Page 186 of Power Play

“Look at you being thrifty.” Piper plucks the tattoo from my possession and motions for me to hold out my wrist. “My turn to mark you, Sullivan.”

She goes through the steps, taking her time to read each direction carefully. I laugh when she has trouble peeling back the plastic film, and the glare she shoots me is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

I didn’t expect to be putting on temporary tattoos with someone in my kitchen at three in the morning.

I didn’t expect to haveanyonein my kitchen at three in the morning, but I like that I’m here. I like that she’s wearing my T-shirt and blowing on my skin, her eyelashes fluttering up at me while her mouth curves into a smile, pleased with the results.

“There.” She drags her thumb across the tattoo, slow to pull away. I’m close to begging her to keep touching me. To give me a hundred other tattoos wherever she wants if it means she gets to put her hands on me. “Now you’re lucky.”

“How do I look?”

“Not nearly as cool as me, but it’s not bad. I like the real ones better.”

“Guess I need to get another real one. Ready for the next thing I have for you?”

“Is it your dick?”

I burst out laughing and shake my head, proud of her sass. Proud of her confidence. Proud of the journey she’s going through to get to right here.

“No. It’s not my dick, unfortunately.”

“Anything else is going to be very disappointing.”

I take her hand in mine and rest the other on the small of her back. Her breath hitches when she realizes what we’re doing, and hope flickers in her eyes. I hum a tune I heard on the radio, swaying back and forth with her until the kettle whistles and we both forget about everything except each other.

FIFTY

PIPER

Liam

Are you busy tonight?

Me

Depends who’s asking.

Liam

I’m asking.

Me

Oh? I’m free as a bird. What’s on the agenda?

A loud club?

Somewhere with a lot of people?

A loud club with a lot of people?

Liam

Very funny.

I’m taking you on a date.

A real date outside the house.

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