“Those are forresearch,” she says primly, grabbing a stack of jeans and tossing them in a half empty box.
“Right. Research that Ryder is only too happy to help you out with on a regular basis, I’ll bet.”
Unrepentant, she just shoots me another grin before we dissolve into laughter, leaving my sides aching and my eyes watering.
Portland’s been home since I was a kid, but it’s time for a change. Not only am I excited to be close to my bestie again so we can get back to regular wine-fueled, takeout-filled Netflix marathons, I need a new challenge to work on. A new distraction.
Definitely not the kind of distraction that comes in theform of a six-foot-two, sexy as shit, tattooed menace who, for the past six months, I can’t seem to keep out of my head. No matter how much my amazing multi-settingbad boyhelps to take the edge off.
The last thing I’m going to admit to my best friend is that’s all I’ve been doing for the past few months. And the reason is more annoyingly complicated than I’m willing to face any time soon. If ever.
SIX MONTHS AGO…
“Um,okay. I’m just gonna go look around. You two kids have fun.”
Noia doesn’t even bother looking at me; she just nods her head as she stares up in adoration at Ryder. My best friend has got it bad for the bad boy tattoo artist, and we just happen to be at his tenth anniversary party for his shop, Skin & Ink Tattoo.
Wanting to make the most of my weekend and hopefully get laid, I take a look around, my gaze locking onto a possible target across the room.
Leaning against the exposed brick wall next to the DJ booth, he has one foot kicked up behind him. The colored lights flash across his face as he scrolls through his phone, looking completely unbothered by the chaos around him. His dark brown hair is styled in that perfect just-rolled-out-of-bed way everyone knows takes actual effort to achieve.
My breath catches in my throat as my eyes travel over the fulllength of his body. A tight black T-shirt stretches over well-defined muscles, and his jeans fit like they’re custom made.
I’ve never been into tattooed guys before—always preferred the clean-cut business types—but there’s something about the vibrant artwork covering both his arms that makes my stomach flip. Colorful designs start at his hands, working their way up to disappear under his sleeves. There’s even one peeking out from the collar of his shirt, curling up his neck.
Courage and curiosity flood my veins, and I straighten my shoulders, my black dress clinging to every curve as I weave my way through the crowd. I can feel the eyes of several male partygoers following my every move as I make my way across the room, but I ignore them, keeping my focus locked on my intended target.
The music pulses around me, bass thumping in time with my heartbeat as I advance.
“Slow and steady, Sasha,” I murmur to myself. “No need to rush. You want this guy to see you coming.”
As I get closer, I notice even more details: how the fingers from his other hand tap against his thigh to the beat of the music and how the small black gauges in his ears catch the light when he tilts his head.
I’m only a few feet away when he finally looks up from his phone and does a double take. Our eyes lock, and everything else fades away. The music bleeds into the background and the crowd disappears as time seems to stand still.
His eyes go wide for just a moment before his gaze, slow and deliberate, travels over my body, taking me in. I can almost feel the heat of his stare as it traces the neckline of my dress, lingers on my waist, following the curve of my hips all the way down to my silver heels.
When his eyes finally make their way back to mine, his lips curve into a wicked smile. It’s one of those dangerous grins, thekind that makes my stomach flip, sending heat pooling low in my belly.
Somehow, despite the flutter in my chest, I manage to keep my voice steady. “Hey.”
“Hi.” His voice is deep with just the right amount of rough around the edges. “And who might you be, beautiful?”
I tilt my head and smile. “Sasha. You?”
“Jax.” He pushes away from the wall, standing to his full height. He’s taller than I expected, forcing me to look up despite the height achieved with my heels. “Jax Riley.”
“Well, Jax Riley.” I take a small step, my proximity putting me so close I can actually feel his body heat as I look up into his chocolate brown eyes. “You looked a little lonely over here. Thought I’d come over and see if you’d like some company.”
His grin widens, flashing a dimple in his left cheek which nearly knocks me off my feet. “That’s mighty generous of you, Sasha. I was just thinking this party could use some livening up.” His eyes slowly travel over my face before focusing on my mouth. “Looks like it just arrived.”
The laugh that escapes me comes out husky. “Is that a line that typically works for you?”
“I don’t know.” He leans in a little closer, and I get a whiff of his cologne. Woodsy and clean, it makes me want to lean in and run my tongue up the side of his sexy, tattooed neck. “Not sure. Did it?”
Damn. This guy’s good.
“Maybe.” My smile spreads wider. “But I might need a little more convincing.”
