Chapter Fourteen: Competition
Jaz
I sighed heavily as I turned over. A hand was closed over my breast. Ink’s hand. Oh, what a night. He stirred as I thought about getting up, then I decided against it. I was having fun and it felt good to be wrapped up in his arms. I stayed snuggled into him and fell back to sleep.
When I woke up again, he wasn’t there and the bed felt cool. I brushed my hair out of my face, a little groggy, as I stretched my limbs. I hung my legs over the side of the bed and dragged myself out to the kitchen.
Ink was up already with a plate of toast and some coffee. “Hey, you. You were so tired, I thought I would let you rest. I was about to bring you something to eat,” Ink said sweetly.
A sleepy smile passed across my lips. “Thank you, I’m starving.” I sat down at the table with a blanket wrapped around me.
Ink ruffled my hair as he handed over the toast and coffee.
I gripped the cup and sipped. “So good.”
“No problem. Fresh towels are in the bathroom if you want to have a shower. I can take you back to your place when you’re ready.”
I eyed him over the coffee mug. It was nice to wake up to a hot tatted up man, making me coffee and toast in the morning. Amusement ran through me.
“What?” Ink asked obliviously. So very unassuming about himself. It was almost as if he didn’t know how hot he really was.
“Nothing. Just enjoying the view.”
He rubbed his bicep and stuck his tongue out at me. “I was enjoying plenty of views last night, that's for sure.”
“Hmm. Ha-ha.” I shuddered a little as I recalled the exquisite power of his body. I sunk my teeth into the toast and thought about how to bring up the fact I wanted to nab the Chinese guy. “I want to ask you something.”
Ink was drinking juice and not coffee then chewing on a granola bar. “You want to ask if you can come back to the casino, don’t you?” He guessed, and kept eating casually.
“Yes. I want to catch that Chinese guy, I want to know how he’s doing it, and you should want to know too.”
His facial expression gave nothing away. “Are you serious about what you saw?”
“I am, I have to get this guy.”
“Can I trust you, Jaz?” He seemed suspicious.
I was sincere and stepping into deep waters, but I wanted to try. We were like two magnets drawn together. I had to try.“Yes, you can. I promise.” I kissed his lips softly as a gesture to let him know I was for real. It all seemed so right and I intended to stay rooted in one spot.
I finished my toast and showered at Ink’s. His bathroom had a few things out, a blue bottle of cologne, his toothbrush in a grey holder, mouthwash, a razor and a bottle of Tylenol. It was weird being in here. I hadn’t been in a man’s place for some time, well at least not staying over. I’d enjoyed some casual dalliances, but because I was on the run all the time I didn’t have time to sustain a partner. My feelings were growing for him and last night made them even deeper.
Once I’d gotten a shower, Ink took me back to my apartment.
As we walked to the door, we linked fingers.
“Let me think about what you said about the Chinese guy. Maybe you could help.” His forehead creased as if he wasn’t quite sure.
Yet, the tender-hearted look in his eye let me know he was weakening.
“I’m glad we finished what we started last night,” he admitted as he planted a soft kiss on my cheek.
“Me too. So glad. I won’t screw you over, Ink. Promise,” I pleaded as I kissed two fingers to his lips.
He just nodded silently and released his grip on my hand. “See ya, Jaz. Call you soon, ‘kay?”
“Okay.” I grinned and let out a dreamy sigh as he walked his powerful body to his bike.
I went back inside my apartment, and for the next two days I did something I would never normally do— I took a break from the casino. I paced around the apartment a few times. I wanted to be back in the thrill of the game I loved. I didn’t consider myself a gambling addict. I was more like an adrenaline junkie. It was a fine tightrope I was walking and I loved it.