Page 4 of The Nice List

“I’m updating my New Year’s resolution. Will you help me get on the naughty list this Christmas, bad boy?”

A wicked grin overtakes his face. “Only if you help me get on the nice list.”

Chapter 3

Six Months Later

Cory

I’m lying on my sister’s tattoo bench atInk Runnerswhen the music I had playing on the Bluetooth speaker stops mid-song and Elvis’sLittle Sisterblares in its place. When Livvy’s picture flashes on my phone screen, I turn the phone toward Maxine.

A smirk replaces her scowl at the change in music as she turns off her tattoo gun. “It’s time for a break anyway, little bro.” She spins to turn off the speaker before pointing her finger at me.“Be back in ten so we can finish before closing time. I’ve got plans tonight.” She bounces her pierced eyebrows, making me cringe at what—or who—my sister probably hasplansto do.

Shaking it off, I jump up, grabbing my cigarettes and lighter as I swipe my phone screen to answer before Livvy’s call goes to voicemail.

“Hey,pretty girl. Is it Christmas yet?” I ask, stepping outside before lighting a smoke and inhaling.

It’s become an ongoing joke between us since her little napkin note. We text and talk daily, our conversations ranging everywhere from innocent check-ins to all the dirty things we want to do together.

I haven’t seen Livvy since she left Ball Busters with her sister that night—other than a few naughty pictures I’ve talked her into sending me. One of which is what I’m getting tattooed on my chest today.

I know most people would say it’s too soon to get her permanently inked on my skin since I’ve only met her in person once. But the more we talk, the more she’s becoming permanently inked on my soul. She’s everything her sister isn’t—sweet, funny, compassionate,submissive—and I may be more than a little obsessed.

It’s not like I couldn’t see her in person since she only lives two towns over. Hell, I could be there in less than an hour on my bike. But there’s something to be said for getting to know someone without the physical attraction getting in the way. So, we agreed that we wouldn’t meet again until she officially moves to Thorngrove. Although, my dick is not on board with the decision since it’s been the better part of the year since it’s had any action other than my hand.

Livvy’s giggle stirs that part of me that’s finding it harder to stay away. “It may not be Christmas yet, buuut,” she drags outthe word playfully. “It could be Christmas in July if we wanted it to be.”

“Don’t tempt me,” I groan, wishing that move-in day at the University wasn’t a month away. “I might jump on my bike and ride to Cherokee Forest.”

“Don’t,” Livvy barks, bringing me to my senses before I step toward my GSX-R. “It would be a wasted trip since…” She pauses dramatically. “I’m in Thorngrove.”

“What? How? I thought…” I toss my cigarette and push down on my dick when it jumps like it’s thinking the same thing as my brain for once.My pretty girl is close enough to touch.

She laughs at my stuttered response. “Since I’m rooming with Alexis, I decided to come early and miss the chaos next month.”

“I thought Alexis was spending the weekend with Maddox before he heads to training camp next week?” I ask, still dumbfounded that she’s actually here.

“She is. I’ll be all alone. Unless…” She lets the word trail off, reeling me in.

“It’s Christmas in July,” I confirm. “I have to work tonight. You want to come keep a lonely bartender company since there’s not much of a crowd to serve this time of year?”

“Ugh,” she grumbles. “How do I always get stuck at Ball Busters as soon as I get to Thorngrove?”

I chuckle as I picture her pouting face. “Come on,pretty girl. It’s one step closer to the naughty list, I promise.”

“Fine,” she huffs. “But you better be superniceif you want to make it to the nice list.” She giggles at our inside joke.

“Oh, I’ll be super nice alright. We’re both drinking cherry cocktails tonight,” I say with a dark promise in my tone, grinning like a fool when her gasp is just loud enough to reach my ears through the phone.

Maxine opens the door and points at her wrist, letting me know my time is up.

I nod before telling Livvy, “I’ll see you soon,pretty girl.”

“See you soon,bad boy,” Livvy whispers before ending the call.

Livvy

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay here with you this weekend?” Alexis asks me for the third time since I got here this afternoon. “Maddox will understand.”

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