Inked Fighter: Book One (BBW New Adult Romance) by E.E. Griffin Page B

and light auburn.
    “Hey, Damien,” Regan said, bending over the arm of the couch. I could see down her shirt. She batted her eyelashes at me. She smelled of whiskey. “Nice tats.” She ran her finger up my arm. I glanced at Claire, and she glared at her sister. The other girl lost interest in me and walked into the kitchen. There was a sound of tinkling and she emerged with a six-pack of beer in her hand. She winked at me and jogged upstairs.
    Claire’s eyebrows knit together. I hadn’t known she had another sister. Regan’s personality definitely wasn’t like Claire’s. I was sure she had something special about her, but I was sick of that type.
    “Sorry about that. Regan is… Regan is Regan.” She tried to laugh, but I could tell she was holding something back.
    “Don’t worry about it. I didn’t come here for her.”
    Her smile came back and it filled me with sunshine. I wanted to keep that smile on her face as if my life depended on it. I looked at her and let her warmth radiate over me, thawing the frozen cynic inside. I wanted to believe in something other than myself. I wanted to believe in her.
    “Let me get that drawing,” I said. I sat Rose on the couch next to her mom and went to pull the drawing from my jacket pocket. The damp had wilted the paper but the drawing was still intact.
    I brought it to the couch to show to Claire. She took it as I sat down. Her eyes widened and her face brightened into an awed smile.
    “This is so gorgeous. Exactly what I imagined. It’s like you read my mind.”
    “I aim to please.”
    Rose whined and grabbed for the drawing. Claire’s face contorted with worry again. She glanced at the clock and stood, bouncing the baby on her hip.
    “I really should get Rose to bed.”
    “I’ll get out of your hair and let you get on with your night.”
    “Maybe we can do that tattoo thing soon. When would be good for you?”
    “Monday afternoon. I could bring my gear over, if that works for you?”
    “Okay. About six? Zoe should be home around then.”
    “Alright. See you then.”
    I flung my leather jacket over my shoulders. Opening the door, I turned to take one last look at her. My hands clutched to keep myself from grabbing her and kissing her hard on the mouth.
    I had to go or I wouldn’t leave. I said goodbye and closed the door behind me. Outside, it had stopped raining but darkness had fallen. The damp air smelled of fresh, wet earth and wild, green spaces.
    My motorcycle rumbled to life under me, and I made my way back to my cramped room in the clubhouse. I paced my room. My damp clothes steamed over my hot skin. Visions of Claire’s smile, her soft face, and her curvaceous breasts taunted me. I wanted to possess her. I wanted to know all her darkest fears and chase them away so that all that was left was the knowledge that I would take care of her.
    She made me want to be a better man. Everything about her screamed integrity, strength, and loyalty. What would it take to be good enough for her? She deserved the best the world had to offer, and I knew that wasn’t me.
    No matter what I had to do to make her life easier, to make her happy, I would dedicate myself to being the man who could do it. Maybe if I could do that for her, I could save myself.
    In a way, she reminded me of my mother. My mother prevailed through tough times with love and care, the way Claire did. I’d give anything to have that back in my life, to feel that comfortable, unconditional love again.
    No matter how I postured, no matter how many MMA fights I won, I was still the kid from North Hollywood who missed his mom.

Chapter Nine: Claire
    I woke with the sun shining through a crack in the curtains. Rose was already awake in her crib, chattering at a reflection of herself in a crib toy.
    I’d dreamed of Damien. A good dream. Too good. My body still trembled from how good it was. It made me feel hot all over. I buried my face in my pillow, then flipped on my side and drew my knees to my