Heather Rainier

by His Tattooed Virgin

  Divine Creek Ranch 12

  His Tattooed Virgin

  Jayne Sheridan intended to wait until her wedding night to give up “the goods.” One life threatening illness and a decade later, she’s wondering if she’ll ever get married and if she shouldn’t just “go for it” now that she’s cancer-free. Her undeniable attraction to the town tattoo artist has her contemplating getting more than a tattoo.

  Seth Carter has crammed a lot of living into his years and had his heart broken in a way that he believes is irrevocable. Jayne confuses and intrigues him but he doesn’t want her to look back with regrets, so he turns down her offer. He doesn’t count on the onslaught of jealousy when Jayne decides to take matters into her own hands. Jayne is his.

  When the past treads on his doorstep, can Seth handle unexpected blessings and protect the ones he holds dearest to him?

  Genre: Contemporary, Western/Cowboys

  Length: 89,173 words

  HIS TATTOOED VIRGIN

  Divine Creek Ranch 12

  Heather Rainier

  EVERLASTING CLASSIC

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  ABOUT THE E-BOOK YOU HAVE PURCHASED: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to only ONE LEGAL copy for your own personal reading on your own personal computer or device. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden. If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer.

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  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: Everlasting Classic

  HIS TATTOOED VIRGIN

  Copyright © 2012 by Heather Rainier

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-62241-782-7

  First E-book Publication: November 2012

  Cover design by Les Byerley

  All art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  Letter to Readers

  Dear Readers,

  If you have purchased this copy of His Tattooed Virgin by Heather Rainier from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

  Regarding E-book Piracy

  This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book.

  The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment.

  This is Heather Rainier’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Rainier’s right to earn a living from her work.

  Amanda Hilton, Publisher

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  www.BookStrand.com

  DEDICATION

  To my precious husband, who has held my hand and encouraged me, no matter what. Because of his support and help, I’ve been able to chase my dreams. He’s stretched and grown right along with me and become an even bigger inspiration to me in the process.

  To my sweet friend Morgan Ashbury, also known as Cara Covington, author of the Lusty, Texas series. Since we conceived the crossovers between our series last spring, I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and have discovered that not only are you a consummate professional, you’re also a helluva lot of fun! I’ve enjoyed every moment spent hammering out details, comparing notes, giggling over late night e-mails, and sharing characters with you. I’m happy to say the road between Divine and Lusty turned out to be a short one!

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  On the train from Chicago to Dallas, we met a man who inspired part of the storyline for this novel. A complete stranger, heavily tattooed, he and his young son were shown to our table. I’m a writer, and have an active imagination, but his gaze challenged me to judge him, to ask for a different table. Good thing I love a challenge. He told us his story, and how he came to be a single dad. His words still resonate in my memory. “I took one look and he owned my heart. How could I say no?” From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Troy.

  A reader who is a breast cancer survivor contacted me to let me know that reading Lydia’s Twin Temptation got her through a day spent in chemo treatments. While I was doing research for His Tattooed Virgin, she shared her experiences with a tattoo artist. Tattoos aren’t just about decorating the body. Sometimes they’re part of feeling whole again. Thank you, Kendis.

  Words can never express how much I appreciate Corinne Davies’s friendship, encouragement, and levelheadedness. Whether we’re brainstorming or sprinting on Skype, chatting over a glass of wine, or laughing over the “‘unimind’ connection,” the miles between us never seem to matter. And if any reader thinks I have great taste in wine, I owe that all to you, babe.

  Another person crucial to my creative process is my beta, Stormy, who provides a fresh pair of eyes and another perspective, helping me to insure that I bring readers an error-free, well-rounded story. Her sense of humor and her sharp eyes are a blessing to me.

  I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank the poet who wrote “For Jayne,” as well as several other poems the Divine Creek series has inspired him to write. Richard Taylor, it’s my pleasure to share “For Jayne” with readers.

  Normally a shy person, I stayed away from all social media until my career made it a necessity. How different my life would be if I hadn’t met and interacted with all the lovely people who have become my online friends on Facebook, Twitter, and in e-mails. Hearing how much a book means to a reader is like comfort food to an author.

  I’ve been blessed with an editor who has helped in one way or another to shape every book in this series. Her ability to draw the story I intended to tell out of the manuscript I submit, and to constantly challenge me through her input to be better and do better, is an amazing gift to me. Thank you so much, Caroline Acebo.

  In the process of bringing a book to readers, I’m fortunate to deal with a team of consummate professionals at Siren Publishing. From the day I submit it to the day the download link goes live, I know my stories are in capable hands. Thank you, Lena, Kristen, Kathryn, Kelley, Erin, and all the staff at Siren-BookStrand.

  If I’ve had any luck as an author, it was the day I decided to submit my first manuscript to Siren Publishing. Thank you to my publisher, Diana DeBalko, for her guidance and for believing in me. You were right.

  Thank you to my family for their love, patience, and encouragement. And of course, thanks to my girls, Christi, Tonya, and Jennifer for being my cheerleaders. The
margaritas are on me.

  HIS TATTOOED VIRGIN

  Divine Creek Ranch 12

  HEATHER RAINIER

  Copyright © 2012

  Chapter One

  Seth Carter held the tattoo consent form in his hand, and gazed at Jayne Sheridan. The afternoon sunlight outside his downtown Divine studio windows shone through the reddish-brown strands of her long, wavy hair. She brushed a lock of it behind her ear and fiddled with a ring she wore on her index finger. He wondered at the cause of her agitation as she fidgeted self-consciously on the other side of his reception counter at Divine Ink, biting her lower lip. The nervous habit had a way of making the blood in his brain settle south of his waist, because he knew firsthand how soft her lips were.

  He’d kissed her when he’d taken her home the evening of July 4th and had wanted to do it again each time he’d seen her since. She’d come into the studio a couple of times to discuss getting a tattoo, and each time there had been others around. Jayne was reserved and so he’d controlled the urge.

  She’d walked in five minutes before, in heels, skirt, and blouse, looking like a typical librarian should, but it didn’t matter what she wore. She had a luscious body built for sin. The way she bit her lip enticed him to pull her into his arms. He wanted to kiss her but he kept his libido in check as he focused on answering her question.

  “What I think would look good on you may be very different from what you have in mind. The design needs to be something you’re sure you can live with.” She sincerely wants to know what design you’d tattoo her with. Show her the design. She won’t think it’s silly. “Do you know why you want the tattoo?”

  She’d surprised him when she’d brought up the subject of getting a tattoo two weeks before at Grace Warner’s July 4th get-together. Jayne had hardly seemed the type on the surface but he’d quickly understood that where the reserved librarian was concerned, a book shouldn’t be judged by its cover. That event hadn’t been his first encounter with the Jayne, though. He’d stopped by the Divine Memorial Library, searching for inspiration the day he’d actually met her. He’d been perusing a volume on Japanese art and had sat down on one of the carpeted aisles when she’d rushed around a corner, putting books away, and tripped over his legs. The books had wound up all over the floor and she’d injured her hands and her knees.

  A light blush stained her cheeks, but she stood her ground and answered his question. “I’m tired of watching everyone else live their lives to the fullest. I’m ready…” She let out a slow breath and rested her forearms in front of her on the counter, seeming resolute. “Do you remember me telling you that I’d been sick?”

  “Of course.” He recalled that she’d mentioned having suffered from a long-term illness when they’d gotten to know each other on July 4th. There was no way he could forget. The thought of this gentle woman battling a serious illness didn’t sit well with him.

  “I was sick off and on from my midtwenties, until last year. That’s over a decade that I can’t get back. I don’t want to bore you with all the details but I have some lost time to make up for.”

  “And you’re well now?”

  “In remission,” she corrected. Seth nodded in understanding. Over the years he’d met several cancer patients. “I’ve been watching life pass me by and I want my chance at it. I want to go for it, whatever ‘it’ is.” She adjusted the collar of her silky shirt and added, “But I need to be discreet about where the tattoo is placed, because of my job. My bosses are rather conservative.”

  Seth hid his smile, deciding to test her a little. “So, you just want a small tattoo on your shoulder or your hip? Maybe throw caution to the wind, even if it’s only a tiny bit?”

  She glanced away momentarily, but then a smoldering fire entered her eyes, causing his libido to take notice again. She might be unsure what getting a tattoo would be like but she wanted it anyway. This was what he wanted to see.

  She shook her head. “I want to be discreet but I’m doing this. I want to know what you can do. Show me.” All traces of her uncertainty were gone.

  Yes, ma’am.

  Jayne was a conundrum to him. She had an air of fragility, yet he could see her determination reflected in her eyes. He wanted to spend time with her, beyond merely tattooing her.

  Seth leaned on the reception counter that separated the waiting area from his workspace and stroked his bottom lip. He debated again about showing her the sketch, knowing he took the chance of offending her. Her gaze was riveted to his hands, and her blush deepened as she looked away. Her earlier words echoed in his mind. I’m going for it. In an instant his decision was made. She needed to see what he could do for her—if she dared.

  He reached behind the counter for his sketchbook. From there it was up to her. “I have photographs in binders that I could show you, but…”

  “But what?”

  Seth leafed through the sketchbook until he found what he wanted. “I drew something the other night, with you in mind.” This felt a lot like showing her the inner workings of his mind and he paused for just a second, reconsidering. He glanced up and watched as she stepped forward and placed her hands flat on the counter. Anticipation was evident in her eyes as she stared at the sketchbook.

  The design had come to him after he’d taken her home from the July 4th celebration. Because he hadn’t been able to sleep, he’d sat up thinking about her, remembering the feel of her in his arms, and envisioning what her unblemished, ivory skin would look like if he was allowed free rein. He’d known as he drew it that it was fantasy because she’d never want a tattoo that big, not on her first try. She probably wouldn’t want to sit through the three or four sessions it would take to get it finished. Additionally, she’d have to be at least partially nude during the sessions.

  The reality was that she’d be seeing it every day, and if she ever married, it needed to be pleasing to her husband too. Not every man would be interested in a woman with a tattoo that extensive. I am, though! Doesn’t really matter. She’d never go for something this extensive. Conversely, he didn’t want to think about any other man viewing his handiwork.

  He located the design in the spiral-bound book and turned it so she could see.

  Jayne’s lips formed a perfect O shape as she hooked the spiral with her index finger and gently drew the sketchbook to her. Seth’s heart sped to a gallop as she gazed at the sketch. Most of his sketches were utilitarian, part of the business, and designed to communicate with a customer. This drawing was much more intimate. She glanced at him, and her cheeks bloomed with bright color. The same rosy hue that had inspired the design. Now she knew he’d been thinking about her in the nude. Dude, fantasizing. Be honest with yourself.

  In the drawing, the whimsical climbing rose started on her rib cage, by her right breast, swept across her abdomen diagonally, stretching to her left hip and curling around the upper left thigh. The tips of the rose petals were brushed with the faintest hint of a rosy-peach pastel crayon. Graceful black swirls filled in around the roses and stems, and delicate script lettering wound throughout the design.

  On the page, the tattoo was depicted from three different angles, and in one of them the shadowed V of her pussy, at least as he imagined it, was visible. He bit the inside of his cheek, knowing that he’d shown more detail than was absolutely necessary, then remembered that this had been a fantasy he’d drawn and not something he’d intended to propose to her. Or is it?

  His mind wandered again to what a tattoo session with her would be like. He’d tattooed hundreds…thousands of men and women in the time he’d been an artist, on parts of their bodies that might shock Jayne. None of them, even the beautiful standouts like Lily Cook, had affected him the way tattooing Jayne Sheridan with this design would.

  It would be a painful exercise in self-denial.

  In his travels while studying his craft, Seth had met all types of women, and Jayne was certainly atypical. Jayne was studious and quiet. The serious part of his nature liked that about her, t
hat she didn’t fill their time with inane talk. There was something about her he couldn’t quite pinpoint that brought out his protective instincts. When he tattooed someone, he usually became absorbed in the art he was creating, but he had a feeling that with Jayne that would happen on a whole deeper level.

  “Do you have a photograph of this already on someone?” she asked, her eyes hooded so he couldn’t sense her reaction.

  Chewing his lower lip, Seth shook his head. “No. I just drew this the other night, after…”

  She lifted the sketchbook from the counter and peered closely at it, and hope germinated in his heart. She’s seriously considering it!

  It would be perfect on you. Only on you.

  “After what?”

  “After I dropped you off. I haven’t done this design on anyone else.” And if you want it, I won’t do it on anyone else.

  Her finger lightly brushed the script lettering and she whispered, “James Whitcomb Riley?” Her soft smile told him that he’d made the right choice in adding the lines from Riley’s poem, “The Rose,” to the design.

  He thought he detected a tremor in her hand, but she kept her eyes averted so her emotions were hard to read. He had the urge to reach out and tilt her chin up so he could look into them.

  Seth nodded and quoted, “‘And I said: I will cull my own sweet rose—Some day I will claim as mine the priceless worth of the flower that knows no change, but a bloom divine—The bloom of a fadeless constancy that hides in the leaves in wait for me!’”