Inked Playboy (Cocky Suits Chicago Book 5)

by Alex Wolf

  I turn over and grin right at him, but damn. The smile on his face, like a little boy on Christmas who just got his Red Rider bb gun after all the presents were open.

  His face quickly turns to completely baffled. “How the hell, what did you…”

  “Told you, Miller. Don’t fuck with me.”

  He collapses on top of me and pushes some sweaty hair from my cheek and grins. “That was fucking…”

  I raise my eyebrows at him. “Premature ejaculation. That’s what that was.”

  “I was going strong.” He points a finger at me. “You did voodoo magic shit, not my fault. I’m a world-class performer. It was cheating. You took performance enhancing drugs.”

  I reach for his hand and put it on my bare ass cheek. “Nothing illegal about this here.” I bump him with my hip and grin. “All natural.”

  “It’s a one-of-a-kind ass, no doubt about that.”

  He’s making me smile so damn big again. People are going to think I’m actually a happy person if I keep hanging around him much more. Especially if he keeps giving me that dick.

  I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him in for a kiss. “Get your dick hard for round two. I’m not done with you yet.”

  I can’t stop smiling. I can’t stop the swell in my chest and the adrenaline rushing through my veins as he makes out with me, our bodies pressed against one another.

  I like Cole Miller.

  I like him a lot.

  More than I’ve ever liked anyone before.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Cole Miller

  It’s five a.m. and I walk back to my bedroom with a cup of coffee. I can’t stop staring at Harlow, halfway wrapped up in my sheets. She looks so damn beautiful, peaceful, like she belongs there. There’s a small hint of a grin on her face and goddamn, I love it when I can make her smile or laugh.

  Some people always seem so serious, hardcore, and it’s a million times better when you can make those people smile, as opposed to someone who just seems naturally happy.

  I think back and the whole night seems too good to be true. The whole day really.

  I sit down in a chair by my dresser, sip my coffee, and just watch her sleep. We fucked nonstop for like five hours. Hell, I’m a little sore this morning too. I haven’t bent in that many directions in a long time. There’s nothing I want more than to just sit next to her while she sleeps and trace every curve of her with my finger, get to know every inch of her intimately.

  I want her. I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. We just work and I know she feels the same way. Maybe it’s all moving a little fast, but so the fuck what. You know when you know.

  I’ve always thought romance was bullshit. Finding the special one or whatever… Sure, it always seems great, but people grow tired of each other, do shitty things to each other. There’s no way with Harlow, though. I just know it, feel it in my bones.

  I’ve had sex and relationships with my fair share of women, and none compare, not even close. I could always find not only one flaw, but several. Ways we weren’t compatible. Not so with Harlow. She’s the only person I’ve ever really given part of myself to, on a fucking spiritual level or whatever you’d call that. I want to give her all of me, let her see everything.

  She turns over and moans a little, and my dick starts to get hard again. Just that sound coming from her, it makes me want to yank the sheets back, pin her arms down and stare in her eyes as she comes all over my cock, again. I don’t want to bother with a condom either. It’d be so much better without it. I want to come inside her, let the world know she belongs to me. That she’s mine.

  Instead, I decide to let her get some rest. She works so damn hard she deserves a little break and someone to cook breakfast for her. Besides, I’m sure I wore her out and she’s going to hear about it when she wakes up.

  I head to the kitchen, crack some eggs and fry up some bacon.

  Who the hell wouldn’t want to wake up to that smell after a long night of sex and a perfect date?

  Then, I remember the whole thing with my mom. I really need to apologize to Harlow for asking her to come in for that. It wasn’t fair to her. It’s not her mess. I don’t even know why I did it, I just didn’t want to face my mom alone.

  As corny as it may sound, it felt like I had an extra wall of armor around me with Harlow there. I feel like such a pussy because I’m a man. I’m the one who’s supposed to be the protector, have the barriers up. Instead, I sat there and tripped over my words and shit. I’m surprised Harlow didn’t go running for the hills. I was a mess.

  It just took me by surprise, that’s all.

  I meant what I said to my mom, though. I’ve never held my life against her. She could’ve decided not to have me and then I would’ve never been here, done what I’ve done. There wouldn’t be a company called Curve. There wouldn’t be a thousand people working for me, able to support their families, put their kids through college, have health insurance.

  When I was a kid, sometimes I wished she would’ve never had me. When I was basically homeless, living on my own, sneaking around, I thought about killing myself a few times before I was ten. Before I walked into Bill’s gym. What kind of a kid thinks shit like that? How many kids are out there right now, just like me? Like I was?

  Pedro, for sure.

  It makes us stronger, though. The shit you go through makes you who you are.

  My biggest question is the timing of all this. Why did my mom reach out now? I’m sure she’s seen me on the news or ESPN. Especially if she’s been in Chicago. After my first WMMA fight, and after I won the championship and my face was plastered everywhere, I thought she would show up. I actually waited around, expecting her to. But, she didn’t.

  Why now?

  “Hey.”

  Harlow walks around the corner in one of my white t shirts and holy shit, it’s hot. It cuts off right at the top of her thighs, teasing what’s underneath. And I know she’s bare under there. I ripped her panties right in half last night.

  The scene in front of me is just fucking—perfect. It’s like she belongs here, belongs in my apartment with me.

  “Hey.”

  She rubs one of her eyes and yawns, and the only thing I can think about is what it would be like for this to be my routine every morning. Have sex with Harlow all night, then make her breakfast the next morning. Kiss her before she goes to work. Maybe five years later, we’re married and have a baby.

  Dude, get your shit together. What the fuck?

  That train of thought should absolutely terrify me, but it doesn’t. Fuck, it feels like I want that. That’s a life I could be happy with. My best life, in fact.

  She walks up, stands on her tip toes, and pecks me on the cheek, then immediately examines my cooking.

  “Don’t tell me you’re a vegetarian.” I laugh, knowing she ate half a ribeye the night before.

  She doesn’t even bother to respond and sniffs over the bacon.

  “Right, I keep forgetting you’re a Collins. I don’t know if anyone can eat as much as Deacon. I think he could’ve smoked both of us last night.”

  Harlow laughs and takes a seat on a barstool, right off the island in my kitchen.

  I pour her a cup of coffee and slide it over. “Cream or sugar?”

  She smirks right at me and takes a sip of it black, like my question doesn’t deserve a response. As soon as she has a drink of coffee, it’s like she’s a new person, a fully functioning human.

  She says, “Yeah, Deacon can eat. I went to visit him and Dex once when I was sixteen, at college in Champaign. He ate like two New York strips, two chicken breasts, and some crab legs.”

  “Doesn’t surprise me.” I don’t mention I would’ve been there at the same time, though I hung out with Dex and Wells way more. Deacon was on the football team though and they fed those guys whatever the hell they wanted.

  I pull out a couple plates and put the food on them.

  Harlow doesn’t waste any time
and digs in while I grab some orange juice and pour a couple glasses.

  “Holy shit, this is good.”

  “You like that?”

  “Did you put cheese in the eggs?”

  “Hell yeah, cheddar. It’s the only way to eat eggs.”

  Harlow nods. “Totally agree.”

  Just as I sit down and take a few bites, her phone goes off.

  She eyes it for a second, like she doesn’t want to be rude, but then sees who it is and cups it in her hand. “I need to take this, if you don’t mind?”

  “Not at all.”

  She walks off and I stare at her ass. My shirt rides up just enough to get a peek, and holy fuck. I’m totally fucking her as soon as we’re done eating, right here on the counter. It’s going to be glorious.

  “What?” Harlow screams the word, loud, like so shrill it echoes through the apartment.

  Holy fuck. I’ve never heard her sound this excited in, well, ever.

  “Right now? It’s happening now?” She looks like she might hyperventilate. “It already happened?” She grinds her teeth. “And you fuckers didn’t call me? I’ll be right there!”

  She hangs up the phone and she’s practically bouncing around like Tigger as she runs back over.

  I’ve never seen her look this girly, ever. Her face is bright pink and lit up, and she’s shaking.

  “What’s up?” I find myself almost wanting to bounce with her she’s so damn excited.

  “Quinn had the baby!”

  I do my best to keep my excited face on, even though it’s not quite as awesome as I expected. It makes sense, though. Harlow is like a sister to them, so it’s like she’s having a little niece or nephew.

  “That’s awesome, congratulations.” I take another bite of eggs.

  Harlow spins around, looking around my place. “Shit, my car isn’t here.”

  It dawns on me what she needs. I drop my fork on my plate and it rattles around. “Okay, I’ll drive.”

  Harlow runs back to the bedroom.

  So much for fucking her after breakfast. Deacon’s baby just showed up in the world and, in true Collins fashion, even it’s trying to cockblock me.

  I stare at my half-eaten breakfast and dump it in the trash, then clean both the plates and our silverware and put them in the dishwasher. I can’t leave a mess. Like I literally can’t walk out the door with shit out of place in my house.

  Harlow flies around the corner with her dress back on, trying to do something with her hair. She finally twists it up, then turns and stares at me.

  I stand there in my boxer briefs, just staring at how beautiful she is even when she throws herself together.

  She stands there, tapping her foot.

  “Shit, right, sorry.” I go throw on some workout pants and a shirt, then get my shoes on.

  I walk back around the corner.

  “I fucking hate men.” She glares at me.

  I hold up both hands. “What the hell did I do?”

  She laughs. “You assholes can just go throw on sweatpants and look fucking hot. It’s disgusting.”

  I walk over and yank her into me. “So, I look hot, do I?”

  She wriggles her way out of my grasp. “Knock it off, I have to go meet Delaney.”

  “Delaney?”

  “My baby cousin, her name’s Delaney.”

  “Right.” We walk out and I lock the door, then head to the elevator.

  “You like babies?”

  I glance over to her. “Huh?”

  “It’s a simple question, Miller. Do you like babies?”

  I shrug. “They’re okay, I guess.” I don’t really feel one way or the other about them. I don’t know if I have any brothers or sisters. Pedro and Bill don’t have any kids. I’ve never even held a baby before.

  She doesn’t look too enthused with my answer as we step on the elevator.

  I lean down and kiss her. “I like kids more when they’re big enough to do stuff.”

  She side-eyes me when I straighten back up.

  “I like going to meet babies with you. Does that count?”

  She grins. “Nice save.”

  “Why thank you.”

  The whole ride to the hospital Harlow goes on and on about all the things she’s going to do with Delaney as she grows up, and I can’t help but be excited for her. Honestly, a little jealous too. Delaney better not want all Harlow’s time, because she’s mine now. Perhaps I will share, if she’s lucky.

  I can’t believe I’m thinking shit like this already. I start to wonder if I’m obsessed. Is this some kind of codependency thing or whatever shit they talk about? Am I a psycho?

  I just want to be around her nonstop, I never want her out of my sight. This morning was the best morning I’ve had in a long time, longer than I can remember. It was better than winning my WMMA title. I don’t want that to be true, but it is. When Harlow’s around I’m just—fucking happy. It’s a happiness I didn’t know I had inside me.

  We get to Northwest Memorial, and I drop Harlow at the front because she’s practically bouncing in her seat. Parking is a bitch downtown, but I finally find a spot in the garage on Huron street before I head up to the maternity ward. The second I show up, I can’t help but think I made a mistake. They’re all there, the Collins brothers, hanging out in the waiting room. Harlow must be back with Quinn and Deacon.

  It’s Dexter, Donavan, and Decker. They’re all looking at their phones or talking on them. The second I walk up, Dexter and Donavan stop messing with their screens, and Decker says, “I gotta go,” and hangs up.

  To make matters worse, David Collins is there. I know him for sure, from hanging out with Dex at their house. But there’s another man almost the same age who looks just like him. Shit, it has to be Harlow’s dad and she’s not out here. I’ve never been formally introduced to him. I don’t even know his damn name.

  What the hell am I supposed to say?

  Hey, I just fucked your daughter all night long. Nice to meet you, sir.

  The three brothers glare at me and I pray to God they don’t make a scene where Harlow’s dad can hear.

  “Interesting timing,” says Dex.

  I guess Harlow didn’t tell them we came together. Fuck, what am I supposed to do?

  “What?” I fake like I don’t know what he’s talking about.

  “How’d you know we were up here?” Dex takes a step toward me.

  Shit, this isn’t going to be good.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Harlow Collins

  Oh my God, Delaney is the best!

  I snuggle her up to me and sniff the fresh baby smell on her. She’s so soft. I kiss her little cheek and she squeezes one of my fingers with her tiny hand.

  “She’s gorgeous, just perfect you guys.”

  “Thanks,” says Deacon. He’s running his hand through Quinn’s hair as they watch me hold Delaney.

  Aunt Dianne glares at me, like she wants Delaney back. All she’s talked about for years is having more grandbabies. I get the feeling she might not let anyone else hold her, ever. Mr. Richards is in the room too, sitting in his electric wheelchair, watching some kind of sports on his phone.

  He glances up and scoots up next to Quinn’s bed. “You need anything right now, sweetie?”

  “No thanks, Dad.”

  “Okay, I’m gonna leave for a few, find something to drink. I’m taking up too much room in here.”

  “No you’re not,” says Deacon. “It’s fine.”

  Mr. Richards waves him off. “It’s okay. I’ll be back in a bit.”

  “Okay, Dad. Love you,” says Quinn.

  His chair buzzes as he rolls up next to me and he pats Delaney on the head. “See you soon, baby girl.”

  I can’t stop staring down at Delaney, and I can’t help but think about what it’d be like to be a mom one day, hold a baby that was mine. For a long time, I thought I never wanted kids. But after hanging out with Jenny, and now having Delaney in my life… Gahh, I might change my mind
.

  My thought immediately pictures being married to Cole and having a baby with him. I can’t even believe I’m entertaining thoughts like this. I bet he’d be an incredible father. He knows how important parents are in a child’s life. He seems super responsible. We’re both so busy with our businesses, though. Would it be irresponsible? I wouldn’t ever want to leave my hypothetical child’s side.

  Stop it, brain! And what the hell? You and Cole just started dating.

  Holy shit, I’m dating someone.

  It all crashes into me at once, staring at Delaney. The enormity of this entire situation.

  Shit, Cole. He’s probably out there with all of them now. Double fucking triple shit. And Dad’s out there too.

  Fuck my life!

  I give Delaney a quick peck on the cheek and hand her back over to Aunt Dianne. Her face goes from staring daggers at me to lighting up with joy the second I hand Delaney back.

  I walk over to the bed. “I’ll be back soon. Guys, she’s seriously the best. I’m in love already.”

  “So are we,” says Quinn. “And thank you.”

  “I’m going to spoil her rotten.” I can’t stop grinning.

  As soon as I walk through the door, my heart squeezes in my chest and my stomach screws up tight. I don’t know if I want to face what awaits in the lobby, but I have to. I should’ve made Cole drop me at my car. It wasn’t cool to put him in this situation. Wasn’t cool at all.

  My feet land one in front of the other, but it feels like an out-of-body experience. Like I’m not in my right mind, walking in slow motion, the sounds of my feet hitting the ground are like explosions going off in my ears. If Dexter, Donavan, Decker, Dad, whoever… If they want to make a big deal out of this, I need to just put my foot down. I’m going to tell them how it is. It’s the only way to deal with these alpha pricks. I can date whoever I want. It’s my fucking life and I’m not a child anymore. They can get on board or stay on shore. I don’t give a fuck.

  I like Cole Miller. I’m dating Cole Miller and seeing how things go.