Page 39 of Crossing Lines

“I’ll be thirty-one April twenty. I like gold jewelry, fine dining, collectibles, and new experiences. To give you some gift ideas.”

“Okay, Taurus King,” I laugh softly.

“Iree asleep?”

“Yeah.” I look at her again and smirk. “We went drinking. She passed out.”

“And here you are, talking to me. Can’t sleep?”

“Something like that.” I’m in a relationship. This isn’t appropriate. “Um, I should—”

“Don’t analyze it,” he stops me. “You want to talk to me. You wouldn’t have saved my number otherwise.”

My eyes fall shut, and I relax. “Talking is fine.”

“Uh-huh. I like hearing your voice.” His noticeable hunger makes me warm. “I could listen to you all day and night.”

“Is this what you do? You lure in involved women? Are you keeping score or something?”

He scoffs. “Davi, I’m a grown man. I don’t play games. I offered to be there for you when you’re lonely. I gave you the choice.Youcalled me.”

“Right,” I murmur, inhaling and exhaling deeply.

“Let’s focus on you,” he implores. “What do you need?”

“Um…” I sit up. “You know, it’ll be busy tomorrow. So I should get some rest.”

He releases a low groan. “Okay. Goodnight. Sweet dreams.”

Though a biting sensation is trying to prevent me, I fight it and tell him, “Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday night.” I hang up, rise from the chair, and enter the room, quietly closing the balcony door.

As I slide under the warm covers, visuals of Kross preoccupy every corner of my mind, shrouding my body in guilt until I drift off to sleep.

FIFTEEN

Davia’s phone call fills my mind as I open my eyes to Wednesday morning, staying until the end of the early workout with the guys.

“Sup, bro?” Cairo rasps. “Davia still on your mind?”

“Yeah, she called last night,” I reveal, setting down the dumbells.

His brows fly up. “Shorty called you fromParis?”

“Paris?” Preston echoes and grabs his towel.

“She wanted to talk,” I explain.

“Why not call her man?” Cairo grates before drinking his post-workout shake.

“She felt like talking tome.” I can’t stop myself from grinning. “We ran into each other on Saturday and spent a little time together. It was nice.”

“I bet it was,” Preston teases, his chuckles muffled as he wipes his face. “Knew you were shooting your shot at the gallery.”

“Ayo, don’t get in trouble over this chick,” Cairo warns. “She has a man. What if he’s the type to pull up on you?”

“It’d be a huge mistake,” Preston mutters, nodding.

Cairo huffs at him and steers back to me. “All I’m saying is I’m not trying to bury you over some bullshit.”

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