Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

Need to get into this. But my head keeps filling with thoughts of Violet—of her soft, red lips sucking on my neck as she climbs on top of me.

My cock springs to attention.

Uh-uh. I may be a manwhore, but I'm not tacky enough to think about my ex when I'm fucking a stranger.

I pull back to take a long look at this woman. Whatever her name is.

Her tongue slides over her lips. She wants me. Badly. Usually, that's enough.

But right now…

Damn, what the hell is wrong with me? I close my eyes and force my thoughts out of my brain.

She tugs at my t-shirt and runs her fingers over my chest.

There. Pleasure starts pushing everything else away.

I can do this.

Her hand goes to my jeans. She undoes my belt. Pulls down my zipper.

Then she's jumping back, hiding behind me. The side door is swinging open. Someone is stepping into the alley.

Better call this now. Shit's not happening with her. I should go home and practice those new songs. I should wait until I'm someplace that doesn't remind me of my ex to pick up a one-night stand.

I rebutton my pants and fasten my belt.

There's a woman in front of the half-open side door. She's on her knees, pressing her hand over her mouth.

Poor girl doesn't know her limits. It's been a long time since I drank enough to throw up but I don't remember it fondly.

She's a champ. She coughs but she doesn't gag. It takes a minute, but she manages to push herself up and brush off her dirty knees.

No-

I rub my eyes. There's no way in hell that's her.

I must be seeing things.

Violet blinks back at me. "Ethan?"

Fuck, that's her voice. I'd know it anywhere. Her hair is different—it's cut short, a severe bob with neat bangs—but those green eyes give her away.

"Vi?" I ask.

Her eyes go wide. They're more red than green at the moment. She's been crying. Or trying not to cry. Violet never was the type to cry in front of other people.

She grabs for the door but it's already shut.

"Fuck." She takes a step backwards.

Her makeup is the same—heavy enough to scream leave me alone, light enough to show off the adorable freckles on her cheeks and nose.

The woman paws at my arm. "Ethan." She says my name like we're old lovers, not strangers. "Do you know her?"

I swallow hard. Yeah. I know her. I know every inch of her.

Violet's eyes are as glassy as they are miserable. She's past buzzed and well into drunk.