Chapter Ten
What the hell am I doing here?
It was a fair question to ask herself. She hadn’t exactly felt a welcoming vibe from the depth of her soul from anyone other than Cleo the last time she’d visited the clubhouse.
The only reason she was awkwardly standing in the far corner of the room, looking as if this was the last place she belonged, was because Cross invited her. Okay, invited was a stretch. Demanded?
Addison was still on edge after their encounter yesterday.
How did she go from his mortal enemy to making out with him in a strip club?
It was too convoluted to make sense. The man was hot and cold with her.
She actually considered not coming for that simple fact.
But Cleo had called, inviting her this morning.
She promised it would be different this time.
It doesn’t feel different right now. She panned the room with no luck in finding Cleo.
She’d texted her the minute she’d arrived.
Once from the car, and again when she’d drummed up enough courage to walk inside.
That had been a total of ten minutes ago.
This was silly. Cleo and Cross both invited her.
She’d recognized a few members as she was walking in, and they hadn’t kicked her out.
She was allowing her nerves to get the best of her.
She sucked in a deep breath, inching toward the bar.
She wasn’t a huge drinker, but she was in desperate need of a little liquid courage if she had any hope of surviving this party. Addison needed to loosen up.
This wasn’t her first party. Hell, she’d been a bartender for years, which was basically a nightly party every shift. I got this.
Addison hiked up on her toes. Even at five foot, nine inches, which was considerably tall for a woman, she couldn’t see much of the bar.
By her count, she was two rows deep in the waiting line.
Great! She must’ve been standing for about five minutes when she felt a body slide up behind her.
She inched up a step, careful not to bump the guy in front of her.
But the person stepped closer, and before she could turn, a hand landed on her back.
She stiffened. There wasn’t much room to move, and her nerves intensified when the hand slowly lowered, advancing in the direction of her ass.
What the fuck? She whipped her head around, scowling up at a man she’d never seen.
A small wave of panic flashed. There was literally no escape.
But suddenly there was a good Samaritan in the form of a tiny waif who pushed through the crowd and grabbed Addison’s arm, bulldozing her way through until she reached the opening by the end of the bar.
What the hell just happened? And more importantly, who was this little hero?
“Thanks.”
The girl nodded, scanned her face, then dropped her gaze down her body. The silent inspection went on for a few seconds before she looked up.
She smiled. “I’m Addison.”
She expected an introduction, but the blonde stared back in silence.
“I guess I should’ve stayed near the wall. Especially here.” Her intent was a joke, but the girl didn’t seem amused.
“Everywhere.”
Addison furrowed her brows, “I’m sorry?”
“You should have your back to the wall everywhere you go. Evil usually lurks where you can’t see it.”
The phrase was cryptic. And creepy. But true. Addison pressed her lips together, forcing an awkward smile. The girl continued to stare and made no move to leave. Maybe she sensed Addison didn’t belong here. Because I don’t.
“Have you seen Cleo?”
“Why?” she snapped, and her brows dipped into a severe scowl.
Addison flinched from the harsh tone. “Um, I’m looking for her.”
The girl eyed her again. “Are you friends?”
Addison hesitated. “Kind of.”
That answer didn’t sit well with the girl.
“Either you are or you aren’t.”
That was fair, and she let out a chuckle. “We’re new friends. But definitely friends.”
She nodded. “I haven’t seen her tonight.”
Her shoulders sagged. Addison wasn’t sure how long she was willing to wait. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask about Cross’s whereabouts, but she didn’t.
“If I see her, I’ll tell her where you are.”
Well, that was nice.
“Thanks. I didn’t get your name.” Addison smiled and stepped closer, but the girl immediately retreated.
“I’m with Killcreek,” she blurted.
Addison lifted her brows and forced a smile at the odd response. “Oh. Okay.”
“Now, this is what I like to see.”
Addison spun around, and her muscles tightened as Gent got closer. He stopped next to the mystery girl, putting his arm over her shoulder. Addison noticed she immediately stiffened but made no move to pull away.
“You making friends, Jane?”
“She’s a friend of Cleo’s.”
Gent chuckled. “Apparently a pretty good friend if she’s getting invited to our party.”
“I have to go clean up.” She wiggled her way out of his hold. Within seconds she’d disappeared, leaving them alone. Great!
Addison needed a clean getaway from this man, and her bladder was the answer. She went before she left the house, but she also downed a bottle of water to calm her nerves on the drive over. Now, I’m paying for it.
“Can you point me to a bathroom?”
Gent smirked. “Got one out back, but since you’re practically family, we can’t have you using that one. Follow me.” He started to walk toward the hallway, and she hesitated.
“Only gonna offer this once.”
She tightened her thighs. I really have to go. She may not trust this man, but her bladder had a stronger point.
She lengthened her stride to catch up to him. “Where are we going?”
He glanced over his shoulder with a glint in his eye. “My bedroom is down here. Gonna be a gentleman and allow you into my private space.”
He opened the door and waved her inside. She didn’t enter immediately. She peeked inside, looking around.
“Like I said, this offer expires.”
Dammit!
She walked inside, and he pointed to the door in the corner.
“I’ll be quick.”
“Take your time, darlin’.” He closed the door behind him.
Gent may have given her an off vibe, but at least he was being a gentleman.
She used the bathroom, which was surprisingly clean and orderly. He even had scented hand soap. Nice. She dried her hands and neatly folded the towel. She opened the door and walked into the bedroom as the door from the hall opened. She expected to see Gent again.
Oh shit.
She froze when she saw Cross enter and walk between the bed and couch. This would’ve been bad enough, but of course it had to be worse. He wasn’t alone. There was a woman only a few steps behind him.
She gripped the edge of her shirt, clearly intending on taking it off when they made eye contact. The corner of her mouth curled as she shifted her gaze to Cross, who was bent over the table with his back to them.
“I’m up for a threesome if you are.”
Oh God. Her stomach twisted, and her heart pounded. Heat rushed through her body. A threesome? Oh, hell no!
Cross straightened to face the woman, then looked over at Addison, meeting her stare with a darkened gaze.
It was clear from the lines marring his forehead and his pulsing temple she was the last person he’d expected to see right now.
You invited me! Cross slowly turned, giving off a heavy predatory vibe.
It was the same look a lion gave before pouncing.
An imminent explanation was vital. She drew in a breath, fully prepared to give one, but she never got the chance.
“What the hell are you doing in here?” His venomous tone sent a chill down her spine and a spike in her already erratic heartbeat. She licked her lips, and for a moment, she was unable to speak. Cross was making it clear his patience was dwindling before her eyes.
Her hand shook as she hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “Gent said I could use his bathroom.”
Cross’s brows dipped, and he glanced past her shoulder. His jaw squared, and his gaze shifted back to her as his eyes narrowed.
“My bathroom.”
What?
“This is my fucking room.”
I’m going to kill Gent!
She held up her hands, shaking her head.
“I didn’t know.” She swallowed the lump in her throat, nervously pointing to the door.
She didn’t bother trying to control her trembling arm, which Cross immediately zoned in on.
“I’m going to go. And I’m so sorry. I would never intentionally invade your space, I swear. Again, I’m sorry.”
Cross scanned her face, and his gaze drifted down her body, lingering over her chest. He could’ve been zoning in on her breasts, but she had a distinct feeling his focus was on her pounding heart.
“Get out.”
Addison nodded and started forward, but Cross stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
“Not you.” His growl sent a shiver over her skin.
He glanced over his shoulder toward the woman. “Get out.”
The girl widened her eyes and tapped her finger on her chest. “Me? But…”
“Get out.” His booming voice was directed at the other woman, but his heated stare was pinned on Addison.
“Fine. I’ll get it from someone else.”
Get what? Sex? Oh, this was disturbing. The door slammed shut, and Addison jumped slightly. Cross on the other hand, hadn’t moved a muscle.
“I should go.”
“Did I tell you to get out?”
Well, no, but… She swallowed the lump in her throat, and he inched closer. “No, but you were obviously about to…”
He arched his brow. “About to what?”
Does he really want me to say it? She clamped her mouth shut and outright refused.
“Give her money. Keg is low, prospects are busy. Was sending her out.”
Her mouth fell open. That was the last thing she’d expected to hear, and he could’ve been lying but… Cross lifted his hand, showing folded bills then tossed the money on his dresser.
“I thought…”
“What did you think?”
Not this again.
“Cross.” She sighed.
“What did you think?”
She rolled her eyes. “A woman in your bedroom? It’s pretty obvious what would happen.”
He inched closer, smirking. “You’re in my bedroom.”
She gasped, and immediately blurted. “To use the bathroom.”