Page 7 of Obnoxious Bad Boy

“It’s just that I plan to become a lawyer, so I need to be able to hide them, to look professional. Not that there’s anything wrong with tattoos per se,” I say, waving my hand in the general direction of his body. “In fact, I do think they’re… quite attractive. Hence, I’m interested in getting one. It’s just that the nature of my future work stifles my style options.”

Vex nods, and as he continues opening my shirt, we are left staring into each other’s eyes from up close. I can sense the heat of his body on my newly bared skin. It shouldn’t be as exciting as it is. “You don’t strike me as a future lawyer,” he says with a half-smile. “More like a literary critic. Always at your laptop in the cafe with a serious expression.”

Does he mean… he’s been watching me?

I don’t know if I should feel offended or flattered, but it can be difficult to assess such things when you’re a new-born lamb in front of a wolf. “Writing is just… an interest of mine. Law can wait until I’m a postgraduate student.”

Can I really be blamed for getting flustered? I’m not a social butterfly. I didn’t have the best time in high school, and I’ve spent most of my two years at university studying.

I’ve never had a boyfriend.

I’ve never even kissed anyone, despite taking part in a game of spin-the-bottle in my freshman year. When my turn came, someone announced they wanted to play beer pong instead, and that was apparently much more interesting than locking lips with me.

“Yeah, but you seem more like the sensitive artistic type,” Vex says and pushes my suspenders off my shoulders before pulling the shirt out of my pants so its tails hang around my reed-thin form. He cocks his head, studying my pale flesh, and a part of me wants to imagine that he’s gonna ask me to model for his newest masterpiece.

The size difference between us is obvious, and while he’s my type and I could climb him like a tree, I’m not ashamed of my own body. I’m shy about being half-naked in front of him, and nervous about what he might think of my skinny frame when he so clearly works out to be this buff, inked god. But I’m generally happy with the way I look. I have bright green eyes, clear skin, and features that aren’t half-bad. The clothes I like fit well, and I know I could be someone’s type.

I just wish to be liked by a guy like him.

“Is that good or bad?” I laugh, but it warms me on the inside that he sees me for who I am. My parents might have very tidily stuffed me into a future-lawyer mold, for the sake of my future, but I’d much rather focus on literature and art history.

When Vex pushes the shirt off my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor, I’m starting to think this is not strictly professional behavior. Then again, isn’t he a straight bad boy influencer?

“Definitely good. My lawyer didn’t do shit for me when I needed him to. Hate them all.”

I swallow, distinctly remembering when I saw his face for the first time. It wasn’t the first instance when the mugshot of someone beautiful has gone viral, but the video captured by cameras in the home Vex broke into became an instant hit. And while Vex ended up spending months in jail, the public fell in love with the man who invaded an empty mansion on a cold day and spent most of the evening rolling on the floor as he played with a pampered cat. The only thing Vex stole that night was the food he ate. (Which got the public some pretty epic shots of a shirtless Vex illuminated by the light from the fridge.)

People noticed some of his beautiful tattoos, then it turned out the designs were his. By the time Vex walked out of jail, he had thousands of girls wetting their panties for him, and he welcomed the world’s attention with open arms. Just a few years on, he had his own tattoo studio, modelling gigs, and a steady stream of customers willing to pay big money for the privilege of being his canvas.

And now, I was to join the exclusive club of the #Vexed.

I laugh nervously and cross my arms to cover my nipples. “I hope you don’t hate future lawyers then, because I don’t think I could take you on in a fight.”

Amusement flickers in his icy gaze. “Guys like you aren’t meant for fighting.”

I’m not sure what to make of it. “No? Only a literary critic's future for these hands?” I dare joke and release my poor nipples to show off my long bony fingers. Are we… becoming friends?

“No, guys like you are thinkers, artists, or lovers,” he says in a voice so smooth and soft I want to be wrapped in it as I fall asleep tonight.

Never in my life would I have imagined someone could put me in the category of lover, and my heart is in panic mode again as heat rushes up my neck. “Sounds like two truths and a lie about me.” I can’t bear looking into his eyes anymore. They’re scorching me alive. But when I glance down, my gaze licks his navel, and it’s yet another trap.

“Eyes up,” he says, making my cheeks scorch.

Does he know I’m gay? I’m not flamboyantly obvious, but I know some guys catch my vibe. “So sorry,” I mumble.

“Are you saying you’re not a thinker?” Vex asks, pointing to his face, indicating what he wants me to focus on.

I push my hair behind my ears. When I inch back, my ass meets the leather chair, so there’s nowhere for me to go if I want to create space between us. And I don’t really want to stay away. I was just thinking it would make sense for his benefit. I don’t want him to feel ogled. Or is that not uncomfortable for someone with tens of thousands of followers? He must know he has gay fans too.

I laugh. “You must really want a good review on the tattoo, because my capability as a lover is yet to be evaluated.” Have I really just told him I’m a virgin? Am I crossing a boundary I shouldn’t? I’m not sure, because he’s the one who pulled off my shirt and suspenders. He’s the one who invited me here. And he’s the one talking about lovers.

“Shame. So much pretty skin, for no one to enjoy,” Vex says and grabs my shoulder. He turns me around as if I weigh nothing, and as my hands sink into the soft leather of the chair, he strokes down my spine, starting fires everywhere he touches.

I’m struck speechless, and my brain catches up to what I think my body has been recognizing for a while. Is he… flirting with me?

Impossible.

Rainbowology is one big gay gossip mill. If Vex slept with guys, wouldn’t someone know?