Free Live Without Regret (A Touch of Fate) by K.L. Grayson

grateful because it feels good to tell her this. Other than my foster siblings, I’ve never told anyone about my childhood. “He didn’t seem to care. I think he was just glad to get rid of me.”
    “Wow,” she says, sighing heavily. “I don’t know what to say.”
    “You don’t have to say anything,” I whisper, running a hand through her hair.
    “What happened after that?”
    “I was put into foster care. Moved from house to house until I ended up at the Smiths’ when I was sixteen. That’s where I met Logan. In fact, that’s also where I met Isabelle, Ryan, Jake, and Carter.”
    “Your foster brothers and sisters?”
    I nod. “Logan and I were closest in age, so our friendship was almost instantaneous. In fact, we’re still best friends, and we see each other nearly every day. Isabelle was younger so we weren’t as close, and I haven’t seen her in years. Ryan and Jake are biological brothers, and we’ve stayed in contact over the years. Carter…” A sharp pain rips through my chest and I take a moment to collect my thoughts before continuing. “He, um…he battled with depression most of his life. He committed suicide three years ago.”
    Brittany’s eyes go wide. “Oh my gosh,” she says, her grip on my body tightening. “I’m so sorry.”
    “Yeah, not gonna lie, that was hard for Logan and me. Carter was like our big brother. Shit, he was our big brother. When we turned eighteen and got released from the system, it was Carter that was there to help us out.” My eyes drift across the room, landing on the picture of the two of us that sits on my dresser. “He helped us enroll in college, gave us a place to live, and when we started down a bad path, he was the one to bring us back. I owe him my life.”
    “He sounds like a great guy. I’m glad you had someone like him.”
    “Me, too,” I say, bringing my eyes back to Brittany. “If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be doing what I love.”
    “Was he a tattoo artist?” she asks.
    “He was. That’s how I ended up at InkSlingers.”
    Brittany’s lips part, understanding flashing across her face. “I was wondering about that,” she says.
    “About what?”
    “Well, I remember seeing you on Inked . You won a decent chunk of money to start up your own parlor, but instead you work out of InkSlingers. But it was his, wasn’t it? It was Carter’s shop.”
    “It was,” I say. “When Carter died, he left the shop to me—”
    “Not to Logan?” she asks, interrupting me.
    “Nope. Logan never had anything to do with the shop. I was Carter’s apprentice, and he taught me everything I know. Anyway, the first year after he left me the shop was tough. I was on the brink of foreclosure when Logan suggested I try out for Inked, and, well, the rest is history. I put a big chunk of money into the business, paying off debts, updating equipment, all that good stuff. And I’m glad I did. That parlor is my life, and I want to make it as successful as possible.”
    “I love that.” Our eyes stay locked for several seconds. Out of nowhere, she leans forward, presses her warm lips to the center of my chest, and then wraps herself around me. “You amaze me, Connor Jackson. I feel like you’re too good to be true. Like one of those sexy men I read about in my romance novels.”
    “Oooh,” I say, rubbing my hand along the top of her head. I thread my fingers into her blonde hair and let the strands slowly fall where they may. “I like where this is going. Does the sexy man end up with the girl?”
    She giggles. The tinkling sound radiates through my body before settling in the center of my chest. “I guess you’ll have to start reading some books to find out.”
    “Well played, Dr. Caldwell. Well played.”
    Brittany’s head pops up. “You know my last name?” Her lips tilt, revealing those beautiful white teeth. “That sounded so bad. I’m in bed with a man that I didn’t think knew my last name. In fact,” she says, furrowing her