Hot Ink: All 3 Tattoo Shop Romance Books + 2 Exclusive Bonus Stories

by Melissa Devenport

  “We aren’t ancient. Stop it, Mike,” Savannah hissed.

  “Still.”

  At that moment the song changed again and Heather came walking down the aisle, her groom, Rone at her side. It wasn’t traditional, but Heather didn’t have a dad. She was raised by her mom, who sat next to Heather’s brother, Jay, and his fiancé, Laya, in the front row.

  Everyone stood at once, the formality observed even outdoors. Katelyn teared up beside him. He was about to ask her what the heck was wrong, when she leaned forward to whisper to Savannah, who was still turned half in their direction.

  “I think it’s so romantic that they’ve loved each other since they were teenagers.”

  “They might have loved each other, but they haven’t been together since they were teens. That never works out,” Mike said dryly.

  “Stop it!” Savannah gave her husband a good natured slap on the arm. “It does so.”

  “I know, I know.” Mike flashed a boyish grin. “I was just bugging you.”

  “Her dress is so pretty.” Katelyn sounded enchanted.

  Heather’s dress was nice, as far as he knew anything about dresses. It was simple and elegant, vintage looking with a whole lot of lace. A short length trailed behind. She had one of those flower crowns in her hair that everyone seemed to be wearing.

  “She looks like a princess,” Savannah sighed. “Her hair is so beautiful. I wish mine was that long.”

  “Your hair is just about that long,” Mike protested. “And just as thick and dark and beautiful.” Just to prove his point he rubbed a strand of Savannah’s long hair between his fingers. He brought it to his nose and inhaled deeply.

  Around them people began sitting down. Savannah snatched her hair away, but captured Mike’s hand in her own as they sat down as well.

  “This is so pretty,” Katelyn sighed. “I love weddings.”

  Katelyn wasn’t even the die-hard, cheesy romantic kind, but at the moment, she looked like it. Kian couldn’t help but be choked up a little at her tone and at the fiery love shining in her eyes. She looked at him like she always had. Unguarded, vulnerable, like she’d always been able to see his soul. Her love had healed him. It still healed him. Every day with her was a gift that he’d be forever thankful for.

  He took Katelyn’s delicate hand and tucked it between his own. She leaned into him and let out the softest of sighs. If heaven could be embodied in a person, he was sitting right next to her.

  Chapter 2

  A Reminder Of Their Love

  Katelyn

  Katelyn loved weddings. There wasn’t anything like seeing two other people who were so in love come together and make a commitment. Cynical people would say that most marriages weren’t for life. She believed that most people, though, had the best intentions when they married. Sometimes years and experience and life got in the way. Sometimes people changed. Sometimes they weren’t ever who they seemed, but for the most part… she wanted to believe in a love that lasted.

  Being married to her best friend wasn’t something she took for granted. She’d had a rough start to love. Her first marriage was truly a disaster. Kian had been there for her even when her crazy ex-husband found her. He’d been there for her when her sister died and her niece became their daughter. He’d proposed marriage, of all things, when he hardly knew her. She must have been as crazy as he was, because she accepted.

  After years together, she loved him even more than she did at the start. She’d taken a chance on her heart and on his. It wasn’t just dumb luck she was sitting there, holding her husband’s hand; their fingers twined tightly together, her heart swelling right out of her chest.

  As the ceremony moved on, Katelyn snuck a glance at the back of Mike and Savannah’s heads. They were inclined together, their shoulders touching. Theirs was a love that started out all but impossible and somehow they were choosing to beat the odds. They had two children together and another baby on the way. It was incredible to see how far their friends had come and to be able to share in that.

  Katelyn didn’t really know Heather all that well. She knew Rone even less. She sometimes popped into the shop to see Kian and Heather was always there. She was a nice girl and Katelyn didn’t have to know her at all to see just how radiantly happy she was standing up there, facing her groom. She knew from Kian that theirs was kind of an epic love story. They’d fallen in love when they were teens and reconnected as adults.

  Katelyn squeezed Kian’s hand. She really hadn’t meant to. It was just the slightest amount of pressure, but he turned. She’d never thought of him as anything but granite at the beginning. He certainly looked like it. It turned out that his hard exterior was hiding a wounded heart. They’d healed each other.

  A wedding was an opportunity for her, a reminder of just how much she loved him. As she celebrated another couple’s happiness, she was reminded of how very blessed she was. Not that she didn’t know it every single day. She never took a moment for granted.

  “You okay?” Kian whispered in her ear.

  “Yeah, of course.”

  “You’re crying.”

  “Oh.” She hastily reached up, surprised to find her cheeks drenched. “Those are happy tears.”

  “I hope so. I hope you aren’t looking at them, thinking about the eternity you have to spend with me.”

  She smiled through her tears. “Oh yes, you’re a real life sentence.”

  “Watch. They’re about to kiss. Isn’t that what everyone waits for?”

  “Shh.” She squeezed his hand again.

  He was right. Rone finished up his vows and slid the ring onto Heather’s finger. All smiles, they came together for a kiss that was deceptively chaste. The heat in Heather’s eyes, even from a distance, was obvious, and the way Rone looked at her… it was like it was just the two of them. It hit Katelyn right in the soft spot of her chest, the part of her where all the emotion always settled.

  Everyone stood again, as the bride and groom made their way down the aisle. They were all happy smiles. Heather laughed and waved. Their wedding party trailed behind them. They went around back, by the trees on the far side of the yard, to await all their guest’s well wishes.

  Kian looped a strong arm around her waist. A wave of heat washed over her as she was tucked into his side.

  “Should we go offer our congratulations?”

  “Of course.”

  Mike and Savannah fell in stride behind them a few steps later. “I can’t wait for the reception. Free booze. No kids tonight. It’s going to be a great time!”

  Savannah shot Katelyn a look that spoke volumes. “Maybe you can have free drinks and don’t have to worry about kids, but I on the other hand, have one going with me wherever I go.”

  “I’ll behave,” Mike promised. “You already know that.”

  “I would hope so. I want this to be a night out for me as well.”

  They were slowly crawling forward, inching along in a lineup that stretched from the area where the chairs had been set up all the way to the line of trees where the wedding party waited.

  Savannah looked amazing in a flowing yellow dress. It was almost impossible to even tell she was almost six months pregnant. For her third child, the bump was still cute and tiny. Katelyn, on the other hand, when she’d been pregnant, felt like a whale.

  “I promise after the baby is born I’ll take you away somewhere nice. Your parents can watch the kids and we’ll go. For a week. Anywhere you want.”

  Savannah smiled indulgently at her husband. “I’m not going to stick my parents with a new born and a toddler and a rambunctious kid. That’s way too much for my mom. She’ll never agree to babysit for us again.”

  “How about overnight then? A stay-cation away with my wife?”

  “Maybe I could handle that.”

  “Maybe? I don’t seem to recall hearing any protests before about a night alone.” Mike glanced pointedly at Savannah’s stomach. “Why do you think we have three children?”

  “Mi
ke!” Savannah protested. She glanced around, but the guests ahead and behind seemed oblivious to what they were saying. They were nearing the front.

  Kian chuckled softly beside Katelyn. His arm tightened around her waist. “I wouldn’t mind having another couple kids myself.”

  “If you were birthing them, that would be fine.”

  “I much prefer the process of making them,” Kian admitted. Mike laughed along with him while both women sighed.

  “Seriously, we are at a wedding here. I thought it was supposed to be formal and people are supposed to be on their best behavior,” Katelyn choked.

  “I thought I was.” Kian feigned innocence. “We’re talking about love and commitment and family and all that.”

  Thankfully the line moved forward and they were able to start offering congrats to bridal party members. Kian and Mike shook Heather’s hand and Rone’s after. Savannah hugged Heather and Katelyn followed suit.

  “I’m so glad you guys came,” Heather said softly.

  “Of course we came,” Mike rolled his eyes. “Like we’d pass up the opportunity for free drinks?”

  “Classy,” Heather sighed. “I should have known you didn’t actually come for me.”

  “Never,” Kian added. “You know, people we’ve known forever get married all the time. You’re not that special and all.”

  Heather laughed and beside her, Rone grinned. He was nearly twice Heather’s size. Twice as tall and twice as broad.

  “We’re glad to have you. Free drinks and all. Keep them in line.” Heather appealed to Savannah and Katelyn.

  “Don’t worry. I can’t drink and Mike has promised that out of sympathy, he won’t either.”

  “I never…” Mike’s shoulders sagged. “I never meant that I was going to get out of hand,” he quickly amended. “I’ll be having one or two myself and one or two on Savannah’s behalf.”

  “Of course,” Heather said. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from my former boss. I guess you’re still kind of my boss… anyway, I hope you guys have an awesome time. Hopefully whatever happens at the barn, stays at the barn.”

  “It’s going to be a good time. Congrats, Heather. Rone.” Mike nodded at both the bride and groom and moved on down the line.

  “Yes, congratulations. You look stunning,” Katelyn said as they passed. Kian shook Rone’s hand again and they walked off, trailing after Mike and Savannah in search of the barn, which was hopefully air conditioned.

  “I hope they have snacks set out. I’m getting real hungry. Sitting through a ceremony that long does that to a guy.”

  “Oh my god. You’re as bad as Mike.”

  Hearing his name, Mike turned. “As bad as what?”

  “I said I was starving and hope there is something laid out already. We taught Heather how to tattoo. The least she could do is feed us.”

  “Oh. Definitely.” Mike agreed. “I bet there are all sorts of fancy little sandwiches. No pickles and peanut butter though probably. Sorry Savannah.”

  “You’re an asshole,” Savannah grumbled. “Just once I wish you could be the one to have to carry this kid inside of you for nine months and then have to go through birth.”

  “It’s just as bad on the other side. The cravings, the complaining, the horror of all that screaming.”

  Savannah blushed scarlet. “Dick,” She muttered.

  Katelyn and Kian caught up with them. Katelyn nodded at Savannah sympathetically. “Don’t worry, I know what you’re going through. I agree with you a hundred percent. If they had to walk around feeling sick for nine months and then be so front heavy they almost tip over and then feel like they’re going to die getting it out, they would be more sympathetic.”

  “Hear that, Mike? Hmm?”

  “Oh, I hear it, my love. If they have pickles, I’ll go to whoever is in charge and request the peanut butter. Or maybe you’ll get lucky and they’ll have some kind of dessert with it and you can eat the pickles first and follow it up after.”

  “I’ll admit it’s a gross craving. I’ve had it with all three pregnancies. I saw pickle and peanut butter sandwiches online and I had this major craving with Carter right after I watched it. I tried one and it was amazing.”

  “She eats them even when she’s not pregnant.”

  “Gross,” Katelyn laughed. “I just mostly craved grapefruits. I didn’t even like them before.”

  “My wife is a strange one, but I love her.” Mike tugged Savannah into his arms and kissed her passionately. She pushed on his chest and stumbled back.

  “Mike!”

  “She really does enjoy it. Like I said, she won’t be able to hide the evidence for much longer.”

  Katelyn couldn’t hold back a giggle and beside her, Kian let out a sharp bark of laughter. Mike and Savannah were good friends. She was used to Mike’s crazier antics and the way Savannah pretended to be exasperated with him all the time.

  “Oh look.” Mike pointed to the left as soon as they walked in the door. “Appetizers. And someone is at the bar already! Maybe Heather does know how to throw a party.”

  “At least get your beloved wife a tonic water or some soda or something. The heat outside was making me nauseous.”

  “She only says that when she doesn’t want to do something. She’ll complain about feeling sick or tired so that I’ll mow the grass or do the garbage or put the kids to bed and then I find her in the kitchen ten minutes later raiding the cupboards.”

  “I do not! And even if I did, sometimes when I’m feeling sick, having a snack helps stop the burning.”

  “It’s true. That always worked for me.” Katelyn backed Savannah up.

  “On that note, we’ll get some drinks.” Kian motioned towards the bar and Mike wisely followed.

  “We should get a table and get something to eat.” Savannah eyed up the desserts over to the left. “I don’t know about you, but I have a feeling the fun is just beginning.”

  “I’m sure you’re right,” Katelyn agreed before she followed Savannah. She didn’t need any pickles, but the peanut butter marshmallow squares on the dessert table caught her eye.

  Chapter 3

  Not Twenty Anymore

  Kian

  It was a surprise to all of them, that they made it through the night without incident. Mike actually behaved. He danced Savannah’s feet off until she was begging good-naturedly for a break. Kian wasn’t much of a dancer himself, and Katelyn knew that. She waited patiently, content to sit and watch their friends and the other guests at the wedding enjoy the action.

  Because he didn’t want the night to pass them by completely, he took her hand and led her to the floor. It was after one in the morning and so much closer to leaving. He couldn’t wait. Having Katelyn all to himself at the hotel room was something he’d longed for the entire day.

  “You saved me a slow dance after all.” Katelyn stared up at him through the soft fringe of sweet blonde eyelashes.

  “Yes. Just for you.”

  “I never asked you for one.”

  “No, but I knew.”

  “If you can read my mind, what am I thinking now?”

  “You’re thinking,” he leaned in suggestively. “You’re thinking that you can’t wait to get out of here. You’re thinking that another hour is going to feel like forever.”

  Katelyn’s smile lit up the entire darkened barn. Lord, she was every bit as beautiful as she’d ever been. Even more so, now that he knew her. He knew her gentle soul and her faithful heart. He knew her as the mother of his children. And she knew him. Some people thought familiarity was boring. Some people thought the passion faded with time and life and children. They were wrong. Dead wrong.

  “I was thinking that maybe we should say goodbye and get out of here. Mike and Savannah look like they’re ready to head out too. One is late enough. I don’t think anyone would be offended.”

  “Heather and Rone probably wish they could have gone hours ago too.”

  “Probably. Getting married is exhausti
ng work.”

  “I wasn’t talking about that.”

  “Oh, I know. I’m trying to be polite.”

  “Well, let’s say our goodbyes then. If I wait another hour here, I’m not going to make it.”

  “You mean you’ll die along the way?” Katelyn arched a delicate blonde brow.

  “Something like that. Die a little inside probably. I know that we have to pick up our kids tomorrow morning at eleven and I am going to make every single moment with you count. I want to start making them count.”

  “Alright then. I’m in. Let’s convince Mike and Savannah to go. We might as well share a cab since we’re at the same hotel.”

  “Good idea” He guided Katelyn back to the table where Mike and Savannah sat. Savannah did look tired, tired but happy. Mike had a pained expression on his face, probably close to what Kian had going on, like the blue balls were getting seriously close to being life threatening.

  “Ready to go?” Mike asked hopefully.

  “More than ready,” Kian confirmed.

  “I’ll call us a cab if you both go say goodbye to Heather and Rone.” Katelyn suggested with a hope of being on their way as soon as possible.

  “Good idea. Multitasking. I like it.”

  “My feet are killing me,” Savannah complained. “I don’t know why I thought heels were a good idea.”

  “I would have been lost if I’d tried that. I can’t walk in them for more than a few hours. These flats are chaffing the back of my feet though.”

  “Time to take them off.” Mike winked. “We’ll meet you out front. Have that cab ready by the time we’re back.”

  “Yes your highness.”

  Katelyn giggled. Kian watched her take Savannah’s hand and guide her towards the exit. He and Mike had to wait a few minutes to wish Heather and Rone goodbye, since a few other guests had the same idea.

  It was nearly fifteen minutes before they could join their wives outside, but as promised, there was a cab waiting.

  It was almost a twenty minute ride back from the venue, which was on the outskirts of the city, to their hotel. They’d rented something not exactly close to home, but not far either.