
“Someone is catching feelings,” his brother sing-sang, “and it’s only been one date.”
“I can’t deny it. She’s coming over Wednesday for dinner after work.”
“Ah she’ll know all about the freak soon enough.”
“Piss off.”
Unfazed, Alexander only laughed. “See you Monday bright and early.”
With the call ended, Morgan kept working on his castle, wondering which of his Lego sets Ruby would like best. He didn’t think she would mind working on Hogwarts, but he wanted her to start something small. That way, she’d finish itquickly and with any luck, it would only leave her coming back for more.
Ruby
Morgan leaned in, and time seemed to slow. She swallowed hard. Her cheeks were on fire, only burning even hotter when he softly pressed a kiss to one of them. “Don’t forget to text me the shopping list. And don’t you dare buy anything yourself.”
“Okay.” Oh god, she sounded far too breathless. Before she could entirely melt into a puddle and make a fool of herself, Morgan turned and disappeared into the apartment with Blue.
Once she remembered how to make her legs work, she rounded the hood of her car and drove off. The way he’d grabbed her neck and pulled her closer had done things to her that she couldn’t even begin to describe. She hadn’t expected Morgan to be so inclined, but he seemed to know what he wanted and took it. At the same time, he’d shown her his more vulnerable side by letting her guide him and asked her to explain what she was seeing.
At home she checked her phone and saw a text from her brother, Roy, asking her to call him. It was late, but with the timedifference to Germany, she would be able to catch them starting their day.
She hit the video call button, and Roy’s beaming grin lit up the screen almost immediately. “Well, hello there. Someone’s all hot and bothered.”
“I’d hoped you wouldn’t notice.” He angled his phone and let her see his wife next to him. “Hi Anika.”
“We want to know all the details,” Anika demanded, her German accent making it even more persuasive.
“It was so much better than I thought. Morgan said he really enjoyed himself.”
Roy seemed relieved. “I’m glad we were wrong.”
“Nein,youwere wrong,” his wife quickly corrected. “I did not think it was a bad idea.”
