“Ronnie.”
“Morning.” Her clipped voice sends a shot of hurt through my chest.
“Can I see you in the back?”
“I’m kind of in the middle of something.” She won’t meet my eyes. I’m hoping this is part of her defense mechanism. If not, I’m the one who got played. That’s something I can’t bear to think about. I take a step toward her, towering over her screen until my presence is enough to make her look up at me. “Yes?”
“In my office.” I growl at her, letting her know who’s boss. “Now.” Ronnie rolls her eyes, and stands. She brushes past me toward the office, and I pray she can’t hear how loud my heart is beating. I cannot screw this up. Losing her would be like taking a hit, like I’m being imprisoned all over again.
I unlock the office and Ronnie follows behind me. “Close the door.” She does as she’s told, then stands before me, fidgeting with her hands. “What happened to you this morning?”
“I don’t think this is work business, King.”
“It’s not.” My voice comes out tight, strained. “I thought we touched on something last night, Ronnie. A real connection. Am I alone in this?”
Her eyes dart to her rapidly entwining fingers. “No, you’re not.”
“Then tell me, what is it? Why did you up and disappear on me?”
“I can’t…” She presses her tongue to the roof of her mouth and closes her eyes. I want to shake an answer out of her, but I have to be patient. “I can’t risk falling for you King,” she finally says. “Although I think it’s a little late for that.”
“I’m crazy about you, Ronnie.” Her dark eyes dart to mine. The thought of her leaving this office, no longer mine is a dagger to my heart. “I wasn’t lying about seeing you and knowing you’re the one for me. I can’t explain it, but I know it’s true.”
“I don’t doubt you on that. I feel it, too.”
“Then what is it?”
“I can’t watch you go to prison again, okay?”
When I open my mouth to respond, I don’t have words. Wetness forms in the rims of her eyes, and I realize this is bigger than I thought. This isn’t just about a headstrong woman, this is about a hurt woman.
“I’m not going back to prison, Ronnie.”
“That’s what my daddy said, too. Look at him. Rotting in the slammer, killing my mom with a broken heart. He’s responsible for her death, King.” She swipes at the tears running down her cheeks. “It’s his fault.”
My feet carry me straight to her. I wrap her up in my arms and she melts into me. Her vanilla shampoo fills my nose, and I breathe her in. Her body shakes against me, tears staining my t-shirt. “I promise you,” I say, kissing the top of her head. “I will never go back. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure.”
“How can I trust that?” She hiccups.
I gently lift her chin, a fresh tear trailing down her face. “Because of you, Ronnie. You’re mine. I would never do anything to risk losing you.” She’s never looked more beautiful, staring up at me, open and giving into her emotions.
“I’m hard to handle, King. Are you sure you want to get involved?”
I let out a hearty laugh. “Ronnie, baby. I already am.” I lean down and press my lips against hers. “You’re it.”
“That scares me.” She says, between delicate kisses.
“It shouldn’t, because I’ll do everything in my power to keep you happy.” Her tender kisses send a wave of heat through me. “Safe and protected.” I pull back and gaze into her eyes once more, pressing my forehead against hers. “Except step in and try to save you, when clearly you prefer to handle things yourself.” Ronnie giggles, and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard. This strong, hard-willed woman showing me her softer side. “Learned my lesson on that one.”
She wraps her arms around me and presses her cheek into my chest. I breathe her in, knowing that she’s the one. If anything will keep me out of trouble, it’s my sweet Ronnie.
“I love you, King.” Her arms squeeze me a little tighter.
I brush her hair from the side of her face, and press my lips to her ear. “Ronnie, I’ve loved you since the second I saw you.”
For a man like me to have a second chance, it’s nothing short of a miracle. But to have that second chance with the woman I love standing beside me? That’s nothing short of a happily ever after.
Epilogue: Ronnie
Six Months Later
I don’t know if it’s the idea that there are reformed convicts running a tattoo shop, or the fact that they’re the best looking group of men on the block, but Reformed Ink has been busier than ever. I rush back and forth from the appointment book to the front counter, calling out for forms of ID and paperwork. It’s bustling and I love being part of such a kick ass environment.
Even if this is not exactly how I imagined spending our six month anniversary.
“Ronnie, I’m not going to tell you again.” My big sexy tattoo artist boyfriend stops his machine and calls out to me from over the back piece he’s been working on for the last three hours. “You shouldn’t be running around like that, not in your condition.”
I roll my eyes. The man still wants to be my ultimate savior. While he’s gotten a little better about letting me live my life, he’s still concerned about my headstrong nature. I am carrying his son, after all. “I’m pregnant, King, not dying.”
When I look over and meet his eyes, the serious scowl on his face tells me that he means business. As fine as I feel, I know deep down he’s right. I take a deep breath and slow my pace. Not everything has to be done at the speed of light. When I look down at my appointment sheet, I notice a familiar name. “Everly Chatham?”
A blonde woman pops up from behind the massive crowd in the waiting area. My mouth flies open, unable to believe it. Her eyes narrow at me, trying to place my face. Her eyes grow wide once she finally realizes the connection. “Ronnie Hawley? No freaking way!”
She heads toward the counter, but I shoo her over to the black rope instead. “Get in here and give me a hug.” She shuffles to me and meets my embrace. “It’s been years.”
“Ten, at least.”
I pull back from her and study her face. “You look exactly the same.”
“You’re too kind.”
“What the hell are you up to these days?”
“I’m a kindergarten teacher.”
“No!”
“Yes!”
“You used to make me be the student every single time we’d play school in your room, so I’m not surprised one bit.”
“Me either!”
We both squeal, hugging each other tight. A long lost friend walking into the shop was not something I planned on today. There’s something fated about it. “Phoenix is about finished with his client, so you’re up next. Just hang tight for a few minutes.” As if on cue Phoenix walks up behind me, pulling off his black plastic gloves. “Perfect timing, Phoenix. This is your next appointment—”