Disclaimer: May be edited or deleted prior to publication.
When five o’clock rolled around, I took the elevator up to the heart of Cross Industries. As the car made the swift climb, my pulse rose along with it. After spending the last few days avoiding the one thing in the world I couldn’t resist, I was now going directly to him.
The freedom of that was exhilarating.
I sashayed off the elevator on the top floor, humming a tune. I even flashed a genuine smile at the receptionist as I waited for her to buzz me through the glass security doors. There was a second where I registered the way she looked at me with distaste, then I brushed it off. There were a lot of people who didn’t want me with Gideon.
They could all go fuck themselves. Asshats.
I also registered the ways heads turned to follow me as I made my way toward Gideon’s office. Curious gazes. I couldn’t blame them. For one, I was practically dancing on my feet at the end of the business day, when the frenetic pace of working in the city left most New Yorkers drained. And two, Gideon Cross was an enigma. Everyone wanted to know what his private life was like and I was the core of that.
When I turned the corner into the reception area of Gideon’s office, Scott stood to greet me. Sharply dressed in a pale blue dress shirt and crisp navy slacks, he was the first salvo in the impressive arsenal of impressions one received when meeting with Gideon.
Beyond him was the wall of glass that separated Gideon’s office from the rest of the floor. When it was clear, visitors could see Gideon at work against the backdrop of Manhattan, his tall and powerfully lean body dominating the eye despite the multimillion-dollar view framing him. Right then, though, the glass was opaque, which slowed my stride.
“Is he busy?” I asked.
But Scott had already picked up the phone. “Miss Tramell is here for you, Mr. Cross.”
And just like that, the door glided open and invited me in.
I smiled. “Thanks, Scott.”
His eyes sparkled. “Anytime.”
With renewed excitement, I walked into Gideon’s office. Then I pulled up short again. He wasn’t alone.
Gideon half-sat on the front edge of his desk, his powerful thighs straining the flawless fit of his black trousers. His suit jacket hung in its usual place on the coatrack, leaving him dressed in a sleek black vest and pristine white button-down shirt. The tips of his inky hair brushed his collar and the sculpted line of his jaw, the perfect frame for that incomparable face that was instantly recognizable to anyone.
In his hand, he held a photo. And standing close enough to brush against him was Corinne Giroux, the woman he’d almost married. She was as leggy and striking as my husband, her hair as dark and glossy, her face classically beautiful. She wore a red strapless dress, showing off skin that was like rich pale cream.
I hated how the sight of her made my stomach knot. She wasn’t a threat. I knew that. It was my own insecurities that weakened me. But I was working on that.
Corinne’s head lifted and her aqua gaze settled on me. The line of her lips tightened for a moment, then curved into a razor sharp smile. “Hello, Eva.”
Gideon unfolded in the way he had that was both powerfully elegant and dangerously sexy. He dropped the photo in a small red box sitting on his desk and came toward me, his long legs eating the distance between us.
Angel.
He didn’t speak aloud, but I saw his lips form the word, felt the impact of it in the way he looked at me. His hand reached for mine, squeezing.
I shifted to look past him. “Corinne.”
She was reaching for her purse, which had been resting on the desktop next to the box. “I have to run. Those copies are for you, Gideon.”
I could tell from the weight of it that his gaze never left my face. “Take them with you.” The rough velvet of his voice shivered through me. “I don’t want them.”
“You should finish going through them,” she said, approaching.
“Why?” He glanced at her when she drew abreast of us, his blue eyes as sharply cold as shards of ice. “If I have any interest in seeing them, I can always find them in your book.”
Her smile tightened again. “Good-bye, Eva. Gideon.”
She left, leaving behind a thick tension. It was hard for me, imagining them enclosed together in Gideon’s office, the glass frosted for privacy as they looked at images of their time together.
Gideon took another step toward me, bringing our bodies together so that even a sheet of paper couldn’t slide between us. He caught my other hand, his head bowed over me.
“I’m glad you came,” he murmured, his lips brushing my forehead. “I miss you so much.”
The depth of his love was conveyed in his tone and I sank into it, my eyes closing.
His grip on my hands tightened. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m good. I just wasn’t expecting to see her.”
“Neither was I.” He backed away, holding onto my hands until the growing distance pulled us apart. His reluctance to let me go, to move away, mirrored how I felt. A sense of desperation was there, heavy and painful. The time we’d spent apart had rocked us both.
I watched him walk to the desk, put a lid on the box, and then drop it into the trash. I won’t lie; I wanted to see them. The desire to do that was so strong I had to fight the urge to reclaim the box.
But I didn’t. For the same reason I forbade Gideon from watching the video of my time with Brett. Our exes were in our pasts and they were going to stay there.
Which didn’t mean that I wasn’t going to have a few words with Corinne.
Gideon hit the control that closed his office door again.
“I quit my job,” I told him. “Friday’s my last day.”
His face gave nothing away, but something hot flared in his gaze. “Did you?”
“Yep.”
He returned to the position he’d been in when I entered, leaning back against the smoked glass of his desk. “What’s next for you, then?”
“I’ve got a wedding to plan.” And some loose ends to tie up. But we’d get to those later.
“Ah.” A small smile touched his mouth and sent tingles racing through my veins. “Good to know.”
He beckoned me closer with a crook of his finger.
“Meet me halfway,” I countered.
We met in the middle of the room.
“Is this what you want?” he asked me quietly, his gaze searching my face.
“You’re what I want. The rest is just logistics.”
He wet his lips with a slow swipe of his tongue and I nearly moaned aloud. Staying out of his bed was going to kill me, but it had to be done.
Still, I couldn’t resist lifting my hand to brush an errant strand of his hair back from his forehead. When I realized what I was doing I tried to stop, knowing that every touch sent us down a dangerous path of temptation.
Gideon caught my wrist in mid-air. A heartbeat later his cheek was pressed against my palm, his eyes closed as he absorbed my touch. His nostrils flared as he inhaled the scent of my perfume.
Abruptly, the strain that had tightened his posture left him. I felt it slip away. More, I felt something shift inside me, too. The power of it sent me reeling.
With a single touch we could center each other.
This was what we had. What we were fighting for.
And we were going to win.
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Can’t wait for the book to come out. You are a great author and my favorite! Love all your books and looking forward to adding this one to my collection when it comes out!
Omgosh need more!!!!
Loved it!! Can’t wait for more! I love them together!
Thank you for the sneak peak. Will the new book be out this year? I can’t wait to read it.
I can’t wait for release now , I am going to read all four again now I need more Gideon and Eva x
Thank you very much for this excerpt, Sylvia
I’m so happy to see them together. I can’t wait to see how everything is going go with so many things left up in the air.
Great! I can’t wait for the book. xoxo
hsdshdasjdsijdsoa … Im so happy right now..I cant wait to read the last book. Hurry up please. I love this series so much
Aww man I can’t wait!!
This is amazing!! I can’t wait to read the book
I can’t wait for the book now!!! When’s it released I need a date xxx
Thank You so so much!!! Love your books, all of them! Perfekt Valentines-Gift.
Can hardly wait. But please take your time in making it another great book to the series. I loved the little sneak peek
OMG SUCH A TEASE…WHEN IS THE RELEASE DATE
Please please please tell us when it will be released, I’ll love you forever xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Can’t wait as soon as we can pre order I WILL BE GETTING MY COPY!!
LOVE IT ! We need a release date ! ♥
Thank you so much for making my Valentines day complete with a bit of Gideon and Eva I love these characters so much and I can’t wait till the book comes out. I’m going to start reading the first 4 again now as I need my fix
I can hardly wait
All I can say is please hurry. I am on pins and needles ..
Oh yes..
Love the books. Can not wait to read this one.
Loved it! Love them together! you are the best! Greetings fRom Sweden!
Thank you for the excerpt, makes me swoon. I adore them together!
So excited for this book!! Sad that Eva quit her job though.
Can’t wait for the book. Love reading you books.
I’m even more excited than before. Can’t wait for the book release. So excited.
I can’t wait for the release. Even more excited than I was before. Love reading your books x
I need a release date like ASAP!
I can’t wait!! Now what I really want to know is why she is staying out of his bed. guess it’s time for a re read.
That. Was. Beautiful.
Thank you happy valentines, can’t wait for the 5 book in the series, I love Gideon and Eva’s story.
I can’t wait for the last one. Love me some Eva and Gideon!!! When is the next one coming out?
Im just waiting on the tv show I want to see Gideon and Ava come to life.
Please release soon!!!
Can Not Wait!! Please write faster!
Love it! I just finished re-reading the first 4 books for the second time. Can’t wait for this one to come out.
I can’t wait for the new book!!! I love the story so much. Thank you Sylvia from Puerto Rico
Woo hoo! Looks like Eva leaving was only temporary. Thank goodness for that!
do we have a release date? can’t wait!
Is there any possibility that you can give us an idea of when it will be released? I can’t wait but will read the others again so I am up to date!
Cant wait!!!
Happy Valentine’s Day Sylvia Day. Thanks for the excerpt. This series is my all time favorite. I’ll be waiting for the 5th book to be released.
Omg i just cant wait
I’m so in love with this series! I can’t wait for this book to come out. Please Ms. Day put me out of my misery and release the book!
OMG!!!!!!!!!!! I so cant wait for this to come out! I love your books Sylvia. I cant get enough of Gideon and Eva. They are such a great couple. XXXXX
Thank you..
Love this series can’t wait for the audiobook #5 ,love Eva & Gideon
Thanks for the excerpt can’t wait for the book to be released. I have enjoyed your novels and I cannot wait to read the last of the Crossfire novels!
Omg I can not wait, ugh I need it now…
I can’t fricken wait!!!
Amazing! Thank you. Happy Valentine’s Day! Can’t wait for the book.
Wonderful, they are heading in the right direction and I can’t wait to read it.
AHHHH I miss them so much! I just started the series last week and I am going crazy not knowing whats next. SO I started the series ALL over again. Make this one really long Ms.Day.
Thanks for this gift!
Ohhh, that was good. Can’t wait for the next book. Oh well, guess I’ll choose something from your booklist until then. Luv your writing. You are my favorite author and one of the factors that jumpstarted my return to reading books regularly. The romance genre is relatively new to me, only been reading it for 2 or 3 years, now I am over 1500 romance stories and counting. I have to keep a binder to track it all. Thanx, I love to read.
Please, please do not make us wait an entire year, especially since this is supposedly the last book in the series.
So excited for this book to come out! This is by far the best series I have ever read. It blows 50 Shades of Grey out of the water. Even though it’s the last, I don’t want the Crossfire series to ever end!!!
Such a delicious slice of Gideon and Eva, mmm!
I love it! I can’t wait for the next book!
Oh My!!! Gideon is so hot..I cannot wait..
Thank you !!!! I love it and I can’t wait for more 🙂
Can’t wait for this to come out! I’ve read most of your novels via ebook and loved every single one of them! hope you could release a paperback copy of Renegade Angels Series and Dream Guardians Series here in the Philippines! I still prefer reading from a real book than electronic… 🙂
I was holding my patience on short leash, but reading this had just severed the leash……desperately waiting for the book to come out
Such a tease. We waited so long for Captivated by you I almost didn’t want to read it. But I had to. Love Eva and Gideon. Bring on One With You soon. Don’t keep me hanging……..
Can’t wait for this book to come out! Please don’t make us wait 2 years like you did with Captivated. I just love Gideon and Eva. They are timeless!
I discovered the Crossfire series late: I borrowed books one and two from the library. Books three and four have been the only books I EVER purchased on release day! Ever. I have been a voracious reader for decades and most of my books are from the library or purchased at a UBS and then traded back. My Crossfire Series books are new and are keepers. I can’t wait to buy this one !
Thanks Sylvia for sweet Valentine´s treat…cant wait for book…!
OMG……can’t wait for book 5. Great series…..great author!!
Wow. Love it. Can’t wait for this new book.
I caaaaan’t waiiiit!!! I need this fifth book! Much love for Gildeon Cross! <3
I want Eva to beat Corrine to a pulp….but hey one can dream right…
OMG, I love these two, can’t wait
Thank you so much…Dying for book 5,6,7!!
Keep writing Crossfire!!
loved it, can’t wait to read it xx
when will this release!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????????
Ok. Thats why i love these treats. Sylvia is a master at writing. Wanna know what happens between these two. Team gideon
OMG!!! I’m so in love with this series! Omg Smh fml
Oh man, that’s actually kind of cruel. I need more!
This is delicious!
Thank you so much for this little excerpt. As much as I can’t wait to read it I’m a little sad it’ll be the end of Gideon & Eva’s story.
OMG I can’t wait for this to be released!! what I am going to do when this book series is finished?? I need Gideon and Eva!!
So looking forward to this book Sylvia!
Well, I’ve read the four AGAIN…..whetting my appetite, Sylvia. I’m hoping One With You is released soon and that there will be good news about the televised series, too. Your Crossfire books deserve it. You’ve created characters that outshine Ana and Christian and their story enthralling us all.
I can’t wait, soon please!!
Loved it . Thank you .
Can this please stay the way it is, with little to no changes? It’s simply perfect! I’m waiting for the release date but thank you for this!
Omg!!! I can’t wait anymore I need the book please!!!!!!!!!?????????!!!??!!?!!
good golly, i swear i die and come back every time i read a new insert, love so outer worldly
Hi Sylvia , congratulations for his wonderful series! There are many things that we want to know about Gideon and Eva don’t stop please! we love them! Five books are very few for all that is yet to be told and to dream !
Me and my sister can’t wait for this book. . .can’t get enough of gideon and eva. . .so, so addicting. . .
A continuum in anticipation!
I want a date ! Someone please tell me when it will be released !
Cant wait for this book to come out. Hopd it wont be much longer now xx
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When is the book out I carnt wait x
OMG OMG OMG WHAT A TEASE!!!! I WANT MORE!!!!
Please dont take forever to release this book. The wait on the last one was way to long.
Omg I’m so.addicted to these books… I need to know as soon as possible let when this is gonna be released, the wait is killing me, gideon cross is my addiction 😉
love it, cannot wait.
perfect I hope eva does have more than a few words with the WITCH!!!!!
Such a tease… and lovin it. I will never get enough of Gideon and Eva. Wish it would never end
Wow…I can’t wait until the book comes out!! Absolutely love this series!!
cant wait… when will we be able to purchase the book in south africa
Not knowing the release date is killing me! Im inlove with the #Crossfire novels. Completely smitten! But please do take your time, I know for sure the book is going to be amAZING as the authour who wrote this amazingly beautiful story that has me head oved heels. I cant wait to pre order!
I live for this series. It is just to die for. I cannot wait for the next one!!!
Sylvia your such a tease…….I NEED my Crossfire “fix”……….. Pleeeeease say when is the release date for OWU………..
When will get be out?
Just finished Captivated and ran here to read our Valentine’s present 🙂 Can’t wait until it is out so that i can read the whole thing !!
This series is my favorite, Best that I have ever read. Sylvia Day is the Queen of all Authors. Can’t wait till she gets a TV series or Movie. Eva and Gideon need to be on screen.
I am so very happy and excited right now after reading this! I love this series, like seriously obsessed. I’ve found myself rereading all four books repeatedly…can’t get enough of Gideon and Eva. I don’t know how I will be able to stand it untill the fifth book is released lol. Thank you so very much Sylvia Day for this little excerpt…you made my day…and for being such a talented writer that takes readers right into the story and along for the thrill. You are awesome 🙂
Corinne should get a grip.
Love it!!!!! can’t wait for the book!!!!!!
OMG!!! I so can’t wait for the book to be released
Oh boy please hurry I need more Eva and Gideon and to see how they finally get peace together!!
You are amazing and this series is the best!
I want to strangle Corrine with her hair! She’s a clingy las! UGGH!
wow can’t wait to read this new book!!!
Wow, am in love with them. Can’t wait for the book to come out. I really don’t know how people waited all this time, am so restless and I just read the entire series 4 days ago.
I can’t wait! This is such an amazing love story. Don’t take too long with the release.
comes out this summer if I remember correctly
Wow!! Thanks for the sneaky peek.. Can’t wait for the book to be released.. Is it going to be this year?? I need more, best books I’ve read.. Brilliant author!!
pls tell us that the book is coming out soooooon
Just bought the four book set three days ago and finished, running straight to the computer to find a release date for the fifth – doooon’t do this to us!!! We need a date. Like yesterday.
Oh goodness ! At the same time I can’t wait to get to read it in full I’m already dreading the fact that we’re getting to the end of the series … Loved it! And I’m sure I’m gonna love the book! Xoxo hope to see you in Brazil soon!
Love this series!! Wouldn’t mind a continued series of their married life! Great job!
I can not wait, this series is driving me crazy !!! I’m from Brazil and I would very, very much to have a date for when the fifth book will be released! His books have rocked my world !!!! Thank you !!!!
When will One with you be released?
I can’t wait for this book to come out. I miss Gideon and Eva.
My drug…albeit a very small dose…but I’ll take it as I’m certifiably addicted! I’m a better wife, mother and nurse because of these books. I can escape without never having to step a foot out of my house! Patiently awaiting the release of book five…until then, however, I have a date with Audible and books 1-4 <3
Longing to read more about Gideon and Eva. This series is a masterful collection. I hope the fifth book will be released soon. I love reading stories about happy endings for survivors of abuse.
Okay Sylvia it’s time to release One With You. I can’t take it anymore I need to know what’s next for Eva and Gideon!!!
Can not wait.. god i hope this comes out soon.. wish it wasnt the last one tho! Now it needs to become a movie!! I would pay good money to see all of them.
I hope that we are not going to wait 18 months before the final book comes out…
I absolutely love the ceasefire series and can not wait for the next one to come. I hope it’s not too long!
omg!! I’ve read the other 4 books three times now. Hoping that this 5th book will be released soon. I love this series. What a wonderul story of so many emotions and tragedy’s. But in the end this couples love and devotion for each other wins out. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE !
Can’t come out soon enough. Read all 4 in four days…Awesome series!!
Also loved the way the fourth book read with the alternating voices of Eva and Gideon.
I need more. Can’t get the two of them out of my head. Come on Sylvia give us what we want.
wee heee!! I feel like a kid in a candy store!! Sensational Sylvia, you have succeeded in further wetting my appetite!! Totally absorbed in team Gideon & Eva, can’t wait for the next instalment 🙂
Woo hoo!!!!!!! Can’t wait.
I don’t know how long I can hold my breath !!!!! need my fix of Eva And Gideon !!!
I can’t hardly wait! Please make it fast. I’m dying to know what might be the ending of the story. I really really love the series so much! ❤
Omg love your books! I have a group of friends reading the crossover series. We love them! The 5th book can’t come out soon enough. We are addicted!!!!
Am dying over here Sylvia, can’t wait to read it…
Need more I can’t live with this…
Please tell me they end up having a kid at some point in the book!!!!
I am waiting sooooooo patiently for the last “One”. Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up. I practically inhaled “Captivated”. Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up. I am hoping this will branch off into more books with the other characters….with cameo appearances by our favourite couple A&A.
I don’t want this series to end but please hurry up, hurry up, hurry up!
Gideon is my #1 fictional love. I fell in love with him when his shoes made their appearance in Bared to You, I was hooked and have been ever since, and I don’t think he’ll ever be replaced. I can scarcely wait for One With You!!! Please Sylvia hurry!!!!!
I ca t wait to b able to get this book as well as number 4 i only have 1st three but now im looking at buying four this week and next one when it comes out
Can’t wait…..
thhnnkk ggoood!!!!!!
i love gideon and eva………………..i have been waiting for this book for so long now…..
its like a drought of water for thridty traveller in the middle of the desert…
god bless you mam….for the creation of the ultimate alpha male…
i love him
cant wait….
I love this series. I bought “bared to you ” as soon as it was released. So I have waited a long,long ..long long,time for an HEA for these two characters. I hope to see this one released soon.
if it is turning into a tv series then plz i pray consider henry cavil as gideon and amber heard as eva tramell. they are both apt for the roles…
plz
I love the 3 books, I can’t waith for the last one ! I hope it will be with a nice Ending Please !!..
Do you know when the last book will be out ?! I hope a film will be made with this one too .
Omg if this book doesn’t come out already I’m just going to die lol. <3
I cant wait till next book! I’m addictive to your books. When I finish reading about Eva and Gideon it makes reading another author book difficult. 🙁
I am READY!!!
I am so intrigued Sylvia!!! I’m sad that it is coming to an end but I am ready for Gideon and Eva’s happily ever after!!!
Sylvia is an exceptional writer. I am pumped waiting for the release of this final installment
The Cross series was better than 50 Shades of Grey. I cannot wait for the next book. This series should be a movie. I loved it!!!!!
Amazing series….love itand cant wait to see what you hace in store for the next book….this is my first series of books ive read by you and it was amazing…love the story the sizzle the excitement and the love that is pooring from the pages…please hurry cant wait to see how the story ends…only one word that comes to mind…….AMAZING!!!
I think I’m going to continue floating for awhile…
I just got done reading Captivated by you. I couldn’t put it down and read it in 3days. I was so bummed thinking that this was the last book, but was excited to see it wasn’t. Thank you for the sneek peak. I can’t wait for the next one to come out. Maybe you’ll change your mind and do a sixth book. 😉
i really love your books sylvia!!!!!
Goshhhhhh… Sylvia pleaseeeee! Can’t wait!
I’m really wondering what’s up with that receptionist. Is it really coincidental that she’s a redhead? Are we to assume Gideon’s interest in brunettes was because of the centerfolds Hugh showed him when he was abusing him or is it due to his mother? Was he cold and callous to the women he slept with to vicariously punish his mom? I’m dying here I’ve read the series three times now waiting…Help!
I agree can’t wait to find out what happens! Great books by this author!!!!!!
I cant wait for the release of the book!!!!!!
I can’t take it anymore I need for this to drop, I an about to go crazy waiting.
Whoa! Love. More please.
When is this coming out!!!!!!! I wish I had known that it was going to take MONTHS! I wouldn’t have read any of the series until the 5th one was released. I do love the series and am on the edge of my seat waiting for the 5th book :/
Wow… Can’t wait anymore. Love you. Greetings from germany
I cant even begin to count the number of times I’ve read the series!! Lets just say my copies are falling apart! I’m so excited
for the finial book and can hardly wait to read it. I’m so hoping they make this series into a movie. I think it would be even better than 50 Shades of Grey though I liked that series but this is my favorite of the two. April can’t come soon enough. I need my Gideon and Eva fix. Good book, some chocolate, and a good bottle of wine and I’m good to go!
Hi I’m Rach from South Australia. First I just have to tell you that myself, my sister’s (I have seven of them) and all of our friends love all of your books but all favour the crossfire series Gideon & Eva’s tale has us all Captivated and hanging on the edge of our seats for “One With You” I loved both versions of the Valentines excerpts and don’t see why you couldn’t put both in the book personally I don’t mind at all re-reading any parts of the books especially if it’s from both points of view and I’m sure all of your fans feel the same way as I’m also certain that none of them myself included will only read this series once ( I have already read books 1-4 three times).
Hi I would also like to thank your Mum you dedicate “Ask For It” to her thanking her for fostering your love of romance novels so if it weren’t for her none of us would get to enjoy your books today so THANKYOU ” TAMI DAY” the world of romance novel fans owes you !
Can the red head receptionist and the evil red head psychologist be connected? The suspense of this is killing me!