Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

"Thanks." My stomach flutters as he hands the glass back.

This is intentional.

He's touching me on purpose.

He's helping me on purpose.

He's alone with me on purpose.

He fills his cup with Jack and Coke then lifts it to toast.

"To?" I ask.

"Good friendships."

"We're good friends?"

"Of course." His voice is earnest. Honest.

"I hate you."

"I know."

"That doesn't bother you?"

"Fuck no. It's what I like about you." He clinks his glass with mine. Takes a long sip. Lets out a low sigh of pleasure. "You keep me on my toes."

"You live on your toes."

"Should take up ballet." He makes a show of rising to his tip toes. It's nowhere close to a ballet move. But it's Dean all the same.

Charming and irritating.

Gia says he reminds her of Han Solo.

But Gia isn't the one taking his constant insults. (And Gia needs to lean that Star Wars isn't the answer to all of life's questions).

"I do like you, sunshine." His eyes find mine. "Have for awhile."

"So that virgin question?"

"I wanted to know something. So I asked."

"What did you want to know?"

He moves closer. Until I can feel the heat of his body. Smell his cologne. "If I'd be your first."

What? My cheeks flame. There's no way he…

There's no…

I…

"Chloe?" His fingers brush the inside of my wrist.

"Huh?"

"I want to fuck you."