Page 5 of March’s Bad Boy: Ty

Ty smiles, giving my hand he's still holding a squeeze.

"The right guy will take control of the situation and make you feel at ease. He might say something about having a good time and wanting to do it again. That he will call you tomorrow, and then he might try to kiss you," he says, taking a small step closer.

"And how do I respond?" I ask.

"Be honest. If you have had a good time, tell him. If not, say something about having to check your calendar, then text him the next day about not really feeling the date. If he tries to kiss you and you don't want it, step back. But if you want him to kiss you, looking at his lips is a good sign," Ty instructs.

My eyes instantly shift to his lips.

"Maybe we..." Suddenly, my nerves hit, but I push through. "Maybe we should practice what to do in that situation."

Ty nods, taking a deep breath.

"I had an amazing time with you tonight, Kara. I'd really like to do this again," he says. His thumb gently rubs over my knuckles where my hand is tucked into his.

"So would I. I always have a good time with you," I say breathlessly.

"I will call you tomorrow," he says. His voice is low with a hint of a growl.

"I look forward to it." I smile up at him, but my eyes drop to his lips again before slowly tracing back up to his eyes.

Ty leans in just slightly, his gaze flicking to my lips. My breath catches. He's so close. If I move even an inch…

My phone rings, shattering the moment. I jerk back, Ty drops my hand, and I fumble for my phone, cursing the universe.

It's David, the guy I'm supposed to be going on a date with.

I glance at Ty, who masks his expression so well I almost can't see the flicker of something in his eyes. Disappointment? Hurt?

"Thank you for tonight," I say softly. Then, before I can change my mind, I rise up on the tips of my toes and kiss his cheek before I duck inside my house.

Answering the call, I force my voice to sound normal. But the truth is, I don't care what the guy on the phone is saying.

All I can think about is how much I wish I'd let Ty kiss me.

CHAPTER 3

TY

Workingon a client's tattoo usually drowns out everything. It's my focus, my rhythm, my escape. But today, my head's a mess.

Because of her.

Kara.

There hasn't been a minute since I stepped off her porch last night that she hasn't filled my head in ways she never has before.

I adjust the stencil on my client's shoulder and try to concentrate. The blonde sitting in my chair keeps trying to flirt, but I'm barely hearing her. My mind is stuck on last night. How damn close I got to kissing Kara before her phone rang.

That moment. That almost kiss. It's all I can think about.

I know without a doubt that if her phone hadn't rung, I would have kissed her. Last night was one of the best nights of my life. From the moment she opened the door all dressed up, I was a goner.

Everything was easy with her. From getting her favorite flowers to picking where to eat and our effortless conversations. Then standing on her porch and that moment she looked down at my lips, standing so close to me. Something in our relationship shifted, and I wonder if she felt it too.

"You okay?" my client asks, tilting her head to study me. "You seem... distracted."

I force a smirk, shaking off my thoughts. "Just focused. Sit still."

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