Hating You, Loving You (Inked Hearts 4)

"I do sometimes."

"When?"

"The test last month."

She did. And, fuck, it meant everything.

"I'm working on it."

"I know." I get that Chloe is tough and independent. That she'll always be able to fend for herself. But sometimes I want to take that weight for her.

Her eyes blink open. Find mine. "You're still wearing a lot of clothes."

I rub her feet a little harder. "You want me to stop?"

"No. But I want you to go too." She swings her legs to her side. Her hands go to my shoulders.

In one swift motion, she climbs on top of me.

Her knees plant outside my thighs.

Her eyes fix on mine.

"You look so good in this thing." Her fingertips skim my neck as she undoes the knot of my tie. "But I still need to destroy it."

"Destroy it?"

"Are you negotiating?"

"Say I am?"

"Take off your clothes if you don't want them destroyed."

"Oh?"

She nods as she undoes my top button. Her fingers linger on my neck. My chest. My collarbones. "I need you naked."

"Why's that?"

"Uh-huh. No sass. I'm too tired for that."

"If you're tired, we can just cuddle."

She's quick about unbuttoning my shirt. "No."

"No?"

She nods. "I'll get the combat boots if that's what it takes."

I laugh. "You're dedicated."

"Too much talking." She pushes my suit jacket off my shoulders. Then the shirt. "Not enough sex."

My lips curl into a smile.

Her cheeks flush. "What?"

"Just thinking about how much I love you."