Page 22 of Crossing Lines

“Okay. Text me when you reach home.” She smiles at Kross. “Until next time.”

“Glad you had fun,” he returns with a polite nod.

“Y’all be safe.” I wave and watch them descend the stairs, all touchy-feely the entire way to the exit.

Catching my breath, I turn to Kross and tell him, “Guess I’ll take off.”

“Stay.” His deep voice holds me in place.

Part of me knows I should leave after that brief yet stimulating touch. But the other side is humming in his presence. It’s been a while since I experienced such a sensation. I want to feel it longer, so I say, “Okay.”

Blatant relief mists his eyes. “Come with me.”

I swallow to speak. “You remember what I said about rumors starting?”

“Don’t worry,” he says. “Trust me.”

“Kross, I don’t know you.”

“You can trust me, Davi.”

The organ in my chest gallops with his confident strides down the stairs. As if placed under a spell, my body follows him without hesitation.

NINE

I’m elated that Davia chose to stay after I touched her like she’s mine. Though brief, I can’t stop replaying how she felt and how good it would feel to hold her longer.

Retrieving our coats, I lead her through the side door of the club, the fading scent of paint in the air as we climb the metal stairs to the rooftop access. I exit into the cool temperature and close the door after she follows, dulling the music and voices below.

Davia looks around the space while buttoning her coat, taking in the covered seats, tables, bar, and firepit. “You have a rooftop lounge?”

“It’ll be ready in the summer.”

Her eyes glisten while admiring the city lights. “This will be so nice.”

“Yeah. I didn’t bring you up here to impress you, though.” I turn on the wire lights and lean against the wide column.

She rests against the opposite one with her arms folded. “Whydidyou bring me here?”

“Figured we could both use some air. No ulterior motives, so don’t trip.”

“Okay.” She stares at the city again.

After a few seconds, I ask, “How is your week so far?”

Her eyes flick back to me. “It’s been good. I did the final prints for my designs.”

“You have pictures of them? I’d love to see.”

“Really?” she sputters as if surprised. “You want to see a bunch of women’s fashion?”

“I’m curious about your work. Is it all right?”

“Yeah.” She takes her phone from the clutch, blue light illuminating her gorgeous face as she taps on the screen. She draws closer to show me. “The line is calledDarling Sinclair.”

“Nice.” I listen as she divulges her muse while swiping through the looks. Reaching the end, I stare at her in awe. “I’m genuinely impressed, Davi. You should be proud of yourself.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.”

---