Cross (Dark Kings 3)

“Listen, Cross. I was doing her and you a favor. I know you’re seeing her and thought I’d help her out. She came to me and asked for a job specifically at Glass. What was I supposed to do?”

I snort, ignoring the fact he recognized I’m seeing her. I thought he, of all people, would keep what I’m doing a secret. He’s the most secretive person I know. Bones is very private in everything he does. “Say ‘fuck no.’”

He sighs. “I told her yes, and I’m not going to fire her just because you don’t want her there. Alexa is an adult and can make her own decisions. If she wants to quit, then she’ll quit.” With that, he drops his eyes to his computer screen, dismissing me.

I slap the papers onto his desk and rush out of his office to find her and Jasmine standing in the hallway. I grip Alexa’s upper arm and pull her away. “I need to speak to you.”

“Cross—”

“Now,” I interrupt her protest, yanking her into my office and slamming the door shut behind us. “You will not work at Glass,” I state immediately.

She arches a brow, pushing a hip out. “Excuse me?”

I shake my head. “Absolutely not. I won’t allow it.”

“Good thing I didn’t ask for your permission then.” She laughs like I’m joking.

“It’s a fucking strip club!” I snap.

“If you would have asked, then you’d know I’m going to waitress or bartend, not dance naked!” she shouts.

She’s right, I didn’t know that, but that doesn’t mean it’s any better. I remove my Zippo from my pocket and start flipping it open and closed. “I don’t want you to …”

“This has nothing to do with you, Cross.” Her eyes glare at me, and her body is now stiff. Just like the fight we had at my house the other night.

“Why do you want to bartend at Glass all of a sudden?” She owns a fucking bar, for Christ’s sake, and she’s opening up a sex club. Why add Glass to her already full schedule?

“I’m closing Lucky’s down to remodel it,” she snaps, still pissy. “I need a job in the meantime.”

“Well, Glass is not it!”

Her nostrils flare. “I will work wherever I damn well please!”

I slam both of my fists on the desk. “No. You. Won’t.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“Because I won’t allow it!” It’s as simple as that. I used to practically live there with Grave. I know what kind of shit goes on there, and it’s a no for me. Even the waitresses and bartenders will go home with guys for the right price. I’m not saying Alexa’s that type of girl, but where there’s opportunity …

“You don’t get to make decisions for me!” she snaps.

“You’re my woman!” I didn’t mean for it to come out like that, but by the way her face turns red, I can tell I’ve hit a nerve.

“Your woman?” she questions with a laugh that was not humorous.

Fuck! “You know what I mean.”

“Obviously, I don’t,” she argues. “Because we’re not exclusive, Cross. We’re not even dating.”

Her reasoning doesn’t sit well with me. “Are you saying you’re seeing someone else?”

She crosses her arms over her chest, pushing her already perky tits up even more, and looks away from me, staring out my floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the Strip. Mitch enters my mind, and if he was right here in front of me, I’d knock his ass out just because I can.

“Alexa?” I snap.

“No!” she shouts. “But that doesn’t mean I’d turn a date down if offered.”

“Abso-fucking-lutely not!” I growl.

She rolls her beautiful green eyes. “We said this was just sex. That it would be our secret. That way, when it’s over, no one would feel awkward when we hang out.”

I can’t argue that she’s wrong. But we’ve been fucking for what, a month now? She’s more to me than that. “And is that what this is to you?” I question.

She throws her hands out to her side before they hit her bare thighs. “What do you want me to say, Cross? That I like you?” She steps closer to me. “Hmm?” She takes another step closer. “Do you want me to confess my undying love for you so that you’ll feel superior over me …”

I grip her face in my hands and yank her forward, closing what little space is left between us, and kiss her. She opens her lips for me immediately, and I take the opportunity to deepen the kiss—my tongue dancing with hers. Her hands grip my T-shirt, and I press my hips into hers so she can feel how hard I am for her right now.

She pulls away all of a sudden. “Cross …”

“I’ll give you a job, but you have to quit Glass,” I offer before we go back to a yelling match that I know I can’t win. Those two days without her after I kicked her out of my house were miserable. I’m trying not to make that mistake again.