Page 88 of Always: A Legacy Novel

With that, Catherine was dismissed. She quickly made her way upstairs, and found Cross’s bedroom easily enough.

“I just met your mom downstairs,” Catherine said, shrugging her coat off and sitting on the edge of Cross’s bed. “She’s really nice.”

“Ma’s an angel,” Cross replied, his voice muffled slightly behind the bathroom door.

She smiled.

“Cal can be kind of ass, though,” he added.

“Why?”

“Never gets off my ass lately.”

“That’s his job, isn’t it? And your mom left, too.”

“She’s got an art thing with my sister.”

The bathroom door opened. Cross strolled out with damp hair, and only a towel slung around his hips. Catherine had not been expecting that, never mind how incredibly hard it was not to stare at him as he crossed the bedroom.

She failed at the not staring bit.

She stared hard.

Catherine was very aware that Cross was in shape, and quite fit. She knew he jogged, which probably helped with his leanness and tone. He played football, and practiced several days a week. He also played soccer, when that season rolled around.

She had never actually seen this much of Cross without clothing on.

What a sight it was.

At least six feet tall already, fit like a boxer and toned like a runner, with a six pack of abs and a perfectly shaped V leading down to his groin. He was gorgeous.

Catherine felt her throat tighten up, not to mention the warmth spreading through her bloodstream. Cross didn’t seem to have any idea about her distraction with staring at him. That, or he didn’t mind.

“You don’t … take clothes in with you or something when you shower?” she asked.

Cross looked over his shoulder, his brow furrowing. “Why? It’s my room.”

“Yeah, but I was coming over.”

“And now you’re here. Chill, I’m getting dressed.”

Not fast enough for me to catch my breath again.

Cross disappeared back into the bathroom with his clothes in hand. He appeared a couple of minutes later dressed in jeans, a faded band Tee, and wearing a smug grin. “See, all dressed.”

Catherine frowned. “Hmm.”

“What?”

His genuine confusion was almost cute.

“You looked better without the clothes,” she admitted.

Catherine had no idea where her sudden braveness came from, but there it was. Somehow, she managed not to turn three different shades of red after she said it, too. She didn’t have the first clue how, though.

Cross’s confusion melted into a grin.

A very sexy grin.