Page 28 of Crossing Lines

“Stop,” leaves her in a nervous whisper. “You said you respect boundaries. That we’re friends.”

“True, but what happened when I touched your hand makes me want to reconsider.”

Ever so slowly, her eyes lift to meet mine, and our surroundings fade, leaving a cocoon of intensity that I never want to break.

“Preston’s work is incredible!” Davia flicks away as that woman struts by, brushing my arm.

“Excuse me?” I side-eye the nuisance.

“Oh, my bad.” She scurries off awkwardly, pausing to talk with another chick.

“An acquaintance?” Davia checks.

“I don’t know her,” I answer fast. “She’s probably been to the club.”

“So you have groupies.” Her pursed lips and even tone give away her jealousy.

“None that I’m aware of, trust me.” Smirking, I slip my hands into my jacket pockets. “If you don’t want me talking to other chicks, you can say that.”

She jerks her head back. “Kross, I have a man. I don’t care who you talk to. That’s your business.”

“You sure, baby girl?” I tease. “You immediately decided to stay after that woman called out to me.”

Her eyes flutter until she shifts away and hugs herself. “I wanted to see Preston’s work.”

“Mmhm.” I snort. “Now that you have, you want to sit and talk?”

She twists back to me, lips slightly parted. I want to taste them so badly. “I should head home. I’m tired.”

“Or maybe I’m just making you nervous. Scared you might do something the longer we’re together?”

The unsteady breath that follows convinces me that’s indeed what she fears. “As I’ve said, I’m tired.”

“Can I have your number?”

“Goodbye, Kross.” Davia quickens past me, waving to Preston before hurrying out of the gallery.

Damn. I pray this isn’t the last time I see her.

TWELVE

I’ve had a tiring Friday in the office, but I’m determined to pour more into my relationship, especially after seeing Kross again the night before.

Following a soak in the tub, I moisturize with vanilla body butter, slip into sexy lace underwear, a copper midi dress, and black heels, style my curls half-up and half-down, and apply makeup.

As eight o’clock rolls in, knocking resounds, and I hurry to open the door.

“Hey, baby.” Jamir smiles as he hands me red roses and a small box. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I smile back at him. “What’s this?”

“Have a look,” he urges sweetly.

I place the roses on the island and lift the top, seeing a diamond bracelet inside. “Wow. This is nice.”

“I’m sorry again about the country club and what I said at lunch yesterday.”

“You didn’t need to buy me anything.”

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