“I’ll let you know when one of our regulars takes off but right now we’re booked up. Try Inkalicious, they always have at least one open chair.”

The guy with the silver mohawk and two full sleeves gave me a placating smile, like I’d missed his disparaging tone when he spoke of his competitor, Inkalicious.

I gave him my own condescending smile, because I hated pricks like this guy. “I go to them and your business dries up,” I told him confidently. At his snort I shrugged. “Google Magenta O’Malley, and once you do, then you can go fuck yourself.” With a satisfied smile I walked away, feeling more confident than I should considering this was the third straight day I’d come down to New Orleans in search of a place to ink some skin, and still I had nothing. Less than nothing, in fact. All the shops were full because this was a lively city filled with artists of all stripes, not to mention hordes of college kids, which meant an endless supply of fresh skin to color.

It also meant there was no room for me. Story of my fucking life. And the frustrating part was the stupid boys club mentality that had been a problem since the early days of my career.

With no good reason to stay in the city, I hopped in my purple pickup truck and got back on the road to Belle Musique, no closer to leaving the town than when I began this fool’s errand.

As much as I’d settled into my new life in Belle Musique, it looked like I really would be leaving town. For good. The thought didn’t sit well with me. It never bothered me before, but the thought of leaving this town and the people in it, had me feeling a little heartsick.

It would go away. It always did. Sometimes it took just a few days to get over missing the old place, and sometimes it took months, but I had a feeling Belle Musique had wormed its way deep into my heart and probably wouldn’t let go. Ever.

These morose thoughts brought me back to my home. My temporary home. I trudged up the stairs, my legs feeling as heavy as my heart, hoping like hell that Davis was nowhere to be found. As soon as I stepped inside I knew that was a pointless hope. The whole house smelled like food, greasy and fatty fried foods that had my mouth watering instantly.

But not as much as the sight of Davis wearing jeans with no shoes or shirt, a flowered apron covering his front, but leaving his sculpted back on full display. Full delicious, masculine display.

“What are you doing?”

He turned wearing a bright, happy smile. Like he was happy to see me. “Cooking. What does it look like?” He walked over to me and dropped a kiss on my cheek like we were a real couple who greeted each other with open affection. “Where have you been? I’ve missed you.”

Wasn’t that just like Davis? To ask a question guaranteed to piss me off, and then soften it with something sweet. He wasn’t Mason, but I was avoiding him as if he was, and that wasn’t fair. Neither was the way his softly spoken words made me feel. “You’ve gone nearly two years without me, Davis.”

“I missed you all that time too. But a little bit of Magenta always makes me want more.” His blue eyes went all soft and sexy, dammit, and I knew he was telling the truth. Before I could respond, Davis grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the table in the formal dining room Mason never used. “You’re here just in time.”

“Just in time for what?”

“Dinner.” He flashed a boyish smile and stepped aside to reveal a table loaded up with all of my favorite foods.

“You don’t have to cook for me, Davis. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.” I didn’t mean to sound so bitchy, but I wasn’t used to all of this. It felt…excessive somehow.

“I know that Mags.” He heaved a sigh, but flashed a small affectionate smile that I felt down to my toes. “I was hoping you’d be home today and we could eat together. Chill and maybe drink too much.”

The sincerity in his eyes nearly made my knees buckle, but it was the wild wisps of blond curls that did me in. “Maybe fool around too?” That was more my speed.

Davis arched a brow even as his lips twitched with a smile. “I’m not that kind of guy, Mags but you are welcome to try and seduce me.”

Seduction sounded like a pretty good distraction right about now. But my thoughts must have shown on my face, because he took a step back and gripped my shoulders, turning me towards the table.

“What’s all this?”

“Chili fry nachos, fully loaded.” I could hear the pride in his voice, but my mind was focused on all the food in front of me. I couldn’t actually remember eating lunch today. “Buffalo chicken poppers, and extra guacamole too.”

With a smile I turned and looked up at Davis, so sweet and so beautiful. Too beautiful for me. “Thank you, Davis. This all looks incredible, but isn’t this terrible for a firefighter’s diet?”

His laugh came out loud and deep, rich and so full of life, I found my lips curling up into a smile too. That’s what attracted me to Davis from the start, his ability to laugh at himself and letting nothing get him down. The truth was I admired that about him too.

“You have any idea how many calories I burn in a day? The upside to all that hard work is that I can eat just about anything I want. Sometimes.” I arched a brow at the man who ate like competing Olympian most days, with his brown rice, grilled salmon and asparagus spears. “Okay, I do try to eat healthy foods like salads and lean proteins, but I can eat what I want. I just choose to eat healthy.”

And it showed over every peak and valley of his masculine physique. “I know,” I pouted. “It’s one of your worst qualities.”

He laughed again and pulled out a chair for me, encouraging me to sit. “I’m just glad you think I have a few good ones.” His laughter sounded as he went back to the kitchen, returning quickly with a bucket of beers from Zeke’s place and his phone.

“You have mostly good qualities,” I told him honestly.

“This night is getting better and better.” He leaned forward with a wide flirtatious grin. “Tell me about all these good qualities,” he asked and stroked his jaw for comedic effect.

“Fishing for compliments, Davis? So unlike you.” Yeah, I was stalling, because the last thing I wanted to do was open up to Davis or compliment him, especially when I planned to leave. Soon.

“Not fishing exactly, just trying to figure out what about me has you running away with the wind at your back.”

He deserved to know why I was running. Not from him exactly, but I could see how that was his perspective. “You’re kind and funny, sweet. Sexy. I have no problem with you, Davis.”

“Well that’s something, isn’t it?” He smiled and I smiled back, the moment was charged with sensuality. Heat. Desire. But still, Davis grinned, letting the heat of his gaze sear my skin down to the bone. “How have you been, Mags?”

“I’ve been better, Davis, how about you? Settling in at the firehouse all right?”

“Yep. The guys are great, which is good since we basically live together a few days every week. My only complaint is that most days are dull, except when we act as entertainment for the dirty old ladies in town.”

That pulled a big laugh from me, because I had no doubt that Aunt Mae was leading the pack of perverted old women in Belle Musique. “Better than wishing for a fire, right?”

“That’s for damn sure.” We both laughed again, picking up our beers and drinking them slowly. Silently. “Where have you been?”

“Seeing if I could find a chair in New Orleans.” There was no point lying about it now. He would find out soon enough.

“No luck?”

“Nope.”

“Good.” With a satisfied grin, Davis leaned back in his seat and sipped from the longneck bottle.

“Thanks,” I told him with a pout that made him smile. “Your support means the world to me.”

“I support you, Magenta. Always. Is it so wrong that I want you close now that you’re in my life again?”

It wasn’t bad, not at all. In fact, being wanted by Davis felt better than anything I could remember that didn’t have to do with my career. No one ever looked at me the way he did, like I was equal parts fascinating and amusing and incredible. What woman wouldn’t flourish under that kind of admiration?

“No, not bad. But it’s not smart. I’m no good for you, because I don’t know how to do this stuff.” That was embarrassing as hell to admit, and I emptied the bottle down my throat to wash down the sting of those words.

Blond brows furrowed as his smile slowly transformed into a scowl. “I don’t get to decide what, or who is good for me?”

“Of course you do, dammit. You’re a grown man. But I get to choose who I hurt, and I don’t want to hurt you!” Was the man really so dense that he didn’t get it? “Stop twisting my words.”

“I’ll stop twisting your words when you stop making decisions for me.” His blue gaze was a challenge, but it also felt like a trap.

“It’s not about you Davis, it’s about me.”

“Bullshit. Prove it.”

“How?” Arms crossed, I waited for the self-serving explanation.

“Easy. Trish invited us to dinner at her place. Go with me.”

My head was shaking before he even got the last few words out. “Absolutely not. We are not doing this, pretending to be one big happy family enjoying Sunday dinner. Nope. No way. Not happenin’.” I stabbed at a stray fry nearly bent from the weight of the chili, before scooping into my mouth with more force than was required. “I can’t believe you would try to manipulate me like that. I guess that’s on me for thinking you were a better man.”

“Jeez Mags, I’m not trying to manipulate you.”

“Bullshit! What do you call it then?”

“Asking my wife to have dinner with me.”

“And my brother, who you know I don’t want to see!”

“Actually, I don’t know that.” His words were calm, deliberate as he folded his arms over his massive, still bare, chest. “Because you didn’t tell me anything about the big fight you had with him, or why. You just left Magenta, so how in the hell would I know that?”

“Why would I bother you with something so unimportant?” Because that’s what it was. “My issues with my brother are no one’s concern but my own, and I’m not concerned so why should you be?”

“How about, because I care about you?” His words were tired, exhausted and once I again I got that feeling that I always got when I let people get too close. Difficult Magenta.

“You shouldn’t.”

“Well I do so what’s the problem?”

Besides the fact that he was a good man, and I’d probably break his spirit? Nothing at all. “The problem is that I’m not prancing around, pretending to be something we’re not, just because my brother wants me to.” I spent a lot of years trying to please Mason, impress him and make him proud of me. Now that I know it was a pointless effort, I refused to do it again.

“We are a married couple-,”

“Yeah a couple who plans to divorce as soon as we can.”

“But until that time comes, there’s no pretending between us. Right?” I knew making that agreement with him would end up biting me in the ass

I nodded because I wasn’t a liar. “Yeah, sure. But it would be pretending for me to attend dinner. I really don’t want to see my brother right now.” Or talk to him. Or work with him, which is why I spent the better part of this week searching for work elsewhere.

“What about Trish? You know she called me brother at the shop the other day? Brother, because she thinks of you as her sister, who she misses.”

My shoulders sagged in resignation, because we both knew he had me there. I love Trish, she was the sister I’d always wanted growing up, someone I could talk about anything with no matter how humiliating. Someone who gave me the whole truth whether I wanted to hear it or not. Unfortunately she was also Mason’s wife, which meant anything I shared with her, he would also know. God, families were a mess.

“I’ll make lunch plans with her.” That was a simple compromise as far as I was concerned.

“Magenta,” he sighed, his patience wearing thin.

It was kind of sweet that Davis was risking my wrath in order to make Trish feel better, almost endearing even. And if it didn’t reek so much of manipulation, then I would’ve appreciated his effort. “Yeah, yeah, I know, I’m being difficult. It’s my middle name,” I told him and stood, slamming my napkin down on the seat in anger. “Get used to it.” I walked away but his voice stopped me cold.

“You’re the strongest, most stubborn woman I have ever met in my entire life. Surely you can get through one dinner for your friend, and your husband without blowing up at your big stupid brother?”

I turned to find his lips twitching with the effort of holding back a smile. “I could, but what’s in it for me?”

It was playing with fire, or maybe it was me being deliberately cruel to taunt him with sex in my eyes. I wanted Davis badly, and I knew he wanted me too. The difference was that Davis wanted all of me, and I didn’t have that much to give. I wasn’t capable of it. But that didn’t stop me from wanting him.

“What do you want, Magenta?”

His voice was a low, dark promise and I shivered. “You.”

“My body, you mean.” He stood, putting that big midwestern body on display with his hands on his hips, his gaze impatient.

“Is that a problem?” My gaze lingered on his chest, the hard slats of muscles over his chest and those pink nipples, hard from the chill in the air.

“Just like to know where I stand.”

“Right.” I should have known it wouldn’t be as simple as beckoning Davis over with a crook of my finger. The man had layers. Hundreds and hundreds of layers, it was probably why me, the girl who didn’t like anybody, liked him. Too much. “Thanks for dinner, Davis.” I was disappointed that he’d turned me down, but I refused to show it. The last thing I needed was a guilt, or pity fuck.

Davis reached out and wrapped a hand around my wrist, stopping me. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To bed. Alone.”

“All because you’re too scared to answer one little question?” I didn’t need to see him to know he wore a smug grin, I could hear the smile and the challenge in his tone. His lips brushed the bottom of my earlobe, the timber of his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.

“I’m not scared of anything.” That wasn’t exactly true, not that it mattered when my voice was so husky and full of lust that it was barely audible.

“Liar,” he challenged and sank his teeth into the sensitive skin of my neck. “Just say the words, I want you for your body. If I believe you, then we both get what we want.” His tongue slid up the side of my neck, a treacherous path that seemed to touch several nerve endings. “Say it.”

If there was one thing I hated, it was games. Emotional blackmail. “Davis…”

“Say the words, Magenta.”

I took the step back and turned to him, which was a big mistake. Those blue eyes were filled with a challenge I wasn’t sure I could meet. So I didn’t even try. “I want you Davis, why can’t that be enough?”

“Why can’t you just admit that you want more than my body? Because you’re scared, that’s why. My tough girl is just a little marshmallow. Ow!”

I poked him right in the middle of his chest. “Take that back!”

“No.” He took step back, defiant as ever.

I poked him again. “Take it back, Davis. I’m nobody’s marshmallow!” Just because I experienced occasional moments of kindness to a select group of people did not make me a marshmallow.

“Okay, I take it back. You’re not a marshmallow. You’re a coward.”

“And you are an asshole!” Like I needed to hear this crap from anyone.

“Doesn’t stop you from wanting me. Or my body.” His voice was a low threat as he trapped me between him and the wall with a smile. “Right?”

“Yeah well, the fact that I want you just means you’re not the good guy I think you are.” He took a step back when I pushed at his chest and made my escape, but Davis caught me halfway up the stairs.

“I’m exactly who you think I am, and that’s why you want me, Magenta. Just admit it.” He turned me around and brought our bodies flush against one each other. “Admit it, Magenta.”

“Fine, okay! I want you. All of you. Happy?” Maybe he was and maybe he wasn’t. But when Davis slammed his mouth against mine, I was a very happy girl.

His mouth worked like magic, slicking his tongue back and forth across my lips until he ripped a moan from me. Davis used the opportunity to dive right in, devouring me whole. The kiss was warm and fuzzy and hot and fiery at the same time, lighting me on fire starting with the tip of my tongue. Davis tore his mouth away and smiled.

“Wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“Shut up.” I pulled him down until our mouths were fused together again. It was incredible. It was overwhelming, especially when his mouth left a trail of heat from my lips to the aching button between my thighs, my body exploded in bursts of rainbow light, arcs of electricity that I could feel running the length of my body. It was so hot, so intense my heart actually skipped a beat.

“Magenta,” he groaned, mouth slick with my juices as he leaned in with a smile. “I think you’re my new favorite flavor.”

I laughed, arching my back into him. “Anytime you want a taste, you just let me know.” He stood, unfastening the button of his jeans, and slowly tugging down the zipper, I couldn’t look away. When he fisted and stroked his length, slow and hard, I couldn’t breathe. “Maybe now is the time for a refresher course.” I reached out for him, loving the way he hissed when my hand wrapped around his cock, sliding up and down.

“Magenta.” The way he groaned my name, like he was in anguish, it made me even wetter than before. “Oh fuck, Magenta.”

I closed my eyes and let my mouth work him over, let my tongue dip into the slit of his cock and licking off the beads of salty pre-cum that sat there. I took Davis as deep as I could go, which was no small feat considering how big the man was. Everywhere. I was lost in a rhythm of licking and sucking, fondling his sac and enjoying the rough guttural sounds he made while I pleasured him.

“Enough. Stop.” His words came out in sharp, harsh pants of air. “Magenta.” I kept going because I didn’t want to stop, because I didn’t want to stop hearing those erotic sounds he made when his cock hit the back of my throat. “Enough!” He grabbed my hair and yanked. “I need to be inside you.”

With a smile I slid around him, crawling on my hands and knees a few stairs up, waving my bare ass in the air. Tempting him. “Then get there. Fast.” In that moment, watching Davis climb up the stairs behind me, I knew I was in for a world of fucking trouble.

His blue eyes gleamed as he stalked towards me, moving slowly like a predator until the rough hairs of his chest brushed against the sensitive skin of my back, the hair on his legs scratched against my smooth bare legs. It all felt, so, so good.

His long thick cock slid through my folds suddenly, forcefully. Up and down until he was coated in my juices, and then he was inside me. Deep and thick, filling me until I couldn’t breathe. “Magenta, babe.” Davis voice was a low growl as he slid balls deep and froze. “So fucking tight.”

No words came to me, so I just arched my back, silently asking for more, and Davis did not disappoint. His pulled out slowly until he was almost free of me, and slammed back in fast, gripping my hips so hard I knew I’d bruise tomorrow, but it felt too good to stop. Too good to worry about tomorrow. About consequences. Instead I closed my eyes and arched to receive more of Davis, letting the pleasure he gave wash over me, send goosebumps up and down my spine.

“Yes.” It was the only word my lips were capable of forming, repeating it again and again until it lost all meaning.

“Magenta,” he growled in my ear as his hands found my tits, kneading and pinching the nipples as he pounded into me in a relentless, steady rhythm that was slowly unraveling my resolve. It was a steady onslaught of pleasure that I was powerless to fight or prolong, no matter how long I wanted it to last.

It was a spectacular coming together, one that should have sent warning bells clanging in the back of mine, not that I could have stopped even then, but still. Instead of slowing down or pulling back, I let my face rest on the carpet, covering one of his hands with mine while the other slipped between my thighs to my clit. “Yes, oh fuck yes!”

A low growl sounded again, this one darker than the others as his hips began moving faster and faster, bringing us both closer to that precipice. “Magenta. Fuck!” His hands squeezed my tits harder, his growls came louder and the sound of our skin smacking together got louder and louder until we were nothing more than sounds of pleasure. Grunting and growling before we both erupted with our orgasms.

At the same time.

“Davis.” It was all I could manage to mutter before my body went lax beneath him.

He laughed and held me close, lifting me in his arms. “That was more than sex, Mags. You want me as much as you want my body, and that’s something I can work with.”

I wanted to protest, to tell him that there was nothing to work with, but I didn’t want to ruin the moment. Also, because it would be a big ass lie. If I let myself, I could really fall for Davis.

But I wouldn’t let myself.

I couldn’t.