Page 6 of Inked Adonis

“How would you know?”

“How would you know if you don’t try?”

“I just know, okay?” I follow Rufus into a kitchen that belongs inArchitectural Digest. “Samuil and I exist in different universes. We’re barely the same species.”

“You can’t be serious.” Hope rounds the two-acre marble island while I fill Rufus’s porcelain water bowl. “You’re not really going to let your delusional lack of self-worth determine whether or not you call him back, right?”

I pretend to think about it for a moment. “I think I am, yes.”

Setting down the bowl, I watch Rufus attack it like he’s dying of thirst. Water splashes my feet as I stroke his warm back. “Humping hot strangers is thirsty work, huh, boy?”

“Call Samuil and you could find out for yourself.”

I roll my eyes. “Once again for those in the back: He’s way out of my league. I’m not going to set myself up for heartbreak.”

“Forget about your heart. Let the man break other parts of you.” Hope’s eyes focus in on my crotch, because subtlety has never been Hope’s calling card. I feel the need to cover myself.

Having drained his water bowl, Rufus paws at the French doors that open to the rooftop garden. I unlatch the lock to let him out, grateful for the distraction. “I’m not into casual sex.”

That’s the truth, despite what I told him back at the park. Now that I think about that, the public sex comment was probably why he gave me his card. I basically had a flashing sign above my head that said,Please mount and do me in strange and exotic ways.

Hope and I follow Rufus onto the rooftop, a private oasis sprawling across half the floor, bursting with flowers and offering a view of Chicago that makes my chest ache.

Because this? This is Samuil’s world. Glass and steel and skyline.

Hope settles into a wrought-iron table nestled under a huge umbrella and kicks her feet up. I stand nervously off to the side. “Should we be making ourselves comfortable? Our instructions were to feed Rufus, let him play in the garden, and then leave.”

“Right. And what are we supposed to do while he roams the garden? Stand at military attention?” She gestures impatiently to the empty chair next to her. “Go on. Officer Daddy won’t arrest you for taking a load off.”

The fact that “Officer Daddy” is exactly where my rule-following ways were born makes me want to sit down even more. “This client just seems really fussy.”

Rufus is busy sniffing rose bushes in the far corner of the garden.

Hope snorts. “I got news for you, babe. Hope’s Helpers is all about offering personal assistance to people with more money than manners. They’reallfussy.”

I reluctantly sit down. “Remind me again why you want me to date someone with more money than manners?”

“Who said anything about dating?” Hope’s eyes glitter dangerously. “I’m suggesting you live a little. Have some fun. You can’t let Rufus have all the adventures.”

“I’ll admit, it’s notuntempting.”

“Is it now?” Hope sits up straighter, scenting blood in the water.

“He’s hot. You know it; I know it. Don’t make a big deal out of this.”

“But itisa big deal!” she argues. “This is the first man you’ve shown any real interest in. And you’ve been in a dry spell.”

“It hasn’t been that bad…”

“Honey, there was snow on the ground the last time you went out on a date.Lastwinter’s snow.”

“God.” I bury my face in my palms. “You’re right.”

“I’m always right.”

I slide deeper into the uncomfortable chair. “Honestly, the not dating part has been pretty nice, but… I miss sex.”

“Of course you do. What normal twenty-six-year-old wouldn’t?” Her smile turns wicked. “And if you won’t make use of the card Samuil gave you, at least you can make use of him in other ways.”

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