Leighton slides off her stool. A yawn escapes her berry lips as she stretches her arms over her head.

Her blue-green eyes meet mine.

They light up as her lips curl into a smile.

That’s all it takes for me too. I see her, and I’m happy.

I feel like a different person.

Not that she’d agree.

According to my girlfriend, I’m still plenty moody and difficult. I’m sure she’s right. I still work too much, run miles at a time, spar until I drop. I still obsess over cooking her dinners, making her smile, making her come—

Fuck, I’m getting distracted.

Her snug black sweater does nothing to help matters. Its low neckline shows off the lace of her black bra.

She catches me staring and tugs the sweater lower.

My tongue slides over my lips.

My thoughts get dirty. I want to strip her out of those clothes, place her on the counter, and spread her legs.

She looks hot as hell.

And it’s the perfect distraction from the thought racing around my head.

What if she says no?

She smooths her black mini-skirt as she presses her laptop closed.

I turn back to my client. As soon as I check him out, I’m done with work. And that means I’m taking her there. And I’m asking.

My voice is quiet. Nervous. “You need a minute?”

He shakes his head no way. Stands. Continues admiring his work—a Storm Trooper ready to shoot—in the mirror.

It looks good, though I can’t say I appreciate the subject matter. “Still in love?”

His eyes go wide. His smile goes wider. “It’s so fucking cool.” He stays hazy as he follows me to the counter.

Leighton taps her nails—hot pink today—against the black counter. She winks at me. I know that look. It’s can I check him out, please, for old time’s sake?

Not that it’s really old time. She stayed through September, as promised. Then she struck out on her own. For two months now, she’s been busy. She’s been working nonstop. She’s been fucking amazing.

But it’s been torture, not seeing her every day.

We spend most nights together, at my place or hers. I still cook her dinner as often as I can. And drop packed lunches in her fridge.

But I only see her at the Inked Hearts counter once a week.

She spends her Fridays working here.

Which means I spend my Fridays distracted by whatever tight outfit she’s wearing.

Thinking about fucking her senseless.

And holding her all night.

And never letting go.

Her tits nearly spill out of her top as she leans over the counter. “That looks amazing.”

My client’s laugh is so high-pitched it’s nearly a giggle.

I’ve seen this a million times—a guy simultaneously flattered and intimidated by her.

It used to make my fingers curl into fists.

But now that she’s mine, that I know she’s doing it for a reaction…

It’s thrilling.

It’s a game we play.

Foreplay by flirting with other people.

“You must love Star Wars.” She bats her eyelashes. Presses her lips into a soft smile. “They’re amazing movies, aren’t they?”

“Uh-huh.” He nods as he pulls out his credit card and hands it to her.

She brushes her fingers against his palm as she takes it. “Who’s your favorite character?”

“Uh…” He turns to show off the tattoo of Luke Skywalker on his right arm. “How about you?”

“Hard to say.” She runs his credit card. Watches the machine spit out a receipt, hands it over. “Can I confess something to you?”

He leans in. Nods with enthusiasm.

She stages whispers. “My heart is devoted to Austin Powers.”

“No way,” he whispers. “Really?”

We share a look. It’s our secret. The whole world is our secret.

It’s ours.

She turns to my client. “I love a guy who makes me laugh.”

He scribbles a tip, signs, hands over the receipt.

I shake his hand and walk him to the door.

He nearly skips down the street.

I can’t blame him.

She has the same effect on me.

“Funny guys, huh?” Walker crosses the room to the counter. He motions to Dean, who’s currently in his suite, showing Chloe his water color technique. He’s concentrating. Serious. It’s weird. “You might have a chance.”

My brother snaps back to his usual trouble making bullshit. “I think we all know how Leigh feels about me.” He winks.

Chloe rolls her eyes. She rises to her feet. Her combat boots pad the hardwood as she moves to the backroom.

“You’re a charmer.” Walker laughs. “You trying to get her to quit.”

“She quits, I quit.” I hired Chloe as an assistant/apprentice a while ago. She should be a perfect fit here—she’s talented, serious, quiet—but Dean keeps giving her shit. The two of them hate each other.

They think nobody notices that they alternate between trading I hate your guts looks and I want to fuck you senseless looks.

But it’s obvious.

I just hope he keeps it in his pants for once.

She’s good for Inked Hearts.

“I’m not gonna steal my brother’s girl.” Dean stands. Stretches his arms over his head. “You know how much shit our parents would give me?”

“Why you still hanging here, Leighton?” Walker catches the yawn. “Your boyfriend not giving you enough?”

“Never.” She twirls a purple strand—she’s kept her hair purple forever now. Says she’s sticking with it long term. That she adores looking in the mirror and seeing the girl I fell in love with.

“He’s cruel,” Walker says.

“You have no idea.” She nods.

He raises a brow.

Dean motions go on.

Leighton rolls her eyes. “You’re not getting any info on my sex life.” She slides her laptop into her messenger bag. Slings it over her shoulder. “But I’m flattered by your obsession.”

“What did you do to Chloe?” Emma steps into the main room. She brushes her dark hair behind her ears. Shoots Dean a glare. “I will kick your ass if you keep fucking with her.”

“I’ll help,” Walker offers.

“Oooh, can I too?” Leighton presses her hands together. “Pretty please.” She steps out from behind the counter. Nods a goodbye to Emma. “I’ll get out of your way.”

“You’ll leave me with these idiots? All by myself?” Emma feigns horror. She’s been working at the shop since Leighton left.

She’s only here part time, but it’s nice having her around. She’s known us forever. She doesn’t let the guys get away with shit. She knows her older brother well enough not to flirt when he’s around.

But when he’s not…

Let’s just say she makes Leighton proud.

“I’ll be back next Friday.” She hugs Emma goodbye. Whispers something in her ear.

“You promise?” Emma releases her.

She nods.

They share a laugh.

Then she’s all mine.

She takes my hand, wraps her arms around me, holds me like she’ll never let go. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” I’ve barely seen her all week. She’s been working too hard to leave her apartment.

But that isn’t gonna matter soon.

Fuck, I hope that isn’t gonna matter soon.

I brush her short hair behind her ear. “Should we get out of here?”

“Thought you’d never ask.” She turns to our friends. Waves goodbye. “We don’t need the audience.”

“Baby, you wound me.” Dean blows her a kiss.

She feigns disgust.

But she can’t hide her smile.

She loves being here, at Inked Hearts, bantering with everyone.

I press my palm into her lower back to lead her out the door.

The orange glow of sunset fills our view. The street is incredibly California. Beach cottages, palm trees, the smell of salt mixing with the smell of gasoline.

“You miss working at Inked Hearts?” I intertwine my fingers with hers. I need to lead her here without making it obvious. I need it to be a surprise.

“Every day.” She looks to the ocean, some five blocks away. Watches the sun sink into the horizon. “But I love design more.”

“You can work here more often.”

“No. I can’t.” Her eyes fill with affection as she looks up at me. “You’re too distracting.”

“I can wear baggy clothes.”

She shakes her head.

“Cut off my hair?”

“Over my dead body.”

“Really? You’d die for my hair?”

She reaches up, runs her fingers through my waves. Address my locks. “I’m sorry he’s trying to hurt you. I promise I won’t let him.”

My laugh dissolves the tension in my shoulders.

But the relaxation is short lived.

This is still happening.

I need her to say yes.

I need it so fucking badly.

I wrap my arms around her waist, pull her body into mine. “All right. No haircuts.”

“Promise?”

“For a while.” I press my lips to hers.

She groans against my mouth. “Did I already say I missed you?”

“Yeah.” I plant another kiss on her lips. “I missed you too.” It’s only been two days since she last fell asleep in my bed, but neither of us brings that up. Two days is plenty of time. It’s an eternity.

But after this…

Fuck, I need a yes.

I need it like I need oxygen.

* * *

At Eleventh, I turn right instead of going straight.

“Ryan.” Leighton squeezes my hand. “Did you forget where you live?”

“No.”

“So, we’re…” The cross sign flashes white. She follows me into the intersection.

“It’s a surprise.”

“A good surprise?”

I hope so. “Great.”

“Does it involve dinner? I’m starving.”

My stomach is in knots. Fuck, I can’t remember the last time I was this nervous. Being with Leighton is everything. But the possibility of living with her?

Of waking up next to her every morning, fixing her breakfast, designing side by side, arguing about what we’ll watch, falling asleep next to her every night…

“Ryan?” She steps onto the sidewalk. Turns so she’s staring into my eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

No, but I will be. If she says yes. I nod.

She offers her hands. When I take them, she pulls me into the sidewalk with her. “You’re worrying me.”

“It’s good. I promise.”

She looks up at me, staring into my eyes, looking for meaning.

We’ve been here so many times.

I never get tired of it.

“Come here.” I bring my hands to her waist. Lean down. Press my lips to hers.

She arches into me, opening her lips to make way for my tongue, groaning against my mouth.

I want to take her right here on the sidewalk.

It’s a good way to put off asking.

But I have to do this.

I have to get a yes.

She pulls back with a sigh. “Lead the way.”

I nod as I take her hand.

We walk the two blocks to the apartment hand in hand. This place is closer to the beach, but it’s farther into a residential area. The city sounds drop to a murmur. The streets fill with trees. There are lawns and parked cars everywhere.

There.

I push the gate open for her.

She looks up at me. “Ryan… are you…?”

“Yeah.”

“And you want to…”

“Let me show you before you say anything.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Yeah, I do.” I take her hand. Lead her into the complex. Past the small courtyard. Up the steps. To our new place. Apartment 205.

Her eyes go wide as I slide a key into the lock. “You already—”

I nod.

“But you didn’t ask me—”

“It’s time for me to live somewhere else.” Somewhere Penny’s never been.

Not because she haunts my memories.

But I’m done with that part of my life.

And I need Leighton to know how fucking sure I am.

I push the door open. Motion after you.

She steps inside. Flips a switch.

Florescent light bounces off the sleek white walls.

Leighton’s heeled boots tap the hardwood floors as she walks down the hallway. She takes in the new, stainless steel kitchen. “It’s you.”

“Yeah?”

“Of course.” She turns to the room on the left. Her eyes go wide as she takes it in. “That’s a view of the ocean.”

I nod.

“From our apartment?”

“It is.”

“Can we really afford this?”

“It’s cheaper than living apart.”

“By how much?”

Not as much as I’d like. But—“I have plenty, baby. Don’t worry. I’m set on living here. I’ve paid first and last. I’ve put the deposit down.”

“Oh.”

“It’s okay if you aren’t ready. I can afford it on my own.” I slide my arms around her waist. Bring my lips to her neck. “But, fuck, Leigh, I want to wake up next to you so fucking badly.”

She leans into my touch. “I want that too.”

“Let me show you something.”

“Okay.”

I take her hand. Lead her to the other room.

Her jaw drops as she takes it in. “You got a new bed.”

“It was time.”

“It’s huge.”

“You don’t like that?”

“What if I don’t?”

“I’ll convince you otherwise.”

She turns to me. “How?”

“I’ll strip.”

“You could do that now.” She closes the distance between us. “Right here.” She plants her hands on my chest. Her fingers curl into the fabric of my hoodie.

“Do this?” Slowly, I undo the zipper of my hoodie. I shrug it off my arms. Stare into her eyes as the fabric hits the ground.

“Yes.” Her fingers curl into my t-shirt. “Do that.”

“Uh-uh.” I shake my head. “This first.” My fingers go to the hem of her cropped sweater. I peel it over her chest.

She raises her hands so I can get it over her shoulders and arms.

I drop it on the floor.

“Now this.” She tugs my t-shirt over my head.

“And this.” I undo the clasp of her lacy bra.

She stares into my eyes as she peels it off her chest.

Fuck, she has amazing tits.

I need my hands around them.

I need her legs wrapped around my hips.

I need her screaming my name.

Still, I continue her game. I kick off my shoes. Peel off my socks. Drop to my feet to undo the zipper of her boots.

The right.

Then the left.

She steps out of both. Kicks them aside. “Your turn.”

I undo the button of my jeans. Push them off my hips.

Her eyes go wide. “Fuck. Have I told you how much I love that you go commando?”

“Yeah.” I reach under her skirt. Find the waistband of her black tights and peel them, and her panties, over her ass.

They collect at her thighs.

Her hand knots in my hair. “Bed. Now.”

I back her onto it. Drop to my knees between her legs. Peel her tights off her right leg. Then the left.

She squirms as I drag my lips up the inside of her calf. Her knee. Her thigh.

My fingers curl into her soft skin.

I pin her legs to the bed as I bring my mouth to her.

Fuck, she tastes good.

I lick her from up and down again and again.

I tease her until she’s groaning.

Until she’s tugging at my hair.

“Fuck, Ryan.” She groans as my nails curl into her thighs.

I hold her in place as I bring my tongue to her clit.

I can’t tease her anymore today. I need her bliss. I need her coming. I need her screaming my name.

Her breath hitches as I hit the speed she likes.

I go a little faster.

A little harder.

Up.

Right.

“Don’t stop.” She tugs at my hair. “Fuck.”

I lick her just how she needs me.

Her thighs fight my hands.

Her groans bounce around the room.

Around our room.

I’m eating out my girlfriend on our bed.

It’s everything.

She’s everything.

I pin her harder.

Lick her faster.

A few more flicks of my tongue and she’s there.

“Ryan.” Her nails find my back. Sink into my skin.

She claws at me as she comes on my lips. I can feel her orgasm in the way she pulses. Taste it in the way she gets sweeter. Hear it in the way her groans run together.

“Fuck me. Now,” she demands.

I pull back. Plant a kiss on her pelvis. Push her skirt to her waist as I climb up her body.

Her eyes find mine as I plant my hands outside her shoulders.

She wraps her legs around my hips.

Fuck.

Pleasure floods my senses as my tip strains against her. She feels so fucking good. Warm. Wet. Mine.

It echoes though my thoughts.

Around the room.

Around the entire apartment.

Our apartment.

Our fucking universe.

No teasing today.

I drive into her with a steady stroke.

Her nails sink into my back.

Her other hand finds my hair.

She pulls me into a long, deep kiss.

Lifts her hips to take me deeper.

I sink into her. Claim her mouth. Her cunt. Her soul.

We stay locked like that, moving together, breathing together until she’s there.

She groans against my mouth as she comes.

Her pulses pushing me over the edge.

I wrap my arms around her.

Fill her with steady thrusts.

Pleasure floods my body as I come.

Once I’ve spilled every drop, I collapse next to her.

“I love you so much.” She nestles into my chest.

“You saying that ‘cause I made you come?”

“No. But it doesn’t hurt.”

“I love you too.”

She looks up at me like she’s exactly where she wants to be.

I brush a hair behind her ear.

I stare into her eyes until her lids flutter closed.

She kisses me hard and deep.

She kisses me like she’s claiming me.

No, she is claiming me.

But she doesn’t have to.

I’m already hers.

Wherever life takes us, I’m hers.

And she’s mine.

And that’s fucking everything.

* * *

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In the meantime, why not go back to the beginning with Tempting? Keep reading for a sample of a smoking hot forbidden romance. If you loved the heat, humor, and angst of Pretend You’re Mine, you’ll love