heaviness we were just talking about.
“Your smiles are gorgeous,” he tells me. “Do you know that?”
Uncomfortable with the compliment, I roll my eyes. “And did you know you have a weird obsession with my cheek?”
“That’s because I’m an obsessive kind of guy. Once I decide I like something, I have to have it.” He smooths his hand across my cheek. “But your skin’s also really soft. I can’t help wanting to touch it.” He dazzles me with a flirty smile.
“You really know how to work that smile, don’t you?”
He nods shamelessly. “And that’s not the only thing I know how to work.”
“Oh, good God,” I groan, bobbing my head back. “Do you ever stop?”
He grins. “Don’t pretend you don’t think I’m amusing.”
I want to tell him that he’s not, but he really is.
When I make no effort to disagree with him, his grin broadens, but then his smile fades as he brushes his fingertips along my side again. “I think you should tell Jax and Zay about this. But I’m not going to tell you that you have to—that’s more their thing.” He carries my gaze. “But if you do, I promise they’ll understand. They get stuff like this. In fact, they have their own scars.”
I squirm at just the idea of showing them. It was hard enough with just Hunter, who’s the least intense of them all. “I’m sure they do, but it doesn’t make it any easier. I mean, this—the scars … the new cuts—it makes me seem weak and I’m not.”
“I know you’re not,” he promises. “But I understand why you feel that way. I really do.”
My gaze drifts to his side where I now know scars are hidden. “Why’d you show me your scars? You barely know me.”
His lips tug upward. “Do I really need to give the barely-knowing-people speech again?”
I shake my head, smiling. “No, but …” I waver. It’s not that I don’t believe him; it’s just that, with some of the stuff I’ve overheard, I wonder how no one has seen his scars before. “Can I ask you something …? It’s about your scars.”
He gives a hesitant nod. “Yeah, go ahead.”
I scratch my wrist where another series of scars are hidden. “How is it possible that no one else besides me, Zay, and Jax have seen your scars? I mean, from what I understand, you seem like the kind of guy who …” Shit, how do I put this without seeming like a total perv? But the more I think about it, the more I realize being blunt might be the only option here. “Who likes to take his clothes off in front of others.”
He wrestles back a smile. “You mean, I seem like the kind of guy who likes to fuck?”
I sigh. “Fine, yeah, you seem like the kind of guy who likes to fuck.”
His eyes glint with amusement. “There are plenty of ways to fuck with your clothes on. It’s actually really convenient for quick fucks, which is all I do. Plus, a lot of times when people fuck, the lights are off.” He pauses, assessing me with a drop of humor in his eyes. “You’re not going to blush on me, are you?”
“Nope. That’s not my style.”
“Such a shame.” He sketches the pad of his thumb along my bottom lip then across my cheekbone. “I bet these cheeks would look even more gorgeous all flushed to match your innocence.”
I quirk a brow at him. “How many times do I have to tell you I’m not innocent? I’m just as rough and badass as you guys. Yesterday on the bridge more than proved that. No, actually, I proved I was more badass since I jumped off while it was freezing, something none of you guys have done.” I flash him a snarky smile.
He shakes his head. “You’re so feisty. I think I really fucking like it.” He stares at me, rolling his tongue in his mouth, a contemplative look on his face. “Can I ask you something?”
That curious look on his face has me wanting to say no, but since he was cooperative with my questions, I decide to nod.
“You said you’ve only kind of been kissed, right?” He observes my expression closely.
I nod, a little concerned with where he’s going with this, if I’m going to end up having to explain how that doctor pressed his lips to mine once. Well, at least I think it was only once. My memories are a bit hazy when it comes to my