“But I’ll see you again, right? You’re notleavingleaving.”
Addison licked her lips and slowly shook her head. “I’m here for a little while if you want to get together again.”
“I do,” Cleo blurted. “How about tomorrow?”
“Sounds good. Call me when you get up, and we’ll make some plans.”
Addison released her arm, walked over to the couch, and grabbed her bag. Cross was blocking half of the doorway.And I’m not moving.She waved to Cleo and ducked her head as she passed him. “It was nice meeting you both.”
As soon as the door closed, Cleo clapped her hands, bouncing on her feet like a kid on Christmas. Picking up social cues wasn’t exactly her forte, but the tension was impossible to miss. Hell, even Addison picked up on it right away.
“Isn’t she great?”
Cross grasped his hips and tightened his lips. He’d let Wraith handle his woman. And he did.
“What the hell is she doing here?” Wraith snapped.
Cleo’s eyes widened innocently. “She wanted to meet me.”
Wraith’s gaze darkened. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”
Now they knew why Cleo hadn’t answered her phone when he’d called.
“Well” —she licked her lips— “I didn’t know until last night. She called and said she was in town. You were away, so…”
“Jesus fucking Christ, Cleo.” Wraith dragged his hand over his head, sharing a look with Cross.
Cross narrowed his gaze. “You said this wasn’t gonna be a problem.”
Wraith cupped his mouth. He was seeing the ramifications of Addison’s arrival. Cleo, on the other hand, did not. She charged forward, putting herself between the men.
“It’s not a problem, Cross. I spent the afternoon with her. She’s probably the sweetest person I’ve ever met. If you just…”
Oh, fuck no.
“If I what? Get to know her? Why the fuck would I do that, Cleo?”
Cleo flattened her lips, and he silently cursed his outburst. It wasn’t Cleo’s fault. He needed to leave before he said anything else he’d regret. He turned toward the door.
“Wait, Cross.”
He had no plans of stopping until her hand gently grasped his arm.
He glanced over his shoulder. “She’s got his fucking heart. She doesn’t get his family or anything else from us!” Cross didn’t wait for a response and stormed out of the door.
Addison’s presence had instantly brought old wounds to the surface. A walking talking reminder of what he’d lost. He stalked across the yard, keeping his bike in his sight. He needed to get the hell out of there.
“Hey man, who’s the girl?” Cypher asked, but Cross ignored him and straddled his bike. He must’ve seen her leave. There’d be a discussion but not now. All he wanted was to put as much space as possible between him and his past.
Chapter Six
Addison was still reeling from the night before when she woke up at seven the next morning. Woke up was kind of a stretch. She’d tossed and turned so much, she’d barely gotten any sleep.
That hadn’t gone according to plan. Her time with Cleo had been amazing. She was exactly who she’d seemed through her letters and calls. It was always great when someone lived up to expectations. It rarely happened. Addison felt a strong connection to her. Maybe it stemmed from the shared experience, but somehow it felt deeper. A small friendship outside of Knox.
But her icy reception from Wraith and Cross had put a damper on the day. Addison had been shocked when she’d been introduced. She’d had no clue Cross was part of the motorcycle club when they’d met at the bar. He wasn’t wearing an identifying vest like the others. Of course, he wore it yesterday. He wasn’t just a member; he was the vice-president, according to the patch on his vest.
The man had gone from subtle flirting to shooting death stares once he’d found out her identity. Wraith’s reaction wasn’t any better. It struck her as odd since she knew he at least was aware they were in contact. Of course, writing letters from six states away was very different than her standing a few feet from him. And Cross.
