Hating You, Loving You (Inked Hearts 4)

"Yeah. No problem." Huge problem.

But I will figure it out.

Somehow.

Ryan stays at the counter, coffee in his hand, eyes on us, until his client arrives. He shoots me a don't fuck this up look as he moves to his suite.

I should borrow some of his caution—there are way too many ways this could go up in flames—but I can't seem to find any. My heart is too full. My body is too warm. My soul…

Fuck, this cheesy shit isn't me.

Even if I can't bring myself to care at the moment.

I take Chloe's hand and lead her to the office. Nerves fill her eyes as she looks back to Ryan, but he's not paying attention to us. He's already enraptured in his work.

"You think he's serious about the whole we shouldn't work together thing?" She presses her back against the door, shutting it.

"It's Ryan."

"Right. He's always serious." She digs her index finger into the pad of her thumb.

"He's not gonna fire you. I promise." I bring my hands to her hips and pull her body into mine. "He can't."

"'Cause you're all co-owners?"

I nod.

Her brow softens. "We're not making the best case for keeping work and play separate."

"He isn't here."

"Still." She leans closer anyway. Rests her head on my chest. Digs her fingers into my sides, pressing the cotton fabric of my shirt into my skin.

Yeah. We're doing a shit job compartmentalizing.

I'm here for a reason.

She's just so fucking distracting.

Her fingers skim the edge of my t-shirt.

Then they're on my skin.

Fuck, her touch does shit to me.

I force myself to take a step backward. "You finish Han for me?"

"Oh." Disappointment flares in her eyes for a second. She blinks, and it fades to that fiery determination. "Yeah. In my backpack. Give me a second."

I do.

She's conspicuous about opening the door wide on her way out then leaving it open on her way in. It's smart leaving the door open, proving we have nothing to hide, but doing it this much is like screaming hey, we have nothing to hide. Calls attention to us being alone.

He was right. It's not a good idea for me to teach her if I can't draw that line.

I've got to draw that line.

Somehow.