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Crossfire Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the Crossfire novel. A total of 144 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 :
Chapter 1
"We should head to a bar and celebrate."
I wasn't surprised by
Chapter 1
"We should head to a bar and celebrate."
I wasn't surprised by my roommate's emphatic p.r.o.nouncement. Cary Taylor found excuses to celebrate, no matter how small and inconsequential. I'd always considered it part of his charm. "I'm sur
- 1 Chapter 1 "We should head to a bar and celebrate." I wasn't surprised by my roommate's emphatic p.r.o.nouncement. Cary Taylor found excuses to celebrate, no matter how small and inconsequential. I'd always considered it part of his charm. "I'm sur
- 2 Knowing it was pointless to get riled up over old frustrations, I focused on getting to work as quickly as possible. I'd deliberately chosen to clock the short trip during a busy time on a Monday, so I was pleased when I reached the Crossfire Building, w
- 3 I talked over her. "May I have my badge, please?" He offered it back to me. Although I made an effort to retrieve it without touching him, his fingers brushed mine, sending that charge of awareness into me all over again. "Thank you," I muttered befor
- 4 Hmm...I caught the handle of the spoon sticking out of the bowl and decided not to comment on the food. "I think I ran into the hottest man on the planet today. Maybe the hottest man in the history of the world." "Oh? I thought that was me. Do tell me
- 5 "Eva, hi. Mark's not in yet, but you know where you're going, right?" "Absolutely." With a wave, I took the hallway to the left of the reception desk all the way to the end, where I made another left turn and ended up in a formerly open s.p.a.ce now
- 6 Ha! If only. I stepped into the car. "Thank you." He released the b.u.t.ton and stepped back again. The doors closed and the elevator began its descent. I immediately regretted my decision to share the car with him. Awareness of him p.r.i.c.kled across
- 7 "Yes, we'd present as a group. But they're familiar with the drill - they know they'll get the pitch from a senior executive, then end up working with a junior like me - so they picked me out and now they want to vet me. But to be fair, the RFP provid
- 8 "Yes, absolutely." I pushed to my feet. Knowing my appearance would be a reflection on my boss, I smoothed my black pencil skirt and straightened the cuffs of my long-sleeved silk blouse. By a random twist of fate, my crimson s.h.i.+rt perfectly matched
- 9 Cross stayed with me all the way to the bank of elevators. He said a few things to Mark about sports, I think, but I was too focused on the way I was reacting to him to care about the small talk. When the car arrived, I breathed a sigh of relief and hasti
- 10 "You're right. He's an arrogant douche. Let him l.u.s.t after you until he has blue b.a.l.l.s. Serves him right." That made me smile. Cary could always do that. "I doubt that man has ever had blue b.a.l.l.s in his life, but it's a fun fantasy." He
- 11 I stood as he approached, and he bent to kiss my cheek. "You look lovely, Eva." "Thank you." I looked like my mom, who was also a natural blonde. But my gray eyes came from my dad. Taking a chair at the head of the table, Stanton was aware that the re
- 12 I stepped out, deciding it would be safer for my sanity to take a different car up. "Not so fast, Eva." Cross caught me by the elbow and tugged me back. The doors shut and the elevator glided smoothly into motion. "What are you doing?" I snapped. Afte
- 13 And a major turn-on, but I was never going to admit it. He contemplated me with narrowed eyes. "It may be blunt, but it's honest. You don't strike me as the kind of woman who wants bulls.h.i.+t and flattery instead of the truth." "What I want is to b
- 14 In a daze, I watched Cross's body lower to mine, my legs sliding apart to accommodate the width of his hips. My muscles strained with the urge to lift toward him, to hasten the contact between us that I'd been craving since I first laid eyes on him. Low
- 15 "Eva honey. Richard says you forgot your cell phone at his office." I exhaled in a rush and sagged back into my chair. I could picture the handkerchief wringing that usually accompanied that particular anxious tone of my mother's. It drove me nuts and
- 16 Grudgingly, I thought of Gideon Cross, who preferred to strip all intimacy out of the most intimate act I could imagine. I'd had one-night stands and friends with benefits, and no one knew better than I that s.e.x and making love were two very different
- 17 I told him, of course. I wanted his take on it all. But when I finished, he was quiet. I lifted my head to look at him, and found him bright-eyed and biting his lip. "Cary? What are you thinking?" "I'm feeling kind of hot from that story." He laughed
- 18 "Cary Taylor." He shook Gideon's hand with a wide smile. "But you knew that. Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you." I could've killed him. I seriously thought about it. "Good to know." Gideon settled on the seat beside me, his arm draped
- 19 It was the Stoli and cranberry. I pounded it, draining the tumbler. My stomach churned for a moment, then settled. "You own the building I live in?" I gasped. "Oddly enough, yes." He moved to sit on the table, facing me, his legs on either side of min
- 20 "Why?" I could tell he wasn't being flippant. As bizarre as this conversation must be for him, Gideon was taking it seriously. "Call it one of my quirks, and I'm not saying that lightly. It p.i.s.ses me off to feel used for s.e.x. I feel devalued."
- 21 "You two seemed cozy last night. He's definitely into you." "I'm definitely into him." Curling into the corner of the couch, I pressed my cheek into the cus.h.i.+on and hugged my legs to my chest. "We're going to hang out, get to know each other,
- 22 I cringed, my shoulders creeping up to my ears. By the time my ma.s.sage appointment came around, I was in desperate need of one. I stretched out on the table and closed my eyes, preparing to take a catnap to get through the long night ahead. I loved dres
- 23 Just as he had in his office, he had me on my back on the couch before I realized he was moving me, his mouth swallowing my surprised gasp. The robe gave way to his dexterous fingers; then he was cupping my br**sts, kneading them with soft, rhythmic squee
- 24 He closed my robe; then stood, staring down at me. "Gideon...?" "Seven o'clock, Eva." He reached down and touched my ankle, his fingertips caressing the diamond anklet I'd put on in preparation for the evening. "And keep this on. I want to f**k you
- 25 I did and found he was right. It was a very different look from the gold choker, less glam and more edgy sensuality. And the earrings went well with the diamond anklet on my right leg that I'd never think of the same way again after Gideon's comment. Wi
- 26 "Eva." He came toward me, his stride graceful and strong. He caught up my hand and lifted it to his mouth. His gaze was intense - intensely hot, intensely focused. The feel of his lips against my skin sent goose b.u.mps racing up my arm and stirred memo
- 27 Gideon gripped my thighs, his hands sliding upward beneath the edges of my dress until his thumbs found the red lace of my thong. "Your c.u.n.t is so sweet," he murmured into my mouth. "I want to spread you out and lick you 'til you beg for my c.o.c.k
- 28 "It's so good," I sobbed, lost to him. "You feel...Ah, G.o.d, it's too good." Using both hands, Gideon commanded my rhythm, tilting me into an angle that had the big crown of his c**k rubbing a tender, aching spot inside me. As I tightened and shook
- 29 I stiffened against the reproof I heard in his tone. I shot him a look that said everything I couldn't while we were in public. "Richard, have you met Gideon Cross?" "Yes, of course." The two men shook hands. Gideon pulled me closer to his side. "We
- 30 "No. I'm an a.s.sistant at Waters Field and Leaman." "Ah." He grinned. "Ad agency." "Yes." "Gideon must really be into you to go from meeting you once or twice to dragging you out on a date like this." I cursed inwardly. I'd known a.s.sumption
- 31 "Okay." Cary ran his hand down my arm. "I'll get your shawl from the coatroom and see you out front." It took longer to get to the restroom than it should have. For one, a surprising number of people stopped me for small talk, which had to be because
- 32 "Yeah, I did." And I got riled up just thinking about it. We'd connected. I knew it. I'd wanted him more than anything last night, and today I wanted nothing to do with him ever again. "It was intense. The best s.e.xual experience of my life, and he
- 33 "It's not. I need to see you." "I don't want - " "We can do this the easy way, Eva. Or you can make it difficult." His tone took on a hard edge that made my pulse quicken. "Either way, you'll hear me out." I closed my eyes, understanding that I
- 34 "So? I was, too." His hands went to his hips. Then his arms crossed like mine. "Christ, Eva." I watched him squirm and felt a flare of hope. "If that's all you've got, we're done." "The h.e.l.l we are." "We've already hit a dead end if you'
- 35 I stared at him, astonished by the casualness with which he'd made the statement and the rueful amus.e.m.e.nt on his face that told me he wasn't entirely kidding. My s.e.x clenched in delicious antic.i.p.ation. I could easily picture becoming seriously
- 36 "Just a kiss for now," I murmured, bending forward to take his mouth. With my hands on his shoulders for balance, I licked across his parted lips; then slipped inside and teased him with gentleness. Groaning, he deepened the kiss, eating at my mouth in
- 37 "Mark, it means a lot to me that you care and that I'm valuable to you around here. But you don't have to worry about me. I'm a big girl. Besides, nothing is going to get me to quit this job." He blew out his breath, clearly relieved. "All right. Le
- 38 "What the h.e.l.l are you wearing?" he asked, looking marginally appeased by my enthusiastic greeting. "Clothes." "You look na**d in that top." "I thought you liked me naked." I was secretly pleased with my choice, which I'd made that morning bef
- 39 "Daniel has me sold on the place," I said to Gideon, as they shook hands. "I thought I'd done that." His hair was wet with sweat and he smelled divine. I'd never known a sweaty man could smell so d.a.m.n good. His hands stroked down my arms and I fe
- 40 Gideon caught my wrists and pinned them to the mattress. "You have a tight little c.u.n.t, Eva. I'll bruise you if I don't get you soft and relaxed." A violent s.h.i.+ver of arousal moved through me. It turned me on when he talked so bluntly about s.e
- 41 "Come, Eva," he ordered harshly. "Come now." I cl**axed in a rush that had me sobbing his name, the sensation enhanced and magnified by the way he'd confined my body. He threw his head back, shuddering. "Ah, Eva!" He clasped me so tightly I couldn
- 42 I remembered the conversation we'd had in his office over lunch and the way he'd struggled to express himself to keep me. He was as confused and torn about what was happening between us as I was, and I knew how easy it was to fall into established patt
- 43 "I don't have clothes and stuff..." "All you need is the toothbrush in your purse. We can run by your place in the morning for the rest. I promise to get you to work on time." He pulled me into him and set his chin on the crown of my head. "I'd rea
- 44 "What's wrong?" he asked gruffly, pus.h.i.+ng up onto one elbow. "You okay?" "I want you." I stretched out against him, aligning my bare body to his. Pressing my face into his damp throat, I sucked gently on his salty skin. I knew from my own night
- 45 It suddenly seemed conceited to give him what I'd brought. He frowned. "What's wrong?" "Nothing. It's just..." I exhaled in a rush. "Listen, I have something for you, but I just realized it's one of those gifts
- 46 A sneaking suspicion niggled at me. "You planned it. You planted the story." "Not entirely true," he said smoothly. "The photographer happened to be there. I just gave him a picture worth printing, and told PR to make it clear who
- 47 I texted him just before I left, letting him know I was on my way. Considering the time constraints, we couldn't waste a minute. Gideon must have felt the same way, because I found Scott waiting for me at reception when I reached the Cross Industries
- 48 I gripped his straining thighs in both hands, frantically working my lips and tongue, desperate for his cl**ax. His b.a.l.l.s were heavy and big, an audacious display of his powerful virility. I cupped them, rolling them gently, feeling them tighten and d
- 49 "Gideon's coming over later," I explained, "but I'm feeling so hammered right now I may not stay up long. So I gave him my keys to let himself in. Did you order already?" "I did. And I tossed a few bottles of Cristal in
- 50 Gideon's breath gusted hard and humid against my throat, his big frame trembling as he slid carefully inside me. "You're so soft and warm. Mine, Eva. You're mine." I wrapped my legs around his hips, welcoming him deeper, feeling h
- 51 You have to trust me. I closed my inbox, my breathing too quick and my heartbeat too fast. Jealous confusion twisted my gut. I knew he couldn't possibly have been physically intimate with another woman and I knew he cared for me. But I hated Magdalen
- 52 I beat my fist against his chest, which was as effectual as. .h.i.tting a rock wall. "What's wrong with you? You can go out with a catty b.i.t.c.h who calls me a wh.o.r.e and thinks she's going to marry you, but I can't have lunch with
- 53 "You please me." I crossed to him, the black robe swaying around my legs. I loved that he'd put on something that matched what he had given me. "I want to," he said soberly. "I'm working on it." Stopping in front of
- 54 "Gideon - " "I would destroy the career of any reporter who wrote about this, and then I'd dismantle the publication that ran the piece." He was so cold with fury, he was icy. "I'm going to find the monster who hurt you,
- 55 My hands wrapped around his wrists. "Yes." "Now, show me that you still want me after that." His face was flushed and damp, his eyes dark and turbulent. "I need to know that losing control doesn't mean I've lost you.&quo
- 56 His joyful smile was my reward, as was the shower we took to clean up. I loved the intimacy of was.h.i.+ng his body as much as I loved the feel of his palms gliding over me. When I took his hand and put it between my legs, urging two of his fingers inside
- 57 "And you never told your dad about what happened to you?" "No." I rolled the stem of my winegla.s.s between my fingers. "He knows I was an angry troublemaker with self-esteem issues, but he doesn't know about Nathan." &q
- 58 "One more time, Gideon: what were you dreaming about?" "I don't remember." He ran a hand through his hair and slid his legs off the edge of the bed. "I have some business on my mind and it's probably keeping me up. I
- 59 "Hey, that's my line."Chapter 14 The next morning dawned with an odd surreality. I made it to work, and then through most of my prelunch day in a kind of chilly fog. I couldn't get warm enough, despite wearing a cardigan over my blouse
- 60 He reached into one of two large cargo pockets of his jeans and pulled out a formal invitation in a vellum envelope. "I came to invite you to a garden party we're having at my parents' estate on Sunday. A mix of business and pleasure. Many
- 61 I waited for the town car at the curb, feeling separate and apart from the city teeming around me. When Clancy pulled up and hopped out to open the back door for me, I was startled to see my mom already inside. It was early yet. I'd expected to be dr
- 62 My mother nodded. "When you have what will surely not be an exhaustive list but a strong start," he went on, "you can sit down with Eva and discuss strategies for addressing those concerns - strategies you can both live with comfortably. Fo
- 63 "Got a job?" I asked after he'd hung up. "Yeah. A model showed up for a night shoot so trashed he's worthless." He studied me. "You wanna come?" I stretched my legs out on the couch. "Nope. I'm good right
- 64 He caught me looking at it. "What? You still don't like my tie? I think it works well with the emo jeans and my lounge lizard jacket." "Cary" - my lips quirked - "you can wear anything." It was true. Cary could pull any
- 65 "Why not just give him the money?" I wondered. "Because he's a shrewd businessman?" With a sharp exhalation, I waved the question away and cleared my mind. I was attending the party for Cary, not Gideon, and I was going to keep th
- 66 "Shut your d.a.m.ned mouth." He caught me by the elbows and shook me so hard my teeth snapped together. "Just shut up and let me talk." I slapped him hard enough to turn his head. "Don't touch me." With a growl, Gideon h
- 67 His chest expanded on a deep breath. He didn't deny it. I bit back my anger. I could only imagine how terrible it must be for him to be so dependent on something - someone - he couldn't control. What mattered most at that moment were his willing
- 68 I ran my fingers through the sweat-damp roots of his hair. "I missed you, too." He nuzzled my br**sts. "When you're not with me, I feel - Don't run anymore, Eva. I can't take it." He pulled me up to stand in front of hi
- 69 That brought a touch of amus.e.m.e.nt to his otherwise severe face. "Thank G.o.d. I wouldn't survive you otherwise." And still that fingertip ma.s.saged me, spurring a dark yearning. Gideon could do that to me, make me forget everything tha
- 70 With my back to the room's entrance, I pressed my flaming face into his s.h.i.+rt. The door opened. There was a pause then, "Is everything all right?" Christopher. I felt awkward being unable to turn around. "Of course," Gideon sa
- 71 He glanced at me as we entered the marquee. "I should've told you before. You look gorgeous, Eva. That dress is amazing on you and so are those f**k-me red heels." "Well, clearly they work." I b.u.mped my shoulder into him. "
- 72 "Don't I get panties?" I asked, thinking about my drawer of s.e.xy underwear. "No. There's a phone hanging on the wall in the kitchen. Hit speed dial one and tell the man who answers that I want him to pick up double my usual dinn
- 73 I crossed my arms. "I guess I'm dumber than bricks. I thought our s.e.x life was rockin'." Setting his gla.s.s down, Gideon kept going as if I hadn't spoken. "You asked me to meet a need of yours today and I agreed. Now we ne
- 74 "Eva." His fingers caressed the length of my silk-clad arm. "I can't stand you being unhappy. Talk to me." "I don't know what to say. I thought we were finally coming to a point where things would smooth out between us.&
- 75 I nodded. "Open it," he said. With cautious fingers, I pulled the box closer and thumbed open the lid. "Oh." Nestled inside the black leather and velvet was a ring like no other. Gold rope-like bands were intertwined and decorated with
- 76 "Do you like it, Eva?" A s.h.i.+ver moved through me at the sound of Gideon's voice, deeper and rougher than I'd ever heard it. He'd been awake, watching me. How long had he been conscious? Was he as attuned to me while sleeping a
- 77 Gideon lifted his head to look at me, choosing that moment to pinch my ni**les with just enough force to inflict a hint of pain. The tender muscles inside me clenched down so hard that his next thrust caused him to groan. "Please," I pled again,
- 78 I didn't recognize the Christopher on the screen. His face, his posture, his voice...it was like he was a different man. I was grateful when my smartphone battery died and the screen abruptly winked off. Gideon wrapped his arms around me. "Yuck,
- 79 "Too much?" I asked hoa.r.s.ely. "Yes." He set the box down and rounded the desk. "Too d.a.m.n much. I can't sit still, I can't concentrate. I can't get you out of my head. I'm f**king restless, and I never am
- 80 "That good, huh?" he teased, catching my earlobe in his teeth. "Who knew rolling around for an hour with a hot guy could be so exhausting?" Cary had been right about Krav Maga causing bruises; I could see a few shadows blooming beneath
- 81 Gideon opened his and read, "Prosperity will knock on your door soon." I snorted. Cary shot me a look. "I know, right? You s.n.a.t.c.hed someone else's cookie, Cross." "He better not be anywhere near someone else's cooki
- 82 I brushed my hair and teeth; then washed my face. "So...did you have a s.e.x pad for the rare occasions some lucky b.i.t.c.h got you in bed?" His gaze caught my soapy reflection in the mirror. "I've always used the hotel." "T
- 83 He backed up, as if he wanted to be as far away from me as he could get. "I can't stay." It worried me that I felt a surge of relief at the thought of being alone. "We agreed - no running." "That was before I attacked you!&qu
- 84 "Don't leave me," I whispered. "Stay." Gideon didn't answer, didn't make any promises, but he didn't let me go either. I woke sometime later, hearing Gideon's heart beating steadily beneath my ear. All the ligh
- 85 His chest heaved and glistened with sweat. His c**k lay heavily on his belly, brutal-looking with its broad purpled head and thick roping of veins. I dove for it with hands and mouth, ignoring his vicious curse. Pinning his torso with my forearm, I pumped
- 86 "Oops," she said, with an unapologetic grin. "See ya." I couldn't hear the door shut behind her over Trey's shouting. "f.u.c.k you, Cary. We talked about this! You promised!" "You're blowing this out of pr
- 87 "It was on my mind today." I pulled back to search his face, a knot forming in my throat at how tormented he looked. "Why?" "Because we've got a lot of baggage between us." "Are you thinking it's too much?"
- 88 "Yes. Talks you back around and makes you come at it from a different angle that has you thinking, 'Now why didn't I see it like that?'" Gideon's fingers stroked up and down the stem of his gla.s.s. "He prescribed someth
- 89 "Traitor!" Steven accused. "Hey." Shawna shrugged. "Us girls have to stick together." After work, Gideon and I went to his gym. Angus dropped us off at the curb and we headed inside. The place was hopping and the locker room
- 90 "We could have fun with this. I could play the role of a bubbleheaded blond bimbo who's after your c**k and your millions, and you can be yourself - the billionaire playboy with his latest toy. Just look bored and indulgent while I rub up agains
- 91 "I left a few messages on your voice mail at home," she said, in a voice that was cultured and smooth. "Ah, I haven't been there much lately." As if that reminded him I was next to him, he released her and drew me up to his side.
- 92 "What is there to say?" Magdalene tossed out. We all loved him. We were all available to him. In the end, he would make a choice between us. "You should know, Eva," Corinne began, looking at me with those clear aquamarine eyes, "
- 93 Still he primed me, running his skilled fingers through my cleft, spreading the moisture over my cl*t and the lips of my s.e.x. He pushed two fingers into me, scissoring them, preparing me for the thrust of his long, thick c.o.c.k. "Do you want me, G
- 94 "What are you doing?" he murmured. Looking over my shoulder, I saw him watching me. Then I watched his gaze lift as Dr. Lucas stood behind me. Gideon's gaze noticeably cooled. "She's going to alleviate the boredom of being ignored
- 95 I looked at him through the veil of my wet hair. He was pacing the length of my bathroom, his jacket shed somewhere and his s.h.i.+rt untucked. "Go home, Gideon." He halted and shot me an incredulous look. "I'm not f**king leaving you
- 96 "I hate her." That made his mouth curve slightly. "I'm not kidding, Gideon. I'm sick with jealousy right now." "It was just s.e.x with her, angel. As raw as you and I f**k, it's still making love. Every time, from t
- 97 Setting me down in a chair, he went to rifle through my drawers. I watched him pulling out underwear, yoga pants, and a top. "Have you forgotten I sleep in the nude with you?" "We're not staying here." He faced me. "I don
- 98 “Yes.” She nodded, looking relieved. “You’re right. They’ll want everything to be perfect.” “And it will be.” How could it not? Gideon and I were already married, but celebrating his birthday was something we hadn’t done together yet. I couldn’t wait. My
- 99 It was also a good choice to go with the talk show format of multiple female hosts exploring female-focused topics. They weren’t going to give him a free pa.s.s for alleged infidelity or even tiptoe around the subject. It was going to clear the air in a w
- 100 Taking a moment to close the door and make the gla.s.s opaque, I followed Angus to the seating area and dropped into a chair. “You’ve had a busy few days, lad,” he said, his lips twisted wryly. “Never a dull moment.” I exhaled roughly, fighting off fatigu