Page 60 of Trigger

“Youdon’t need that shit,” Carter stated with conviction. “You’re losing those damnhair ties all the time, anyway. Besides, your hair is the only thing I likeabout you.”

Mentalnote to self: throw away all the hair ties in your possession.

“Bestill, my heart,” I murmured, still baffled. “What about my charm? My ruggedgood looks? My blatant sexuality?”

Heburst into laughter.

“Sorry,it doesn’t ring a bell. By the way, how much time do you spend in the gym? Anddo you have a free membership since you’re their walking, talkingadvertisement?”

“Idon’t need a gym,” I replied with a grin. “Why? Do I look as if I work out,Dominic?”

Hesnorted. “Show-off.”

“Whatabout this?” I said, dragging my finger down his inked arm. “What does itmean?”

“It’sa Maori design. It symbolizes personal growth and endurance.”

“Can Isee the rest?”

“Sure.”

Theword barely left his mouth when he knelt before me and took off his T-shirt.Whatnow?My brain asked me, but I merely gulped, staring at his eight-pack thatlooked so unreal it had to be A.I.-generated. My gaze dropped to the line ofdark hair under his belly button and lowered to the bulge in his joggers. Hewasn’t hard on anything, but… Jesus Christ. His dick had to be huge when—

“I hadit done when I finished the academy,” he said, reminding me I should probablystop staring at his crotch.

Ireluctantly looked up, only to blink at the sight of a muscled chest coveredwith black ink from shoulders to waist.Fucking hell.He looked like athug, not a cop, and I didn’t know whether to cuff him or fuck him. Or both?

“The tatbelow the rib represents an anchor,” he said, gripping the railing to keep hisbalance. “Fuck, I’m dizzy.”

Itried to concentrate on the art and even compliment it, but his semi-nakedstate rendered me speechless.

“Andthis one here…”

Whenhe yanked down the waistband of his sweats, my mouth dried. First, I could seehis pubes. Neatly trimmed. Dark. Lickable. Second, he had a quote tattoo abovehis hip bone.

Mementovivere.

Idragged my finger over the ink as if it were a book in Braille, moving slowlyfrom letter to letter. His skin was smooth to the touch and warm—so warm.

“Itmeans, remember to live,” Carter said, sounding lost in thought. “It’ssomething I’m not very good at.”

Whenhis foot slipped, I grabbed him by the hips before he could topple over.

“Shit,”he groaned, chuckling. “I think I’m drunk.”

Iswiftly stood up despite the obscene amounts of tequila coursing through mybody and helped him to his feet. His body bumped into mine as he straightenedup, making every nerve ending in my body tingle.

“Areyou okay?” I asked him, placing my hands on his waist because he seemedunsteady.

“Yeah,just dizzy.”

Whenhis knees buckled and he rested his hands on my chest for support, I swallowedwith difficulty.Not a good idea, pal.

“I’mgoing to bed,” he murmured, closing his eyes. “Everything is upside down.”

Itipped his chin up, making him look at me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

It wasan intimate gesture that brought his gaze to mine, but he didn’t seem tomind.

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