Chapter Fourteen
Addison stared across the room, focusing on the door.
Cleo had left a few hours ago after Addison insisted she was tired and wanted to sleep.
It was a half-truth. The day’s events had exhausted her to her limits, but Addison had no plans of sleeping.
Not in his bed. She’d debated on leaving, but there were still people in the clubhouse, and she was sure she’d get opposition if she attempted to leave.
It was the strangest hostage situation. Cross had been so adamant she stay but never gave her a reason. Was she still in danger from the men at the convenience store? It was doubtful, especially after the threat the owner delivered.
So why am I here?
She jumped slightly when voices from the hallway caught her attention.
She’d been hearing them all night, but this was different.
It was right outside the door. They were muffled, and she couldn’t hear what they were saying.
But she had the distinct feeling one of them was Cross.
Seconds later it was confirmed when he walked in.
She’d kept the lamp on his nightstand on, and the glow shined over him as he closed the door behind him. When Cross turned, he stilled, staring directly at her.
“Still up?”
“Yep.”
He walked to the edge of the bed. “How are you doing?”
“I’d be better if I was in my own bed.”
The corner of his mouth curled. “Don’t like mine?”
It was big, comfortable, and surprisingly, clean. But none of that mattered.
“I’d like to go home.”
He drew in a breath. “You’re gonna stay tonight.”
It was not the answer she wanted to hear. “Why?”
“’Cause it’s late, and you’d have a twenty-minute drive on pitch black backroads that you don’t know. It’s dangerous.”
It was true. She’d gotten familiar with the rural roads, but she wasn’t used to them. She imagined a lot of wildlife came out at night, and the last thing she needed was to hit a deer. Maybe there was a compromise.
“Can you drive me home then?”
“No.”
Dammit. She had one more option, though she didn’t think he’d entertain it.
“Any chance I can get my own room?”
His laugh was muffled. “Zero chance.”
She scoffed, curling her arms around her stomach and averting her eyes across the room.
“So your idea of protecting me after a traumatic experience is to keep me locked in a room?”
“You could’ve left and hung out with the guys.”
She narrowed her gaze. “You know what I mean.”
He scanned his eyes over her body in his bed. She hadn’t gotten under the covers but had taken off her shoes.
“Where were you?”
He took off his cut and hung it up on the back of the chair. “Had to handle something.”
“Did that something involve me?”
“Club business.”
Meaning, not mine. Oh, the irony.
“Do I have to worry about the other bikers?”
“No.”
Perfect! If she wasn’t in danger, there was no reason to stay. I’ll take my chances with Killcreek’s wildlife.
She scooted to the edge of the bed, reaching for her shoes. “I’m going to head home.”
“You’re staying.”
Addison quickly tied her laces and stood. “You said I don’t have to worry. The threat is gone, right? So I’m safe to go home. And I’ll be extra careful on the roads.” She started across the room but only got a few feet.
He stepped in her path, blocking the door.
“I want you to stay.”
She snorted. “Yeah, well news flash, Cross. We don’t always get what we want.”
“Yeah, but I’m getting this.” He lifted his chin. “Get in bed.”
“Why?” She spread out her arms. “I’m not gonna fuck you if that’s what you think.”
His lips twitched. “Wasn’t thinking about fucking.”
“Oh, that’s right,” She laughed without an ounce of humor. “If that was the case, you’d be telling me to get on the couch.”
She was still bitter about the situation and it was showing. And I don’t care.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“The keg girl from the party. In addition to telling me I was the first of the night, she accurately guessed that you fucked me on the couch. According to her, that’s where you fuck all your women.”
Cross grasped his hips and sighed. There was no denial on his end.
“Was she lying?”
“I don’t let anyone in my bed.” He inched closer. Another foot and they’d be touching. “Get in bed.”
“You just said…”
“You’re my exception.”
The exception to every other woman he’d ever been with? That was quite the declaration.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Why?”
“I don’t know,” he whispered, and his gaze softened. “You just are.”
It was a moment, but Addison wouldn’t be na?ve enough to think of it as anything more than a power move. Cross liked control. He was used to it. She could protest but…
She glanced back at his bed. She was exhausted. Where was the harm, and after the ordeal she was comforted to know she wouldn’t be alone, at least for tonight.
“Fine.” She folded her arms. “But we’re not fucking.”
“Alright.”
Alright? What the hell kind of answer was that? A little pursuing would’ve been nice so she could turn him down formally. Alright?
She toed off her shoes and pulled the covers back. She shifted her legs and groaned under her breath. The idea of sleeping in her jeans had her rethinking not fighting harder to go home. To my soft comfy pajamas.
She glanced up as Cross lifted his shirt. She hadn’t gotten a full view of the man last time they were together. He had an array of tattoos on his chest. She couldn’t make out most of them past his chest hair. Addison had never had a thing for that trait, but on Cross it was sexy.
“You need something?”
“I need to go home so I can comfortably sleep.” She pointed to her legs.
He walked across to his dresser, pulled out a shirt and tossed it on the bed.
She swiped it. “Do you have a pair of sweats I can borrow?”
His lips twitched, and she knew the answer before he spoke. “No.”
Asshole!
When he walked in the bathroom, she quickly got changed and under the covers. She purposely faced the wall and felt the mattress dip when he got in.
This is going to be a long night.
For the first five minutes, she laid silent. Maybe if he fell asleep before her, she could make an escape. Another ten minutes passed. Addison scissored her legs and felt his hand grip her waist. She rolled on her back with him hovering over her.
“I said no sex.”
“Baby, you’re restless. You need to relax in order to sleep.”
“Oh, let me guess.” She snorted. “You can help me with that?”
“I can.”
Do not give in to his sexy, graveled voice. It’s a trap!
She fisted the sheets in frustration. “What part of no sex don’t you understand?”
Cross licked his lips. “I’m offering a compromise. I’ll give you an orgasm guaranteed to make you pass the fuck out.” His gaze heated. “And in return, I get a little taste.”
Of me? Addison locked her legs, tightening her thighs and cursed her nearly drenched panties. How was this happening? After the day she had, the attack and trauma, she should be disgusted with the thought of being intimate. But she wasn’t. Not with Cross.
“Thinking too hard, baby. You get to come and then sleep. Sounds like a win to me.”
Me too.
“Okay,” she whispered.
Addison expected him to kiss her. He didn’t. That was a little disappointing.
Cross slid his hand over the sheet, trailing over her stomach. Even through two layers, she could feel his heated touch. She sucked in a breath, entranced by his hand lowering down her body.
As much as she’d been denying it, she wanted him inside her. On her. She wanted him everywhere. Cross fisted the sheets and yanked the covers off. Her T-shirt was long but had ridden up to her waist.
His gaze heated as he scanned her body. Cross shifted to the end of the bed, sliding his hands over her thighs, keeping eye contact the entire time. The rough contrast of his calloused fingers on her smooth skin sent a shiver through her body, beading her nipples and moistening her panties.
Cross smirked as if he knew exactly how he’d affected her. He hooked his fingers over her panties, slowly sliding them down her legs.
She expected him to dive face first between her legs, but he hovered over her body, pushing her shirt up and dangerously close to exposing her breasts.
Addison immediately froze. Everyone had something to hide.
Addison’s was in the shape of a scar. While she wore it like a badge of honor, it would be a distraction with Cross.
A reminder. She rested her arm over her ribs to keep it from moving any further.
Cross shifted his gaze between her arm and her face.
“This is about me, right? So this is how I want it.”
Cross remained silent, eyeing the shirt.
He was probably putting it all together.
This wasn’t going to work. She propped up on her elbows, prepared to call off the compromise.
But she never got the chance. Cross placed his hand over her chest, pressing her back against the mattress. And she went willingly.
His mouth spread over her stomach, the coarse hair of his mustache prickling her skin.
The combination of his rough hands over her thighs and his mouth trailing down her stomach had her wiggling her hips.
She was too eager. Luckily, he wasn’t going to torture her.
He skimmed his mouth over her pussy and she grabbed the sheet, fisting it in her hand, resisting the strong urge to moan.
His tongue slipped between her lips, flickering over her clit.
Her mouth fell open and she sucked in a breath.
Oh God! She drove her hand through his thick hair, tugging.
She didn’t want him to stop, but Addison was overwhelmed with her need to come.
He lifted her legs over his shoulders and slid his hands under her ass.
The new angle was hitting her hard. She locked her thighs and swiveled her hips, riding his mouth.
She pressed her head into the pillow, clenching her teeth.
So close! He sucked her clit between his lips and she was fucking done.
“Cross,” she groaned, tightening her hold on his head and driving her pussy against his mouth.
Her panting intensified seconds before she crashed, coming hard. Her body shook and shrunk into the mattress as she tried to regain control of her breathing.
He dragged his mouth over her inner thigh, spreading kisses over her hip and sending a sweet chill over her body. Addison slid her hand down his neck and over his shoulder. The mattress shifted and Cross was hovering over her with a satisfied gleam in his eyes. Kiss me.
And he did.
A soft lingering peck on her lips before he pulled back. “Goodnight.”
What? Cross rolled over to his side of the bed and rested his arm under his head. When his eyes closed, she was left speechless. Almost.
Addison rolled onto her side, propping up on her elbow and tapping his chest.
“Cross.”
He flicked open his eyes. “Yeah.”
“I um,” her cheeks heated. “I changed my mind about no sex.”
The corner of his mouth curled and he cupped her jaw, sliding his thumb over her bottom lip.
“I didn’t.” He dropped his hand to the bed and closed his eyes. “You need rest. Go to sleep, baby.”
Dammit!
She laid back down, staring up at the ceiling, convinced she’d never fall asleep.
Seconds later, she passed out.
****
Cross stretched his arms over his head but was careful not to extend them onto Addison’s side.
He sniffed her scent over his sheets. She’d been right last night about not having women in his bed.
He hadn’t. It was his personal space, and he valued it.
With Addison? He wanted her there, next to him and safe.
This woman was a complete mindfuck and had him breaking all of his own unwritten rules.
He dragged his hand over his face, knowing they’d have to have a conversation. Cross had made a statement at the Satan’s Hex clubhouse last night. All his brothers had heard it. Addison was his woman. He’d claimed her. Mine. The only one who didn’t know was Addison herself. But she will.
He glanced over to the right and clenched his jaw.
Fuck!
It was empty, and he should’ve expected it.
She’d been so eager to leave last night, he wouldn’t have been surprised if she waited on him to fall asleep and left soon after.
Especially, after he denied her sex. He’d been as hard as a steel rod after getting her off.
It was a wonder he’d even managed to fall asleep.
It would’ve been easy to end the night inside her.
They both wanted it. But it wasn’t what she needed. Last night was about Addison, not him.
He got out of bed, took a quick shower, dressed, and walked out to the main living area.
There were a few brothers mulling around, and he zoned in on the table where Ace and Gent were seated.
As he walked toward them, Joker passed, and he grabbed his arm.
He’d been on security detail last night and would know exactly when she left.
Cross lowered his voice. “You see Addison leave last night?”
Joker smirked. “No, but I did see her leave this morning. Probably about thirty minutes ago.”
So, she had stayed. With him. All night.
He lifted his chin and walked over to the table. Cross was scheduled for the run up to Inez’s. It was his turn, and it couldn’t be cancelled. When Inez called a meeting, you showed up. He grasped the back of the empty chair. Cross wasn’t accustom to asking for favors but it was necessary.
“Need you to take the meeting with Inez.”
Ace arched his brow. “You got something going on?”
Cross made it a point to never lie especially to his president.
“Addison.”
“Blowing off Inez for Addison?” Gent whistled. “She’s not gonna like that.”
“Shut the fuck up, Gent!” Cross said, then turned to Ace. “Something I gotta do.”
“From what I heard, through our shared wall,” Gent paused. “Didn’t you do that something last night?”
Cross clenched his jaw, angling his head and glaring at his brother. “One more word? And I will fucking kill you.”
Ghost chuckled. “And I’m gonna record it so we can watch your death, over and over, for years to come.”
“Everyone keeps making that goddamn threat,” Gent spread out his arms, clearly amused. “But I’m still here, brothers.”
Cross turned to Ace, ignoring Gent. “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”
Cross never brushed off his duties to the club. He took his position as vice-president seriously, and everything he’d done since joining had been about the Killcreek Drifters. And Ace knew that.
“Alright.” Ace nodded.
Cross left the house, heading to his bike. There were things they needed to sort out, and he wasn’t leaving until they did.