Page 36 of Inked Desires
“The hood is covered in rust, Andrew,” he insists.“You’re not driving that car.”
I take a deep breath. I’m a grown-ass man. I can make my own decisions. It was already a lot to let him talk me into giving up my room at the boarding house. But my car? No. Irefuseto become dependent on him.
“Try and stop me,” I mutter, irritated, slamming the door and walking around the car.
I feel like a spineless kid. Not only have I broken every rule I made for myself, now I’m letting him decide for meagain.
I sigh and open the driver’s side door, but before I can sit, strong arms wrap around me from behind.
“Do me a favor and don’t get in that wreck,” he whispers in my ear.
His warm breath brushes my earlobe, sending shivers down my spine. His body’s vibrations seep into mine, and every argument dies in my throat.
It’s completely unfair. He can’t just weaponize his body like that! The worst part is—my own body reacts to him like a damn heat-seeking missile.
I struggle against his hold until I can finally turn and meet his eyes. A light scruff shadows his jaw, making him even more irresistible. But it’s his gaze that gets me today. The darkness he always carries is still there—but somehow, lighter.
“I already gave up my room. But the car? That’s non-negotiable. She’s my baby.”
“Fine. Drive ahead. I’ll follow—just in case it breaks down or catches fire,” he sighs.
I raise an eyebrow, suspicious. That was way too easy. After all that fuss, he gives up just like that?
“What?” he asks.
“I don’t get you,” I admit.
A smile tugs at his lips. It’s not the first time he’s smiled today, but it still knocks the air from my lungs. He’s undeniably hot, but when he flashes that cocky grin, he becomeslethal. He’s so damn beautiful it hurts.
“That’s the point, little rabbit,” he teases before stepping away from the roof of my car and heading to his Wrangler.
I shake my head, but I can’t help watching him go, eyes trailing his body until he finally climbs into his car.
I slide into my seat with a sigh. Since meeting Ares, I’ve completely lost control of myself. And that’s not good. Not at all. In fact, it’s dangerous—because I can feel something taking root inside me, something that has no place in a fugitive’s life.
The engine growls to life. I can almost picture Ares’s grimace behind me. My old clunker is loud and slow, but she’s never failed me. I pull out onto the road. From the boarding house, the tattoo studio isn’t far. Then again,nothingis really far in Maple Creek.
The old lady at the boarding house was disappointed I was leaving, but her eyes lit up the moment she saw Ares with me. That’s when I learned he’s her most loyal customer... for her cheesecakes.
What worries me most is living under another man’s roof again. Depending on someone else. That’s also why, this morning, after that mind-blowing sex, I started a fight. My flight reflex had kicked in. But I didn’t leave. I spilled everything I’d been holding back—things I never meant to say out loud. Now the secret’s out. How long can I stay by his side before telling him the rest? Before he’s in danger too?
No one is safe from Jace or his men. I can’t let Ares get dragged into that. But by staying in Maple Creek, I’m already putting him at risk.
And I’m selfish enough not to care. To stay. To stay whereheis. He’d probably find some sweet guy to keep him warm—but I don’t want that. I don’t want anyone else touching him the wayIdo.
Ares lit a spark in me. He showed me that sex could be more than just need. With him, it was overwhelming. I’m not sure I can live without that again.
I park in front of the studio and wait for him to pull in behind me. Then I get out, grab my bag, and lock the car. It’s hard to imagine anyone would want to steal this hunk of junk, but better not tempt fate. That rusty beast is my lifeline if I ever need to run.
“I still can’t believethat’sall you’ve got,” Ares says, eyeing my bag.
I hold the door open for him as we walk into the studio, then close it behind us. We don’t open for another half hour—clients will have to wait, if any even show up today. He wasn’t lying: summer is slow.
“It’s all I could grab at the time,” I admit.
No point lying. He’s seen and heard too much already. And Ares... he connects the dots quickly.
He nods beside me and heads toward the kitchen. I drag my feet behind him.
