Title: Enzo
Series: Jinx Tattoos Book 1
Author: Shyla Colt
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 29, 2016
Neglected, abandoned by a heroin-addicted mother, and placed in foster care at ten, Enzo Jordan has learned one thing…love hurts. At thirty-five, he has a successful tattoo shop and his choice of women. The one-night stands are getting old, and the love he holds for his best friend, Aibhlinn is impossible to hide. When the attraction between them reaches a boiling point, he's forced to choose between facing his fears and walking away.
Aibhlinn Leahy has been in love with her best friend for years. The Irish-born comic book artist has poured time, energy, and love into the wounded man. His choice to walk away breaks her heart but frees her to explore a new future.
Life is a cruel and amazing thing. An abandoned baby brings the two back together, and they’re forced to examine the love that has long existed between them. This is a story of pain, scars, and fear. We all have demons to battle. The real decision is who's in control…us or them?
Aibhlinn nodded, and they walked outside to the back. Enzo softly closed the door behind them and she spun, instantly on the attack.
“That’s how you see us? That’s our end game? You walking away? I’m so easy to leave behind?”
“No,” he held out his hands, palms up. “That’s not what the painting says.”
“Then please explain.”
“It’s what has to happen to keep me from hurting you.”
“Am I not hurting now, Enzo?” She seethed.
“Not like you could be,” he whispered.
“You fucking coward,” She said stalking forward to stand inches from his face. “If you don’t want me, can’t love me, tell me that.”
“It’s never been a question of love. God, Aibhlinn you must know I’m in love with you.”
His words stole the breath from her lungs. She blinked and swayed.
“Whoa,” he wrapped his arms around her, and she leaned against his chest.
“What did you just say?” She croaked.
“I love you. I’m in love with you. I have been for years. I tried so hard to keep it to myself, so I didn’t ruin what we have.”
She couldn’t stop the tears that fell from her eyes. “Why wouldn’t’ you say something before now?”
“Because it doesn’t matter, Aibhlinn,” he whispered.
“What?” She pulled away. “It’s everything.”
“No.” He ran his fingers through her hair, bringing his fingers to her scalp where he began a massage. She shivered. “I wish it did. You’re beautiful. I always wanted to touch you like this.”
“Then touch me,” She whispered.
“Just this once, Aib,” he whispered moving in to brush her lips with his. Tendrils of pleasure burst through her body like fireworks. They both moaned as their mouths were fused. They’d given in to hunger long denied. Teeth knocked, tongues clashed. She savored every moment. He cupped her ass, and she moaned, pressing closer against him. “So sweet,” he whispered.
She slow-blinked as the world changed its perspective. He lifted her up and out of instinct, she wrapped her limbs around him. He pressed her against the wall, and they continued to eat at each other’s mouths. It was heaven. Everything she’d dreamed of and more. The boy who’d kissed her had become a man and skilled with his tongue. He rolled his hips, and she whimpered. He’s good with other things too. The friction of his jeans against her soaked underwear had her moving with him. Heat flooded her face and collar bones. Her head spun.
“That’s it let it go for me, baby,” he whispered. His words thrust her over the edge, she arched her back and cried out. He swallowed her noises, keeping the passionate exchange a secret between them. Shaking she clung to him as he eased her legs to the ground and buried his face into her neck. “Never doubt I love you, Aibhlinn. I just don’t know how to be in a relationship. They scare the hell out of me. What we have is the closest I’ve ever come to commitment. The thought of fucking up and breaking your heart has haunted me for years.” He placed a kiss to her temple.
“Then let me teach you. We’ve helped each other through everything. Why is this any different?”
“I’ve battled this demon for so long its hooks are embedded into my soul. Not even you can loose those chains.”
“Don’t you see we’re doing everything but having sex and putting a title to us? I love you Enzo. I’d do anything for you. Hell, I have been your ride or die so long I got a list of infractions to prove it. I want to help you. I know we could be good together. I want it so bad I can fucking taste it. But I can’t continue with the dysfunction. If we can’t go all in we, need to place boundaries and keep to them, ‘cause this thing between us is killing me, and making it damn hard to find anyone else.”
He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. Deja vu struck. Her heart broke. It was so much worse knowing he felt the same why.
“You son of a bitch. Why even tell me how you felt if you knew you were going to do this?”
“What do you want me to do, Aib,” he cried out brokenly.
“Stop fighting it,” she said through her gritted teeth. Her hand reached down to cup the bulge in his pants. “Feel with me. Don’t manipulate my body, open up your soul and let me in. I’m already there Enzo. I’m under your skin. I’m in your brain. I know you better than you know yourself.”
His muscles tensed, and his breathing increased. “For once, trust in us.”
“I-
She massaged him, and he rocked into her hands. “Let me take the wheel.” Leaning in she nipped at his neck, emboldened by the cover of darkness and privacy of the small parking lot. His body shook. She slipped her hand into his pants, and they both moaned. He was hot, thick, and long in her hands. She gripped him tightly and pumped.
“Aibhlinn.”
“You gave this to me, now. I’m returning the favor. Tonight after the show where they may. But right now is our time.” She captured his lips, taking what she wanted for so long. He tasted crisp and clean like mint. His lips were soft and pliable. His moaned vibrated through her body. He sucked her tongue, and she whimpered, picking up speed as she brought him over. She swallowed his cries as he spilled onto her hand. The hot liquid felt like a cleansing rain. She removed her hand and brought it to her lips lapping off his salty flavor.
“Jesus, baby. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dreamed of you like this,” he panted.
She was afraid to hope for more, but for now,, at least, she knew the taste and feel of him. The way his eyes turned into a stormy gray when he came. She leaned in, nipped his bottom lip hard and drug her tongue across it to soothe the abused area. “Hope you don’t mind going commando.”
“Worth it,” he croaked. His eyes grew serious. “Aibhlinn.” 
Shyla Colt grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, but has lived a variety of different places thanks to her wanderlust, interesting careers, and marriage to a United States Marine. She's always loved books and wrote her very first novel at the age of fifteen. She keeps a copy of her first submission letter on her desk for inspiration. After a lifetime of traveling, she settled down and knew her time had come to write. Diving into her new career like she does everything else, with enthusiasm, research and a lot of prayers, she had her first book published in June of 2011. As a full-time writer, stay at home mother, and wife, there's never a dull moment in her household. She weaves her tales in spare moments and the evenings with a cup of coffee or tea at her side and the characters in her head for company. A self-professed rebel with a pen. Her goal is to diversify romance as she continues to genre hop, and offer up strong female characters.
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