Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

"Her parents are moving back to Jersey."

Emma raises a brow. And?

/> "They think she should stay here. Start school right away."

"And you agree with them?"

"Think about it, Em." It's not like I want Kaylee here. I don't trust myself enough to have her in the next room.

It used to be Kaylee was just Emma's friend. She was a girl who was always good for a late-night conversation about books and movies.

But one day, something snapped. She wasn't Emma's friend. She wasn't a girl at all.

She was a woman.

She was still adorable.

But in a fucking intoxicating way.

I've been thinking about her for months.

It's torture every time she spends the night. Every time I see her on the couch in those tiny shorts she sleeps in, hugging her knees to her chest as she loses herself in a book.

It's torture not touching her.

And it's only going to get harder.

I'm a sick fuck, lusting after the girl I'm supposed to protect.

The girl younger than my kid sister.

But that knowledge hasn't done shit to slow my heart rate when Kay's around.

"Okay. Maybe Kay is better off starting UCLA rather than moving back to New Jersey right away. But you conspired with her parents." Emma folds her arms. "Did you even ask her what she thought?"

I know what Kaylee thinks. If I close my eyes, I can see her miserable and lonely, hiding behind her Kindle the way she always does, pretending like nothing could ever upset her the way she always does.

"I'm your legal guardian." Even if that doesn't matter now that Emma is eighteen. "This is a parent decision."

Emma scowls. "That's a no."

"It's the best option, Em."

"Maybe. But you should have asked her. And me."

"You don't want her here?"

"That's not the point." She turns and spins on her heel. "You should have asked me. Period." She stops at the doorframe. "When is this happening?"

"As soon as possible. Her parents are moving out end of the month."

"You should turn this back into a spare room." Emma nods to my office. "Right away."

"I will."

"And get her an actual copy of the key." Emma's voice softens. "And everything she needs. If you're going to ruin her life, you could at least make her comfortable."

"You think I was gonna leave her on the floor?"