Love, Me

He has trouble written all over him. From his dark brown eyes and cocky smile to the leather jacket and ripped jeans, I know exactly what kind of guy he is.

The tempting bad boy comes out of nowhere and makes me question everything... and everyone.

He marks people's skin for a living, but what he doesn't know is he's already tattooed his way onto my heart. I don't need ink for a permanent reminder of him, but I'd do almost anything for his touch.

“So what’s your deal?”

“What?”

Might as well just get it out there. “I’m not going to sleep with you.”

His laughter catches me off guard, and I cross my arms.
“I got that when you slapped me across the face. I said I was a jerk, and I meant it. I’m not gonna lie; I’d love to get you under me, but if you don’t want me takin’ you there, then I ain’t gonna beg, sweetheart. I’m not the one who begs in my bed.” He shifts his feet, and I swallow loudly. “Believe it or not, I actually think you’re pretty cool, and I like being around you. Plus, if you’re friends with Brad, I know you’re good people. I only moved back a little while ago, and as much as I like Brad and Kenny, I’m never going back to a gay bar again. Just thought it might be cool for us to hang out sometime.”

I want to believe him, and a part of me wishes I could allow him in my life. Should I risk it? No, I can’t. Vaughn is somehow fogging my mind already, and it needs to stop. Plus, for Bryan, I can’t take the chance. When he comes back, I don’t want him to think I wasn’t true to my words.
“I don’t need any more friends, Vaughn.”

His eyes flash disappointment. “Wow. Okay.” He bites his lower lip. “That’s fine.” When he begins to back away, a rock forms in my stomach. I reach for him, but he jerks his arm out of my grasp.

I didn’t mean to make him feel bad. Crap, I’m not good at this. I wasn’t expecting him. I didn’t prepare for him. “Vaughn.”

“Nah, don’t worry about it. It’d probably be better if you stayed away . . . for your own good.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He lights a cigarette and tucks the pack back in his pocket. “It means whatever crap you’re hiding from might actually surface if you admitted it.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “If I admitted what?”

“That there’s something here.” He motions between us. “That you want me just as badly as I want you.”

Is he a mind reader or something? This is why I can’t with him. “I don’t want you.”

“Do too.”

“No.” I cross my arms. “I don’t.”

“Okay, Rainey girl. Since we’re not friends, I won’t tell you to have a good night.”