Page 50 of Igniting Sparks
Didnotmean to say it like that.
A hint of mischief flickers across Braden’s face. “Really?”
Another flush creeps up my neck as I wave him off and crawl into bed. “Actually, I don’t know what the hell I do when I sleep. Guess you’ll let me know.”
I lie down and pull the blanket up to my chin, but my gaze never strays from Braden, who hasn’t moved from the foot of the bed.
And the longer he stands there, the more I ogle him.
God help me—I’m starting to think that pillow wall might not be enough.
Braden leans his hands on the edge of the bed, his eyes locked on me. “What are you looking at, sweets?”
He knows damn well what I’m looking at, but instead of his sexy tone making me feel giddy, my brain replays the other night—letting mortification mix with the emotional intoxication.
Stupid brain.
“Your tattoos. I haven’t seen some of them.”
“You haven’t seen a lot of them.” He moves closer, settling next to me on the bed.
“How long did the one on your back take?”
Give me some credit. At least it’s a valid question. The tattoo covers the length of his back, and despite the size, it resembles a photograph with all its intricacies.
“It’s so realistic.”
“Ash and Zane worked on it together. I wanted something that represented a phoenix rising.”
“I like it. It’s beautiful. Really well done—all your pieces are.”
“No, they’re not,” Braden replies with a snort. “Lucky for me, I know some really great tattoo artists who could cover my regrettable early pieces.”
He pulls one leg up onto the bed and leans forward to brush a lock of hair from my face. “Do you have any ink?”
“No. Although… I’ve considered getting one.”
“Well, if you do, let me know. I’ve been told I’m pretty good with a needle.”
I focus my gaze on the blanket. “I’m sure you’re good with most things, Braden.”
Mouth, shut up.
I motion toward his side of the bed—well, the other side of the now-infamous pillow wall.
“Are you ready for bed? No problem if you’re not. I can sleep through anything.”
“I’m ready,” Braden says with a yawn. “But first…”
He yanks back the blanket and glares at the pillows liningthe center of the mattress. Then he tosses them off the bed, one by one. “Better. Scoot over.”
“You want this side?” I stutter.
“I do.”
“Okay.” I inch across the mattress, but gasp when Braden grabs me about the waist and hauls me flush against him. “What are you doing?”
“Snuggling with you. Is that okay?” His hand drifts under my shirt to caress my belly, warm and gentle. He doesn’t climb higher—and I’m totally torn if I want him to or not. “I need to say something else, Mina.”
