“Don’t worry, not planning to break any hearts tonight.” And I truly hope mine won’t be either.
I take Aaron back to the parlor and make my way around to the back alley. As discussed with Calvin this afternoon, I enter through the staff door, sit on a chair in the back suite, and wait for him to join me.
He comes in scowling. “I hope for your sake he doesn’t hear anything. The buzzing of the needle is like a hypnotic song to us. We’re drawn to it the same way some men are attracted to mermaids. I’m not sure I should be risking my life for you.”
“Come on, don’t be dramatic. He won’t know until later tonight. There’s a party going on, and Aaron is taking care of distracting him.”
“Yeah, but you’re his canvas. As romantic as what you’re doing is, no tattoo artist likes to have his virgin-skin partner being tattooed by someone else. Especially where you want it.”
“Want me to ask Elvis or Morgan?” I’m in my underwear on the chair, the elastic as low as possible so he can access the V of my core without seeing my dick.
“I’ll do it!” He slaps gloves on his hands. ”Just remember to tell him you forced me to do it.”
“Hardly! You’re the only one I trust from the three stooges.”
“Ready?”
I nod, and there it goes.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
If I was in Luke’s shoes and saw my boyfriend in his underwear while another man leans over him, I would draw the conclusion that Calvin, though straight, was ready to suck me off. I’m thankful Calvin is done because with how he jumped away from my body, he would have tattooed my forehead. Not ready to tackle the Post Malone look just yet.
“Get the fuck away from my boyfriend’s crotch, Calv,” Luke grumbles.
Calvin backs up and raises his hand. “He said if I didn’t do it, he would sue me for discrimination!”
“If you didn’t do what?”
Luke is getting angrier, and I look around to see what he could throw at Calv’s face.
“Love,” I say, propping up on my elbows, “come here.”
As his gaze scrolls down my body, I feel my dick twitching. The moment his eyes find my fresh ink, I hear a deep growl come from him. Calvin runs from the suite, and I hear hushing behind the walls. The parlor seems to be quieting until music blasts loud. I’m certain that’s Aaron’s doing. The gang—as well as Morgan, Elvis, and Calvin—would have been listening to every one of our words.
“Did you call me love?” Luke asks.
“Did I, beardy? I don’t know. I don’t remember.”
He’s leaning against the sink, his arms crossed, his tattoos shining under the light. His nostrils are flaring but his eyes are soft. He’s a beautiful contradiction and the only thing my heart needs.
“You got inked by someone other than me in a very private place?” he asks his eyes on my flank.
“Yes. And it’s not that private. Every time I’m in a fucking bathing suit, people will see it. I want to hurl thinking about it! I almost got it somewhere I could forget I had it, but I wanted to prove to you that my love for you is more than words. I also moved in with you and put my condo on the market.” I wait for his reaction. Fuck, how much do I love that man? He’s my everything, and I really hope he’ll have me forever.
Luke grins, reading the quote on my hip. “More than words, huh? That’s why you decided to ink it on your skin?”
“Well, I thought of ‘Beardy forever,’ but I wasn’t going to risk it.” I chuckle.
“You’re going to need another one though. I can’t stand that another man had his hands on what’s mine.”
“Hell no! That’s the only one I’ll ever get!” I shiver and reach for my shirt.
“We’ll see. You can’t get dressed, babe. I need to bandage your tattoo and fuck you like the first time we were together. But not here. Too many people to hear you whimper. Let’s go home once we’ve done the aftercare.”
“So we’re good?”
Luke opens my legs and steps between them. Cradling my face, he brings his in for a soft kiss. “You got tattooed for me, babe. We’re more than good.”
“Shouldn’t you get inked with my name or some shit or maybe shave?” My fingers are under his shirt, making their way across his virgin six-pack, drawing Dex across it.
“I don’t tattoo a boyfriend’s name. It’s a curse and a stupid idea. I love you, but hell no and for the beard, I love to feel you shiver when my lips are on your body.” He kisses me again.
“I thought after mutilating my body for you, I would be more than just your boyfriend. The way I see it, you’re my life partner. The one I want to grow old and dirty with, the only one I want to fuck until death do us part.”
“I’m glad you feel that way, because I would like to do something.” He pulls his left hand from my hair and shows me his ring finger.
“We aren’t getting married, Luke.” I send him a stern look.
“I’m not about to speak about marriage but about commitment. I never got this finger inked because I was waiting to find the man I wanted to spend my life with. It will look like a simple black line, but to me, it would be a promise.”
I smile, charmed by the idea while Luke continues his speech.
“You’re the love of my life, little prince. I don’t know how such an uptight, miserable asshole could dick-whip me so hard, but that’s what you did. You’re the first man I could marry and have children with if you really wanted to.”
I feel as if my brain just exploded, and not because I’m freaking out. As uncomfortable as I am with the idea of being a father, I would have children with this man if it meant he would be mine forever. “If that’s what you want, I’m okay with it. I would still prefer a dog, but whatever you want, Luke.”
“Even taking off work and going on vacation? No wedding planning, no clients, just you and me?”
“Already took time off this afternoon. And I told Ryan we’ll be back the day before the wedding, so he shouldn’t count on me for anything.”
Luke tries to hide his surprise, but I see it glimmering in his eyes. “What about my clients?”
“After seeing Bruce kiss you, I spoke with Morgan, and she cleared your schedule when I explained my plan. No celebrities had you booked, so she said they could all cover for you.”
“You took care of everything,” he says proudly. “I just hope for your sake you included Elvis in your plan. Otherwise he’s going to be a big baby about it.” He laughs.
“He was the first in on it. He’s the one who left the door unlock and unplugged the bell so I could come talk to you this afternoon.” I lift my chin high with pride.
He shakes his head, smiling, and my heart skip a beat once more.
“So you were coming for me this afternoon?” He smiles.
“I was. You had out stubborned me, Luke. You’re the king of persistence.” His eyes get darker and I bite my lips at the effect he has on me.
‘Let’s get out of here then. I need to feel you under me,” he finally says in a raspy voice.