His to Claim Read Online Free PDF Page B

peeling the dressing away, exposing the beautiful tattoo. The
     artist had done a wonderful job. She touched the reddened flesh around the design.
     It felt slick. She grabbed a fresh washcloth and dampened it, then wiped over the
     tattoo, as per the instructions they’d sent with her. Then she reached for the small
     tube of ointment from her dresser and applied it.
    A knock sounded on her door. She pulled on her top again, then straightened it and
     hurried to the entrance. She smiled, assuming it was Jessica, coming over to see her
     new ink.
    Oh, man, thank heavens Rafe hadn’t come up after all. It would have been awkward if
     Jessica had arrived with Rafe here.
    Especially since as soon as the man walked into her apartment, she probably would
     have thrown herself at him and torn off his clothes.
    She grabbed the doorknob, anxious to show Jessica her new tattoo. When she pulled
     it open, shock vaulted through her.
    There in the doorway stood big, sexy Rafe, a crooked smile on his face.

 
    Savage Kiss
    Melanie’s heart skipped a beat as she stared at the wickedly sexy Rafe, his large
     frame filling her doorway.
    “Uh … hi,” she stammered. “Come in.”
    With his broad shoulders and tattoos flowing down his muscular arms, he could be an
     intimidating presence. In fact, she was amazed someone actually let him in the front
     door, but then, who would argue with him?
    A shiver danced down her spine as he stepped inside. Big and utterly masculine, he
     seemed to take up all the space in her tiny apartment. Something she’d dreamed of
     for a long time.
    “Sorry to just show up at your door, but your wallet fell out of your bag,” he said.
     “I found it in the storage compartment when I went to grab my helmet.”
    He held it out to her, and she almost giggled at the sight of her bright pink, rhinestone-adorned
     wallet in his big, masculine hand.
    Oh, damn, she was giddy.
    She took it from him, trying to ignore the shiver of heat that rushed along her arm
     at the brush of his fingers against hers.
    “I’m glad you found it. I would have panicked tomorrow morning when I noticed it was
     missing. Plus, it has my bus pass.”
    She grabbed her purse and slid the wallet inside, then closed the snap, which was
     a little flakey. That’s why the darned wallet had fallen out. Not that she was complaining.
     It gave her another chance to see Rafe.
    “So how’s your tattoo?” he asked. “I see you’ve taken off the dressing.”
    Her hand fluttered to her breast as she turned to face him again. “Oh, it’s fine.
     Just a little red, which they said to expect.”
    His gaze slid to her breast, and she couldn’t push away the memory of her earlier
     suggestion that he come up and check it out. Now, with him here, she was tempted to
     draw down the fabric of her top to reveal the tattoo to him. And more.
    “Okay. I guess I’ll be on my way.”
    “Wait,” she said. “Would you like coffee? I have decaf. Or soda? Or beer?”
    His lips turned up in a charming smile. “I’d like that. A soda will be fine.”
    She went into the kitchen and filled two glasses with cola, then returned to the living
     room to find him sitting on the couch. She handed him one and sat down beside him.
    “Did you do that?” he asked, gazing at the sketch of a phoenix she’d framed and hung
     on the wall over the desk.
    “Yes, how did you know?”
    “It’s the same style as your tattoo.” He nodded toward the phoenix. “It’s very good.
     Have you tried selling your art?”
    She placed her glass on the coffee table. “Oh, no. I mean, sometimes a friend will
     ask me to do something for them, but I never charge them.”
    “You know, if you’re interested in doing something artistic for a living, I’m sure
     we could find something for you in the art department at Ranier Industries.”
    She smiled. “There you go trying to help me out again. You know, you’re not responsible
     for me.”
    “You’re right, but I’d