Page 24 of Crossfire

Grayson. What a hot name.

It shocked me that something so trivial could enter my stream of consciousness after almost getting killed a few hours ago, not to mention the scene in the café, but there was something magnetic about this guy’s presence that had the power to siphon my complete focus.

“Ivy.”

I met his extended hand, and as our skin touched, a sudden thrill spread through my palm, sending a buzz up my arm. His grip was surprisingly gentle, the sensation lingering even after our hands parted, leaving me momentarily breathless. His eyes, locked on mine with a flicker of intrigue dancing in their depths, only intensified the moment.

Time seemed to slow, each second etching itself into my memory until, finally, Grayson’s focus tore from my face and shifted to the door where Pete had left.

“You need me to walk you home, Ivy?” His tone was intimate as he pivoted his magnificent attention back to me. “Make sure you get home safe?”

With the unexpected electricity of our brief contact still coursing through my veins, it took me a moment to find my voice.

“That’s not necessary, but thank you.”

As he shoved his hands into his pockets, I couldn’t help but fixate on the way the movement accentuated his broad, muscular shoulders. The fabric of his shirt stretched taut across his sculpted back, hinting at the raw strength that lay beneath.

Realizing I was staring, I quickly averted my gaze, hoping he hadn’t noticed my lingering looks or how I was both intimidated and irresistibly drawn to him.

“Is that guy your boyfriend?” he asked with an edge.

“Ex-boyfriend.”

Grayson’s face relaxed a little, perhaps the two letters inexgiving him reassurance I wasn’t on the verge of becoming a domestic violence statistic.

“Well”—he nodded his chin toward the ordering counter—“I was just about to get myself a cup of coffee. Can I buy you one, Ivy?”

Why did my name sound that enchanting, rolling off his lips? Maybe it was because he had the baritone of a voice actor. You know, the kind you hear on commercials, or better yet, playing the love interest in a romance movie trailer.

And, my God, part of me wanted to pretend I wasn’t having the worst day of my life and jump into his orbit—to see where this welcome rocket ship of sexiness took me. I bet it’d be a fun-ass ride. The guy was charming and mesmerizing, and all I wanted to do was find out more about him.

And, fine, stare at the contours of his muscles even longer.

But hours ago, I’d nearly died. Plus, the detective’s warning echoed in my head, making my sixth sense malfunction. I’d let one stranger talk me into nearly getting killed. Not the best day to accept an invitation from another stranger, no matter how protective he seemed.

Besides, my life was an absolute train wreck. See Exhibit A: the encounter with my ex-boyfriend.

“Thanks, but I’d better go.” I hooked a thumb over my shoulder. “It was nice meeting you, Grayson.”

Damn those eyes. When they unlocked their full potential, they almost made me change my mind with a simple sparkle of desire.

But I had to put distance between myself and this day from hell and figure out what happened. And more importantly, what I’d do next.

As I walked back into the wreckage of my life, I could feel Grayson’s attention on me, full of unspoken questions.

But deep down, something told me this wouldn’t be the last time I saw him.

And, God help me, part of me didn’t want it to be.

12

GRAYSON

“Hi.” I stretched my lips into a smile, hoping it looked more charming than strained because this redheaded barista might be my last hope of finding Ivy’s identity.

I’d given Ivymyidentity—my first name, at least—after a quick calculation of my options. Giving a fake name had been my knee-jerk reaction, but we hadn’t formally planned this little mission with an alias. My last alias, Hawke, wasn’t just burned; it went up in flames in an operation that nearly cost me more than my cover.

Plus, I grew up here in Chicago, so there was always a risk of someone I knew greeting me by the name of Grayson. The CIA was skilled at burying your sins while keeping your legal name clean, so with only a few seconds to make that decision, I gave her my real first name.

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