Page 57 of Crossing Lines

“What you up to later?” Kross asks after the server takes our order.

“The rest of my day involves cleaning my apartment and laundry. Fun times.”

He snorts and drinks his soda. “So, how long have you been with ol’ boy?”

I drink water before answering. “Five years.”

He harrumphs. “That’s… some time.”

“Yeah.” I angle my head. “How come you’re single? You’re a nice guy.”

He smirks. “Too busy. But just last night in my office at the club, I received an offer to help me relax.”

That shouldn’t bother me, yet it makes me shift on the chair. “So it goes down in the office.”

He narrows his gaze. “Why do you automatically think I accepted?”

“Because men don’t turn down things like that.”

“This man did.”

I play it cool to hide any sign of the wave of relief flowing through me. “Really?”

“Yes, really. I don’t sleep with every woman who throws it at me, Davi. I have standards. There are qualities I look for in someone.”

“Which are?” slips past my lips.

“She has to be authentic,” he replies, staring into my eyes. “Smart. Confident. Respects herself. Beautiful inside and out. Can light up a room with her smile.”

“Those are good things. Hope you meet her soon.”

He moistens his lips. “Haven’t I already?”

My heart skips at his response. I avoid addressing it and switch the topic. “Going to the club later?”

He smirks and drinks his water. “I’m taking the night off to bake some cookies.”

“Special cookies?” I whisper.

A short laugh bursts out of him. “Nothing like that. Plain chocolate chip.”

“Ooh, my favorite.”

“I’ll save you some,” he offers. “I don’t use eggs or milk.”

“Thanks. Do you often bake when you’re home?”

He licks his lips, delaying a beat before he answers. “Only when I’m restless and can’t settle my mind.”

“Something troubling you?” I question.

“Someone,” he corrects, still watching me intensely.

“Hm.” I touch my neck.

“How come ol’ boy didn’t move you in with him?”

I lift my shoulder in a slight shrug. “He’s waiting until he buys a house. I don’t mind living separately.”

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