Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

I'm not used to the feelings flooding my gut.

I want to lay like this with her forever.

I want to get my hands on every thought in her head.

I thought I had it bad before.

I had no fucking idea.

What is it Kaylee isn't telling me?

Em might know. She's sitting on the couch, tapping away at her laptop, quiet concentration spread over her face.

The device sings with the Facebook notification sound.

She isn't working. We can talk.

But it's not like I can ask her hey, know any secrets Kaylee's keeping? I need to be smart about this.

I plop on the couch and turn on the TV. "You think Kaylee's happy here?"

"I didn't realize you cared." She closes her laptop, stands, leaves it on the table. Then she collects the dishes on the table and brings them to the sink.

I can't help but chuckle. "You wouldn't have done that last month."

"I like her more than I like you."

"Who wouldn't?"

The water in the kitchen runs. Ceramic clinks together. "Are you really spending Friday night at home?"

"You have a point?"

She moves into the living room. Brushes her red hair behind her ears. "You've been staying home more."

"And you're here because?"

"Did your last date scar you or something?"

"No. Just busy. With the shop."

"Like that Seinfeld episode?"

I arch a brow. Emma loves 90s sitcoms. And 90s Disney movies. And music. It's weird.

"Where George's girlfriend has mono, so he doesn't have sex for weeks, and it makes him smarter."

"Maybe. Am I smarter?"

"I don't think so. Maybe you need to wait longer." Her voice is light. Teasing. Like normal.

"I'll keep that in mind."

Emma takes a seat on the couch. She looks to the TV. "Can we watch The Americans instead?"

I nod. "Why are you home?" I copy her words. "Your last date scar you?" Shit, I usually don't worry about Emma and men. She's tough. She can hold her own. And I'd rather not think about what exactly my sister does in dark movie theaters. But guys can be shit. If someone crossed the line, hurt her— "Do I need to kick someone's ass?"

"No. I'm just kinda... I'm more matchmaking right now." She turns to me with a curious expression. "You've been weird."