Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

Tom nods a goodbye of some kind. Drew turns ever so slightly toward me. I move to the kitchen so my back is to him, but I can still feel his eyes on me.

I pour a glass of water and drink it slowly. Pete and Tom are sparring about something. They're laughing and teasing, still oblivious to my discomfort.

The sliding door to the backyard is unlocked. I pull it open and step outside. It's mercifully quiet here. Cold, but mercifully quiet. Goosebumps spread on my legs.

I sit on the concrete, slide out of my shoes, and dip my feet in the water. The pool is cold but it warms up quickly.

The stars are shining brilliantly. No light pollution all the way in Malibu. Nothing around us except sky and ocean.

The sliding door opens. Footsteps move closer. I keep my eyes on the sky, but I don't need my eyes to know who it is.

My heart is racing. It must be Drew.

"You look comfortable." He sits on the concrete next to me.

I nod. My gaze turns toward him. His deep brown eyes are on me. Those are such gorgeous eyes and the rest of him is even better. Messy black hair. Strong jaw. Broad shoulders. His chest piece tattoo peeking out from his v-neck t-shirt.

I bring my gaze back to his eyes. My heart does nothing to slow down. It's still going rapid fire. Damn thing has no concern for my wishes.

"The water is nice," I say. "Once you get used to it."

"Is that right?" Drew kicks off his Converse sneakers and pulls off his socks in a smooth, seamless motion. His voice gets a little lower. "You don't have to stay and listen to that."

"It's fine," I say.

He raises as eyebrow. "You don't look fine."

"Well I am." I pull my arms over my ample chest. It barely fits into this dress. It barely fits into any dress. But that doesn't usually bother me.

Drew plants his hands on the edge of the concrete and leans toward me. "How much will you give me to skinny dip?"

"You're the one with money."

Drew laughs. "Okay. No bribery necessary." He glances toward the house where Tom and Pete are still going at it. "But you have to promise not to look."

My jaw drops ever so slightly. Drew naked. Drew naked. Drew naked. I cannot think about Drew naked.

"You don't have the balls," I say.

"The way you're talking, it sounds like you're going to look."

"No."

"I wouldn't blame you." He taps my shoulder with his. "After all that time in Asia, I

'm pale enough to glow in the moonlight."

"You are not."

In the house, Tom screams something in our general direction. He and Pete wave goodbye.

"Don't be late to practice Monday!" he yells. "And don't forget to use protection."

Drew sends Tom another death glare. It only amuses the guy. By now, I'm well aware I'm a running joke. Drew spends so much time with Kara. What the hell is he waiting for? A girl with tits like that... there must be something wrong with him. The guys are not nearly as discreet as they think they are.

The front door opens and shuts. A car in the driveway turns on and pulls away. Tom and Pete are on their way home.

"Tom's an idiot," Drew says.