Page 69 of Under the Ink

“They’re not worth that much.”

“Then you don’t know your audience very well. I wouldgladlypay a penny to hear what you’re thinking.” When Naomi raised an eyebrow followed by her glass, Sage stuck his hand in his front pocket. By the time she had put her glass back on the table, Sage was rifling through a handful of change. “How about a nickel?”

Naomi laughed. “I’m telling you they’re not worth that.”

“Try me.”

Oh, this man. Even though she’d sworn off him, he couldn’t help but make himself endearing. He’d behaved himself since their talk—not even hinting at rolling around in the sheets—but she had to admit she’d thought about it a time or two since.

Bad idea. Even though he looked hot as hell and as wicked as sin tonight.

Still, he was a great companion and the closest thing she had to a friend out here.

“I’m a little bummed.”

“Why? We’re kicking ass—includingyou. This tour has been wildly successful, and you’re a part of it. And we’re only halfway through with this leg…meaning, if youhavebeen enjoying yourself, there’s plenty more where that came from.”

With a shrug, Naomi lifted her glass again. “That’s not it.”

“Is it that we’rehere? There’s nothing new for you to explore?”

“No—because I still have plenty of places to look forward to checking out all across the U.S. But itisbecause we’re here.” Setting her glass down, she stared at the remnants of the liquid left, thinking she needed to fill it up again. “How much have I told you about Ginny?”

“Ginny?Nothing.”

“Well, Ginny is my very best friend ever. She’s been with me through thick and thin, and I honestly couldn’t have made it to adulthood without her. I’m not even exaggerating. Before I joined the tour, she was busy planning her wedding.”

“So she doesn’t have time to visit while you’re home?”

“No—I wish. I wouldmakeher spend time with me, even if it meant I went shopping for napkins with her.”

“Napkins?”

“Or anything she needed for her wedding. I don’t know. But her boyfriend—er,fiancé—Walker took her to Hawaii for a week with his family, so even though I’m here, I can’t visit her.”

“Look…you don’t have to visitmyfamily while we’re here. If you have family or friends you’d rather—”

“No.”

Sage couldn’t have missed how her response had been a little too abrupt. Reaching over, he touched her forearm. “It’s cool. Anything you want to talk about?”

“No. But thanks.”

Leaning forward, his voice softer, he said, “How did they hurt you?”

His touch left her breathless while the sound of his words touched her heart. She could barely hear her own voice when she said, “They didn’t.”

Rather than saying another word, Sage pressed on, sliding his hand farther up her arm. At first, it seemed like he was intent on one of her tattoos, as if it could tell her story.

But the way his thumb moved across her flesh told her one thing.

He was figuring it out.

As he continued touching the scar tissue, reading it as if it were a line of Braille, Naomi shifted, seemingly to finish the last few drops in her glass. But then she stood and said, “I’m going to bed. I’m tired.”

And quickly moved through the tables toward the exit from the room.

The problem was this damned hotel was huge, and she couldn’t quite remember how to get to her room. But as she rushed through the ornate hall, she got her bearings. Just a few steps, then around a corner, and there would be the elevator.

---