One More Day

by Hadley, Auryn

  "Mack?" he asked softly. "You know that's the first time you've done that?"

  "Kissed you?"

  "Kissed me first."

  She smiled. "I guess I'm going to have to fix that. I have to get naked first."

  He closed his eyes and sighed, one corner of his mouth twitching up. "Yeah."

  "One more week," she whispered, walking out of the room.

  Something about the way Ryan always responded to her made Mack that much more confident. She was bald, flabby - in so many new ways, now - and the complete opposite of what everyone said was sexy, yet he still acted as if she was the biggest turn on. They'd been together through so much, but all he'd ever done was try to make her happy and prove that she was the world to him. She decided it was working.

  For the first time in Mackenzie Lawrence's life, she didn't define herself by her appearance. She was more than that. She was a fighter, damn it, and she'd not only won, but she'd caught the Super Hot Guy while she was at it. Well, so he'd caught her but, in the end, it was the same thing.

  "Ok, babe," Colby said, coming around the corner. "Room's ready, and I've got the front. You two have a couple of hours alone in there, just clean up any mess you make?"

  "Can't do that," she teased.

  "Maybe not that," he said with a grin. "Doesn't mean you won't make a damned mess in there."

  "Colby!"

  He just laughed and walked away, leaving her alone. With one last nervous breath, Mack opened the door and stepped inside. A soft, dark blanket was draped across the bed, a pillow waiting for her. The tattoo equipment was all laid out, waiting for her artist.

  She stripped, moving slowly, and lowered herself to the bed. A long red line stood out against her pallid flesh, but she tried to think of it as a war wound. She wasn't defined by her body, she reminded herself. Never mind that her gut was soft, and her hips were nothing like the brazen women who scrawled tattoos across them. She lay back and tugged a fold of the blanket across her body, refusing to worry about that.

  It didn't take long before the door opened and Ryan stepped in. He glanced at her, and paused. "Now that is hot," he muttered.

  She laughed. "And here I was trying to remind myself that I'm not that out of shape."

  "Mack?" he asked, the question making her look over. "You've seen me tattoo a lot of women, right?"

  "Yeah?"

  He lowered himself to the stool and rolled a bit closer. He grabbed her hand and pulled it to him, kissing her fingers gently before laying it on his thigh. "How many times you ever see me get hard from a girl on the tattoo bed?"

  "Never," she admitted. "That, or you're really good at hiding it."

  "What do you think?" he asked.

  Slowly she moved her hand higher, the dense muscles of his thigh sliding under her palm. When she reached the top, she paused. That sure wasn't his leg. She shifted and saw his closed eyes, so pressed against the denim again. His mouth opened slightly.

  "Don't tease," he whispered.

  "That looks good on you."

  "You'd look better." He pulled her hand away. "Believe me yet?"

  She couldn't help it. Ryan knew exactly how to prove his point. In this case it was a thick hard dick at the sight of her in nothing but a blanket. "Yeah. So do I get special treatment?"

  "Yeah, sweetie, you do. And this damned tattoo will take about six days to heal. Well, more to heal completely, but I just need six days."

  He glanced at her once, then took the stencil and spread it open. His boyish smile returned when he pulled the blanket away, leaving her completely naked on the hard bed, but instead of taking advantage of it, he concentrated on aligning the tattoo.

  "How low is this going?" he asked.

  "Where is it now?" she asked.

  His eyes flicked to hers before his finger touched just above her lower lips. "Pretty low."

  "The top wing should be..." Mack touched just under her belly button.

  Without a word, his shifted the stencil, and brushed his finger across her again. "Better?"

  "Should be. How does it line up."

  Ryan chuckled. "Very nicely."

  "Then let's see."

  With a nod, he began the process of transferring it to her skin. First he cleaned the area, then he applied a lotion. When he began rubbing it into her skin, he smiled, and his fingers may have slipped a bit too low a few times. Mack closed her eyes and relaxed into his touch.

  "Do not," he said softly, touching the side of her hip. "Don't move your legs, baby."

  "Then stop begging me to," she said, smiling.

  "I am not messing up your first tattoo."

  "Fifth," she reminded him. "There's four little dots that came first."

  "Fuck. Those don't count."

  When he had the drawing on her body, he helped her up, both of them making sure that it was not only what she wanted, but where she wanted it. The bird was set low across her hips, flying away, one wing trailing just across her scar.

  "That's perfect," she breathed.

  "Ok," he said, helping her lay back down. "Now here's the rules. The less you wiggle, the cleaner this will be. If you need to move, just tell me. Whatever you do, don't cough or sneeze without warning me. If it hurts, tell me."

  "K."

  "Comfy?"

  She nodded, and he reached over for the irons. With one last smile he started, dipping the ink, his attention on the tail first. The cold shocked her more than the needles. Ryan moved easily across her skin, glancing up to make sure she was doing ok. With all she had suffered through, the pain was nothing. It felt like waxing, at the worst.

  When he reached the most sensitive areas, the crease of her leg, the skin near the incision, he always caressed her hip, one hand shoving ink deep into her skin, the other reminding her that a word would stop him. She never did. It wasn't until the needles reached her most private areas that she had any reaction, and it wasn't from the tattoo equipment. Ryan gently rested his hand across her pussy, holding the flesh still, and she felt her nipples harden.

  "Hm," he muttered. "Now that is good to know."

  "What?" she asked, almost scared to hear his answer.

  He lifted the equipment from her skin, and slid his thumb lower. Mack closed her eyes, and leaned into his hand as he stroked her again.

  "I think I might be turning you on."

  "Yeah," she breathed.

  "God, you're distracting."

  "You didn't have to stop."

  He laughed. "Patience," he said, lifting his hand to his mouth, and gently sucking at it.

  For some reason that turned her on more. With a moan, Mack closed her eyes. "How much longer?"

  "Hour or so for my part," Ryan said.

  "That's not what I meant."

  "Six days."

  "Finish the tattoo, baby, and stop teasing me."

  He took a deep breath and began working, again, but his mind had wandered. "Mack, you ever been on top?"

  "No," she said.

  "You mind being in control?"

  She shrugged, and he jerked the irons from her skin, making a noise at her.

  "Sorry. And I have no idea." She was blushing, and she knew it.

  He never looked. His face was completely focused on the art, but his words were about something so very different. "I keep thinking of you kneeling over me, my dick in your hand, deciding just how deep I'm allowed to go, this tattoo teasing me the whole time."

  "Ryan?" she asked softly. "I don't want to wait."

  "You have to."

  "Will you show me what to do?" she whispered.

  "Yeah," he said, glancing up at her. "And you'll show me. That's how it works, sweetie."

  They said nothing more about it, and Ryan finished his portion of the work. With a sigh, he set down the equipment, and lifted her outside leg, shifting the blanket. He placed a fold of it across her hip, leaving the one with the phoenix's tail bare. He moved another fold across her chest, then leaned over and kissed her, staying just far
enough away that she didn't try to do more.

  "Colby's turn," he said. "You're covered. Just be good."

  He walked out of the room, but she could hear him outside the door. "Bro!"

  It didn't take long before she heard Colby as well. "My turn?"

  "Yeah. You fucking get a hard on from my girl, I do not wanna know about it."

  Colby entered the room laughing, then paused. "Damn, Mack."

  "What?"

  "That's one hell of a bird on your pussy." He laughed, glancing at the door. "K. I think we're safe. You gonna get all shy on me, now?"

  "I'm laid out like a cheap buffet," she groaned. "I can't really get any more not shy!"

  "You could drop the blankey," he teased.

  "Fuck off."

  He laughed, and took his place on the stool, adjusting it for his taller frame. Grabbing the equipment, he made a few more changes, then leaned over her. "Mack?" he asked before he started.

  "What?"

  "I'm not quite as gentle as him. Lemme know if this gets bad?"

  "Promise."

  Colby started adding to the piece at the bird's head, always touching her professionally. When he reached the portion that went across her pubic bone he paused.

  "You're fine," she said.

  "Didn't realize this was easier on girls I didn't know," he said softly. "You sure, Mack? Ryan can do this."

  "I'm sure. My two favorite men are doing this piece. You gettin' a stiffy yet?"

  He lifted his head quickly, his eyes widening when he met hers. "Maid of fucking honor. Just say that randomly a few times, K?" He sighed. "And don't ever say you're fat again."

  "Uh?"

  "We're not talking about my dick. You're fuckin' hot, Mack. That stays between us."

  Chapter 29

  For the next four days Ryan was religious about making sure her new tattoo was covered in ointment. Naturally, he also used it as an excuse to see her writhing under his hands. While he explored her body, he refused to let her do the same, making her even more aware of how much she wanted him.

  It was a Thursday afternoon, almost two weeks since her last check-up, four weeks since her surgery. The incision in her waist was closed, the tattoo was nearly healed, and for the first time in as long as she could remember, Mack felt amazing. The first three hours the shop was open, Ryan flirted with her incessantly, and Colby just egged her on.

  When clients began to arrive, she tried to focus, but failed. Only his rock-hard body and luscious lips were on her mind. Every time she looked over her shoulder, she saw him, wearing little more than a skin-tight tank, his brightly colored arm begging for her kisses. Each time she looked, he glanced up and met her eyes with that crooked smile.

  "I want to get this done," a girl said, laying a piece of paper on the desk, drawing Mack's attention back to the present.

  "Same colors?" Mack asked.

  "Yeah."

  She was pretty. Very pretty, with long dark hair, and curves in just the places Ryan liked them. Mack looked back and saw Colby deep in a piece on a guy's chest, but Ryan was cleaning his equipment. She didn't want him to get this client. The girl was too pretty, and too much like the type of women he was attracted to. That, and she had hair.

  "K. Let me draw this up, I'll be right back."

  She headed into the break room and grabbed a few supplies, doing her best to dawdle. The art was simple and would only need to be transferred over but, maybe, if she took long enough, Colby would be done. Walking slowly, she headed back to the front, hearing voices.

  "Yeah, it won't take long. Where'd you want it done?" Ryan asked.

  "Between my shoulder blades," she said with a flirtatious giggle.

  Mack came around the corner and saw the girl nearly leaning over the counter. Ryan lifted his chin and glanced at the paper that held the design, and Mack knew she'd lost. He already intended to do this girl's tat, right across her bare back.

  "You grab transfer?" he asked.

  "Yep," Mack said, forcing a smile.

  The corner of Ryan's lip twitched, and he glanced up at the client, then back to Mack. "Willing to transfer that over for me, baby?" he asked, leaning over to kiss her neck. With his mouth so close to her ear, he whispered, "Jealous?"

  "Yes," she said simply, looking up at him.

  "If you don't distract me, I'll show you the trick to shading," he told her before glancing back at the client. "If you don't mind. My girlfriend's learning the art. She'd just be observing."

  The pretty girl looked at Mack and shrugged, then turned back to Ryan. "Sure."

  "Not much longer," Ryan said. "You'll be making fools of Colby and I before your hair's even back, love."

  She laughed, all too aware that he was proving to her where his attention lay.

  "Did you shave it?" the girl asked.

  "Nah. Chemo," Mack said. "Had a little round with cancer. Find out Monday if I won."

  "Oh!" She looked at Ryan again, then back to Mack, making the connection. "Well, I hope so!"

  In a better mood, Mack quickly got everything ready, then headed to the private room with Ryan, setting out the supplies before they brought the client back. When she turned to walk out of the room, he grabbed her arm, and pulled her to him.

  "I don't have any interest in her," he said softly.

  She glanced down. "You made the point," she said. "I'm sorry, Ryan. She's just your type."

  He shrugged. "She's not you, but I kinda like it when you're jealous. You should kiss on me more."

  "Not when you're working."

  "Yeah," he said, pulling her closer. "When I'm working, when you're working, I don't fucking care." He rested his palm on the side of her face, and did exactly that, caressing her tongue with his before stepping away. "Now let me get the client."

  The rest of the night only got worse. The more Mack looked, the more Ryan responded. By the time they closed, he was kissing her every time he passed the desk. Oddly, Colby hadn't teased her about it.

  "How much left?" Ryan asked.

  "I'll be done by the time the report is," Colby said.

  "I beat you both," Mack teased. "Just need to upload the pictures, and I'm good."

  "Dinner?" Ryan asked, leaning around the counter to look at Colby.

  He just laughed. "Bro, I'm headed out for a bit. Prolly won't be back till three or four. Told a friend I'd stop by."

  "Cool. Ok, lemme finish my job, then." With that, he headed into the office.

  Colby didn't waste any time. He wiped at the chair one last time, then headed over to Mack. "Honest to god truth, Mack. If you can't work tomorrow, tell me?"

  "What?"

  He tapped the calendar. "What day is it?"

  "Thursday."

  "Look at your fucking clock, babe, and try that again."

  It was after midnight. Technically, it was Friday - the day her doctor had told her to start vaginal dilation therapy. Well, that or sex. Colby rubbed her bald head and smiled.

  "I know you won't say shit to him, but swear you'll at least tell me?" She just nodded, so he tilted her face up. "Kid, no is still a viable option. He knows that."

  "That isn't the problem," Mack said, leaning back. "Shit, Colby. That's not the problem at all."

  "Then stop fuckin' worrying about it. I'm done, so I'm outta here." He rubbed her shoulder, then walked into the hall, yelling, "Ryan, gimme your damned bike."

  "Fill it up," he said, tossing the keys.

  Mack glanced back at her screen, watching the number of pictures slowly count down, her heart beating faster. She wasn't sure if knowing took away some of the excitement, or made it worse. Behind her, the boys were talking softly.

  "Didn't know you had plans," Ryan said.

  Colby chuckled. "I can read a damned calendar," he teased. "I'm fuckin' making them. You're good to go."

  "Feel like a fucking teenager," Ryan said. "This goes good, you gonna gimme a hand?"

  "Already told ya I would," Colby said.

  "Tomor
row?"

  Colby laughed. "One more day, bro." He raised his voice. "You two be good. I'm gonna have a damned coffee."

  "Night, Colby," Mack yelled.

  "Fuck yeah." He patted the wall, then marched out the back, closing the door solidly behind him.

  Mack didn't even bother to wait for the camera to finish. She stood and made her way into the office, then leaned against the door. Ryan glanced up and smiled before flicking his eyes back to the screen.

  "Rumor is I got busted," he said, not sounding ashamed at all.

  "Technically, it's Friday."

  "Yeah." He clicked on something, then sighed. "Fuck it. Damned thing's running."

  He pushed his chair back and headed right for her. One hand reached for her waist, the other for her neck, and he kissed her more passionately than he ever had before, pulling her to him. Mack was sure he felt her heart pounding against his chest, and she reached for him, pulling him closer.

  "God," she breathed, tugging at his shirt, wanting her hands against his skin.

  He groaned softly when her hands slid along the waist of his jeans, and he kissed lower, his teeth brushing the soft skin under her jaw. "We have to make it upstairs," he said, refusing to stop.

  She trailed her nails lightly along his back and he sucked in a breath, then found her mouth again. Slowly, he pressed her a step back, kissing her as he walked her pace by pace up the hall. His hands slid higher, brushing her nipples and Mack moaned, pausing in his hands before pulling away.

  "You lock the doors?" she asked, turning to their door.

  "Yeah," he said wrapping his arms around her again. "And most of the lights."

  He pressed her another step forward, gathering her shirt in his hands and sliding his fingers under the material. His hands teased her ribs, strong, guiding her slowly but surely toward his bed. As they passed the break room, he flicked the switch, but when she made to pull away, he stopped her.

  "Leave it," he almost growled, meaning the light. "Just open the damned door." She turned the knob, pulling it open, and without separating, they moving inside. "Just promise me one thing?" he asked.