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I’m not sure exactly what he means, but I admit, “My brother’s a tattoo artist.” It was the first thought I had when he said it last night, and I most definitely didn’t want to be thinking of my brother then.
“I know.”
His hard words make me flinch.
Fuck.
“You work with him.”
It’s not a question. I don’t need to ask. I should have realized.
“You could say that.” Deacon scrubs his hand down his face and sighs. “Fuck,” he mutters, shaking his head. “He’s gonna fucking kill me.”
“It’s not his business,” I insist.
“Your brother is my best friend. My only family.” He looks at me again, his gaze burning through me. “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you.”
The second he says it, the pieces click together.
Deacon.
Ryker’s best friend from high school.
Oh, God.
“How were you supposed to recognize me? I was still a child the last time you saw me,” I point out as I shoot up from the bed and start gathering my clothes from around the room. Unsure of how this conversation is going to go, being naked suddenly makes me feel more vulnerable than I’m comfortable with.
“I’ve seen pictures over the years, but not enough to—shit. Your damn name should have given it away, but I wasn’t thinking. Damn it. I’m sorry, Leila.”
That gets my attention. I straighten, clothes bundled in my arms, and look at him.
“Don’t apologize. We might not have realized the connection, but last night was—” A single thought stops me mid-sentence. My heart plummets and my gaze falls to the floor. As much as I’m afraid of the answer, I have to ask. “Do you regret it?”
The air in the room shifts.
I hold my breath.
Waiting.
I don’t notice Deacon crossing the room.
Not until he curls his index finger under my chin, gently lifting my face to his. Our eyes meet, and he holds my gaze.
“Not for a single fucking second.”
“Oh,” I whisper with relief.
“Last night was incredible.” He leans down, kissing me softly, whispering against my lips, “You’re incredible. I want more nights with you.”
“I want that, too.”
“But you gotta know, beauty… your brother isn’t gonna be okay with this.”
“He doesn’t need to know.”
“Gonna keep me your dirty little secret?” he asks, licking his lips before he grins.
“Maybe for a little while,” I tease, dropping my clothes back onto the floor without care. I take his hand and pull him back toward the bed.
