Read Online Marks on My Skin (Love & Ink #1) by J A Howell - Free Book Online

yesterday at Gino’s and knowing the things she was into now, I could see why. I wasn’t like Darren. I certainly wasn’t a feckin’ dominant. With Kendall, I did what she wanted me to do. A few times I tried to explore other positions, only to be met with sharp opposition. I’d tried to go down on her once and she’d nearly ripped my hair out trying to stop me. The warmth left my stomach, replaced with a heavy knot. I thought maybe she was just uncomfortable with it. Obviously, I thought wrong.
    “I was going to grab some lunch, Kieran did you want to—”
    I slammed the laptop shut and jerked my head around at the sound of Shayne’s voice. I hadn’t even heard the door open. She stared at the laptop, lips parted and eyebrows raised over wide brown eyes. “Oh.”
    “It’s research! For a book!”
    I caught the twitch of a smile, but she quickly regained control of her features and cleared her throat. “Did you want to um…go to lunch with me?”
     

CHAPTER NINE
    I’ve Got a Paddle in my Trunk
    Lunch with Kieran had become a daily ritual over the last couple weeks he’d been in Midtown, and I was finding I rather enjoyed his company—minus the occasional snarky comment regarding my choice in extra-curricular activities. Liam had relaxed some, seeing that our interactions had turned quite platonic for the most part.
    “Gino’s again?” I asked as we walked out to my car.
    “Sounds good to me.”
    I nodded and tossed him my keys. “You can drive Betty today. My wrists are killing me.”
    A playful smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth and I rolled my eyes. “From tattooing, perv.”
    He made himself the picture of innocence, drawing his lips into a pout and batting his long dark lashes.
    “I didn’t say anything.”
    I pulled the passenger door open and slid inside so he didn’t see my smile. “You didn’t have to.”
    Kieran let out an indignant grunt, but mischief played behind those eyes of his and a grin spread across his lips. He pulled out of the alley and fifteen minutes later we were at Gino’s. We went inside and Kieran slid into the booth we’d sat at the first time we came here. I slid in across from him and sat down a little too hard. With a wince, I eased down against the seat. Kieran took notice, a wide toothy grin crossing his lips.
    “Ya alright over there?”
    “Yep, just fine.” I answered and flipped open one of the menus. I refused to give him anymore fuel.
    The waitress came, placed our drinks in front of us, and took our orders. Calzones this time. Kieran gnawed at his bottom lip, gears turning behind his eyes. Here we go again . I shifted against the padded bench, winced, and his eyes lit up.
    “Arse a little sore?”
    “Maybe.” My eyes darted up to him. Two could play this game. Admittedly, I found his attempts to pry more than entertaining. He grinned at this little morsel and stabbed his straw in his drink, waggling an eyebrow at me. “Was somebody a naughty girl last night?”
    I took a long sip from my soda, narrowing my eyes at him speculatively. The minute I answered him, he’d blush and change the subject, I just knew it. So I answered him. Honestly.
    “Yeah, I was. Darren bent me over his kitchen table and spanked me with a wooden paddle.”
    Kieran blinked and his eyes widened a little, but to my surprise he quickly returned to his former, teasing expression. “Ya really like getting spanked, don’t ya?”
    A trickle of warmth moved through me and I sat up, amused and somewhat turned on by this bolder side of Kieran. I wondered just how far he would take it.
    “Yeah, I do. I’ve got a paddle in my trunk if you want to go outside and give it a couple swings.”
    Kieran’s eyes went round again and he sucked in a breath—and soda, which he promptly sputtered across the tabletop. Lucky for him, the waitress came back with our food, though she frowned at the spray of soda. She wiped down the table then placed our dishes in front of us and Kieran