Inked Temptation (Inked Series, #1)

by Maree, Kay

  “Try and stop me buddy." I give him a kiss on the cheek and a quick hug before they walk out the door.

  Turning, I head to the bed to grab my bag but find X already has it in his hand.

  “Come on, Babe, let me take you home.” He holds out his free hand.

  Taking X’s strong, rough hand in mine, I revel in the feeling of it as it completely engulfs mine. Making our way out of the room X drops my hand and wraps his arm around my waist.

  “I got you, Babe.” He plants a kiss to the crown of my head.

  Without doubt, I know he truly has got me. X has been by my side day in and day out, keeping me strong and pushing me forward. Now it’s time for me to do the same for him as he works through the difficult days ahead.

  Glancing over my shoulder, a secret smile on my face, I look through the window at the beautiful Autumn day. Noticing for the first time in days, the clear crisp blue sky with not a cloud in sight. A slight sway in the trees makes the golden, red and brown leaves dance gracefully. I’m reminded of the crisp chilly air we are about to face once we’re outside and I snuggle deeper into X’s side. A warmth runs through me knowing, no matter what, the man at my side will shield me from anything which lies ahead of us. Our strength together has me looking forward to the bright new days to come.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Xavier

  After settling Ally in my bed, I make my way towards the living room.

  My apartment is fairly modern with an open floor plan. The kitchen, living room and dining room are all in the same large space and the far wall has sliding glass doors which open onto a huge balcony overlooking Newcastle Harbor in Honeysuckle. Summer time is absolutely breathtaking. There's nothing better than sitting outside, firing up the barbeque and throwing back a few beers on the outdoor lounge setting. Today, the doors are closed with the blinds rolled up to the ceiling, allowing the natural light to flood in. Shaking my head clear, I focus on my dad who is sitting on the black leather lounge, going through paperwork that's covering my glass coffee table. Heading towards the kitchen bench, I flick the kettle on and pull two coffee mugs from the cupboard.

  “Coffee?” I ask while putting a teaspoon of coffee in each cup, already knowing the answer would be yes.

  “Yeah." His voice is raw, gruff. He sounds absolutely, fucking defeated. “How's Ally?” Concern laces his voice, I know he’s trying to take his mind off everything that’s happened.

  “Good, but she's exhausted. Doc said it’ll be a while before she gets her strength back.”

  I answer while picking up the kettle and pouring the hot water into each cup. Ally looked better than she had in days when I picked her up from the hospital. The pink tinge I love so much has returned to her cheeks, but I can tell she still has a way to go before she’s completely recovered.

  “I'll head home today and give you guys some privacy.” I look over my shoulder and watch as he leans back into the lounge and rubs his eyes, the paperwork pushed aside. Turning, I lean against the bench, crossing my arms over my chest. I take in his disheveled hair, his unkempt clothes and worry swims in the pit of my stomach. Looking towards the glass doors again, I blink a few times to clear my watery vision.

  “Dad, you don't have to go anywhere,” I assure him, huskiness taking over my voice. I know I would be worried as shit if he was at home by himself at this time. “Let's get through the next couple of days and see how you feel.” I want him to know he’s welcome here for as long as he needs to be.

  “We’ll see how things go," he murmurs before going back to the papers in front of him.

  Turning back, I pick up the cups and make my way towards the lounge. Sitting, I move some of the papers out of the way and place our cups down. Grabbing the stack of papers I’d moved, I flick through them, noticing they’re mums funeral arrangements.

  “I pulled some steaks out this morning, how about we fire up the barbeque for dinner after the funeral director leaves? " I suggest.

  “Sounds good." He picks up a photo of the three of us which was lying amongst the scattered papers, it’s one mum always had with her.

  Giving it a brief look, I try to swallow around the lump in my throat which seems to be permanently lodged there these days. Closing my eyes, I take a few deep breaths and bow my head when I feel my father's hand land against my back. No words are spoken, only the sound of our heavy breathing surrounds us as we both try to control our emotions.

  “Thanks again, Donald." I shake the funeral director’s hand before closing the front door behind him.

  Placing both palms flat against the wooden door, I take in a few deep breaths, wishing this shit was just a fucking dream. Squeezing my eyes shut, I picture my mum’s smile the last time I saw her and try to block out the memories of her lifeless body lying on a hospital bed with tubes coming out of her everywhere. I remember the chill to my lips when I kissed her forehead for the last time, a sensation I don’t think I will ever forget.

  Squeezing my hands into fists, my knuckles pop under the strain. Dropping my head against the door with a quiet thud, I let it rest against the wood and attempt to fight off the tears which threaten to fall. Moment by moment, the walls I’d put up a couple of days ago, the walls to keep me strong, begin to crumble around me. The tears I’ve fought to hold back begin to spill down my cheeks. Licking my bottom lip, I taste the saltiness. My body trembles uncontrollably, the chill from the memory of the kiss slides under my skin. Goosebumps appear, making everything fresh and raw once again. Pushing my fists harder against the door, the tremble escalates to shaking and the door vibrates under my hands.

  Biting down on my tongue, I try to fight off the cyclone spiraling inward making my stomach twist in pain and my heart feel like lead. My eyes are burning and my breaths are coming in choppy pants. No matter how hard I squeeze my fists together, these overwhelming feelings won’t go away.

  My body tenses when small hands wrap around me from behind and her head rests against my back. Just like the night I went back to her after seeing my mother for the last time in the hospital, she holds me firm, comforting me, there is no need for words. I try to push down the brutal waves of pain, loss and despair which are trying to bring me to my knees. Blinking my eyes against the swirling and crushing rawness from only moments ago, I will it to fade to black. Not to fade completely, but enough for me to be able to think and to begin to build the walls back up again.

  “You had me, now I have you.” Her husky words hit my back and I don’t need to look to know she is crying.

  Leaving my head resting against the door, I lower my hands and cover hers where they rest against my stomach. I’m not ready to turn around and face her just yet. Taking another couple of deep breaths, I will my control, which I’m so well known for, to snap back into place before I face my father. After a few seconds, the rawness is buried deep enough for me to turn and wrap my arms around my girl. Resting my head against the crown of hers, I breathe in her sweetness, soaking it in enough to help calm my racing nerves.

  “I need to be stronger,” I whisper so my father doesn’t hear me.

  “For who?” Her glassy eyes capture mine, refusing to let them go.

  So much passion lives behind her green orbs. My throat tightens and I’m afraid to speak in case it comes out on a broken sob.

  “No one expects you to be strong at the moment, Babe. It’s okay to break every now and then.” Ally blows out a deep breath and grips the back of my shirt tighter. “This past week has been a whirlwind of emotions and broken moments. We’ll get through this and be stronger.....together.”

  This woman blows my fucking mind. After everything she’s been through this past week, especially with her own mother, I didn’t know what to expect but this was far from it.

  “Fuck, Babe, after everything that’s happened this week, I’m not sure how much more I can take. But, you standing here, your voice so fucking strong....” I shake my head. “I’m in awe of you, Baby.”

  When she raises up
on the tips of her toes, I lift her at the waist and she places her lips over mine, breathing life back into my broken soul. Lowering her back to her feet, I wrap one arm around her and bring her into my chest. I cup her warm cheek in my other hand and turning her head, she places a soft kiss into my palm before leaning into my touch as her glassy eyes lock with mine.

  “I love you.” Truer words have never before passed my lips.

  Her eyes widen before softening and I brush away a single glistening tear as it escapes down her cheek.

  “I love you, too.”

  Hearing those words from her sweet lips are like a balm to my soul and I know we can get through this together.

  “We got this,” I grunt before bringing her lips back to mine.

  “Together.....” she whispers into my mouth as her lips touch mine.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Ally

  Running my hands down the front of my black shift dress to the hem which hits just above the knees, I smooth out a few wrinkles. I examine my black stockings, ensuring I don’t have a run and let out a breath when I note I have managed to pull them on without tearing the flimsy material. I turn back to the mirror and fluff out my auburn hair which is simply styled with soft curls flowing down the sides of my face.

  I hum along with the radio as I run the tip of my finger around the edge of my lips to make sure I have no smudges from the brown lipstick I just applied. I smack my lips together to make sure the colour spreads evenly and push my palms against my thighs when a slight tremble races through them. I will myself to find the control to get me through today.

  It’s Thursday, a day so much like any other but yet so different because it’s the day we say goodbye to Xavier’s mother. With a heavy heart I turn towards the bedroom door, deciding to leave the radio on to provide X some background noise while he gets ready.

  Entering the kitchen, I head straight for the kettle and flick the switch on, knowing the guys will probably want coffee before we have to leave. Glancing at my watch, I note the time is only 7.30 am. We still have plenty of time but not enough to build ourselves up to do what we have to. Staring through the glass doors which take up an entire wall, I take in the clear, crisp day. The sun’s rays bounce off the calm water in the harbour. It’s as if the weather is conspiring against us – instead of being gloomy, depressing without X’s mother here, it’s sunny and bright and everything around us is cheerful. I bite down on my quivering lip and attempt to stem the onslaught of emotions slamming into me. I may not have had the privilege of meeting Emily, but through the stories shared over the week by X and his dad, I feel like I’ve lost someone before I even had a chance to savour and cherish her. Emily sounds like a woman you couldn’t help but love. A tiny kernel of jealousy had swirled into my stomach and made my chest tighten as I listened to them tell story after story. I found myself wishing I had someone like that for a mother. I know it’s irrational to feel that way, maybe it’s the events from the past week with my own pathetic excuse for a mother being so vicious. I can’t help how I feel, I would have given anything for a mother like Emily. She was obviously someone very special and I feel sad knowing I’ve missed out on knowing her.

  “Are you okay, Sweetness?” X’s deep voice sounds from behind me as he wraps his strong arms around my waist.

  I hadn’t realised I’d walked towards the glass doors and placed my palm against the cool glass, staring at nothing in particular, just letting my mind completely zone out. Shaking off the fog, I rest my hands over X’s and lean my head back against his chest. I lift my chin and look up at him through my lashes.

  “Yeah...just lost in thought, sad I didn’t have the opportunity to know your mum.”

  X leans down and kisses my forehead, I close my eyes at the soft touch of his lips. I’m missing being intimate with him. Since we got here from the hospital on Monday, he’s been so worried he would hurt me, he’s refused to make love to me. I understand his reasons but I miss that piece of him. Damn stubborn man.

  “How are you doing?” I whisper.

  Looking up, I gaze straight into his soft calming eyes but it lasts for only a moment. I watch as they begin to churn and swirl with emotion, crushed by a tidal wave of raw hurt. They begin to glaze over and he doesn’t say a word, he simply nods before taking a deep breath and blowing it out slowly. He struggles to hold back the tears and one lonely drop rolls down his cheek before he swipes it away. A sharp pain grips my chest every time a tear escapes his eyes, it’s like his mountain of strength is cracking and breaking right before my eyes and all I want to do is patch him back up. I know it’s killing him waiting on the autopsy report. Nothing is worse than not knowing what happened but waiting for the answer is a close bloody second. I wish I could take his pain away but all I can do is be here for him and try to take his mind off things even if it’s only for a short period of time.

  “I put the kettle on, let me fix you a coffee.” I start to move free of his hold but he tightens his arms around me, holding me in a vice-like grip.

  “In a minute. I just need to breathe for a minute.”

  I melt into his hold, loving that I do for him what he does for me.

  “Okay,” I murmur.

  Turning in his arms so I can bury my face into his chest, I have to suppress a moan from escaping my throat when I notice the black as night suit he is wearing, because right now isn’t the time to be drooling all over him. Squeezing my eyes shut, I try not to think about how his crisp white shirt is moulded perfectly to his hard chest, like a second skin.

  “Are you okay, Babe?”

  “Yep,” I squeak out. Clearing my throat, I try again. “I sure am, why is that?” I’m hoping to the heavens above I sounded bloody normal and it wasn’t the desperate whine my ears heard.

  Chuckling softly, I feel his hot breath against the top of my head before he speaks. I squeeze my thighs together, trying to stop the sudden tingle in my clit caused by the vibration of his deep rumble in his chest.

  “Babe, your squirming like a worm and your breath’s kind of picked up speed.”

  Shit. Sometimes I wish he wasn’t so observant.

  “I’m good.” I concentrate on trying to control my breathing.

  “Come on, I want to show you something.” X pulls away and grips my hand tightly in his.

  “What?” My brows crease as I wonder what he needs to show me.

  He doesn’t say anything, just keeps walking in the direction of his bedroom with my hand in his. I have to quicken my steps to keep up with his long strides.

  “I thought we were going to have coffee?” I question as he sets me down on the edge of his bed. Holding a finger in the air, indicating for me to wait a moment, he turns and heads towards the black tallboy which is against the wall. He picks up a small velvet pouch from the top before returning to sit next to me. Gripping the pouch in one hand as if his life depends on whatever is in it, he gathers up my hand in his free one and takes a few steadying breaths before facing me.

  “What is it, what’s wrong?” Worry laces my voice as I stare into his eyes.

  Emotions flicker through them so fast, it’s hard for me to figure out what’s wrong.

  Releasing my hand, he pulls the strings open on the pouch, and turns it upside down into the palm of his hand. The hint of gold catches my eye and I suck in a deep breath.

  “We’ve got this, you and me?” He asks, releasing a breath.

  “We have.” I nod, feeling the words right to my core. “We can get through anything.” I manage to say before his lips crash down on mine. I feel the cool of metal against my cheek as he palms the side of my face with one hand, the other holding the opposite side of my neck. Feeling cocooned in his warmth, I get lost in his kiss as his tongue slides against mine. Pulling back slightly on panting breaths, I suck my bottom lip into my mouth, savouring the tingling sensation his kisses always cause. Intense blue eyes meet mine, holding me captive and I struggle to draw oxygen into my lungs as pure primal need washes
over them. His eyes dart to my neck and I follow his line of sight but don’t know what he is looking at. When I raise my hand, it comes into contact with the cool metal of what I know must be a necklace. Getting to my feet, I cross to the free-standing mirror in the corner of the room. A gasp leaves my lips when I see the diamond encrusted star pendant hanging from a gold chain.

  “Wow....” My voice is awash with shock as I finger the delicate jewel. “It’s absolutely gorgeous.” Words can’t do the piece justice. The sun’s rays streaming through the window bounce off each diamond casting a rainbow of colours around me.

  Wrapping his strong arms around me from behind, he rests his chin on my shoulder and locks his gaze on mine in the mirror.

  “On the darkest of days, you make everything brighter,” he breathes out against my neck, sending a shudder ricocheting down my spine.

  “Damn,” I whisper, making him chuckle.

  Love bursts through my veins as the lyrics to Hungry Eyes by Eric Carmen begins to waft in the air. Turning me in his arms, his lips land on mine before I can even catch my breath. Sliding his hands up my dress, he grabs my waist and lifts me off my feet. Pulling back from the kiss so, we are a whisper apart, he murmurs as he runs his tongue softly over my lips - “help me breathe.”

  “Always.”

  Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him back to my lips, needing to breathe him in as much as he needs to breathe me in. Feeling the soft bed beneath me, I expect him to rip my stockings and panties off, instead he pulls his lips from mine and a soft whimper of protest leaves my lips.

  “I need this slow, Babe and you’re still recovering so, I’m in control. I want you to lie there and take everything I have to give you.”

  “I’m okay.”

  Shaking his head, he cocks a dark brow. “Trust me babe, you’re not ready for hard and fast.”