Page 44 of Crossing Lines

“Yeah. Just saying goodnight.” My body burns from another dose of sin. At this point, I’m heading straight to hell in my wet panties.

Sunlight dances on the water, each ripple reflecting moments with a man I can’t stop myself from desiring.

“It’d be so nice to be in Paris with my man,” Iree remarks while observing the scenery as we cruise the Seine River on the sparse boat. The weather is chilly this time of year, so fewer tourists are around.

“I didn’t know you were in a relationship.”

She snorts. “I’m not. I’m only fantasizing.”

I squint at her. “You crushing on someone?”

A cute smile curls her lips, and I almost see her bronzy cheeks turning rosy. “Been feeling this man for a while. I’m too scared to tell him. I tried dating other guys, but no one came close. He’s perfect to me. I think my parents would have liked him if they were here.”

It’s the most open she’s ever been with me. “Your parents passed?”

Sorrow clouds her eyes. “They died in a car accident eighteen years ago. I was seven; Cairo was twelve.”

I rub her arm to offer comfort. “I’m so sorry.”

She draws a long, profound breath like she’s suppressing her pain. “It was devastating, but with my gran and other family, we made it through. It brought my brother and I closer.”

“Your parents would be so proud of you.”

She sniffles and looks at me with a smile. “Thanks for saying that, D.” She blinks back to the river. “As for my crush, I want him to see me.”

“If you spend a lot of time together, he has to know.”

“Doubt it. Either way, I have to find the courage to admit my feelings or move on.”

I give her hand a gentle squeeze. “Hope it works out.”

As the cruise ends, we eat at a patisserie and return to the hotel to change for the fashion events.

I lose interest and sneak off for an evening stroll. My heart is restless. Seeing all the couples makes me force myself to call Jamir. Maybe if we had a good talk, I could fix things.

He answers just when I think it’ll go to voicemail. “D, I’m heading to a meeting.”

Of course. “I’m only checking in, saying hey.”

“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Geez. He’s rushing me off the phone.

“Right. See you then.”

“Uh-huh. Love you.”

“You too.” I hang up, slip my phone into my jacket, and pause on the footbridge to appreciate the Eiffel Tower, its grandeur emphasized by the lights. No wonder so many proposals happen here.

Surrendering to the intense desire, I retrieve my phone and call the person on my mind.

“There you are.” His deep, warm voice instantly soothes the unease, affirming it’s indeed him I’m craving.

SEVENTEEN

I don’t give a damn that another man’s woman is calling me from Paris. That fool is fucking up bad if it’s my voice she wants to hear.

“I’m back in the hotel room,” Davia says after sharing the day’s activities for the entire walk. “Iree texted that she’s downstairs at the bar with Chavonne’s assistant. I’ll check on her if she isn’t here by midnight, so don’t worry. I know she’s like your sis.”

“Yeah, she and her bro are pretty much my siblings.”

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