“Yes, of course.” I say stupidly like he asked for permission. I sit up straighter in the comfortable black leather chair. My ass sinks into it. It’s exactly what I would expect for a King.
Grave exits the room and a silence falls over it. I don’t know Cross very well. I don’t know any of the Kings actually. I’ve only ever met them once and I was having a bad day. I did see Cross once before in Roses, but there was very minimal interaction between the two of us.
His green eyes meet mine. He flips the Zippo open. The flame burns before he slams it shut. “It’s a reminder.” He says when he catches me staring.
I could lie. Pretend I wasn’t wondering what the fuck he’s doing. But instead I ask, “Of what?”
He flips it open again, tilts his head to the side, and watches the flame dance at the tip of his tatted fingers. Then his eyes slide to mine, the green darkening to black and sending a chill down my spine. “That if I wanted to, I could burn the motherfucking world down.”
He takes a cigarette from behind his ear and places it between his lips, then raises the lighter. But I speak, making him pause, “You know smoking will kill you.” My grandfather died of lung cancer. Smoked his entire life. My mother begged me and Ethan not to ever smoke. That it wasn’t worth it in the end.
He removes the unlit cigarette from his lips and smirks at me. “So will falling in love with a man who has a death wish.” My eyes widen. “And I don’t see you putting an end to that.” He replaces it between his lips and lights the cigarette then flips the Zippo shut. “Guess we’ll both die due to our own stupidity.” He blows the smoke out.
The door opens, and Grave re-enters. Cross stands and exits without another word. “Sorry, I’m ready for lunch now.” He drops into his desk chair.
Cross thinks I love him. Jasmine thinks I love him. Do I? Am I doing something that everyone else sees but me? Am I being too clingy? Too obvious? Do I need to take a step back and look at it from a different angle? What if Grave thinks this too? Will it push him away?
“April?”
“Hmm?” My eyes snap up to Grave’s. He gives me that smile that makes my heart pick up. “You okay?” he asks.
“Yeah, just been a long week,” I lie, not wanting to make him question anything. I came here to see him and I’m not going to let Cross’s words fuck that up. I get up and walk around. Pushing his chair back, I climb into his lap, straddling him.
He leans back, placing his hands behind his head, showing off his muscular arms with a cocky smile.
“A friend of yours stopped by Roses today.” I do have feelings for Grave, but I need to know where I stand before I allow myself to feel anymore.
The smile drops off his face, and he tilts his head to the side. “Who?”
“He said his name was Jimmy. Think the last name was Trust?”
He snorts. “He’s not a friend.” He drops his arms and grips my hips.
I frown. “I told him we were closed twice, but he insisted on ordering flowers.”
His jaw sharpens. “I’m installing a security camera system at the shop this week.”
“You don’t have to …”
“I’ve already ordered the equipment. It’ll be here tomorrow.”
I arch a brow. “Wanna keep an eye on me?”
“Always.” He winks.
Shit, this guy makes my underwear soaked in the worst way. But I have to know. “Well, Jimmy was there to send flowers to Lucy. Lucy Mason.” I watch his facial expression to see if he gets jealous, but nothing changes. “Don’t you find that odd?” I dig.
“Why would I find that odd? I told you he’s not my friend.”
I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly, dropping my eyes to his black Kingdom shirt to stare at his chest and try to keep my voice even. “She’s your ex.”
He lifts his hands and tangles them in my hair, lifting my face so I have to stare down at him. “Lucy Mason is not my ex.”
“Fuck buddy.” I correct my previous statement.
“Did Jimmy tell you that?” he asks.
“He didn’t have to.” I pull away from him and get up off his lap. I’m not going to rat the girls out.
“We were, yes. But I haven’t …”
“I’ve seen her call you several times when we’re together,” I interrupt him.
He snorts. “I can’t help when she calls me, but I promise you that I ignore them every time.”
“Maybe that’s the problem, you haven’t told her that you’re with me.” He may ignore her while he’s with me but what happens after he leaves?