Page 45 of Crossing Lines

“How did y’all come to be so close?” she asks.

Leaning back on the sofa, I rest my feet on the ottoman and give her a summary. “Met Cairo at fifteen. I’d been through some things and was struggling. He helped me.”

“Some things?” she repeats.

My heart wants to open up to her, but fear holds me back. “It’s a long story. What about you? You have siblings or other cousins outside of Trishell?”

“No siblings. I have two other cousins—my uncle’s kids.”

“You close with them too?”

“Welp.” Her popping sound cracks me up. “Colin is cool. He’s a year younger than Trish, who is two years younger than me. His big sis, Shanae, is our oldest and gets on my nerves.”

“Damn,” I laugh.

“Love my aunt and uncle, though. They’ve come through for me over the years.”

“What about your mom and pops?”

She draws a deep breath. “Mom is around, but my grandparents raised me. That’s a long story.”

“Got it.” An awkward pause lingers, so I switch the subject. “What time is your flight again?”

“7 a.m. We should arrive in Baltimore around 2 in the afternoon. Did I mention that Chavonne has a private jet? It’s pretty luxurious.”

I smirk. “I’ll rent one when your thirtieth comes around. Fly you out to the islands.”

She spews a short laugh. “Kind of you. However, I doubt Jamir would be comfortable with that.”

“He doesn’t need to know. Like ol’ boy has no idea you’re calling me from Paris.” The silence stretches on the line again. I can’t even hear her breathing. “I took your breath away, baby?”

“Kross,” she murmurs. “These phone calls…”

“Stop trying to explain away your feelings, Davi.” I rise from the sofa and pace my living room. “If they didn’t mean shit, you wouldn’t call me three nights in a row. You’d be talking to him instead. How come you’re not?”

“Jamir’s busy.”

“Fuck that. He should never be too busy for you. I’d never do that to you.”

“I’m just lonely,” slips from her in a strained voice.

“I hear it, Davi. Sounds like you need a release. FaceTime me.”

“Kross... That’s…” Whenever she says my name in her sultry tone, my dick throbs.

Pausing at the balcony door, I move the curtain to let in the afternoon light. “Too nervous to look at my face?”

“No,” she denies. “But… What will you do if I FaceTime you?”

“What would you like me to do?” Silence answers the question, making me smile. “It’ll be our little secret. I won’t tell a soul.”

“I can’t,” she replies in a feather-like murmur.

“Since you’re too shy for a video call, how about I relax you with French?”

Her sensual groan answers me instead of words.

“Vous avez une voix sexy,” I utter in a smooth tone.

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