Hating You, Loving You (Inked Hearts 4)

Dean is my boss.

I need to be smart about this.

There's a line between fear and caution. I'm not sure which side I'm on. Only that I'm not pushing this forward.

"Sure. Give me five," I say to Dad.

"Not sure Gia has five minutes in her," he calls.

"Two minutes," I say.

He makes an uh-huh noise and moves down the stairs.

I tap a reply to Dean.

Chloe: I have to go. Family. I still live at home.

Dean: No shame in that.

Chloe: Yeah. But Dad knocking kind of ruins the mood.

It's bullshit. I'm still flushed and wanting.

I'm still desperate to get his clothes off.

Chloe: Next time.

Dean: Until then, sunshine.

Chapter Fifteen

Chloe

Monday, I leave early enough to beat traffic. I spend my morning at a coffee shop on Abbot Kinney.

I drink endless Earl Grey.

I sketch mock-up after mock-up.

I push thoughts of Dean from my head.

We nearly talked each other into phone sex. And now we're supposed to work together like everything is normal. I have to sit next to him like I'm not thinking about pinning him to the wall and unzipping his jeans.

Like I didn't spend all of Sunday wishing I hadn't chickened out.

When nine thirty rolls around, I toss my tea and walk the dozen blocks to the shop.

Dean is sitting behind the counter working on a mock-up. His expression is intense. Focused. That other Dean.

I knock on the door.

He looks up at me with an easy smile. Motions it's open.

It is. And the AC is set to Arctic Chill. As usual.

"It's freezing in here." I slide my hands into my pockets. Shift my weight between my heels.

He nods, effortlessly casual. "You want my hoodie?"