“I don’t lie.” He pushed back, hissing as he moved his fingers up my stomach, touching the bare exposed part. “Fuck, what is this?”
“A crop top. They’re in style, Ronnie.” I used a finger to tilt him away. “You like it?”
I spun around, the four inches of my abdomen breaking out in goosebumps. A deep growl started in his chest and a part of me enjoyed it. I felt smug. “Greta.”
“What?” I stopped, putting my hands on my hips. My position had me sticking my chest out, the slope of my tits on full display. He didn’t reply. His eyes went from heated to glacial and I walked right past him. “You think you’ll get a tattoo?”
“No.” His hand went to my lower back, his fingers pressing into me harder than normal. “What are you getting?”
“No idea. I’ve always wanted a tattoo or something ridiculous to regret in my nineties. I never had the time or money and with the bartending job…I deserve a reward.”
“I thought you were going crazy?” He opened the door for me while his jaw continued to resemble concrete.
“I am. You’ve talked about it before. The itching in your chest…the urge to do something.” My heart beat fast, the anxiety building. “I’ve had it the past couple days and I need to release it.”
“We could just have a lot of sex.”
Boys are dumb.I scoffed. “Yes. Let’s solve all our issues with sex.”
“I could fuck you hard enough you wouldn’t remember your thoughts.”
I gulped as he shut my door and headed toward his side.Dear lord.His words hit me in the groin and the thought of doingthatsounded better than anything. “Well shit, Aaron.”
“Just saying. You could’ve asked me to do just that and I would’ve had no problem.” He shrugged, putting the seatbelt on. “What shop are we going to?”
Where were we going? Oh yeah.Tattoo.“On Blue and Lincoln Street.” My voice shook. Thoughts of him thrusting into me repeatedly made me lose focus. “I’ve always liked the idea of a yin yang. You know, the good and the bad in life balance each other?”
He shrugged again.I see he’s talkative today.“Get what you want. As you said, it’syourbody.”
“Ronnie, I sense an attitude. What’s up your ass?”
“Nothing.”
“Ah, yes. The infamousI’m fineline guys steal from girls. Fine. Be a bitch.” I hid my smile when he gave me a side glance. I knew to wait it out. Eventually, I’d learn the truth.
Five minutes later, he sighed. “Tanner posted a picture of the two of you yesterday out to eat. I don’t think that’s part of the plan. People could gossip and that’s the last fucking thing I need.”
“Did he?” I pulled up my social media apps and scrolled through. Sure enough, Tanner had a picture of the two of us, huge smiles and tacos. I’d run into him after a class and the idea had made sense. I didn’t think twice about it when he suggested it. Not long ago, Tanner, Aaron and I did almost everything together.And I crushed on TJ. Different time.“It’s an inconspicuous picture. What’s the problem?”
“You’re supposed to bemyfake girlfriend. We still have eight weeks left. Just, keep the flirting down.”
My temper flared.Flirting? No way.“Where the hell is this coming from? I don’t… Aaron. Come on. I’m doing this for you.”
“Shit. You’re right. I’m sorry.” He reached out, squeezing my knee. “I’m being a dick.”
“Holy shit. You just apologized.”
“Okay, no need to make a huge deal out of it.” He dug his fingers a little harder into me. “I meant it. I’m sorry.”
“Twice now.” I pretended to faint. “I can’t handle all this.”
He chuckled, the air in the car becoming clearer and less tense. I could relax. “I’ll be interested to see what you get.”
“Me too, because I don’t have a goddamn clue.”
Ten minutes later, I felt like a fool.
I hated needles. The woman in the chair closed her eyes, wincing as the needle buzzed for everyone to hear. Her daughter held her hand, becoming paler by the second, and suddenly, I did not want a tattoo.Nope.I couldn’t have the buzzing needle death machine come near my skin. My stomach clenched.Nope.
