Page 18 of The List
He’d never seen the blonde sitting at the end of the bar before. Cross didn’t know everyone in the area, but he wasfamiliar with most of the women. And if they’d met, he wouldn’t have forgotten her. Long blonde hair swept over her shoulder with the ends resting above her breasts. No cleavage on display but a skin-tight shirt showed her shape.C-cup, fucking perfect.He’d guess her age around twenty-five. A little young for him, but he’d make an exception.Decision fucking made.
He turned in his chair to grab his vest and stopped when his gaze zoned in on the entrance. More specific, the two women standing by the door. The curvy brunette, Ava, worked for the strip club. Cross hadn’t seen her much, and never on stage, but he had gotten a front row seat to her sassy combative tongue going head-to-head with Barry a few times.It’s fucking entertaining.
The other girl? The corner of his mouth curved. The sweet blonde from the bar. He watched their interaction, and when Ava pointed to the right, the blonde started down the walkway. If he had to guess, she was headed toward the bathroom. His gaze followed her every move with his eyes locked on her ass. Thick, round, and exactly what he liked. Cross planted his hands on the table, preparing to stand. He suddenly had the urge to use the bathroom.
He stood and furrowed his brows when the blonde pressed her back against the wall. Her eyes widened like a terrified animal about to get pounced. At the last second, the man stopped, grabbing her shoulders. An unfamiliar voice from the back of his mind snapped,“Get your fucking hands off her.”
The man released her, laughed, and said something to Ava. Cross watched the small exchange and shifted his eyes to the bathroom hall. He caught a quick glimpse of her blonde hair before she disappeared behind the wall.
“We going?” Cue asked.
Cross shook his head, staring across the room. “Not yet. Waiting on Wraith.”
Without another word, he walked through the club, up to the second level, and rounded the banister. He turned the corner and slowed his steps. She was standing a few feet from the door, staring.
He cleared his throat, and she immediately jerked her head. Her cheeks pinkened, and her throat bobbed. He wasn’t sure if that was for him, but he was about to find out.
He stopped a few feet away and lifted his chin to the ladies bathroom. “Occupied?”
Her mouth fell open, then closed, and she glanced over at the door. She didn’t look scared or upset. If anything, she seemed slightly amused, struggling to hide her small smile. She peeked over at him.
“You could say that.”
Fuck, she had great eyes. Light, maybe blue or green. It was hard to make out in the dim light of the hallway. The shape caught his attention. Rounder than most.
She shifted on her feet as her chest rose and fell rapidly. Again, he wasn’t sure if he was the reason, but he was about to find out. He leaned over, grabbed the door to the men’s bathroom, and swung it open, flattening his hand on the wood surface. He scanned the room and angled his head to see under the stall. It was empty.
He gestured to the bathroom. “Go ahead.”
She raised her brows but made no move to take him up on the offer. He understood; using a men’s bathroom was gross enough for a woman. At a strip club? It was on another level.
She tightened her thighs, glancing over at the women’s door. Cross held back his smile as he watched the defeat set in. She slowly made her way toward him. The way he was positioned holding the door open, she’d have to walk under his arm.And I fucking like that.
She smiled and pointed. “You sure it’s clear?”
“Yeah.”
She inched closer, leaning slightly toward the opening. She glanced back over her shoulder to the hallway leading to the main floor of the club. “Any chance I can get you to stick around and watch the door for me? I’ll be quick.”
His lips twitched. “I ain’t going anywhere.”
Her teeth raked over her bottom lip, forcing him to zone in on her mouth. Plump pink lips were giving him dirty thoughts. Her mouth wrapped around his cock, sliding down her throat until her eyes welled while he grasped her hair in a fist.Fuck!
She was taller than he initially thought. He still had about half a foot on her. She slowly walked under his arm, her shoulder grazing against his chest. It could’ve been a purposeful move. If she was trying, it was working. Once she walked in, he let go of the door, closing it. He rested his back against the wall and waited.
She wasn’t lying. She’d been quick. When he heard the toilet flush, he pushed off the wall but stayed near the door. It slowly opened, and she peeked up through her lashes. Her cheeks pinkened again.Yeah, that’s definitely for me.Cross had seen her looking at him in the bar earlier. Her interest was evident, and it was happily returned. It’d been a long time since he’d taken a woman outside of the club life. It was less complicated dealing with a woman who knew the rules and expectations. One night and no sleepovers. His gaze scanned her face.For you, it could be a few nights.
She cleared her throat. “Thanks.”
Cross slowly nodded, remaining silent. He was curious about her next move. Most women would make an obvious play, coming on strong. Others would run away. He assumed she’d do the latter. He was wrong on both ends.
She tucked her hands in her pockets and rocked back on her heels.
“I appreciate you watching the door for me.”
The corner of his mouth curved. Oh, she was nervous.I like that.
“Yeah, you said that.”
