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Shit. Alright. Whatever you say…

I unbuttoned my dress shirt and shrugged it off. Underneath, I had on a T-shirt, so I reached behind me and tugged it over my head. The tattoo on my rib cage wasn’t visible when my arm was down, so I lifted it and twisted my body so she could get a closer look.

Unexpectedly, Molly reached out and ran her finger along my skin. She traced the cross with her nail, and my skin broke out in goose bumps.

God, that felt good. I found myself wishing she would dig in a little deeper, maybe leave some marks.

“It’s really beautiful, Declan.”

“Uh…thanks.”

Our eyes met, and if I didn’t know she was drunk, I would’ve thought she was turned on. Her lids were hooded, and the light blue of her eyes had darkened to almost all black pupils. When my eyes fell to her lips, I knew it was time to turn around. Showing her my left shoulder, I bent at the knees so she could get a look at the compass. I wasn’t sure if I was glad or disappointed that she didn’t trace that one. Her nails scraping my back might’ve been more than I could take.

When I turned around, Molly’s eyes roamed over my chest. She spent a solid minute checking me out in complete silence. Then she reached for her jeans and started to undo her pants. For a half second, I’d forgotten she had to reciprocate and show me her tattoo. My sex-deprived brain got carried away and thought she was undressing for me.

I swallowed hard when she pulled back the denim and showed me her creamy skin. Maybe it was the alcohol loosening my inhibitions, or maybe I just wasn’t strong enough to stop myself, but I reached out and did exactly what she’d done to me. I gently traced with my finger, outlining the three tiny birds. Her skin was so soft and warm, and I had the craziest urge to bury my hand down her pants and feel the rest of her soft and warm.

Not good.

I watched her face as I traced the skin. Molly’s eyes closed, and her jaw went slack.

Fuck.

She was gorgeous.

Absolutely fucking gorgeous.

And I wanted to kiss her more than anything.

Just one little kiss…a little taste of her tongue.

I knew it was dumb.

I knew we were both drunk.

I knew there was a distinct possibility that once I pressed my lips to hers, I’d never be able to stop.

Not to mention…

I had no shirt on.

Her pants were wide open…

My chest heaved up and down as I tried to talk myself out of doing anything other than putting my shirt back on and stuffing both our mouths full of food.

But when Molly’s eyes fluttered open and dropped to stare at my lips, I knew I was about five seconds away from losing my battle. Her pink tongue peeked out and ran along her full bottom lip, wetting it.

Fuck.

I wanted her so goddamned badly.

Molly’s eyes lifted to meet mine. Her voice was breathy. “Declan…”

I took a step closer and put my hand on her hip. “Molly….”

Her eyes lifted, but something caught her attention over my shoulder, and her eyes grew wide. “Oh my God, Declan—turn around! The paper towel caught on fire!”

CHAPTER 13

* * *

Molly

Blinking my eyes open the next morning, I was surprised to remember last night pretty clearly, given how drunk I’d gotten.

My head pounded, and my stomach churned.

I remembered that we’d almost burned the building down. But Declan had acted fast and put the flames out.

I also remembered Will asking me to go out with him again.

Oh my God. I have a date with Will tonight.

What stuck out the most about last night was being more turned on than I’d been in a while when I touched Declan’s skin, tracing his ink. It was a simple touch, but it had been erotic as hell.

I cringed as I also remembered pulling my pants down slightly to show Declan my tattoo.

Ugh.

What would’ve happened if that fire hadn’t interrupted our little show-me-yours-I’ll-show-you-mine game? Would we have kissed? That might have been inevitable. Clearly the gods above thought that was a terrible idea.

What time is it?

The clock showed 11AM.

When I walked out to the kitchen, Declan was nowhere to be found.

There was a note on the counter.

Hey, roomie,

I went to meet Julia for brunch. Didn’t want to wake you, but the coffeemaker is all set up. Just press start. Figured you’d need it stat. We both drank too much last night. In case you don’t remember, we almost starred in an episode of Chicago Fire, and you created a new word: rattoo.

xo Declan

He always knew how to make me laugh, even when I felt like I’d been hit by a truck.

I checked my phone and saw a text from Emma.

Emma: We didn’t have nearly enough chance to catch up last night. I want to hear all about what happened after you left with Declan!