Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

She shakes her head, despite the obvious goose bumps on her arms.

I nod you are then move around the car and pull her closer.

She nestles into my chest. "Not anymore."

"Me either."

She slides a hand under my t-shirt, presses her palm against my stomach. "Walker, what is this?"

"A surprise."

"But you…" She looks to the apartment building to our right. It's two stories, ten units, with a pool in the center. "Okay."

"Put on the jacket."

"You put it on."

"I'm more stubborn than you are."

"Want to bet?"

"Yeah. If I win, I get to make you come."

"If you lose?"

"I don't really care. I'm gonna make you come either way."

She looks up at me as she intertwines her fingers with mine. "This sounds win-win."

"What the fuck are we talking about?"

Her smile spreads over her cheeks. "I don't remember."

"Me either." I lead her to the complex's gate, punch in the code, open the door for her.

She folds the jacket over her arm as she steps inside.

The pool glows against the dark sky. It casts wavy lines over the planters of succulents and the white wrought iron gate.

It's suburban paradise.

In the middle of Santa Monica.

Yeah, it's a little farther from the beach. But it's a hell of a lot bigger. And it's not that much more expensive than my place.

It's not cheap—not by a long shot—but it's well within our budget. If she wants it to be our budget.

If she wants it to be our place.

I have to hold onto the railing as I climb the stairs. It's like my soles aren't making contact with the ground. I'm floating. Or maybe I'm spinning. One

of the two. Or both.

It's only a dozen steps to the door. I kneel, punch the code into the lockbox, pull out the key.

"Walker…" Iris taps her heels together. "Is this—"

"Still a surprise." Nerves creep into my voice. It isn't like me. But then the last six months haven't been like me either. I never thought I'd let anyone this close. I never thought I'd fall in love. I sure as hell never thought I'd ever be desperate to live with a woman.