Page 129 of Crossing Lines

“I guess you’ve worn me down with your constant invitations.”

Hunter grins and then says, “Pay up, sucker.”

Jake groans before taking out his phone and sending Hunter money.

Jake glares at Evren. “Couldn’t you have waited another month before accepting?”

“Did you seriously,” Evren says, “make a bet about me joining your weekly nights out?”

“Maybe,” Hunter says. “But to be clear, we’ve always wanted you to come. I guess I started the bet to make it easier to accept your refusals.”

Evren frowns and I squeeze his hand in support. He glances at me and gives me a soft smile.

“Sorry,” Evren says. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I guess I just wasn’t ready to agree yet.”

“It’s all good,” Jake says. “We’re looking forward to seeing you next week.”

When the conversation moves on, I whisper to Evren, “I’ll be right back, need to pee.”

I hurry into the house, bypassing the bathroom, and head to one of the bedrooms to get the bag I asked Aria to bring for me. As I step into the hallway, a strong hand grips my waist and pushes me back against the wall. My gasp is swallowed by Evren’s lips as he crashes into me, kissing me with a fierce, unrelenting intensity.

His body presses close as his hand slides up to my throat, deepening the kiss. I can’t think, can’t breathe—everything is him. My world narrows to the press of his lips against mine, his rough touch, and the way he’s claiming me in this stolen moment.

When he pulls back, breath ragged, eyes smoldering, he smirks. “I couldn’t wait another second without tasting you.”

“Hold on a minute, I’m waiting for my brain to start working again.”

He chuckles and nuzzles my neck. “Have I told you today how fucking gorgeous you look?”

“I don’t know,” I say playfully, arching into him. “Remind me.”

His fingers skim my shoulders, over the sleevesof my navy dress. I toned it down concerning color today to not take away from Elodie. But I do have puffy, three-quarter sleeves and triangular cutouts on my ribs before the skirt ends below my knee, swishing every time I take a step.

“You have the hottest shoulders,” he says.

I laugh. “That’syour compliment?”

“Yes, because this place here…” He runs his thumb across the place where my neck meets my shoulder and then trails it slowly to the bone before my arm begins. “And here are perfect for sucking, licking, and nuzzling. Every part of you fits me perfectly, including your fucking shoulders.”

I take a shuddered breath and wish I could rip these sleeves off so he could touch me. “What else?”

“You always tease me by showing me your skin here.” He trails his fingers across my ribs. “And you have no idea how hard I get just looking at you.”

He slides his hand in mine and brings our joined hands to the front of his trousers. To his hard dick trying to burst through the soft material.

“That sounds like a you issue,” I say.

He chuckles. “It’s not an issue at all. I like being teased by glimpses of your body.”

“So basically what you’re saying is you’re hard all the time.”

“Now you get it.”

“Good, because…” I grab his hand and slide it slowly up my dress and to my core. “I’m constantly wet for you. I can’t even wear underwear anymore because of it.”

He groans and lays his head on my shoulder. “You’re tormenting me. I’m about to throw decorum out the window and fuck you against this wall. And no one and nothing would stop me.”

His fingers flex on my thigh, and I open my mouth to say that sounds like a great plan?—

---