Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

Leighton’s footsteps move closer. “I’m going to have to kidnap you at this rate.”

I shoot her my best don’t fuck with me look. “You want to throw down?”

“No. But you can throw me down. On the bed.” She laughs. “That was bad. I must be caffeine deprived.”

“You got your point across.”

She brushes against me as she moves to the coffee maker. Fills two mugs. Fixes mine light on the cream and sugar, hers heavy on it. “Mmm. You’re too good at this.” She slides onto the counter behind me. “It’s too bad my place is so small. I can’t bribe you to move in.”

“You can’t?”

“Well… I’m sure I can think of something. But with the lack of air conditioning—it’s really hot, huh?”

“A little.” The ocean breeze is enough to cool us off. With her sitting there smiling, it’s hard to complain about a room a few degrees too hot. “I can ice that coffee.”

“It won’t be strong enough.” She takes a long sip. Lets out a low moan.

My cock stirs.

I love that sound.

I know what buttons to push to get her naked. Fuck, the thought of pinning her to the counter and driving into her—

I will.

But not yet.

Not until she’s panting.

I turn the pan off. Scoop eggs onto ceramic plates. Bring them to the dining table.

Leighton joins me with the coffees. “Would you want that?”

I arch a brow.

“To live together?”

“One day.”

“Really?”

“Of course.” But it’s still hard to believe this is real. That she wants me that badly. That she’ll stick around.

She’s beautiful, smart, charming.

She could have her pick of any of the guys who come into the shop.

I know I’m a catch in all the superficial ways. In others too. But it’s not like I take care of her to win points. It’s what I want.

I want her happy, healthy, well fed.

I want her coming until sh

e can’t take it anymore.

I want her fucking beaming.

Yeah, I’m letting go of Penny’s hold on me, but the baggage is there.