Page 63 of Splintered Hearts

Inspecting them, he shakes his head. “And what exactly am I going to do with these?

“Well...” Taking off my shirt, I watch as Jamie’s eyes go to my chest, but when I grab at my sweats, his hand closes around mine.

“Leave them on?” I nod but Jamie doesn’t meet my eyes.

Fine. I concede. “I thought you could draw on me.”

“Why?”

“You’re a great artist, and it’s fun.”

Jamie’s dark eyes scan over my chest. “Okay.” He frowns as he looks at the package, his tongue touching the side of his mouth while he reads. “This will be on you for a few days. It says five washes, but usually markers like these don’t last that long. It’s a good brand, though, so maybe.”

“Oh, look at my little art nerd.” Glancing at his bed, I know it’s the only logical and comfortable place to do this. “What do you want to draw on?” Looking over my body, he’s in full professional mode, thinking it over. “My ass cheeks would make the perfect drawing surface, I promise you.”

“No.”

“But—” Jamie deadpans a look at me. “Stupid boundaries! How do you want me, then?”

“Ah, well,” His eyes scan the length of my body. “Your stomach is fine. I don’t want to do your arms in case you want to hide it at work.”

That’s a good point.

Jamie makes room next to him for me to sit down.

“Come on. Come lay down.”

Check one for me!

Sixteen

Noah

Deciding to do this in my room where there’s more light and space, Jamie moves on my bed, adjusting the pillows. Having him here in my bedroom delights me more than it should. I’m just so happy we’re okay now. Even if he doesn’t like me, that’s fine, I still want to be his friend. A tiny little olive branch.

Grabbing one of my pillows, he wedges it in the corner, allowing him to sit comfortably while he draws, sitting cross-legged. I nearly laugh at this big man taking up so much space while sitting like a preschooler.

“They’re a good brand. My mother doesn’t sacrifice quality for price.”

“They were for Isa’s program, but they needed edible markers.”

“Isa.” Jamie smiles. “What, she can’t give the kids full sleeves?”

“No,” I laugh. Reading the box, his eyes are still shadowed, but there’s something relaxed now that hadn’t been there when he first came in. Maybe it’s the weed; maybe it’s the tentative truce we’re in.

“Do you have any skin allergies?”

“No.” Reaching behind, he takes off his sweater. At first, I think he’s going shirtless, until I see a red sleeveless shirt. My eyes go to his arms, defined and decorated. The snake on his right catches my attention, going all the way up his arm. All histattoos are black and gray, save for the little cherry blossoms around the snake.They’re beautiful.

Grabbing a white marker, he uncaps it with his teeth—it’s sexier than it has any right to be—and studies my skin as if seeing the picture in his mind. “Any requests?” I open my mouth to speak, but Jamie shakes his head. “No penis or sex toys of any kind.”

“What about—”

“No. None.”

“Can I draw a penis on you?”

“Noah, the day I let you draw a penis on me is the day I chop mine off completely.”

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