The Collection (Contemporary Reverse Harem 5)

Chapter 17

KEALY

“Can I get you anything else?” the waiter asked as he dropped off our tiramisu.

Cross and I shook our heads as we grabbed our spoons and lunged for the dessert in front of us.

I was already stuffed to the gills from antipasti and chicken picatta, but there was no way I was going to pass on the city’s best tiramisu. Year after year, the little Italian joint on my corner was voted the best in New York magazine, and I could vouch for its accuracy.

I closed my eyes. “Oh, my god, this is unreal. I’ll never get tired of it.” I heard the dessert plate sliding across the table away from me, so I quickly opened my eyes.

“Hey! What are you doing?” I asked, reaching for the bowl that Cross was trying to hijack.

“C’mon. You live here. You can get this stuff anytime. I might never be back here,” he said, trying not to laugh. “Can’t you have some pity on me?”

“Okay. I’ll tell ya right now, you do not want to get between this girl and her dessert.”

Although the thought of wrestling him didn’t sound half bad. He was so goddamn good-looking with his messy man-bun and facial scruff. I could just imagine him pinning my arms above my head to the ground so I couldn’t move…

Relax, would ya?

“So, Cross. I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted to ask what happened to Joey’s mom.” I set down my spoon and leaned forward with attention.

In spite of his beautiful smile, a sadness washed across his face that made my heart break a little. I’d had my share of ups and downs, but I’d never lost someone I was in love with. What would that even be like? And how would you live through it?

He put his spoon down, too, and leaned onto the table.

“Mary. She had a bad flu, and a couple weeks later, was gone. The whole thing was unbelievable. Joey was just a baby. He was still nursing, for Christ’s sake,” he said, looking down at his white-knuckled hands.

I reached across the table and placed my fingers over his.

“Oh, my god. I’m so sorry.” My eyes filled with tears.

He nodded slowly. “Thank you. Yeah, it’s been quite a time. That’s why I work so much. I want to make sure Joey is always looked after, in case something were to happen to me.”

“I don’t blame you. I’d do the same.”

He waved the waiter down for the check, but I shoved my credit card in the man’s hand before Cross could.

He looked at me exasperated, but I just shrugged and smiled. I had a damn job and could pay once in a while.

* * *

Without saying a word, I held the crook of Cross’s elbow and we headed straight for my apartment. I knew Fantine would be home, so I’d sneaked in a little text to warn her before we left the restaurant. Actually, I didn’t mind at all that she was home—god knew I’d listened her get down with a few guys before—but I didn’t want her chewing our ear off so long that Cross would have to head out to send his baby-sitter home before I could have some fun with him.

And true to her word, when we walked into the apartment, she hollered hi from her bedroom and softly shut the door.

I owed her for that.

“Hey, cute apartment,” Cross said, doing a three-sixty to take in the miniscule place. I suspected he only made a full circle to make me feel better for living in such small digs. Honestly, you could see pretty much the entire place from the front doorway. You barely had to turn your head.

“Wow. Fancy sewing machine,” he said, looking at my baby.

The man knew his way into a girl’s heart. At least, a sewing girl’s heart.

“This machine has carried me through thick and thin and is about to be tested with carrying me to the next phase of my life.”

“Whoa. That’s a lot of pressure to put on a small machine,” he said, smiling.

He had a point. And that damn smile got my heart pounding. But I wasn’t going to let on. At least, not yet.

“Well, maybe I have too many eggs in one basket, but we got big plans, my sewing machine and me.” I put some tea on and led him to the sofa that was still warm from Fantine’s little behind.

“And how are you going to approach these big plans?” he asked.

“I’ve been stockpiling leftover fabric that would usually go to the design schools,” I said, pointing to the piles in the corner of the living room. Thank god Fantine didn’t mind my spreading out in our little apartment.

Another thing I owed her for.

“I’ve been staying late at work making patterns for my new designs. As soon as they’re done, I’ll start sewing samples.”

“Cool. That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about tonight.”

“Yeah. What did you mean by you and the guys ‘supporting me?’” I asked.

“Well, we know you’re talented, and with the connections we have in the industry, we think we could help you make a go of it. Hell, at the very least, we could model the collection for you.”

Holy shit. Life was turning in a new direction. A fucking great direction.

My eyes filled with tears once again, but not because of sadness this time. “Oh, my god. Thank you, Cross. Thank you for believing in me.” I ran my fingers through the scruffy beard on his chin.

He gently pushed me back onto the sofa until I was lying down, and balanced above me on one elbow. His mouth met mine as I wrapped my legs around him.

He was beautiful and perfect, his breath quickening as I pressed my hips into his growing erection. I wanted to touch him there, actually everywhere, but I restrained myself.

I tipped my head back to expose my neck, and his soft lips brushed over my skin in a delicious indulgence. It didn’t matter that I was in a crappy little apartment with my roommate just feet away and that my job was on the rocks. In fact, those things could not have been further from my thoughts at that moment.

“Such a pretty girl,” he growled, grinding his now-hard cock against me through our blue jeans.

I smiled.