Page 62 of Vicious Temptation

I jab the lollipop toward the screen again. “Like that! Valentina, you have eyes. Look at him.”

He knows exactly what he’s doing. Those big fucking arms are folded across his chest, straining his shirt tight enough to make me irrational, and I swear he’s flexing because he knows I’m watching.

Popping the candy into my mouth, I force myself to look away.

“Remi,” Val says gently, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m not taking his side. If your gut says there’s something off about him, listen to it. Just make sure you’re keeping him out because you don’t trust him, not because you’re scared of what might happen if you let yourself want him.”

I turn and stare at her.

She throws an arm around my shoulders. “You’re fucking stunning. Of course the man is going to find every excuse he can to be around you.”

“I thought you said you were on my side.”

“I am.” A grin tugs at her mouth. “Which is why I’m reminding you of something you once told me.”

I chuckle softly. “I’ve said a lot of things to you, and you probably shouldn’t have listened to half of them.”

Val dips her head with a laugh. “Maybe, but this one was actually decent advice.” Her smile softens as she nudges my shoulder. “You’ve been through some shit, Rem, and you deserve to be happy. You also don’t have to marry the guy or trust him with your deepest, darkest secrets to have a little fun.”

I already know I’m not going to like where this is going.

“Take him for a test drive.”

I snort. “Ah, there’s that sage advice.”

“Exactly. And you know there isn’t another man alive I’d ever look at besides Maksim.” Her eyes drift back to the screen. “But I’m not blind. Thiago is hot. And huge.”

I slowly slide the lollipop across my bottom lip as my gaze finds him again.

She’s not wrong.

The temptation alone is enough to make my pulse race because I could have him if I wanted to. I know that. One little opening, and I have no doubt Thiago would take it.

But I shouldn’t want him. And I’m not going to.

I close my eyes and shake my head, hoping to physically knock the thoughts loose, but of course, that does absolutely nothing.

My phone suddenly buzzes against the glass, offering a much-needed distraction. Between whatever the hell is going on with Thiago and everything I’m still trying to process after Estela’s death, my head has been a mess.

Lachlan: Hey, Rem. Got a client asking for you tonight. Can you swing by?

Me: What do they want?

Lachlan: Couple hours max. Clean linework.

I started freelancing at Venom & Velvet Ink two years ago, mostly taking on occasional clients whenever Lachlan needed another set of hands. I never expected much to come of it, but word spread fast. Before long, people were requesting me by name, and I was spending most weekends at the shop with a tattoo machine in my hand, turning skin into art.

Me: I can be there in one hour.

Lachlan: See you then.

I blow a lock of hair out of my face, then reach over to adjust the camera angle.

Valentina side-eyes me, amusement written all over her face, then snatches the lollipop straight from my hand and pops it into her mouth as she stands up.

“You’re gross.”

“I love you too.” She winks and pushes to her feet. “I need to stretch my legs and call Maxy. I’ll be back.”