Bloom

“Fourteen?” she repeats back with a chuckle. “Isn’t that illegal?”

“My oldest brother’s friend knew a guy who knew a guy.” I smile. “It was cash in the back room of his studio at night.”

“Did you get in trouble?”

I like the innocence of the question. I appreciate that she’s interested in my ink enough to ask. Most women give my arms a second look, but it doesn’t go beyond that.

“It was here?” I pat my left shoulder. “I had to keep my shirt on at home for a few years.”

“How long ago were you fourteen?”

“Fifteen years ago. You?”

“I’m twenty-three,” she admits. “And I only have one tattoo. I got it last year on the day we launched Wild Lilac.”

That catches me by surprise. “We?”

I’ll take a step back if there’s someone in the picture. This flirtation has been fun, but I respect the boundary of a committed relationship.

“My brother is my business partner.”

Since we’re circling the question, I go ahead and ask it for clarity. “Are you involved with anyone, Athena?”

Her mouth pops open to form a sexy little ‘ O .’

“You already know that I’m not,” I offer to pave the way. “I’m curious about you.”

Hesitation swims in her eyes. I doubt like hell I misread the sparks that have been flying between us since the night we met. If she’s taken, I’ll back off, but I want to know.

Her gaze drops before it settles back on my face. “You and Wren just broke up.”

“I’m aware,” I answer curtly. “My question wasn’t about her. It was about you.”

“I know.” Pushing to her feet, Athena glances over when I do the same. For a brief second our eyes meet and there’s no way in hell that she doesn’t feel the energy between us.

I lay my cards on the table before she can grab her jacket and head out of my apartment. “I’m not looking for anything serious. I like you. I’m attracted to you. I want to take you to dinner again.”

She mulls my words with a tap of her boot against the floor. “I don’t know, Liam.”

“We’ll have dinner,” I say. “We’ll hang out and see where it goes. No expectations.”

Silence swims in the air between us.

“I just got out of a relationship,” I point out. “I’m not looking to get into another if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Relief softens her stance. I see it in the way the corners of her mouth quirk up toward a smile. “We’ll keep it casual?”

It’s what I need. It’s exactly what I want, so I nod a little too vigorously. “I’m not looking for more.”

With a bite of her bottom lip, she tilts her chin up. “I’m free next Wednesday if that works for you.”

I’ll damn well make it work. “I’ll drop by the store at seven to pick you up.”

She reaches for her jacket. “I’ll see you then, Liam.”

Walking her to the door I realize that I won’t see her again until next week. I’ll use the time to calm the fuck down, so when I do pick her up, my body won’t be thrumming with the same need it is now.

Chapter 11