Bared to You: A Crossfire Novel

“No, but I don’t think it’s because he doesn’t want to.” He shrugged and smoothed his artful y ripped Tshirt. Paired with black leather pants and spiked wristlets, he looked sexy and wild. “I just think he’s trying to figure out the situation with you first. He wigged when I told him I lived with a woman and that I’d moved across the country to be with you. He’s worried I might be bi-curious and secretly hung up on you.

That’s why I wanted you two to meet today, so he could see how you and I are together.”

“I’m sorry, Cary. I’l try to put him at ease about it.”

“It’s not your fault. Don’t worry about it. It’l work out if it’s supposed to.”

His assurances didn’t make me feel better. I tried to think if there was a way I could help.

Two guys stopped by our table. “Okay if we join you?” the tal er one asked.

I glanced at Cary, and then back at the guys. They looked like brothers and they were very attractive. Both were smiling and confident, their stances loose and easy.

I was about to say, Sure, when a warm hand settled on my bare shoulder and squeezed firmly. “This one’s taken.”

Across from me, Cary gaped as Gideon Cross rounded the sofa and extended his hand to him.

“Taylor. Gideon Cross.”

“Cary Taylor.” He shook Gideon’s hand with a wide smile. “But you knew that. Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

I could’ve kil ed him. I seriously thought about it.

“Good to know.” Gideon settled on the seat beside me, his arm draped behind me so that his fingertips could brush casual y and possessively up and down my arm. “Maybe there’s hope for me yet.” Twisting at the waist, I faced him and whispered fiercely, “What are you doing?”

He shot me a hard glance. “Whatever it takes.”

“I’m going to dance.” Cary stood with a mischievous grin. “Be back in a bit.”

Ignoring my pleading glance, my best friend blew me a kiss and the guys fol owed him. I watched them al go, my heart racing. After another minute, ignoring Gideon became ridiculous, as wel as impossible.

My gaze slid over him. He wore dress slacks in graphite gray and a black V-neck sweater, the overal effect being one of careless sophistication. I loved the look on him and was attracted to the softness it gave him, even though I knew it was only an il usion. He was a hard man in a lot of ways.

I took a deep breath, feeling like I needed to make an effort to socialize with him. After al , wasn’t that my big complaint? That he wanted to skip past the getting-to-know-you stage and jump straight into bed?

“You look…” I paused. Fantastic. Wonderful.

Amazing. So damn sexy… In the end, I went with the lame, “I like the way you look.”

His brow arched. “Ah, something you like about me.

Is that a general like of the overal package? Or just the clothes? Only the sweater? Or maybe it’s the pants?” The edge to his tone rubbed me the wrong way.

“And if I say it’s just the sweater?”

“I’l buy a dozen and wear them every damn day.”

“That would be a shame.”

“You don’t like the sweater?” He was pissy, his words coming clipped and fast.

My hands flexed restlessly in my lap. “I love the sweater, but I also like the suits.”

He stared at me a minute, and then nodded. “How was your date with B.O.B.?”

Oh hell. I looked away. It was a lot easier talking about masturbation over the phone. Doing it while squirming under that piercing blue stare was mortifying. “I don’t kiss and tel .”

He brushed the backs of his fingers over my cheek and murmured, “You’re blushing.”

I heard the amusement in his voice and swiftly changed topics. “Do you come here often?” Shit. Where did that clichéd line come from?

His hand dropped to my lap and caught one of mine, his fingers curling into my palm. “When necessary.”

A quick stab of jealousy made me stiffen. I glared at him, even though I was mad at myself for caring either way. “What does that mean? When you’re on the prowl?”

Gideon’s mouth curved into a genuine smile that hit me hard. “When expensive decisions need to be made. I own this club, Eva.”

Of course he did. Jeez.

A pretty waitress set two pinkish-colored iced drinks in square tumblers on the table. She looked at Gideon and gave him a flirtatious smile. “Here you go, Mr.

Cross. Two Stoli Elites and cranberry. Can I get you anything else?”

“That’l be al for now. Thanks.”