Slowly, I turn, our bodies almost touching. I take a step back and press up against the counter. I tilt my face up, only to be met with those hard, steel-gray eyes again. The ones that shoot heat through my chest.
Sparks.
I should feel uncomfortable with the position I’m in. This is a stranger cramming into my personal space, yet my body practically melts into a puddle at his feet. “And what name should I get?Yours?” Of course, I’m joking.
With a deadpan expression, he says, “Yes.”
Oh!“You’re not serious, are you?”
“It’s the best revenge.” His face is so emotionless, I can’t tell if he’s joking.
“I’d be nuts to do such a thing.” He leans forward, placing a hand on the counter behind me. My pulse races at his nearness; the heat from his body is palpable.
“Why would I tattoo your name on my body? I don’t even know you. It’s a ridiculous thing to do.”
He shrugs a shoulder and pushes away. “Or it’s doing something spontaneous.” I want to feel relieved that he’s giving me some space, but is it wrong that I liked having him so close? So close I could see the flecks of silver around his pupils.
“Have you ever done something spontaneous, even if it’sridiculous?”
I pull my shoulders back. “Of course I have.Allthe time.” I turn to Sally so she can back me up and keep my lie rolling. Instead, she lifts her shoulders to her ears and pulls a face like she knows it’s not true. Then she gives me a wicked smile. I gasp. How dare my best friend not have my back? It’s like she’s taking extreme pleasure in my discomfort. Just wait until we get home. I’m ending our sixteen-year friendship. We both know that would never happen. I love her too much. I can still stop talking to her for a day though.
“Hmm-mmm,” he murmurs like he doesn’t believe me. “What’s something spontaneous you’ve done in the past year?”
“I don’t need to tell you anything.” I snap. Narrowing my eyes at him, I cross my arms over my chest. Because I can’t think of anything exciting to even lie about. This man is infuriating and grinding on my last nerve.
“So, nothing then.” He laughs mockingly. “Good luck getting your cutesy butterfly tattoo. That’s if you’re not too chicken.”
Anger boils under my skin. He turns to walk away. “Stop!” I place my hand on his arm. Muscles flex under my palm. He’s so hard and big, and I have to stop myself from caressing the length of it. He turns and glances at where I’m touching. When he looks back at me, heat smoulders in his eyes.
I swallow hard. He’s the complete opposite of my type and a lot older. Yet I can’t help but notice how gorgeous he is. I drop my hand. “If I do it, then you have to do it too.” Now it’s my turn to challenge him. See how he likes it.
“Sure. No problem.” He shrugs, like it’s no big deal to have a stranger’s name tattooed somewhere on their body.
That was easy. I was hoping he was all talk, and he’d drop this wacky idea. “What’s your name? If it’s something long, the deal is off.”
He pauses for a moment. My heart races. Then he says, “It’s Kade.”
“Really?” Did he pause because he was making one up?
His face hardens. “It’s the one given to me.”
“You’re going to get a tattoo too?” I confirm, or am I stalling?
“That’s why I’m here. Are you sureyou’regoing to get one?” he taunts.
“That’s why I’m here,” I mimic. I suck in a deep breath. Right. This is it. I’m getting my first tattoo. A man’s name, who I don’t know, will soon be branded on my skin. And mine on his. The night has turned wild. “My name is Daisy.”
“Good to know.”
Oh God, this is happening. “Where do you suggest I put it?”
He trails a finger along the side of my torso next to my breast. I suck in a breath, and my nipples harden. If I thought the way he looked at me zapped me with lightning, his light touch is like an explosion of fireworks.
Our eyes lock. “Right here.”
My chest heaves as his finger lingers.
“Who’s going first?” the woman interrupts, and for a moment, I forgot we weren’t the only people in the room.