Ink Me: A Short Story (Queen of Hearts Ink Book 4)

by M. K. Moore

  Chapter Six

  Jacquie

  Last night? Yeah, that was the single hottest thing that has ever happened to me. The way he owned my body has me sore in places I didn’t know could get sore. I like it. When I open my eyes, I momentarily forget where I am.

  I look to my left and see Miles lying there beside me. I smile. I want to linger but nature calls and I stumble out of bed, because it is much higher off the ground than mine.

  “Shit.” I say as I stub my toe on the dresser near the bathroom door.

  “You okay baby?” Miles asks sleepily from the bed.

  “Yeah. I just stubbed my toe on the dresser. It’s still early go back to sleep.”

  “Kay.” He says, before snoring again. His snores could wake the dead, but I find them comforting somehow.

  I rush into the bathroom and do my business. When I look at myself in the mirror, I see the beard burns on my face and it travels down my body. I shiver at the memory of his mouth on every single inch of my body.

  Trailing my fingers down my stomach, I rest them on my scar and shake my head. All his talk of breeding makes me want more children. Children I am not sure I can have. I decide to live in the moment for now. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I like the direction it is going in.

  Can you fall in love in such in a short amount of time? I really fucking hope so.

  I go back out into his room and climb back in bed.

  “Baby. I have to go into the shop today. I have an appointment at two. Do you want to come in with me?” He asks.

  “Yes. I was wondering if you’d ink me?”

  “You want me to brand you?” He pulls me closer to me.

  “Yes. I want a rose tattoo on my shoulder.”

  “I think I can manage that.” He says, tracing his fingers on my shoulder.

  We fall back asleep for a few hours. When we get up, we take a quick shower that involves some heavy petting. When I dry off, I realize I don’t have any clean clothes.

  “Can we stop by my place before we head in?”

  “Of course.” He says.

  “I also need to borrow a shirt.”

  He hands me an Ozzy Osbourne tee shirt. Can he be any more perfect for me?

  “Oh yeah. We can be friends.” I say as I pull the shirt over my head.

  “Friends? Friends?” He says as comes up behind me and pulls my back to his chest. “We are gonna be so much more than friends, baby. So. Much. More.” Each word is punctuated with a kiss on my sensitive neck. I cannot control the shivers he sends coursing through my body.

  “How much more?” I ask. I know what I want, but are we on the same page?”

  “Wife status.” He says kissing my neck again and walks away from me.

  Same fucking page then. I am stunned into silence, before remembering we are leaving.

  Since the shirt is long enough I don’t worry about pants, since we are going straight to my house. I walk into the living room looking for my shoes and purse. I hear Miles clear his throat.

  “Pants?” He says, arching his brow.

  “Nothing is clean, and I refuse to wear dirty panties. We are going from your garage to my driveway, which is a mile from the main road. No one is going to see me.” I say giving him a lingering kiss to reassure him that I am his.

  “They better fucking not.” He says, with a grim look on his face and his fists clenched.

  “Babe, you are totally adorable you know that?” I say. Kissing him again, I bounce out the side door and into the garage. I keep my laughter to myself as he makes his way to the driver’s side of the truck.

  Thankfully, the trip to my house was uneventful. Dressed in jeans and boots, I keep his t-shirt on after throwing on a bra. Is it ridiculous that I put on my sexiest matching pink and black set? Probably, but ask me if I care. Once we reach the shop, I realize we are the only ones here.

  “When do Kitty and Dex come in?” I ask.

  “Kitty doesn’t do appointments on Sunday. Dex is off doing whatever it is Dex does.” He says. His back to me while he preps his station.

  “What should I do?”

  “Take your shirt off and hop up on the chair.”

  “Ooh. Kinky.” I say, doing what he asks. He just smirks at me. The way his hair falls over is left eye is sexy as hell.

  “This doesn’t even register on the kinky scale.” He says.

  “Really? Do tell.”

  “Later.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  When I am settled in the chair, I watch him set everything up.

  “Are you okay with me free handing this?” He asks me.

  “I am okay with whatever you want to do to me.” I say.

  “You shouldn’t give a man free reign.” He says, starting up his machine.

  “Not just any man.” I reply.

  “Damn right.”

  I sit in silence as he begins to ink my shoulder. His hand is gentle and the hum of the machine lulls me more than anything ever has. After some time, I honestly don’t know how much, I am relaxed as he finishes.

  “All done baby.”

  I open my eyes and see the rose takes up most of my shoulder. And it is beautiful. I am glad I left my bra on. If I hadn’t it may have gone over farther and wearing a bra would have been painful.

  “It gorgeous, Miles. Thank you so much.”

  “I signed this one. My name is on you forever.” He says.

  That should piss me off, but inside, warmth spreads through me. My pretty pink panties are soaked. He busies himself with moisturizing and wrapping the tattoo.

  “I like it.” I tell him.

  “Yeah?” He asks.

  “Yeah. I like it a lot.” I say, nodding.

  “Good. It can’t be undone anyway.” He says as a matter of fact.

  I watch him as he cleans up his station.

  “What can I do to help?” I ask.

  “Nothing. I am almost done.” He says.

  “Are you going to get my name inked on you?”

  “Of course.” He says, while he finishes wiping down the counter and moves over to the chair.

  “Why are you so damn beautiful?” He asks as he pulls his shirt back over my head.

  I don’t think he is looking for an actual answer though, so I smile at him.

  I watch him for the rest of the rest of the afternoon. His client is a huge guy, the pres of the local MC. Gavel is getting his old lady’s name tattooed above his heart. His tiny old lady is sitting right next to him, since he wouldn’t let her out of his sight. On a whim, Tammy-Lynn decides to get his name inked on her as well. I am sure there is a hot story there.

  Once he is done cleaning up, I grab my purse and follow him outside.

  “I’m all set.” I say.

  “Dinner?” He asks, while locking the door. He grabs my hand in his and we walk to his truck.

  “I’ll cook for you. I have been craving pancakes all day.” I say laughing, before hopping up into his truck and buckling my seatbelt. He laughs too, then my world freezes for a moment.

  “God, I love you.” He says starting the engine.

  I am taken aback by that. Of course, I am feeling it too.

  “I love you too.” I say simply.

  “Damn right, baby.”

  Damn right. I bite my lip.

  This man is going to be the death of me.

  Chapter Seven

  Miles

  Several Months Later

  The things that have been going on around me have put my life in perspective. Kitty is pregnant and being stubborn as hell about her man. I get it, but I hope she gets her shit together. El is a good guy and I don’t think he’ll give up on her. Fucking Dex has a child. The small world we live in brought him and his girl back together, right in the reception area of Queen of Hearts Ink. DJ is Dex’s answered prayers. He told me about the “girl in New York” when it happened, but she was the one who got away.

  When I first saw the toddler in the shop when I me
t Carrie-Ann, I was shocked. I already knew who the baby belonged to, before she even said it. It was like looking into a portal, back in time when Dex was that age. The hair, the nose, and especially those eyes. I have no idea what’s going on with Chip, but I haven’t seen him in days. I wish he’d tell me what he’s going through. Jax assures me he will when he’s ready.

  I did figure out his drunk rumblings a few months ago was about Elizabeth McIntosh, but that is all I know. Jacquie and I have been keeping our relationship quiet, but not really on purpose. Everybody is doing their own thing. I understand that, but I did raise them, and I got them in the worst moment of our lives to the best ones. This must be what parents go through when their children leave the nest.

  At this point, I am tired of all the back and forth shit we have doing between her house and mine. Though lately, we have been exclusive at my house. The one item I am finding the most in my house? Ponytail holders. They seem to multiply all on their own. I find them in the weirdest places, but I smile every time I do. She has made herself at home, but I want more.

  Is a few months too soon to be thinking about marriage, babies, and all that comes with that? Probably. Will waiting any more time tell me what I already know? I decide that it won’t, because I know what I want and I what I want is her.

  I know she has her house out in the woods and I feel selfish for asking her to give it up, but I can never sell this house. There is no way I could do that to my siblings. It’s all we have left, besides the money they left us.

  On my drive over to Moosehead, I am contemplating all of this. I unfold myself from my truck in front of Jorgensen’s Jewelers.

  When I walk inside, I am greeted by Torran. My Viking-descended buddy looks like he’s still a frat boy, even in his three-piece suit.

  “Hey man. Long time no see.” I say, shaking his extended hand.

  “Yeah, it’s been a minute. What can I help you with?” He says.

  “I need the perfect engagement ring.” I say looking into the cases.

  “What is in the water around here? All my friends are pairing off left and right. Not that I am complaining. I make bank on the commission's.” He says, laughing.

  “No wife in your future?” I ask dryly.

  “Not freaking likely.” He replies hastily.

  “Famous last words.” I say just as I spot the ring. “Let me see this one.” I say pointing.

  “Excellent choice. This is from an estate sale. It’s from 1910. A vintage two carat oval cut pave engagement ring in 14 karat rose gold.”

  I notice the price tag briefly, but I don’t balk at it. She is worth a million times more than this.

  “I’ll take it.” I say, handing over my debit card.

  “Nice. Thanks man. We’ve had this one for about ten years. I was beginning to think it would never find a home.”

  “It’s perfect.” I say, and I wait while he boxes it up and hands me back my card and receipt. We chat for a few more minutes, then I head out to complete the rest of my errands.

  Later that evening, her ring is burning a hole in my pocket. I make a crazy pasta dish from the cookbook Kitty left here. We sit down to eat and make small talk. I take a sip from my beer, my throat is suddenly dry, but my palms are sweaty.

  “How was your day?” Jacquie asks me.

  “Pretty good. I did a huge back piece today. An eagle.”

  “Sounds badass.” She says.

  I have no reason to believe she’d say no, but I wonder if all men feel this way before they ask the woman they love to marry them. I can’t even remember the last time we stayed at her house. More and more of her stuff makes its way over here. She has added throw pillows and something she calls a “couch blanket” to the sofa in the living room. The house looks lived in again.

  She is singing in the kitchen while she does the dishes. Singing is something she does all the damn time and not very well. But I think that is the best thing about it and she doesn’t give a fuck about it. Today she is singing an operatic version of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears For Fears. I am impressed by her Italian.

  I clear my throat and move behind her. She turns into my arms and we dance for a few minutes, before kissing me sweetly. Stepping back from her, I go down to one knee and hold out the ring to her. Her eyes light up.

  “Oh, shit.” She says, one hand clutching her chest.

  “Jax, I love you more than I have ever loved anything. I need to see you every morning and every night before we go to bed. Will you be my wife, my love, my best friend, and the mother of my children?”

  She stares blankly at me. She isn't saying anything. I don’t know how I will handle it if she says no...

  Chapter Eight

  Jacquie

  This really couldn’t have come at a better time. I had visited my lady doctor earlier today thinking I was going through early menopause. Turns out, I am two months pregnant...with twins.

  I realize he is still down on one knee in front of me and I haven’t said anything in a few minutes.

  “Yes. Of course, I’ll marry you. I love you too. And I have some big news.” I blurt out.

  “Bigger than this?” He says, sliding the gorgeous ring on my finger.

  “Oh yeah.” I say, with a watery smile.

  “What’s wrong? Tell me what is going on.” He says, standing back up.

  “I’m pregnant.” I say.

  The shock on his face is evident. Fuck! This can’t be happening again. He said all those things to me, while we were having sex. I assumed he meant it. When he lifts me in his arms and starts swinging me around, I get it.

  “Fuck, baby. You have made me the happiest man in the world.”

  “Good, because there is no going back. But there is more.”

  “More? What else could you possibly say to make this day any better?”

  “It’s twins.”

  “Twins.” He repeats, setting me back down.

  “Are you still happy?” I ask.

  “Fuck yes. We need to get married soon. Like tomorrow.” He says.

  “Tomorrow works for me.” Why put off what I want? A lavish affair six months from now isn’t going change anything.

  ◆◆◆

  My wedding day dawns with rain. Lots of rain and I am taking this as a good sign. The Irish believe rain on your wedding day is good luck. Happy is the bride that the rain falls upon is a saying that I never thought would be for me. It has also never been truer.

  We are getting married in the courthouse this afternoon at two. My first wedding was not a huge affair either, but I’ve never been that kind of woman. With Miles, all I want is to be his wife. I do not care how it happens and he doesn’t either. He just wants what’s his. That always makes me smile.

  From the moment I laid eyes on him, I have been his. His sexy smirk had me going and he is the kind of man who will love me forever. I know he is worried about becoming his dad, but I vowed to never give him a reason to think that way. Things like that are not genetic, but what do I know?

  Kennedy and Sterling are going to be our witnesses. When I told Kennedy I was pregnant last night, she cried. Mostly, because she is pregnant again too. Our due dates are within the same week. It’s a little like the movie ‘Father of The Bride’ for me, but we both loved that movie. We must have watched it a million times when she was younger.

  I am wearing a knee length black dress and black cowboy boots to get married in. The first time, I wore jeans, so this is a step up.

  The ceremony goes off without a hitch and before I know it, I am Mrs. Miles Heart. Kitty hugs me tightly.

  “It will be good to have another sister.” She says, gesturing towards Carrie-Ann, who comes to join us in the hug.

  “The power of three.” Carrie-Ann says. Her Charmed reference makes me like her even more.

  “It will be, Kitty. I know we don’t know each other well yet.” I say.

  “We will.” She says interrupting me.

  Chip and Dex give
me hugs too, and just like that they let me into their family. One, that I hope is on its way to a lifetime of happiness. They deserve everything they want after all that has happened to them.

  “Wife. You know what this means right?”

  “What does this mean, Husband?”

  “We are going to have to have a barbeque now.” He says.

  “Ugg. I know. They are the worst.” I say laughing. I really can’t stand how much barbeque my new friends eat. They use them to celebrate everything. It’s weird to me, but when in Rome, I guess.

  Miles pulls me in to a kiss that could melt ice. I haven’t been feeling well, but I am well enough to fuck my husband. Thank God.

  We decided last night that we would live in his house and put mine up for sale. His is bigger and I understand his reasons for keeping it. He’s a good man and I know he is going to be an excellent father.

  When we are alone, I drop to my knees in front of him and unbuckle his belt to pull his cock out of his pants.

  “What are you doing, Wife?”

  “Pleasing my husband.” I say with a coy smile and a saucy wink.

  His groan spurs me on and I continue sucking his huge cock. Eventually, he pulls me off of him and up into his arms.

  “Jax. I love you. Thank you.”

  “I love you too, but why are you thanking me?”

  “For marrying me. For giving me babies. For being you.”

  “Aww. Ain’t you sweet, honey. You gonna give me my wedding night or what?”

  He bursts out laughing as he carries me to our bed.

  “Woman, you ain’t right.” He says, letting my feet fall to the floor.

  “Yeah, but I ain’t wrong. Besides, you wouldn’t love me as much as you do if I was.” I reply as I whip my dress off. He sucks in a breath. When I go to kick my boots off, he stops me.

  “Leave those on baby. I want to feel them digging into my back, while I am deep inside my wife.” He growls.

  It’s my turn to gasp. I shouldn’t be surprised by his filthy mouth, but every time it’s better than the last.