Page 21 of Hidden Ink

Her heart hurt at the thought of how sweet and sexy he’d been.

And now she had no idea what the hell she was going to do.

They hadn’t talked about what this meant, what their future would hold because that would be too important. They were taking things slow. Well, as slow as they could since they’d already slept together. But she had to remember, they’d been dancing around one another for years.

Falling into bed with one another was inevitable.

Falling in love with him was as well.

If only she knew if he could fall for her.

It hadn’t escaped her notice that while she’d told him her secrets, he hadn’t done the same for her. She had a feeling it had to do with the scars that marred his body—the depravity of which surprised her. He’d been hurt. Badly. And she hadn’t known the depth of that pain. She wanted to, and she prayed that he would tell her what had happened.

But that wouldn’t happen unless and until he was ready.

Just because she’d been ready to finally tell him of her past didn’t mean he was ready as well. It wasn’t fair of her to put her own timeline on his needs. If they kept going as they were, sure and steady, hopefully he’d feel ready to reveal.

Hopefully, he’d open up more and more and be the man she knew he could be beneath the gruff edges.

Still, she didn’t know if they had a true future because they hadn’t talked about it. And that annoyed her to no end. She was a pile of nerves, so unlike herself, that she wasn’t sure what the heck she was doing.

“Okay, girl, if you’re going to stand in the corner looking like a lost puppy, I’m going to have to kick your ass,” Maya said with a grin.

Hailey snorted, then shook out her arms. “Sorry, doll, I’m a little off tonight.”

“No shit,” Maya said simply and held out a margarita glass filled to the brim. “You’re driving so you get a virgin one. In fact, I only made virgin frozen strawberry margaritas tonight. Boy, how things have changed.”

Sierra rolled her eyes as she drank her frilly, pink, non-alcoholic drink. “We all need to go home and get ready for work tomorrow and spend time with our families. Or we have a thousand other things to do.”

Hailey took her drink and went to sit next to Miranda.

“Pretty much,” Miranda added. “Decker and I may not have kids, but I still like to see him nightly.”

“And you like practicing making those kids,” Callie teased.

“I don’t need to think about Miranda practicing making babies,” Meghan said with a smile. “Though Luc and I are practicing as much as we can.”

“Bitches,” Maya mumbled.

“You’re just jealous we’re getting laid,” Autumn said with a sweet smile.

Maya threw a pillow at her, barely missing Autumn’s drink.

“Watch it, doll, you’re about to stain your couch,” Hailey said.

“I hate you, too,” Maya said with narrowed eyes. “I know that blush on your cheeks and the swagger in Sloane’s walk. You got laid. It’s about time.”

Hailey raised her chin. “Yes, I did. There’s no point in hiding it. I had hot, dirty, sweaty sex, and I plan to have it again.” That much about her relationship she knew.

The girls squealed and did little booty shakes in their chairs.

“All hail Hailey and Sloane!” Maya called out. “To their glorious sex, even though I’m not having any.”

“Whoo!” the others chimed in.

Hailey rolled her eyes but took a sip of her drink, wishing it had alcohol in it. “You know, Maya, you could be getting laid. Just saying.”

Maya gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes and Hailey wanted to curse. She did her best not to look at the woman currently sitting next to Maya.