Inked Fighter: Book One (BBW New Adult Romance) (8 page)

“Of course you weren’t. You were being strong.”

“I don’t know. But that’s what I did. I love Rose with every fiber of my being. The day I told Jessy about the baby, he got into the crash. I asked him to come over all day, but he kept telling me he was busy. He was acting strange. Finally, I just said it over the phone. He got on the road to come see me.

“That’s when it happened. He swerved into the wrong lane, then ran off the road into the tree. They did a toxicology report that showed he had high levels of narcotics in his blood. His mother blamed me. He’d texted her right before he left, saying he was a father. She’s never forgiven me. She doesn’t even acknowledge Rose is her granddaughter.”

“I’m so sorry, Claire, that’s terrible. Some people are just awful.”

“Don’t be sorry. It’s better not having her in my life if she wants to be that way. I honestly don’t need the drama. Enough about me. What about these high-paying clients of yours? Who are they?”

He was silent for a moment and finally heaved a sigh. “They are rich old hippies who own a place up in the hills east of town. They’ve got this compound where they host big parties. I’m one of the attractions. I tattoo their guests, and they pay me a salary. It’s a sweet deal.”

“So you’re staying with them.”

“Yeah. I’m staying with them.”

“It sounds like a nice opportunity. Will you go back to LA soon?”

“I’m not sure. They want me to stay for a while.”

“Then you can spend more time in the woods. That should be nice.”

“I can spend more time with you.” He leaned toward me, his lips just inches away. I could feel the heat of his breath on my cheek. Right before his lips connected, I sat up.

“We should probably get back now.” My heart surged and my body rebelled, but I couldn’t let him kiss me. I felt like a reject. I had some serious issues. It was just a kiss.

“Just wait until the sun sets.”

We sat up on the blanket and watched the blazing sun dip behind the fog-covered hills. Light filtered through the mist, casting long streams of illumination over the valley in gradients of orange and red. Pink and yellow radiated through the dimming sky. High above, I could see the first evening star blink in the velvet purple of night.

***

Thank you for reading Inked Fighter (Book One). Book Two is coming soon.

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Read about Claire’s sister Zoe in Beauty And The Billionaire Geek, a completed three part serial.

Confronted
:
www.amazon.com/dp/B00P01731S/

Condemned
:
www.amazon.com/dp/B00P8HROMW/

Condoned
:
www.amazon.com/dp/B00PIWILNI/