Hating You, Loving You (Inked Hearts 4)

"Uh-huh."

"You're missing out."

"Spare me the offer to enlighten me."

"You think I go down on any gorgeous woman who asks?"

"Yeah."

I can't exactly deny the allegations. "You think that little of yourself?"

"You can have low standards and still be with someone primo."

I can't help but smile. She makes an excellent point.

A wave rolls beneath us. Crests. Falls. Crashes into the sand and turns to white foam.

"That one was better," I say.

"It's your turn." She holds up her eight fingers. Nods to my mine. "You didn't drop your finger."

I do. "Never have I ever taken a self-defense class."

"I'm starting to think you entered this game under false pretenses." She drops a finger.

"I play to win."

"So do I." She turns to the horizon. Watches a set roll in. "Never have I ever suggested someone sit on a surfboard and talk instead of surfing."

"You suggested this."

"Did not."

"You started it."

"Absolutely not."

"All right. We both started it. Lose a finger."

She gnaws on her bottom lip, turning over my words. "Fine." She drops to seven fingers.

I'm down to six.

I pull my feet from the water. Copy her cross-legged position.

The air feels cold against my wet skin, so I move closer.

Closer.

Until I can feel the heat of her body.

Fuck, it feels good.

Too good.

I look down at her

. "Never have I ever chickened out of giving a tattoo."