Page 150 of Always: A Legacy Novel

“I can see that,” Cross said.

Catherine cocked a brow. “Is that why you came over?”

“Entirely. Curiosity got the better of me when someone mentioned you were dealing with your cousin.”

“Yeah, well.”

She offered nothing else.

Cross didn’t ask.

“Then I saw you doing your thing,” Cross said, drawing each word out slowly.

“And?”

“And, nothing, Catty. It’s your game to play, you know? I can see why someone else might fall into the trap, sure.”

Catherine scoffed. “But not you, right?”

Cross smirked at her. “I think that’s part of your pull with them, babe. I’ve already been there with you. Whatever fun you’re trying to dangle for me, I’ve already had. It loses its appeal once you give it out, that’s all.”

She sucked in a sharp breath, and he immediately heard his mistake echoing back to him.

“Ouch, Cross.”

“You know I didn’t mean it like that, Catherine,” he said quieter.

Her gaze avoided his entirely. “I don’t know you to say things you don’t mean, so—”

“I meant what I said, but it didn’t mean what you thought. There’s a difference, babe. You’re a terribly pretty face, and when you use it to your advantage, guys go stupid. That’s the deal, though, see. They’re enjoying what they’re not getting because when they come to you for what they do want, they get to play a little game, too, even if they lose. Here’s the thing, Catty, they know they don’t have a chance with you, but they still play.”

Cross leaned back into the vehicle, stretching out his legs and crossing his boots one over the other. “I don’t need to play any games where you’re concerned, and I never have. I never will. I’m only going to tell you what I want, and you’ll either agree, or you won’t. That’s me, that’s you—that’s us. You can’t fuck with me like you fuck with them; it’s not even close to the same.”

“You’re so arrogant,” she huffed.

“I’m also right, though, deny it.”

She didn’t.

Cross smiled.

“I like the control,” Catherine admitted.

“I bet.”

“I don’t have any with you.”

Wrong.

She had too much.

He didn’t tell her that.

“But there’s always rules, and this, and that,” Catherine said, sighing. “It’s always something with Andino and John. So this is fun, and then I go home, and I’m bored again.”

Cross frowned. “Rules like what?”

Catherine kicked her wedge heels against the pavement. “Like I can’t be out of their sight, for one thing.”