Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

Her cheeks flush as she slaps her notebook together. "You hated it."

"No. It was beautiful." Not that I'd know.

"Really?" He cheeks flush. She's embarrassed. Or scared. Or both.

"Yeah."

"Thank you." Her hand falls over my arm.

She nestles into my body, resting her forehead against my chin.

I soak in every inch of her.

Her warmth against my skin. Her breath against my neck. The smell of her shampoo—lavender and honey. Calm and sweet. Exactly like Kay.

"You okay?" I drag my fingertips over her lower back. There's no way I can sell that this is a friendly gesture. Not to her, not to myself, not to anyone else.

But I don't care.

"Yeah. Just overwhelmed. With school tomorrow. And, well... something else. But I... I don't like to talk about it." She leans closer. "I've never told anyone, not anyone who counts."

"You can tell me anything." Fuck, I want to break that lock around her heart. I want to drink her in. I want to be her salve. The stars in her sky.

"I know. But this... it would change the way you look at me."

"Impossible."

"No. It would. I... I couldn't take losing this, Brendon. You're the only person besides Em I trust. And you're more... well, you're easier to talk to. You're just..." She looks up at me. Her eyes fill with affection. Her fingers skim my stomach. The edge of my jeans.

Fuck, I want that hand around me.

I want those lips on mine.

I want to bury myself in her.

To fuck her like I've never fucked before.

I takes everything I have to pull back.

Desire is coursing through my veins. My heart is pounding. My cock is screaming for attention.

I slide off the bed. "You trust me?"

"Why?"

"You want to feel better about school?"

She nods.

"You trust me, yes or no?"

She stares back into my eyes. "Yes."

"Then get dressed."

Chapter Twenty-Two

Brendon