Page 24 of Resist Me (Men of Inked 3)
“The life he’s leading wears on a person, especially someone like Thomas.”
“I just want him home and safe,” Izzy commented as she walked up beside me and stopped.
I reached out, wrapping my arm around her, and drew her close. “He’ll be home soon, doll,” I promised, kissing her temple.
She stiffened in my arm. I looked down at her and followed her eyes to see three very curious faces.
“Want to share something?” Anthony inquired with one eyebrow reaching for the sky.
“Nope,” Izzy responded, quickly moving out of my grasp.
I grinned, happy with what had been done but knowing I’d probably catch shit for it.
“I’ll let you guys get to work. I’m going to head out for the day.” I nodded at them and turned to Izzy. “What time should I pick you up?”
“We don’t close until late,” she responded, looking up at me.
“Iz, you don’t have any appointments after six. You can tak
e off after that,” Mike chimed in.
“Perfect,” I said, turning to him and winking.
She glared at him. “Thanks,” she hissed.
“I’ll be back at seven. Walk me out?” I asked, pulling her against my body.
“Fine,” she bit out.
“Oh hey, James,” Joe called out as we started to walk away.
“Yeah?” I asked, turning around to face him.
“My parents would love to talk with you. Mind going over there tomorrow for Sunday dinner?”
I smiled. The entire weekend was turning out perfect. I couldn’t have planned it any better if I’d tried. “I’d be more than happy to see them. I’ve heard amazing things about your ma’s cooking.”
“For the love of all that is holy,” Izzy muttered, rolling her eyes as she fisted her hands at her sides.
I laughed when her glare was now trained on me. “You okay with this?” I asked her, putting her on the spot with her brothers there for the show.
“Yep,” she barked. “Peachy.”
She was pissed off, and I loved it. When Izzy was angry, she looked even more beautiful.
“Good,” I said to her, and turned toward Joe. “I’ll be there.”
I grabbed her by the shoulders and ushered her toward the front of the shop and away from the watchful eyes of her brothers.
“Pissed off?” I asked as I stopped near the door.
“Not with you. Not entirely, at least.” She looked down and bounced on her heels.
“With them?” I motioned with my thumb over my shoulder.
“Yes.” She sighed. “They’re nosy bastards. And you.” She poked me in the chest. “What the fuck are you doing being all touchy-feely with me in front of them?”
“Just letting them know how it is,” I growled, drawing her against me.
She didn’t relax or melt into me like she had done when we were alone. “Only I let them know how it is.”
Moving my head back, I looked down at her and grinned. She was a pussycat. “I’ll behave from here on out.”
She rolled her eyes and pursed her lips. “I don’t believe a word that comes out of that sexy-ass mouth.”
“Probably smart.” I laughed, squeezing her tighter as I kissed her lips. Backing away, I stared at her. Her lips were parted and her breathing a bit uneven. She fucking wanted me and she couldn’t hide it any longer. “I’ll be back at seven.”
“Okay,” she whispered as I released her.
As she walked away, I reached out and smacked her ass. “Be ready, doll. There’s no rest for the wicked.”
“Jesus,” she whined. “Will you ever get enough? I ache all over.”
“When it comes to you, the answer is no. I want that body destroyed by the time I head home. I want you to remember who owns that pussy.”
“Caveman asshole.”
“Speaking of which, I want more of that too.”
“Get the fuck out of here,” she demanded, shoving me toward the door.
“Until later, doll,” I grunted as I touched her face, letting my fingers slide from her cheek.
I climbed on my bike, heading out to chill on the beach for the day and catch some rays. I’d be back for Izzy well rested and ready to ravage her body all night long. I didn’t want to miss a moment together. I’d have her ass loving me and wanting no one else but me before I walked out the door tomorrow.
Chapter 11 - Sunday Fuckin’ Funday
After two nights with James, my body ached like I’d done the Tough Mudder obstacle course. Just peeing was a major issue. Everything hurt—even my face from smiling too much. James had entered my life like a hurricane, slowly building over time and then creating total and utter devastation in his path.
I’d always lived my life like a free spirit. I never gave a fuck what anyone thought of me and I was never apologetic for my actions. The words “slut” and “whore” left a bad taste in my mouth and made me want to rip the nuts off any man who’d muttered them. I acted like many men did; I used people for the physical aspect but never promised them anything more. I wasn’t into relationships or being tied down. Having a man tell me what to do and how to act was my biggest fear, and something I’d run from at every opportunity.
Men seemed okay with how I behaved for the most part. Only a few had hurled insults because they’d wanted more. Those boys had ended up on the floor, gripping their balls and crying like babies. Each one of them had thought they could get me, capture my attention long enough for me fall in love, and be the one. They hadn’t been man enough to be worthy of my time, let alone a lifetime of sacrifice.
After having spent thirty-six hours with James, I knew I needed to end it. Not because he wasn’t worthy of my time, but because he was too much of what I wanted. There was a problem. I wasn’t ready for someone like James to come crashing into my life and turn shit upside down.
When I opened my eyes this morning and watched him sleep, I knew what I had to do. I needed to gracefully bow out of whatever the fuck this was. James was a big boy and I was sure he’d understand. Maybe I could be his hookup when we both had an itch that needed to be scratched.
I knew I was scared, but fear was enough to make me lash out and run away. James had a way about him that altered the axis on which I teetered. I knew how I liked my life—uncomplicated and simple. He was a complication of epic proportions.
