Chapter 268
"I'm not messing with you, Andre. I'm trying to seduce you back to me," Cross whispered in the quiet car.
Andre's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles turning white. He didn't respond, keeping his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
The silence was heavy, punctuated only by the hum of the car and the furious beat of his own heart. He could feel Cross's gaze on him, a warm, persistent weight that was harder to ignore than any of the verbal taunts.
"I know you felt it too," Cross continued, his voice a low, confident murmur. "That kiss wasn't just my imagination. We still have that... spark, Andre. You can't deny it."
Andre finally turned his head, his eyes, dark and stormy, meeting Cross's. "That 'spark,' as you call it, is what got us into this mess in the first place, Cross. It's what made you jump to conclusions, what made you hurt me. I can't go back to that."
"I know," Cross said, his voice softening, all traces of the previous bravado gone. "And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Andre. I've been a fool. I've been living without you for over a week, and it's been a living hell. I can't do it anymore."
Andre's resolve, which had been so firm, began to waver. He looked at Cross, at the genuine pain in his eyes, and felt his own heart ache. He wanted to believe him. He wanted to forgive him. But the hurt was still too fresh, the betrayal still too raw.
"I need time, Cross," Andre said, his voice barely a whisper. "I don't know if I can trust you again."
Cross reached out with his good hand and placed it on Andre's, his touch surprisingly gentle. "I'll give you all the time you need," he promised. "But I'm not giving up on you. Not ever."
Andre didn't pull his hand away. He just stared at their intertwined fingers, at the painful, beautiful, and complicated mess of a love that he was both desperate to escape and terrified to lose.
They reached the resort and Andre held the door open for Cross, the first aid kit in his hand. Once he was out, Andre turned and walked toward the building.
Cross followed him, feeling all shapes of guilt and shame.
Just this morning, he had said all sorts of mean things to the man who did nothing but love him. And tonight, there he was, shamelessly following the same man like a lost puppy.
"Good evening, Andre," Royal greeted as Andre was about getting I sude the elevator.
He paused and stared at the young woman, "Hi, Royal, need something?" He questioned.
"No, I just wanted to let you know that Cody already ordered dinner for you two. Do I bring it up immediately?" She asked politely.
"Yes, Royal. Thank you," Andre said and proceeded to enter the elevator, Cross moving in behind him.
"Good evening, boss," Royal greeted as Cross walked past her.
Cross simply nodded and hurried to stand by Andre's side as the doors slid shut.
The space was quiet, heavy with unspoken tension. It was so clear that the two men inside the elevator still had a lot of things to say to each other, but the timing wasn't just right for any of them to speak.
It was a very fragile moment for them, their words could either pull them farther apart, or draw them closer. So no one wanted to risk speaking the wrong word.
The doors slid open and Andre walked out first, pushing his hand into his pocket.
Cross followed in a best, his heart pounding with excitement as he saw Andre heading to their room.
He watched Andre unlock the door and got in first, leaving the door open for him.
He was so glad that Andre wasn't trying to create distance between them.
However, his hope dwindled when he saw Andre grabbing a few clothes from the wardrobe. Quickly, he hurried over to the wardrobe.
"Babe, what are you doing?" Cross placed his good hand on Andre's wrist.
Andre closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He removed Cross's hand from his.
"This is so funny, don't you think?" Andre asked, staring at Cross.
Cross chewed on his lower lip, "Do you mean the reversed role? You were the one begging me to stay, now I'm begging you to stay." He replied softly, wishing he could smile at the irony but he really couldn't find a smiling muscle in his cheeks at that moment.
He knew that while Andre was calm and reasonable about the whole thing, he also had a strong resolve to protect his heart.
Cross knew it was just as serious when it was he saying it was over.
"I just need to get a few clothes and head over to Ida's... I'll give you some space," Andre said, stepping away from Cross.
Cross shook his head and immediately grabbed Andre's hand, "Stay... please." He pleaded, looking down at his wrist, then at the first aid kit Andre had dropped on top of the bed.
"I can't function on my own. I need you," He murmured, looking right into Andre's eyes.
Andre gritted his teeth, his emotions whirling all over the place. He needed to be away from Cross; firstly, his walls weren't strong enough to resist him, secondly, he fell harder in love with Cross as the second passed. He could not even pretend to hate him for a second.
Still, he had to set those boundaries, at least he was satisfied as a human with pride, he deserved some time to heal and think.
"Let go, Cross. I'll stay -"
"You will?" Cross asked, his eyes shining as he moved in, leaning his face closer to Andre's.
"As a duty... nothing more," Andre muttered and stepped back, throwing the clothes in his hand back in the wardrobe.
"Hurry and change your clothes so I can wrap your wrist up," Andre went over to the bed and sat near the first aid kit.
Cross smirked to himself and slowly walked over to Andre, sitting beside him, "How can I change my clothes? I've only got one functional hand now." He asked innocently, placing his reddened wrist on Andre's thigh.
Andre sighed, he knew this was coming. As much as Cross genuinely needed assistance, he also knew that Cross would use every chance to flirt.
He would resist. Just stay cold and unaffected, Cross would get tired and give up.
He turned to face Cross, face serious, "Raise your hands above your head." He asked in a detached tone.
Cross bit the side of his lips, giving Andre a suggestive look, "Am I under arrest, officer? A thorough search on my body?" He asked huskily, his eyes falling to Andre's lips.
Andre felt hypnotised, the very man he'd missed for weeks was right in front of him, inviting him to some sinful activities. He was so tempted to close that forsaken distance between them and feel those sweet lips he'd missed so much.
"You're not under arrest. I just need to get you out of your clothes," Andre replied, gulping loudly.
Cross leaned in, his breath fanning Andre's lips, "Get me out of my clothes? What's next, get me on my knees in front of you?" His eyes lowered between Andre's legs then he slowly lifted them back to Andre's eyes, a slow smirk forming on his lips.
"I think you're just fine on your own," Andre scoffed and moved to stand.
"No, no, no! I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'll quit messing around," He caught Andre's wrist, "For now." He murmured.
Andre closed his eyes for a while before facing Cross.
"One more annoying behaviour and I'm gone, for real," Andre warned.
Cross shook his head, "I swear, I'll behave." He promised.
"Hands up," Andre ordered.
"Yes, Zaddy," He murmured and raised his hand, biting his lip to keep from smiling when he saw the warning in Andre's eyes.
"Ouch, easy. You're really hurting me," Cross cradled his wrist in his hand, watching Andre walk back to the wardrobe.
"It's not compared to how I'm hurting, Cross," Andre muttered, searching for a change of clothes.
He might not have had control over what he said, but he'd said it, and that was that.
Staying in the same room as Cross had his emotions whirling all over the place.
He wanted Cross, yet he knew he couldn't betray himself and surrender to his desire. He was a mess
He stiffened as Cross's arms wrapped around his waist, the warmth of Cross's body pressing behind him.
"I know I fucked up, Andre. I know I don't deserve a second chance...But I need you, Andre, I need you to forgive me," Cross whispered against Andre's neck, his lips ghosting the sensitive skin.
"If we were a story, our audience might probably think I'm being selfish right now-"
"Are you not?" Andre questioned, turning in Cross's arms to face him.
"Are you not being selfish by not giving me the room to really think? You disappeared on me, Cross, but look at you bringing all your A-games to the table," Andre said, clenching his fists beside him as he stared at those silver eyes pleading with him to do something about the wrenching distance between them.
"Is it working though? My A-game?" It was an intentional, sultry whisper right on Andre's lips.
Andre frowned, not moving away, "So that's all this is to you? A thrill of winning a game?" He asked, voice heavy with unspoken intentions.
"I love you, Andre," Cross whispered, tugging gently on Andre's shirt, "I love you, so damn much." His voice cracked slightly, his face leaning closer.
Andre balled his fists tightly, mocking and cursing himself internally for being weak. Still, he grabbed Cross and crushed their months together, kissing him like he'd been starving all this time.
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