Page 48 of Feverburn

Carson leaned against the wall.“Why don’t you tattoo full-time?”

“Oh, I—”I swatted the air.“I’m just a shy art kid who grew up. You know? You probably get it.”

“I yapped on and on about my techniques for the mural, and you listened so intently. Why thehelldidn't you interrupt me? You know all the tips and tricks in your own right.”

I shook my head. “Even if I knew it, it was nice to hear you talk. That’s all.”

“You wanted to hear me talk?”he asked, clearly disgusted with the idea of it.“Why thehellwould you want to hear me mansplain drop shadows?”

“You hadn’t said more than five words to Kaylee. Frankie warned me you were curt. It felt like a privilege to hear you speak. That’s all.” I shrugged. “I felt special.”

He took a deep sigh.“You are special. And I’m so sorry I insulted your work. I didn’t realize what was happening, and then you wiped away that tattoo, and it looked like a damn sticker. It was fuckingincredible.”

I couldn’t say anything with hispraise, so I bit the inside of my cheek, trying not to get emotional.

“Ink and oil. Hmm, I still don’t like that.”He got up from the wall and flipped some switches. My jaw dropped when the lights flickered back to full brightness. Carson grinned, clearly pleased with himself.

“You…you faked a power outage?”I asked.

“Yep, and it worked. I could tell how uncomfortable you were when you walked in. I could hear it in your voice. It made me mad.”

Kiszka let out a quick sneeze.

“That’s so manipulative!”

“I needed to protect what’s mine.”He looked me up and down, stepping closer to tug the cropped hem of my shirt while staring at my tits.“IloveAlice Cooper, by the way.”

I swatted away his hands.“Don’t interfere with my life in these childish ways! I’m not above telling Frankie as a landlord that you’re fucking with my utilities.”

“So proper, magissa.”

Mah-he-sa.

I had no clue what that word meant in Greek, but it sounded a little too fucking good in his low voiceas it fell out of his beautiful lips.

He shut the fuse box and continued,“I’m not above cutting the brakes in Dane’sstupidtruck if it means he can’t drive yourperfectass around on a date.”He asserted dominance by crossing his arms and staying where he was.

“Stop staring at my ass!”I shouted, charging up the stairs.

“No, it’s my favorite part of this, other than seeing you flustered.”I bit back a smile, secretly wishing he had followed me.“And we both know you’re going to think of me when you touch yourself tonight!”he yelled up the stairs.

“Wrong! I’m going to think of the cast of the second Mummy movie to fuel my bi-panic!” I argued, hearinghim chuckle and murmur something to Kiszka before I shut my door.

But he was right. That night, when I pinned my wrist between my thighs and rolled to my side while an orgasm ravaged my body, all I could think about was Carson, not Dane.

Chapter Twenty

I was working late again in my office. All the lights were off except a lamp on my desk, which unintentionally gave me a headache. I pulled off my reading glasses and rubbed my face, summoning the will to keep working. Behind me, I could’ve sworn I heard footsteps. Stilling, I held my breath. Sure enough, step after step creaked until her voice flowed behind me.

“Carson?”

I turned to see Rosie leaning against the doorframe of my office. She was wearing cut-off Levi shorts and a cropped white shirt. Her pretty hair covered most of it, cascading in waves. She was barefoot, her tiny feet pointed with how she crossed her legs over one another in her flirty stance.

Her eyes twinkled under heavy lids in the low light. I was fleetinglyhappyKiszka was asleep by the front door, his neurotic way of guarding the shop.

“Rosie,”I said as coolly as I could.

She pulled up from the doorframe, sauntering to make her way in front of me. Without pretense, she held my shoulders, all but dragging her boobs against my face while she straddled me in my office chair. Her shins pressed into my thighs with her warm center on my groin. Confusion andshockfilled my mind while lusttook over. My hands clutched her hips to keep her on my lap. I had wanted to touch her for weeks, and now this was happening too quickly and not on my terms.

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