Unlucky Like Us (Like Us, #12)

by Krista Ritchie

“I’m the guy who’s never been ashamed of anything I’ve ever done. I’ve stripped down in sweaty nightclubs, humped bronze statues at 2 a.m., skinny-dipped in strangers’ pools, pierced my cock, tattooed you.” She’s barely blinking, and I don’t stop. “Went down on you after your dad threatened my job over tattooing you, then tattooed you again.” Her eyes well. “I’ve been the son of addicts, a high school dropout, a slut, a tattooist, and a bodyguard, and I love everything about myself, despite so many people telling me I should hate who I am. That I’m shit. That I’m nothing. Not worth air. Not worth this life. I know I’m worth everything. And the girl I’ve fallen for—she’s loved herself tenderly. Wholeheartedly.” A tear escapes her eye and slips over my hand against her cheek. “Despite so many people telling her she should be embarrassed of the things she does, of who she is.” I cradle her watery gaze. “You don’t embarrass me, Luna Hale. You never have, and you never will. It’s something you already knew, but I’ll tell you a million times if I need to: I’m the guy who’s never gonna be ashamed of anything you ever do. I’ll likely do all those things with you too.” She sniffs hard, then wipes her runny nose. More urgently, I say, “I’ve fucked you wearing a superhero mask. I’d fuck you wearing a unicorn head. You going at my zipper isn’t a turn-off or anything.”