He’s right.I really freaking do.
“It’s going to be a huge undertaking,” I say, reminding myself of the negative one more time.
“It will, but you’ll be fine. And I know you said no money talk?—”
“Beck,” I groan, rubbing the back of my neck again.
Beck pulls my hand away then takes over rubbing my shoulders himself. Good god.
“Hear me out, what about an exchange?”
I raise an eyebrow. “What kind of exchange?”
That cocky smile comes to his face, and for a moment I’m sure he’s going to tell me some sort of addendum to our roommates-with-benefits deal.
“I know you’re gonna be stubborn and insist on paying for things on your own so you can still do some of that, but why not let me pay for the tattoos I want in advance.”
I take a step back. I can’t think this through with his hands massaging me like that. “Wait, what?”
“I want tattoos specifically by you, so why not let me help pay for some of this in exchange for the ink I want.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re going to give me more money than the tattoos would actually cost?”
That smile comes back with a small shrug. “Well, I mean, I would have to include the tip.”
The laugh wants to come out, but I bite it back. “Beck, I don’t know?—”
“I’d gladly pay for everything, but—” Beck chuckles when my eyes nearly roll out of my head. “You want this, Jensen. I want this for you. Just think about it, okay?”
I should probably think about it. At least give it as much thought as I’m giving this whole roommate-with-benefits thing, but he’s right—I do want this.
I’m standing here in this perfect space, with this incredible man who just wants to help. Maybe he’s right, this is an opportunity, but I don’t want to take advantage of him either—nor do I want to have him as my crutch.
“Could I have some say on when I use your money? Like, maybe I don’t take a lump sum, but allocate it when I need it.”
“You can have all the say, as long as you promise to use it.” Beck shrugs then closes the distance between us again. “I’ve got plans, Jenni-cakes. I want free tattoos for life.”
I contain my smile the best I can, but I’m sure Beck can see it from my eyes alone. “Alright, deal.”
Beck’s eyebrows raise. “Really? Just like that?”
My frown comes fast. “Don’t make me regret this already.”
His hands lift. “I just thought I was going to have to put up more of a fight. Ending on an ‘I’ll think about it’ was the goal.”
“Yeah, well, I’m thinking about other things right now,” I say then immediately want to take it back.
That smirk of his grows. “Oh yeah? What’s on your mind, is it the roommates-with-benefits deal? The piercings? Maybe it’s the missionary position? I really think not arguing with you naked is just a missed opportunity for the both of us.”
All of the freaking above.
Here we are again. We were just having a serious conversation but he’s turned it flirty and carefree. If he hadn’t, I’m sure a mental list of price tags would have started appearing in my head, but now I’m just thinking about him.
“I’ve been thinking about those things.” Beck leans in ever so slightly. “I think about doing so many things with, for, and to you.”
Beck’s spiced autumn scent goes straight to my head and warmth rapidly takes over my body. God, I want to hear all about those things. I want him and fighting it is starting to feel exhausting.
My hands twitch to reach out and pull his clothes off, but instead I let that feeling simmer.
