Page 134 of Restricted List

I apparently forgot to lock my screen because Ari grabs my phone, peering at the last of our messages—thankfully the picture is far enough up that he doesn’t see it. He looks at me now, cocking an eyebrow while trying—and failing—to stifle his laughter. “Daddy, huh?”

I snatch my phone from his hand, shoving it back into my pocket. “Fuck off, Ari.”

“So, how was your day, Starlight?” I ask, leaning back against my headboard. Ari jumped in the shower when we got back from the bar, so I have the room to myself at the moment.

“Sage and I had a fun day. Too much snow to go out and do anything, but we baked some cookies and had a dance party in my living room.”

“Did you eat half the cookie dough again?” I ask with a laugh.

“Shut up,” she chuckles. “You ate some, too.”

I just smile as I take her in.

She’s wearing one of my old long-sleeve T-shirts and a pair of leggings, her hair in a messy bun on top of her head.

And she still manages to take my breath away.

“What are you staring at?” she asks curiously.

“You,” I answer. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Rory.”

Rory bites her lip as her cheeks flush. “Thank you, Cole. I’m so lucky to have you.”

“Not as lucky as me.”

“Is this a competition or something?”

“You better hope not,” I say, “because I’m winning if it is.”

She smiles brightly, lighting up her dim bedroom. “I’ll let you win then. I’m still a winner if I have you.”

My heart skips a beat when she says that, and I can’t help but grin back.

Rory calls me romantic, but she’s right up there with me.

She’s so fucking amazing.

We sit in silence for a few beats, both of us just soaking each other in.

“So,” she eventually says. “I think I want another tattoo.”

“Yes, please,” I say, running my tongue over my bottom lip. “You’d look great with some more ink.”

“I won’t have as much as you,” she laughs, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “You’re covered.”

“Nah, I still have too much bare skin. I’ve got plenty of room for more.”

“Did you, uh,” she stammers awkwardly. “Did you want to get one… with me?”

“Did you just ask me to get a couple’s tattoo?” I ask, raising my eyebrow.

“I mean…” She fidgets with her shirtsleeves. “I guess I did.”

Warmth courses through me. She wants me to get a tattoo with her? She doesn’t need to ask me twice.

“I’m down,” I reply, and Rory seems to breathe a sigh of relief. “Do you want coordinating tattoos, or do you just want me to get one at the same time as you?”

“Uh, I guess that’s up to you.”

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