Page 40 of Hothead

“Isaid, another one bites the dust,” his friend repeated. “You really have no idea what’s going on, do you?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Benny just laughed as he rose from his seat. A second later, he slapped Luke on the back. “I’ll tell you what, we’ll talk about it in a few weeks, yeah?”

He didn’t wait for a reply, he walked away. Still laughing.

“Whatever,” Luke grumbled as he went back to his phone.

A message from Bella was there waiting for him, confirming eight-thirty tonight worked. And just like that, back was his smile.

***

“Is that a mirror inyour pocket? Because I can seemein your pants.” Luke smirked.

Seeing Bella laugh-cry on his couch was the perfect start to his four days off. And all it took was him reciting cheesy pick-up lines.

“Are you from the Netherlands, ’cause Amsterdamn,” he went on.

“Oh my God, stop.” Bella pushed at his chest, giggle-hiccupping. “No more, my stomach hurts.”

Capturing her wrist, he tugged until she fell into him and stole a quick kiss.

“See”—slowly pulling back, he was immersed in silver—“they totally work.”

The goofy smile she flashed him managed to make his chest squeeze and not for the first time.

“I’m onto you, Cappelli. You may know some pretty funny pick-up lines, but that doesn’t mean I’ve just magically forgotten why you felt the need to distract me with them.”

Shit.

She was right. He might’ve been trying to distract her. Talking about his childhood was not something he wanted to do any time, let alone doing it after getting off his fourth twelve-hour shift in a row.

“Angel.” He sighed. “I can’t.”

She took her time considering him, her expression turning serious as her fingertips gently skimmed his cheek.

“What about if you had an incentive?” she asked.

“An incentive?”

“Yeah.” He didn’t miss the devilish glint in her eyes. “What if for every one thing you tell me, a piece of my clothing comes off?”

Luke felt his eyebrows shoot up. Was she being serious? She wanted to play a fucked-up game of strip and share.

His eyes ran down her body. Shorts, a vest, and underwear. That was just four things. Disclosing four things wouldn’t be so bad, would it?

Are you seriously considering this?

“Okay, angel ... get ready to get naked.”

That was a yes then.

Her smile was back, this time scorching, heating his blood as she straddled his lap. “Real things though, Luke. Not the kind of bullshit answers you give to social services. You have to earn these clothes.”

Real things.She had no idea just howrealthings were.

So tell her.

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