“I told him what I wanted and he drew it up and did it.” She tapped my cheek. “He said he’d been working on a design for you, but he wouldn’t say what it was.”
I lowered my mouth to hers. “Trust me, Nightingale. You’ll like it. When it’s done, there’ll be no doubt who I belong to, as well.”
Then, with a grin, I rolled over so she was straddling me. My cock slid along her heat, aching to be joined with her. “You need to be on top. We won’t rub the tattoo and I get to watch you move with my mark on you.”
With a low moan, she slid down, taking me inside. She stilled, our eyes locking at the intensity of our connection. It was there every single time, a living, breathing thing that surrounded us.
“Part of me is missing when I’m away from you,” I confessed.
“I long for you, Adam. I’m lost without you.”
“Show me, baby. Show me how much.”
I groaned as she started to move, my eyes never leaving the tattoo.
It was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.
I gripped her hips, guiding her over me, my thumb never far away from the ink she now wore. The need I felt for her was acute—alive and burning within me. Ally was feeling it, as well. There was nothing slow or gentle about her today. Bowing back, she grabbed my thighs, her breasts jutting out and heaving with her deep inhalations. Her wild hair shimmered in the light, a fiery explosion that drifted across my skin like silk. She moaned and bucked, slamming herself down, her heat engulfing me.
“Ally,” I groaned. “You need to slow the fuck down.”
“No,” she panted. “Now, Adam. I need you now!”
She clutched me harder, her head thrown back. She cried out, and I rose, wrapping her in my arms, crushing her to my chest as she orgasmed. I buried my face into her neck and gripped her in place as I heaved and throbbed, lost in the moment. Lost in her. My world narrowed, funneled into one powerful pinpoint of pleasure. I rode it out, breathing her name, the intensity of my release exploding behind my eyes in sharp ribbons of ecstasy.
With a quiet murmur, I lowered us to the mattress, our bodies still joined. Ally lay on my chest, her breathing ragged and warm on my skin.
“Welcome home, Adam.”
Chapter 14
My thoughts were rampant as I gazed outside the window of Sean’s office. I hadn’t been able to relax since arriving back from my last assignment. Behind me, from his desk, Sean was going through some of my latest work. I had been gone for ten days this time, capturing the aftermath of a devastating earthquake halfway across the world. The images I had seen had shaken me to the core, and my camera had captured the darkness of the event.
He made approving noises as he scanned the pictures on the iPad. “These are brilliant, Adam. Horrific, but brilliant.”
“It was a brutal trip,” I stated, not turning away from the window. Below me, the streets bustled with people coming and going—living their lives, safe and unharmed.
“Are you all right?”
I didn’t answer for a moment.
I didn’t know how to tell him what I was thinking—that for the first time, I could see the end of this part of my career coming sooner than I ever expected. My priorities had changed—because of Ally. The excitement I used to feel was gone. Now I dreaded his phone calls.
The longing I felt when I was away from Ally grew every trip. I felt the devastation around me more as I would capture the images with my lens. I experienced the sensation of knowing how short life was—how time slipped away. I didn’t want to be halfway around the world and away from her. I wanted to build a life with her. I wanted our walls covered in memories we had created together. I wanted to show her the world outside Canada, see her delight when she felt the warm water of the South Pacific Ocean touch her feet. Watch her hair blow freely as we walked along the highlands in Scotland. See her face glow in the sunrise of Greece. I wanted to share the world with her—not be parted by it.
I turned to face him, crossing my arms, deciding to lay it on the table. “I need a change.”
“A few weeks to clear your head?”
“No. I’m thinking something more permanent.”
“Are you leaving me?” he asked, laying down the iPad.
“I’m thinking of a change of direction.”
“Less time away?”
“Less dangerous, too. Ally worries. She keeps it to herself, but I can see it etched on her face—every time I leave.”
I also felt it when I arrived home. She was always emotional, gripping me tightly and unrestful in her sleep when I first got back. When I left for this trip, she had sobbed when I walked away. I had turned around to wave, only to see her leaning on the car, her head in her hands as her shoulders shook with the force of her tears. Seeing what my leaving did to her when she thought I wasn’t looking had shaken me. I stepped back, observing her as she cried, then she pushed off the car and slid into the driver’s seat, slow to drive away. That image stayed with me my whole trip.
“What I want from life has changed, Sean. I can’t do this anymore. It’s not just about me any longer.”
“I’d hate to lose you.”
I shrugged. “We both know it’ll happen sooner rather than later. You have other photographers younger than me wanting to do this stuff.”
“You’re going to quit?”
I spoke the words I never envisioned uttering. “Yeah, I am. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. Ally is far more important—I want a different life now.”
Sean nodded, leaning his head back on the chair. “Businesswise, I hate it. Personally, I’m happy for you. Are you certain about this?”
“I am. I don’t want to leave you in the lurch, so tell me what I can do to make us both happy.”
He indicated the chair across from him and I sat, watching him think. He steepled his fingers, his lips pursed. His silver hair, combed to perfection as usual, gleamed under the lights, and his green eyes were contemplative.
“I admit, I thought this might happen. I’ve seen a change in you.”
I lifted one shoulder. The change was obvious to both of us.
“What do you think about Chris? He’s itching for a shot.”
“He’s got a good eye. A little green, but he’ll learn.”
“Would you consider taking him under your wing for the next while—give me some more time before you take a break? Share your experience?”
I eyed him knowingly. “You want me to teach him the ropes?”
He nodded, not at all ashamed of his plans. “I need you. I need you to pass on your knowledge and help Chris—which in turn, helps me.”
I thought about it. “I’ll give you six weeks.”
“Fair enough.” He paused, stroking his chin. “Would you consider doing a feature with a writer on staff before you go?”
“Of?”
“I have a friend—a doctor. Peter Conrad.”
“And?
“He went to Africa with Doctors Without Borders over two years ago. He hasn’t come back. He opened a clinic and an orphanage, which he runs with his wife. He’s constantly trying to get supplies and help. He’s desperate to get more attention. I thought I’d send a team in to do a story—stay with them for a while and see how they do it. I was going to devote an entire issue to it. Your photos would be an amazing addition to the piece.”
“When?”
“I’ll arrange it for right after your time with Chris.”
I thought about it for a minute—it would be a different experience, capturing images that helped bring a story to life, maybe one that would make a real difference.
“How long?”
“A week, maybe two. Give me eight weeks. Then take some time and think about it. If you decide you’re done, then you’re done. We’ll talk about a change in direction. I can use your pictures in other places.”
I mulled it over. Eight weeks. If I told Ally I was changing directions, perhaps that would help her worry less. Knowing the end was in sig
ht for the dangerous aspect of my job, she could relax a little.
“Okay. Six weeks with Chris and a couple to do your story. Then I’m taking a break.”
He held out his hand. “Done. Do this for me and then take your time. Maybe travel with Alex.” Then he grinned. “And once you’re around more, I get to meet this incredible lady of yours. I know Abby would like to meet her, too.”
I nodded. I knew I was selfish, but the short spans of time I was around, I never wanted to share Ally, so she hadn’t met Sean or his wife, Abby. I needed to introduce them.
I wondered if I could convince Ally to take a couple of months off and travel with me. I wanted to show her the world, take lots of beautiful pictures, and create good memories for us. Then we could come back and settle into a life together. Briefly, I pondered asking her to go to Africa with me, but decided not to—I would be working, and when that happened, I immersed myself, and I would worry about her too much to be able to do my job properly. When we traveled together, I wanted to concentrate on her.
I slipped my hand inside my pocket, feeling the small box I carried in it. I’d had it for over a month. I’d seen it in an antique shop in London as I wandered around, my flight not leaving until that evening. As soon as I saw it, I had to have it. It was delicate, set in white and rose gold, and it would be perfect for her small hand. I had studied the ring under the loupe the jeweler handed me. Hand tooled with filigree and a unique design, it held small round diamonds that caught the light and reflected their brilliance. It wasn’t your standard engagement ring, nor was it big and flashy. She would love it because it was special, like her.
I would love to see her wear it, too. I wanted to mark her as mine and marry her.
I shook his hand. “Eight weeks.”
—
After lunch, we talked. Ally stared at me, shaking her head. I had told her what I was planning on doing—changing my career and staying with her. “I can’t ask you to do that, Adam.”
“You’re not asking. I’m the one who’s making this decision.”
She stood, pacing the room, stopping by the window. “Based on the fact you think I’m upset when you leave.”
The sunlight poured in behind her, highlighting the red in her hair. She was wearing one of my T-shirts again, the light showing the curves of her form underneath the thin material. She was fuller, slightly more rounded than the day I met her. She looked healthier. Now I wanted her happier—all the time.
I moved toward her, taking her hand in mine. “Are you denying it?” I paused and looked into her eyes. “I saw you, Ally. I saw you leaning on the car, crying last time I left. It almost killed me, knowing I was leaving you like that.”
“Yes,” she admitted. “I cry. I always cry. But I knew what being involved with you meant, right from the start. You were very honest about it. You can’t give up something you love because I’m sad.”
“You’re not the only one, though. I used to get the call and be on the next plane without a thought. But now, as soon as I leave, I’m anxious to be back. I miss you so fucking much it hurts.” Cupping her soft cheek, I stroked the skin with my thumb. “I want to move forward. I’m ready for a different life now.” I drew in a deep breath. “One with you.”
Her eyes widened. “What are you saying?”
“I want you to take some time off work and travel with me. Let me show you the world. I’ll take you places you’ve only ever dreamed of. We can discover new ones together.”
“But your work…”
“Sean is going to have me work with Chris. He’s a young guy eager for the next adventure, like I was—and he has a good eye. It’s his turn to do this. I want to start taking pictures so full of beauty they’ll help rid my mind of all the darkness I’ve been capturing for so long. The same way you’ve banished the darkness out of my heart and filled it with light.”
“Adam—”
I hadn’t planned this here and now. But the moment was right. I bent down on one knee, pulled the box out of my pocket, and slipped it into her palm, closing her fingers around the tiny leather case. “Come away with me, Ally. You can pick the time and place and we’ll get married. Anywhere you want. On a beach in Greece with the sun setting behind us, or the highlands at dawn in Scotland. A small chapel in England. Anything you want.”
Tears filled her expressive eyes, shining an intense blue as she looked between our hands and my eyes.
“Marry me. Start a new life with me. One with no rules or demands. Where the only thing expected of you is to be you. Because you are perfect the way you are.”
Standing, I opened her palm and lifted the lid on the small box. She gasped as she looked at the ring, the diamonds sparkling in the bright sun. “Accept this as a symbol of my love. Wear it and show the world you’re mine.”
“I—I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes. Say yes to a life of love with me. Say yes to finally knowing you are enough. You’re everything to me. I want to travel with you and fill our heads with memories. Then we can come back here, or go wherever you want, and make a life for ourselves. Have a family and grow old together.”
“Your photography?”
“I’ll take Sean up on his offer and do some other types of photos when I feel like it. You won’t have to work. You can travel with me if you want.” I stepped closer, cupping her face in my hands.
“You honestly want this?”
“More than anything.” I brushed her lips with mine. “Marry me, please.”
“Yes.”
—
I splayed my cards and snorted. Looking over at Elena, I cocked my eyebrow. “Nice, woman. Do you ever not cheat?”
She shook her head, feigning being indignant. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, boy. I dealt the cards, fair and square. You watched me shuffle them.”
I shook my head. “Then you sent me to fetch you more ice for your scotch. Which in itself is a travesty, I might add, watering down this fucking amazing scotch. You switched decks while I was gone.” I flipped my fingers between us menacingly. “I’m on to you, old woman.”
She did this every time. Stacked the deck, added cards, sent me to fetch something from the kitchen—whatever it took for her to win. And I let her, since I knew she donated all the winnings. But I loved teasing her and watching her get all blustery and snotty at me. It amused me to no end.
Beside me, Ally snickered; I looked over at her and rolled my eyes. She was the worst poker player in the history of poker. Ever. She didn’t understand the game at all, only playing with us because Elena enjoyed it so much. But when she got an apparent good hand, her tells were so obvious it was hilarious. Her eyes would widen, she’d smirk and bite her lip, all while holding the cards up in front of her face, as if no one would notice her expression. Often she giggled, as well, trying to cover up the sound with a little fake cough. Between Elena’s blatant cheating and Ally’s bad card playing, the games were only pathetic excuses to sit around drinking scotch and talking smack.
I enjoyed every single moment of it, because I loved these women so damned much it was shocking.
I tossed four quarters into the pot and smirked at them both. “Let’s go, ladies.”
Ten minutes later, I was desperately trying not to laugh at the silliness of playing with the two of them. I threw down my cards in mock disgust.
“I fold.”
Ally crowed as she took the pile, flinging her cards onto the table, showing her flush. Elena always let her win a few hands before she went in for the kill. The only time I won anything was when I shuffled the cards, but Elena always insisted her house, her rules, and she liked to deal. Her code name for cheat. Neither of us had ever walked out with any of our money. We never would—and I was fine with that.
I grinned and sipped the scotch, rolling the deep, almost smoky flavor around on my tongue. I liked this one.
“Maybe you should start a new business,” Elena mused as she watched me shuffle the cards and deal t
hem properly.
I arched my eyebrow. “A new business?”
She nodded as she arranged her hand, throwing two cards back. “Hit me.”
I chuckled and looked at Ally. She was frowning and moving her fingers across the cards, which meant she had nothing and was trying to figure out what to do. Sure enough, she laid her cards down.
“I fold.”
I shook my head. I could never get her to understand how to create a decent hand, and I had given up trying.
“What kind of new business?” I asked, dealing myself a couple of new cards.
“Maybe one of those boudoir photoshoot places.”
I almost choked on my drink, the scotch burning my throat. “The only woman I’m interested in taking boudoir shots of is Ally, Elena. But thanks for the idea.”
“No, you’d do great,” she insisted. “With those killer looks, sexy tattoos, and smoldering eyes, you’d pack them in.”
Ally laughed and I shot her a look.
“Not happening.”
Elena poked at her hair and batted her eyelashes at me. “If I was twenty years younger, I’d let you do a spread of me.”
I caught Ally’s gaze and winked. Leaning forward, I brushed Elena’s cheek with my lips. “If you were twenty years younger and I was single, I’d take you up on that offer, you minx. It wouldn’t be my shutter snapping open in that spread, either.”
They started to laugh, and I grinned. I loved making them laugh.
Elena dropped her cards. “I’m tired. No more cards.”
Ally gathered up the cards, the action making her ring glint in the light. I had misjudged just how small her fingers were. It was too big for her, but she had wanted to show it to Elena and share our news. She had wrapped tape around it to keep it on, saying even after a few hours her finger felt wrong without it. We planned to take it to the jewelers and have it sized.
She’d been so excited to show it to Elena, who had studied it carefully, then kissed us both, wishing us a lifetime of happiness together. She was even more pleased when I told her of my plans.
I smiled as I lifted Ally’s hand to my mouth and kissed her fingers.
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