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Then it dawned on me.
A public display of affection should do the trick.
“He really is the best,” I said.
“You really don't have to?—”
I cut Crossland off, gripping his shirt with my free hand, pulling him down to my level to plant my lips against his.
Sparks shot across my skin, adding to the adrenaline from the role playing. Crossland didn't react for a second before he took up his designated role and kissed me back. His hand flexed on the small of my back like he might pull me in for morecontact, but I tugged myself away, grinning up at him before returning to our conversation.
“I just can’t get enough of him,” I said, patting his chest. “Anyway, where are you off to tonight, Gareth?” I asked, as if I hadn't just kissed Crossland in front of two of his best friends.
“I have some business in Chicago,” he said without missing a beat.
I quickly realized that there probably wasn't much that phased Crossland’s intimidating looking friend. Though I definitely didn't get the violent vibe from him, not in the way my father was violent, but definitely in a way where he could handle himself if the situation arose. That was evident in all of Crossland’s friends. They simply carried themselves in a way that was both mature and composed.
We fell into some easy chitchat, with me carrying most of the conversation. Crossland stayed oddly silent. I kept up the PDA, especially when Asher and Gareth’s skeptic looks lessened with each easy touch. Still, Crossland was quiet, up until the point where Gareth had to leave to catch his flight, and Daisy and Asher left to make a dinner reservation.
The after party was still in full swing, and I'd barely said my goodbyes to Daisy before Crossland pulled me away from the crowd, to where we could hear each other in a darkened alcove of the building.
“What the hell was that?”
“Was I talking too much?” I asked, panic creeping up my spine. “I thought me and your friends were getting along great?—”
“You are,” he said, shaking his head. “That kiss. What was that?”
I sighed, the reality of the situation hitting me. “I'm so sorry. I thought that you’d given your consent when we had that discussion on the plane about kissing. And Asher was looking atme like he didn’t believe us, so I thought the kiss would help our story. I didn’t mean to cross a line.”
Crossland blinked a few times, his eyes softening. “No,” he said. “You didn't cross a line.”
“Did you hate it?” I asked, mortification creeping over my body. God, it’d been quick, but I thought it’d been nice. “I won’t do it again if you disliked it that much?—”
“Hate it?” he asked, eyes widening.
“I mean, yeah,” I said, shifting my weight as anxiety clawed up my throat. “I know I’m not usually the girl you go for. If we have to do that again, I can take pointers, but it was just a kiss. Right? It wasn’t a big deal.”
I was rambling now, needing his assurance so he wouldn’t fire me. I needed this job, however unconventional it was.
“You didn’t think it was…” His words trailed off, his demeanor shifting completely as he walked toward me, forcing me to retreat until I hit the wall behind me. “You want pointers?”
“Of course,” I said, looking up at him. My breathing hitched as he leaned one arm on either side of my head.
“First one,” he said, our bodies almost flush. “It was entirely too quick.”
My heart fluttered in my chest, anticipation flaring beneath my skin as he dipped his head and captured my mouth.
The kiss wassearing.
Hungry.
Frenzied.
It made me forget everything outside of the way his lips felt against mine.
Instinct swarmed my body, taking over as I slid my hands between his opened suit jacket and smoothed them over his dress shirt, greedily feeling the chiseled chest beneath.
Crossland gently gripped my chin, tipping my head back as he licked into my mouth, the contact making heat pool betweenmy thighs. He teased and flicked his tongue against mine, no hesitance or timidness about it. I whimpered at being handled so confidently, my hands fisting in his shirt as I pulled him closer. He sucked on my bottom lip, and my heart raced. He kissed me like he knew exactly how to make me achy.
