Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

She tugs at my suit-jacket.

For a moment, everything makes sense. She wants me. I want her. The rest of the world doesn’t matter.

Then that familiar voice floats into my ear. “I hope I’m not interrupting.” Penny clears her throat.

Leighton turns to my ex-girlfriend. Her eyes narrow to something protective. “It’s all the swimming. I keep seeing him in his speedo. It’s making me insatiable.”

“You still have that?” Penny laughs. “I didn’t think his mom would talk him into the summer league swim team.”

Leighton taps her heels together. She’s thinking something, hurting over something, but I can’t put the pieces together. She doesn’t want to be here. She doesn’t want to leave.

Does she want me to prove I’m over Penny?

Or does she want me to run a million miles away?

I don’t have a fucking clue.

I turn back to my ex-girlfriend. “No. It’s a new one.”

Leighton laughs. “You intentionally bought a Speedo?”

“You saying it’s not flattering?” I tease.

She shakes her head. “Absolutely not.” Her gaze fixes on Penny. On the rock around her ring finger. “Where’s Frank?”

“He had to see his parents to their hotel room. His mom isn’t well. He’s going to stay with her.” Penny digs her nail into the pad of her thumb. “He’s a gentleman.”

Leighton nods of course. She turns to me. Studies my expression like I’m a design she can’t figure out. “Excuse me. I’m going to get a drink.”

“Of course.” Penny points to the bar behind us. “It’s an open bar.”

“Of course.” Leighton parrots her tone.

“Stay.” My fingers curl into her side.

She shakes her head. “I’m sure you need to talk.”

My body goes cold as she slips from my grasp. She spins on her heels and disappears into the crowd.

Penny stays put. “Is she okay?”

“Do you care?”

“Of course. I want the best for you.”

Leighton’s dress strains against her ass as she leans over the bar. She points to a bottle on a high shelf.

The bartender laughs. His gaze goes right to her tits. He turns away like he can’t bear looking at anything besides her cleavage.

Not that I blame the guy.

Her tits are fucking amazing.

But my fingers are still curling into fists. Who the fuck does this guy think he is flirting with my girlfriend?

Who the fuck does Penny think she is asking if Leighton is okay?

“Really, Ryan. You’re a great guy. You deserve to be happy.” She rests her palm on my forearm.