Dangerous Kiss (Dangerous Noise 1)

"The original Starbucks?"

"I don't like chains."

"You go to Peet's Coffee all the time."

"Because it's not in New York City."

"The Space Needle."

"I don't like needles."

I laugh. "It's not that kind of needle."

"I've seen pictures. It's long and pointy at the top." She pushes herself up. Her hands go to my bare chest. "How did you get so many tattoos?"

"Don't mind needles."

"Still. They must hurt." She traces the lines of my chest-piece—a winged heart with an ornate lock. "This one is new." There's a clear implication in her voice. Did you get it because of me?

Can't answer with a clear no. None of my tattoos were analytical decisions. I'm not the analytical type. With all of them, I felt the need to mark my body with an image. So I did.

This one too.

She looks up at me. "When did you get it?"

"The summer after you left." The day she started school in New York. Yeah, I'm a creepy stalker for knowing that, but it's not like I had to go out of my way. She posted it all over her social media.

It doesn't take a detective to put the pieces together. I didn't think now that I've lost Violet forever, I better get a tattoo proclaiming that my heart is locked forever. But, deep down, I knew it was for her.

She presses her lips to my chest. "I like it. It's sexy. But I'm sure you get that a lot."

"Mostly I get oh, baby, do you think I have the key to your heart?"

"And that makes you rock hard?" she teases.

"Exactly." I run my fingers through her hair. This—Violet in my arms—this feels right. Need to keep her here.

She rests her head on my chest. Her fingers go to my right arm. She traces the lines of my ink—an ocean-themed sleeve. "When did you get this?"

"When I got my first five-figure royalty check."

She laughs. "Sounds like you. At this point, you probably laugh at five-figure checks."

"Barely worth the pain in my hand from endorsing them."

"Well, when you get that many of them." She smiles as her eyes find mine. "Do we have time for breakfast?"

"Not if you want to grab a matcha latte."

She blushes. "That's not even a decision."

"I'll make you eggs on the bus."

"You cook now?"

"I can make eggs, pasta, and grilled cheese."

She smiles. "Learn to make guacamole and you can feed me forever."