Here and Now (Forever and Always #13) Read online

  Damn fine? “Thanks, I think.”

  He dropped his hand, and I suddenly felt cold. “You ready to go?”

  “Yep.” I glanced down and noticed the tattoo on his forearm. It was a scorpion. I never dated a guy with tattoos, but I liked it for some reason. I wondered if he had them anywhere else.

  He caught my eye. “You like my ink?”

  “Yeah…it’s nice.”

  He smirked. “You think it’s hot, don’t you?”

  “What? No.”

  “Sure…” He grabbed my hand and pulled me from the doorway.

  I looked at our joined hands when I realized what was happening. He always made these gestures of affection so smoothly that I couldn’t question it. His hand felt warm in mine, and I could feel his distant pulse. I knew I liked it.

  We walked up the street and passed other people. For a moment in time, I felt safe in his embrace, like we’d been together for our entire lives. I was naturally comfortable with him. He’d become a good friend without trying. I felt like I could tell him anything.

  “My phone has been blowing up today.”

  “Oh.” What the hell did that mean? And how did I respond?

  “I guess the girls weren’t too happy to see me kiss you.”

  “Shocking…”

  He smirked. “Now you have even more enemies.”

  I shrugged. “I couldn’t care less.”

  “Good. I’ll kiss you more often.”

  Please do. I mean, no. My cheeks reddened and I looked away.

  Flynn stared at my face. “I make you nervous.”

  I didn’t deny it.

  “Which is both a good thing and a bad thing.” His fingers massaged my knuckles as we moved down the sidewalk. “Anything I should know about your friends?”

  “There isn’t enough time for me to explain,” I said with a laugh.

  “Good. I like meeting new people—cool new people.”

  “Well…I wouldn’t say they are cool. They are different.”

  “That’s good too.”

  We reached Ryan’s apartment then headed to the door. “Don’t be nervous,” I said.

  He smirked. “Me? Nervous? Never.”

  “God, you’re cocky.”

  “I’ll show you cocky.” He grabbed my face and pressed me into the door. His lips sought mine, and when they combined, my lips burned in flame. He took his time when he kissed, every embrace purposeful and loving. My breath was taken away and my heart pounded in my chest. My hands moved to his and I returned the same passion.

  When his tongue touched mine, I released a moan from my lips. My enthusiasm was embarrassing. It was obvious I hadn’t been kissed like this—ever. The last time I felt chemistry like this was when I kissed Kyle the first time, and even then, it was just a sliver what it was now. Flynn was an exceptional kisser. He pushed me further into the door, his chest pressed to mine. I assumed this kiss was meant to be innocent, but it quickly escalated into something much more.

  The door opened behind me and we stumbled back slightly. Flynn grabbed my waist and held me steady so I wouldn’t fall.

  Ryan eyed us, seeing us both out of breath and with red cheeks. “Whatcha doing...?” His wide smirk told me he already knew exactly what we were doing. “I thought someone was having sex in the hallway.”

  I blushed a darker shade of red.

  Flynn smiled, completely not embarrassed. “I was proving how cocky I was to her.” He extended his hand. “I’m Flynn, Hazel’s boyfriend.”

  Ryan took it. “Boyfriend?” He looked at me. “Moving slow my ass.”

  I rolled my eyes. “He’s not my boyfriend. We’re just…”

  “Humping in the hallway?” Ryan asked.

  “We weren’t humping!” I said. “We were making out.”

  “Are you five? Be a little nasty.”

  “Ryan!” I glared at him, telling him to be on his best behavior.

  “You didn’t tell me he was coming, so don’t expect me to be on my best behavior.” He turned to Flynn. “I’m a jerk, just so you know.” He looked at Flynn’s forearm. “Nice tat.”

  “Thanks.” Flynn bent his elbow, exposing the ink. “My friend Razor did it.”

  “Razor?” Ryan asked. “That’s my guy. He works at my shop.”

  “Incredible Ink?”

  “The very one,” Ryan said with a nod.

  “Cool. I’ve walked by it a few times.”

  Ryan immediately took to Flynn the second they met. They talked about tattoos and art like I didn’t exist. Soon they were laughing and acting like friends who saw each other on a daily basis.

  “Can we actually come inside?” I asked, feeling forgotten.

  “Yeah, whatever.” Ryan stepped aside and continued to talk to Flynn.

  Scarlet left the table then embraced me. “Who’s the hot bad boy?”

  Sean cleared his throat. “I can hear you, you know?”

  Scarlet rolled her eyes. “Who is he?”

  “He’s…this guy I’m dating.”

  Flynn turned to me even though he was still having a conversation with Ryan. “Boyfriend, actually.” Then he spoke to Ryan without breaking a stride.

  Scarlet eyed me with a smirk. “He seems to think he’s something more.”

  “He’s very pushy,” I said.

  “I like him.” Scarlet eyed him then turned back to me.

  “You haven’t even met him.”

  “I can just tell.” She walked away then headed to Sean, who was seated on the couch. “You’re really mad?”

  “Well, I should be the only guy you notice.”

  “And what about the hot girl at the gym who hit on your dad? I distinctly remember you describing her as “hot with a smokin’ body”. She put her hands on her hips and stared down at him.

  “I was just describing her for the guys. I didn’t actually think she was hot.”

  “Sure.” She rolled her eyes then walked away.

  Sean stared at her ass then pulled her into his lap. “I think you’re hot.”

  “Oh, I know.”

  He kissed her neck. “Way hotter than some bimbo at the gym.”

  “You better.”

  “And you think I’m hotter than some guy with tats, right?”

  She rubbed his forearm. “Well…it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you got some ink.”

  His eyes widened. “You’re into that?”

  “I might be.”

  Mike was sitting next to them on the couch. He spit out his pretzels into a napkin then walked away. “You guys are killing my appetite.”

  Sean and Scarlet watched him walk away, sadness in their eyes.

  Ryan started getting overly involved in his conversation with Flynn. “This is what I’m thinking; a dragon breathing fire over a bed of gems. The colors would be off the hook, and with this special ink I got, it would look awesome for years.”

  Flynn nodded in excitement. “That would be cool.”

  I felt neglected. I hooked my arm through Flynn’s then dragged him away. “You know you came here with me, right?”

  He gave me that playful grin that I’ve become accustomed to. “Jealous?”

  “I just feel a little deserted.”

  “You’ll never be deserted with me.”

  Cortland came out of the bathroom then entered the living room. When he noticed Flynn and our joined arms, he stopped and stared at us. The girls were sitting in the kitchen, and they finally noticed us too.

  Everyone stopped and glanced at Cortland, wondering how he’d react. Everyone thought there was something between us when there never was, and it was also evident how protective Cortland was over me. After bearing my soul to him, we were connected in a way I’d never be with anyone else. He was my friend when I needed it most, and he was my family. He had a very special place in my heart.

  Flynn picked up on the tension. “Is he your ex or something?”

  “No,” I said immediately.

  Cortland reach
ed us then stared Flynn down. I’d never seen him act this way before. He was always the good guy of the group, the person who was accepting of everything and everyone. But now he was acting like he was threatened. “I’m Cortland.”

  Ryan leaned toward Sean. “Wow, Cortland actually has a backbone…”

  “I knew he was a beast somewhere deep down inside,” Sean whispered back.

  “Oh, he’s a beast alright,” Monnique said with a sexy grin.

  Flynn eyed him then extended his hand. “I’m Flynn, Hazel’s boyfriend.”

  Cortland looked to me for confirmation. “Boyfriend?”

  “Well, I…”

  Flynn gave me another kiss on the lips, silencing me. He always interrupted me like this, but I didn’t mind in the least.

  Cortland watched our affection then grabbed his hand, shaking it. “I know you’re new around here, so I’ll bring you up to speed.” His voice was cold like ice.

  “Damn, did Cortland join the mafia?” Mike asked.

  Cortland ignored him. “Hazel is one of us. We’re family here, and we don’t mess around with that. You hurt one of us, you hurt all of us. And I promise you, you’ll regret it if you decide to mess with her. I would personally hold you responsible, along with the rest of my guys. Take my advice; don’t fuck with Hazel.”

  Ryan’s eyes widened. “When did Cortland replace me as the alpha of the pack?”

  “Dude, I’m the alpha,” Mike said.

  “I think it’s pretty clear I am,” Sean said. “You all moved here just to follow me.”

  Ryan laughed. “If you think so, man.”

  Scarlet rubbed Sean’s back. “Whatever you say, honey.”

  He glared at her. “I am the alpha.”

  “Sure you are.” She kissed him on the cheek.

  Flynn didn’t flinch at his words. “I think we’ll get along just fine.”

  I was embarrassed Cortland just pulled that number. It was totally unexpected. I knew he would act a little odd, but this was over the top. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “He’s just…protective.”

  “Don’t apologize,” he said. “I’m glad you have someone who has your back.”

  Cortland gave him a slight look of approval. “I hope we don’t have any problems.”

  “We won’t,” Flynn said confidently.

  “Um…if we’re done acting out a scene from the Godfather, can we be normal now?” Ryan asked.

  Cortland rolled his eyes then stepped away. “You’re one to talk, brother of the year.”

  “Well, she and I are actually related,” Ryan snapped. “And I practically raised her.”

  “That’s enough testosterone for the evening,” Janice said. “Now put your dicks away and make our guest feel welcome.”

  Ryan gave her a heated look. “You never want me to put my dick away.”

  Cortland stepped away. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that…”

  “Because mine is bigger than yours,” Ryan jabbed.

  My cheeks were turning red. “Ignore them.”

  Flynn smiled. “I like them.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “You don’t think they’re weird?”

  “Of course I do,” he said with a laugh. “But that isn’t a bad thing.”

  Janice approached him then shook his hand. “I’m Janice, Ryan’s fiancé.” She added emphasis to the word fiancé.

  “It’s lovely to meet you,” Flynn said gracefully. “Ryan is a cool guy.”

  Ryan placed his arm over her shoulders. “This guy knows his artwork. Razor did his scorpion.”

  “Nice,” Janice said as she eyed his arm. “You and Ryan must have a lot to talk about.”

  Ryan nodded. “It’s nice to see someone outside the shop who understands how awesome inking is.”

  She held her left hand. “I have ink too.”

  “And it’s very sexy,” he said as he nibbled on her ear.

  “Just ignore them,” I whispered to Flynn. “Everyone is pretty affectionate.”

  “Really?” He hooked his arm around my waist. “In that case…” He rubbed his nose against mine, teasing me.

  Cortland brought Monnique over. “This is my girlfriend, Monnique.” His arm moved around her waist.

  “Nice to meet you,” Flynn said as he shook her hand.

  Monnique gave him a warm smile. “I admire you for walking right into the fire.”

  Flynn shrugged. “I like being warm.”

  Monnique winked at me. “He’s a keeper. I can tell.”

  Flynn bumped me slightly. “Hear that?”

  “Well, she doesn’t know how cocky you are,” I countered.

  “You like it when I’m cocky.” He gave me a heated look.

  Actually, I did.

  Sean approached us then eyed his tattoo. “I’m Sean, Scarlet’s husband.”

  Flynn shook his hand. “Your wife is very nice.”

  “And she’s happily married,” he added.

  Ryan rolled his eyes. “Seriously, man?”

  “I’m just throwing that out there.” Sean shrugged. “I’m thinking about getting a tattoo.”

  Cortland and Ryan both laughed.

  “I can’t picture that—at all,” Ryan said.

  “What?” Sean asked. “I could pull it off.”

  Cortland shook his head. “Sorry, dude. I can’t imagine it.”

  “See, I could pull it off,” Mike said. “A huge grizzly bear right on my chest.” He crossed his arms over his chest and smirked. “It’d be hot.”

  Ryan cringed. “I don’t think the ladies would like that.”

  “Shows how much you know.” He extended his hand to Flynn. “I’m Mike, Sean’s older, cooler, and more attractive brother.”

  “But dumber,” Sean added.

  “Hi,” Flynn said. “And I think the grizzly bear tat would be cool.”

  Mike nodded. “I like this guy. And Hazel is hot. You made a good decision with her.”

  Flynn leaned toward me. “I don’t need to be reminded.”

  Cortland glared at him.

  “Let’s stop acting like girls and eat some pizza,” Ryan said.

  We moved to the couch and took our seats. There was only one spot left when Flynn and I reached the couch, so he sat down then pulled me into his lap. I wasn’t expecting to have such intimate affection, but Flynn didn’t seem to mind.

  We watched the game and ate the pizza. Flynn yelled at the refs whenever a foul was called.

  “You like the Knicks?” Ryan asked.

  “Yep,” Flynn answered.

  “Another point for him.”

  Cortland kept eyeing us from his spot on the couch. I could tell Monnique was annoyed with the lack of attention she was getting.

  When we were done eating, Janice moved back to the table. “Let’s plan this damn wedding.”

  Ryan looked panicked. “I’m going to finish the game.”

  “Okay,” she said. “Join us when you’re done.”

  “Sure.” Judging by the cringe on his face, he had no interest in doing that.

  “Come on, Hazel,” Scarlet said.

  I looked at Flynn, unsure if I should leave him alone.

  “Have fun,” he said. “I’ll hang with the guys.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked.

  He rubbed his nose against mine. “I’ll miss you, but I can assure you, I’ll be fine.”

  “Okay.” I left his side then joined the girls at the table.

  Flynn didn’t miss me at all. He laughed and cheered with the guys during the game. I even saw him do a fist pound with Ryan. The guys were taken with him, except for Cortland. He watched him like a hawk. Sean was a little uneasy around him, but it was clear he still liked him. Mike acted like Flynn was the best friend he never had.

  And I was stuck here, talking about the menu for the wedding. Janice wanted to have Tuscan food, and Scarlet said Greek food would be easier. I didn’t care either way. I ate everything on my plate without thinking twice about it. It
didn’t matter to me.

  I kept watching the guys in the living room, who were throwing back beers and having a good time. I was jealous. Wedding planning wasn’t for me. I was a girl on the outside, but I was a boy at heart.

  And I kept staring at Flynn. The smile on his face went straight to my heart. I stared at the lines of his shoulders and his wide chest. I wondered what he looked like undressed. When my thoughts became dangerously sinister, I forced myself to stop. My attraction to Flynn was growing with every passing day. I fantasized about kissing him and touching his naked body. I imagined rolling around in a dark room with fresh sheets. I had to shake my head again when it got worse and worse.

  When the women were finally exhausted picking out every detail of the wedding, the wedding binder was closed and the magazines were stacked. I dashed back to Flynn, realizing how much I missed him when I was in his arms again.

  “Have a good time?” he asked.

  “Not really.”

  “Having a good time now?” he asked playfully.

  “I haven’t decided yet.”

  His hand moved across my thigh. “What can I do to help you come to a decision?”

  “You’re already doing it.”

  He rubbed his nose against mine then gripped my thigh.

  “Get a room,” Ryan said.

  “I’ve practically seen you and Janice have sex,” I jabbed.

  “That’s different.”

  “How?” I asked.

  “Because she’s my fiancé.”

  “She hasn’t always been your fiancé,” I countered.

  “It’s still different,” he said. “Now this affects me.”

  “Pig,” I said.

  Ryan snorted like a pig on the farm.

  “That’s so hot, honey,” Janice said sarcastically.

  He winked. “You’re in for a treat tonight.”

  She rolled her eyes. “What am I marrying into?”

  “A life full of drama,” Scarlet said.

  “Can’t wait,” Janice said.

  Cortland and Monnique headed to the door. “We’re calling it a night,” he said.

  “Me too,” Mike said.

  Everyone gathered by the door and said their goodbyes. When we left, Cortland singled out Flynn. “Got a minute?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Cortland, don’t scare him off.”

  “If he’s good for you, nothing I say will make him leave.” He looked at Flynn the entire time.