His to Claim Read Online Free PDF

there. And exciting at the same time.
    “Along with the stranger who put it there,” she said.
    Oh, man, why had she ruined the mood by saying that?
    He laughed. “I guess that’s true.”
    “Um…” She gazed up at him. “Do you want to come up and see it again?”
    As soon as the words left her mouth, she thought she’d die. How could she say that?
    Their gazes locked, and he hesitated.
    “Oh, God, I shouldn’t have said that.” She stuffed her key into the lock and turned
     it, then pulled open the door. “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.” Of course, she
     had meant it exactly the way it sounded, but his hesitation had spoken volumes.
    The uncertainty in his eyes prompted her to continue. “It’s just that I’ve never had
     a tattoo before and … well, I’m just being silly wanting you to look at it when I
     take the dressing off. I’m sure it’s fine.”
    “If you’re really concerned—”
    “No, really. It’s fine. Thanks anyway.”
    Oh, God, was he really buying that? But she definitely didn’t want him to come up
     now. It would be so awkward.
    He smiled. “I enjoyed today. Thank you.” He tucked his finger under her chin and tipped
     her face up, sending tingles through her. His lips brushed hers in the barest whisper
     of a kiss, and she thought she’d faint.
    This was how fantasies were born.
    Then he stepped back. “Good night.”
    She nodded, then slipped in the door, glancing over her shoulder as she walked across
     the lobby. He waited outside the door until she turned down the corridor to the elevator
     before he walked away.
    *   *   *
    Rafe ensured Melanie got inside okay, then lingered as he watched her walk across
     the lobby.
    What the hell was that? And now he couldn’t drag his gaze from her delightfully swaying
     derriere. It looked so round and inviting in those snug jeans of hers.
    Memories of the creamy swell of her breast, the virginal flesh exposed and ready for
     her tattoo, lingered in his mind. Ever since Charlie had covered it with the dressing,
     Rafe couldn’t stop thinking about it. Couldn’t stop longing to touch it.
    If it had been any other woman, he would have flirted all through dinner, then suggested
     they go back to his place. Or hers. But when Melanie had invited him up to her place …
     to see the damned tattoo, no less … he had faltered.
    She had denied coming on to him, but she couldn’t hide the need in her eyes.
    So why had he held back?
    He flipped open the storage compartment on his bike and pulled out his helmet. There
     were times they’d worked long hours together, and he couldn’t help but notice that
     hot little body she kept well hidden behind her conservative business attire. But
     he’d cared about her too much to jeopardize their working relationship.
    So he’d suppressed his attraction to her. And with great success. He was sure neither
     Melanie, Dane, nor anyone else knew he could barely contain himself when she was near.
     He’d become such a master at controlling those feelings, he’d almost forgotten about
     them.
    Almost.
    But today … fuck, his groin ached with need.
    As he pulled on the helmet and fastened it, he noticed something sitting in the bottom
     of the container, beside the helmet Melanie had worn.
    Ah, damn it.
    *   *   *
    Melanie stepped off the elevator, then walked down the hall to her apartment. Once
     inside, she closed the door behind her, then leaned against it.
    Now, if only she could forget the whole embarrassing incident downstairs. She cringed
     at the thought of her lame come-on, then the way she’d babbled in an attempt to deny
     it. He’d probably seen right through her excuse.
    She unzipped her sweater and tugged it off, then tossed it over the back of the couch.
    “I’m such a dumbass,” she muttered as she walked into her bathroom and gazed in the
     mirror at the white patch on her chest. She was happy to distract herself by pulling
     off her top and gently