Bared to You: A Crossfire Novel

“Can’t accuse you of being silver-tongued,” I muttered, aware that I wasn’t offended. In fact, the rawness of his hunger for me was a serious aphrodisiac. Clutching the strap of my purse, I stood on shaky legs. I needed to get away from him. And, when my workday was done, I needed to be alone with a big glass of wine.

Cross stood with me. “I’l be done by five. I’l come get you then.”

“No, you won’t. This doesn’t change anything.”

“The hel it doesn’t.”

“Don’t be arrogant, Cross. I lost my head for a second, but I stil don’t want what you want.” His fingers curled around the door handle. “Yes, you do. You just don’t want it the way I want to give it to you.

So, we’l revisit and revise.”

More business. Cut-and-dried. My spine stiffened.

I set my hand over his and yanked on the handle, ducking under his arm to squeeze out the door. His secretary shoved quickly to his feet, gaping, as did the woman and two men who were waiting for Cross. I heard him speak behind me.

“Scott wil show you into my office. I’l be just a moment.”

He caught me by reception, his arm crossing my lower back to grip my hip. Not wanting to make a scene, I waited until we were by the elevators to pul away.

He stood calmly and hit the cal button. “Five o’clock, Eva.”

I stared at the lighted button. “I’m busy.”

“Tomorrow, then.”

“I’m busy al weekend.”

Stepping in front of me, he asked tightly, “With whom?”

“That’s none of your—”

His hand covered my mouth. “Don’t. Tel me when, then. And before you say never, take a good look at me and tel me if you see a man who’s easily deterred.”

His face was hard, his gaze narrowed and determined. I shivered. I wasn’t sure I’d win a battle of wil s with Gideon Cross.

Swal owing, I waited until he lowered his hand and said, “I think we both need to cool off. Take a couple days to think.”

He persisted. “Monday after work.”

The elevator arrived and I stepped into it. Facing him, I countered, “Monday lunch.”

We’d have only an hour, a guaranteed escape.

Just before the doors closed, he said, “We’re going to happen, Eva.”

It sounded as much like a threat as a promise.

“Don’t sweat it, Eva,” Mark said, when I arrived at my desk nearly a quarter after two. “You didn’t miss anything. I had a late lunch with Mr. Leaman. I just barely got back myself.”

“Thank you.” No matter what he said, I stil felt terrible. My kick-ass Friday morning seemed to have happened days ago.

We worked steadily until five, discussing a fast-food client and contemplating some possible tweaks to ad copy for a chain of organic grocery stores.

“Talk about strange bedfel ows,” Mark had teased, not knowing how apt that was in regard to my personal life.

I’d just shut down my computer and was pul ing my purse out of the drawer when my phone rang. I glanced at the clock, saw it was exactly five, and considered ignoring the cal because I was technical y done for the day.

But since I was stil feeling shitty about my overly-long lunch, I considered it penance and answered.

“Mark Garrity’s—”

“Eva honey. Richard says you forgot your cel phone at his office.”

I exhaled in a rush and sagged back into my chair. I could picture the handkerchief wringing that usual y accompanied that particular anxious tone of my mother’s. It drove me nuts and it also broke my heart.

“Hi, Mom. How are you?”

“Oh, I’m lovely. Thank you.” My mom had a voice that was both girlish and breathy, like Marilyn Monroe crossed with Scarlett Johansson. “Clancy dropped your phone off with the concierge at your place. You real y shouldn’t go anywhere without it. You never know when you might need to cal for someone—” I’d been debating the logistics of just keeping the phone and forwarding cal s to a new number I didn’t share with my mom, but that wasn’t my biggest concern. “What does Dr. Petersen say about you tracing my phone?”

The silence on the other end of the line was tel ing.

“Dr. Petersen knows I worry about you.” Pinching the bridge of my nose, I said, “I think it’s time for us to have another joint appointment, Mom.”

“Oh…of course. He did mention that he’d like to see you again.”

Probably because he suspects you’re not beingforthcoming. I changed the subject. “I real y like my new job.”

“That’s wonderful, Eva! Is your boss treating you wel ?”

“Yes, he’s great. I couldn’t ask for anyone better.”

“Is he handsome?”

I smiled. “Yes, very. And he’s taken.”

“Damn it. The good ones always are.” She laughed and my smile widened.

I loved it when she was happy. I wished she were happy more often. “I can’t wait to see you tomorrow at the advocacy dinner.”