“Because I’ve already had pancakes and cake today.”
“So?”
“I’ve not worked out all week.”
“Doll, I can assure you, we did plenty of exercise last night.” My cheeks burn as my imagination begins to run away with me. “Your body is perfect,” he whispers into my ear, making my skin prick with goosebumps.
“Okay, but I’m having salad for dinner.”
“Eat your heart out.”
With our hands once again entwined, we make our way over to order tubs of gelato. We find ourselves a bench and enjoy it while watching everyone roam around us.
“I could sit here all day, people watching.”
“You ever try to imagine what their lives might be like?”
“All the time.”
“Like, those two over there.” He nods to an older couple probably in their seventies. They’re standing looking over the river, their hands connected. “You think they’re childhood sweethearts, or do you think they’re new lovers?”
My brows draw together, and I look at him out of the corner of my eye.
“I’m not being a creep. I’m just wondering, or more hoping that their love still burns that strong.”
I stare at the couple to see if I can work it out. The man turns to the woman as she says something, and lines appear on his face as he laughs at whatever it was. They look so relaxed together. “Childhood sweethearts, definitely.”
“Why?”
“Look at the way he’s staring at her. That’s not something new. That’s years of love and adoration right there.”
“You think they know how lucky they are?”
“I sure hope so.”
“So what’s your dating history? Any exes I should know about?” Carter asks before I get to point out his obvious romantic side.
I blow out a sigh. “Nope. I’ve got nothing of any excitement. Few short-term boyfriends. None that were worthy of any longer.”
“Ruthless.”
“Not really. Things just… ran out of steam, I guess. What about you?”
“Same. I’m usually seen as the one-night bad boy.” He shrugs, and I laugh.
“Such third world problems. All the women just want your body.”
“Hey,” he says, attempting to pout but failing miserably. “It was fun to begin with, but it got old pretty quick for me.”
“So what do you want now?”
“Everything I said online. I wasn’t looking for marriage.” He lifts his hand that still displays his wedding ring and laughs. “Just someone who’s not going to expect me to leave once she’s got what she wanted.”
A long sigh falls from my lips. “How much do you remember from last night?” I ask, dreading the answer already. If he remembers everything I don’t, I’m going to feel awful. I should have more than just a few flashbacks of his hands and lips on me.
He’s silent a few moments and I assume he’s thinking back. “It’s sketchy,” he admits.
“So we might not actually be married?” His head snaps to mine—I can only assume it’s the hope in my voice that shocks him.
“No, we definitely are. I’ve got the paperwork to prove it.”
“But it could—”
“No,” he snaps. “We really did. I remember that much.”
“So how did we get there?”
He shrugs. “Like I said, it’s sketchy.”
“Great. Well, at least it’s not just me,” I mutter.
“I knew you were drunk. But I didn’t release you were that drunk. I need you to know that I didn’t take—”
“I know,” I say, stopping him mid-sentence. It hadn’t occurred to me until that point that he could be worried about what went down last night. What I thought of him, seeing as I how don’t remember it.
“When we got back to the hotel you were fully on board with consummating our marriage.” My cheeks heat, and I drop my head into my hands. “No need to be embarrassed, doll. It was sexy as fuck hearing my wife demand I fuck her.”
“Oh my god, oh my god.”
“Then watching you ride me.”
I groan. “Of course it’s that part that you remember in great detail.”
“There’s no way I could forget any moment when you’re naked.”
My entire body heats at his words. The deep rumble caresses every one of my senses and has desire pooling in my lower belly.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, emotion clogging my throat that I don’t remember what should have been the biggest event of my life.
Carter’s arm wraps around my shoulders, and he pulls me to his body. His lips once again press against my hair.
“You’ve got nothing to apologise for,” he murmurs against me. “We were both as drunk and as crazy as each other.”
“I guess so,” I say on a sigh, enjoying the warmth of his body once again.
“I’d like to do one more crazy thing before we head back, if you’re up for it.”
17
Carter
“I guess that all depends on what it is,” Danni says, her body tensing against mine.
“I want to go and visit the Vegas studio.” She relaxes for a second before she thinks of something.
“Wait, you’re not suggesting that I get a tattoo, are you?”
“Only if you want one. I was more going for me, to be honest.”
“Thank God for that. You’re not getting a needle within ten feet of me.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah, so don’t be getting any crazy ideas about inking me.”
“Oh, doll. I had those ideas from the moment I discovered you’re a virgin.”
“Well, you can think again. I’m more than happy to watch someone cause you pain, but no one is touching me.”
Dropping my lips to her ear, I whisper, “Can I touch you?”
Jumping up from the bench, she turns her narrowed but heated eyes on me. “I think it’s time to go.”
“You just want to watch someone hurt me.”
“Yep, that’s exactly it.”
“Sadist.”
Her lips curl into a smile before a soft laugh passes them. My own lips twitch up and something squeezes in my chest.
“What?” she asks when she finds me staring at her.
“You’re really beautiful.”
“Oh stop it. Compliments aren’t going to get you back into my bed. You’re going to have to try harder than that.”
“I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
“Ha, funny. Come on, I want to see you squirm.”
“You do know that tattoos don’t really hurt, right?”
“I’ll just imagine that they’re torturing you, then.”
Shaking my head at her, I thread my fingers through hers and together we walk through the masses of people and back out to the strip.
“Aren’t we getting a cab?” Danni asks when I turn her left and continue walking.
“Nope, it’s not far.”
It’s only a few minutes before the very familiar pink neon of the Rebel Ink sign comes into view.
“I can’t believe my idiot brother has done all this.”
“I get where you’re coming from, but the reality is, he’s anything but an idiot.”
“Yeah, I’m starting to see that.”
“I can’t believe he kept it a secret all this time. I mean, it’s epic.”
“I understand why he did it—families are complicated beasts—but that doesn’t mean I didn’t tell him time and time again to come clean.”
“I wish he had. He received so much stick from our family about how he lived his life, mainly from Harrison. I don’t really understand why he didn’t ever throw it back in his face.”
“He just wanted his own life. I think he felt like more of an outcast than he ever really let on.”
“I guess. Turns out he was right to feel that way,” Danni says, clearly thinking of her newly acquired half-sister, Kas.
“Have you spoken to her much
?” I ask, assuming she’ll know who I’m talking about.
“We message every now and then. I think she feels awkward. We’re a fully-fledged family, and she’s just her.”
“It must be hard.”
“Yeah, and I get the impression she’s as stubborn as Zach.”
“And that won’t make it any easier,” I say with a laugh.
“So what about your family? I’m assuming from your previous comment that yours is just as complicated.”
A bitter laugh falls from my lips. “Yeah, you could say that. Rain check?” I ask as we come to a stop outside the studio.
“Sure, but don’t think I won’t ask again.”
“Why does that not surprise me?”
Pushing the heavy door open, I lead Danni into the studio reception.
The woman who greets us looks exactly as I was expecting from the brief conversations we’ve had on the phone. Dark hair, even darker make-up, and covered in ink and piercings. Although she’s younger, and hotter, than I was expecting, I must be honest.
“Good afternoon, how can we help?”
“Megs!” I say, marching over and pulling the horrified woman into my arms.
“Err… do I know you?” Her words are muffled against my chest, and I can’t help laughing.
“You’ve never met me in person.”
“Wait…” She pulls back and looks at me. “British accent, Londoner… I’m assuming…” I nod as she continues looking me over. “Titch!”
“The one and only.”
This time she’s the one pulling me in for a hug. “It’s so good to meet you.”
When she finally releases me, I stand back and gesture for Danni to join us. As I glance back at her, I find her staring daggers into me as her eyes flick between the two of us. Her lips are pressed into a thin line, and her brows are drawn together.
“This is Danni, boss man’s little sister.”
“Hey,” Megs says, giving Danni a double take, probably as confused by her expression as I am.
“I’m assuming he’s been here already.”
“Yep, his first port of call,” Megs says with a laugh. “Can’t believe he got married.”
“Crazy shit, huh?”
“So… did you just turn up to see me in the flesh, or did you want something?”
“Oh, I most definitely want something.” Danni scoffs behind me, and when I turn to look at her, she looks as shocked that she made the noise as I am. Her little show is telling me everything I need to know right now, and I can’t help but keep it up.
“You want me, or one of the other guys? They’re all busy, but I think they’ve got time later.”
“Why would I want them when I could have you?” I wink at her, but she doesn’t see because she’s too busy studying Danni over my shoulder.
“Aw, always such a smooth talker. Come on then, you can show me the goods.”
Megs takes a step towards an archway that leads to more doors, and I turn to Danni. “You coming?”
“Yes,” she states firmly, and I can’t help but smile.
“I’m quite liking this current look on you. It’s sexy,” I whisper in her ear when she steps up to me.
“What look?”
“Jealousy.”
“What?” she blanches. “I’m not jealous.”
“Whatever you say, doll.” I smile at her and turn back to follow Megs.
The second we’re in her room, I pull my shirt off, much to both Danni and Megs’ delight, if their widened eyes are anything to go by.
“Whoa, you don’t waste any time, do you?”
Shoving my jeans and boxers down enough to reveal the bit of skin she’s going to need, I hop up on her bed. Danni gets herself comfortable on the chair a few feet away, but at no point does she take her eyes from me.
“What’s the point when I know what I want?” Squeezing my hand into my pocket, I pull out a creased piece of paper with my design on. It’s nothing complicated, more a memento of our time than an actual piece of art.
Megs stares at it for a few moments. I can almost see the cogs turning in her brain as she works it out.
“I thought you were going to at least give me a challenge,” she mutters, getting her kit ready.
“Next time I want something bigger, I’ll let you know.”
“You ready?”
“Always.”
The buzz that I’ve missed even in the few hours it’s been since I last laid down some ink fills the small room. I glance at Danni as she tenses.
“You sure you don’t want a go? I’m sure I could convince Megs to lend me her machine.”
“You can have anything you want, sweet cheeks,” she teases.
“Not a chance. Make sure that hurts, won’t you?” Danni says to Megs, making me laugh.
The first touch of the needle makes me wince a little, but after a second the feeling is like second nature, therapeutic almost.
I keep my eyes on Megs as she works, but, feeling eyes burning into me, I look up. Danni stares at my naked skin as Megs’ delicate inked fingers work away. Her hands are curled into fists and her lips are pursed in frustration.
When she notices that she’s got an audience, I blow her a kiss. She shakes her head, but if it’s meant to be a warning, it falls very short of the mark.
With our eyes holding, it’s not long before Megs announces that she’s done and allows me to see her masterpiece.
“Perfect. Thank you.”
“You are more than welcome. You want any more, you know where to come.”
“You got it. Just don’t tell Zach, he’ll be pissed I let someone else at this work of art.”
“My lips are sealed. I—”
“Can I see?” Danni asks, cutting off whatever Megs was about to say.
“Nope.”
“Wrap me up, baby.” I wink at Megs as Danni fumes in her seat. She mutters something under her breath a second later before pushing from the chair and storming out of the room.
“Please, do tell,” Megs encourages as she covers up my new ink.
I bark out a laugh. “I don’t even know where to start.”
“Okay, well… I really hope you’re tapping that, because she’s seriously hot for you.”
“You reckon?”
“I know. Although, I can’t imagine boss man would be too thrilled. She looks like a good little girl, and even from all these miles away, I know you’ve got a rep.”
“Brilliant,” I mutter, not all that thrilled that my reputation precedes me.
“So correct me if I’m wrong, but with that,” she nods to my new ink, “combined with the ring on your finger and the jealous woman, I’m assuming you’ve had an eventful time in Vegas so far.”
I laugh, a full-on belly laugh at her assumption, and it feels so damn good. “Megs, you have no fucking idea.”
“I see the aftermath of plenty of these situations. Let me let you in to a little secret…” I nod for her to continue. “The ring, the tat, they don’t mean anything. It’s what’s in here that counts.” She pokes her index finger into my chest, harder than truly necessary if you ask me.
“Ow,” I complain, her long ass talon digging into my skin.
“Oh, don’t be a pussy. You want her?” She tilts her chin towards where Danni left a few moments ago. “Then you fucking follow her and prove it. Flirting with me and making her jealous is going to get you nowhere but in the fucking doghouse, you got it?”
I nod, my lips twitching into a smile. “I got it.” Standing from her bed, I pull my jeans back up and drag my shirt over my head. “Thanks for this.”
“Anytime. It was good to see you in real life.”
After pulling Megs in for a hug, I rush out of the studio to find my wife.
She’s nowhere to be seen. I set off running, hoping that it’ll catch up with her, but I never do.
I’m trying to catch my breath as I push through the hotel entrance and race towards the lifts.
“Whoa, Titch.
What the hell is going on?” Zach says, suddenly appearing in front of me.
“Huh? What? Nothing.”
“Then why are you running through the hotel like a mad man?”
“Just trying to catch up with Danni.”
“Why? What have you done?”
“N-nothing,” I stutter, not wanting to admit to him that I might have already hurt her.
“Day one and you’ve already fucked it up. Nice going, man.”
“Fuck you,” I spit, much to his surprise if his raised eyebrows are anything to go by.
“No wonder she’s run, if you’re in such a good mood.”
“Whatever. I’ll see you later for dinner.”
I push him aside and continue in the direction I was going. Two of the lift doors close just as I get there.
“Fuck’s sake.” Taking off in the direction of the stairs, I run up those instead, although by the time I’m halfway to our floor, which now feels like it’s in the fucking clouds, I seriously regret it.
By the time I all but fall through the door to our suite, I’m fucking exhausted. The living area is empty, but her bedroom door is shut. I stumble over and don’t bother knocking, knowing that she’d only try to keep me out if I did.
“Where’d you go?” I demand the second I find her sitting on her bed.
“I left.”
“No fucking shit,” I fume, my anger starting to boil over.
18
Danni
I’ve never been a jealous person, or not that I was aware of, but sitting there watching her with her hands on Carter and having to endure the blatant flirtation between the two of them had the green-eyed monster emerging within me faster than I could control. Then the knowledge that she knew exactly what she’d just inked on his skin and he refused to show me just tipped me over the edge. It was childish to storm out, but I just couldn’t cope, watching her fingers brush against his skin. It was all kinds of wrong, because although technically we’re currently man and wife, I’ve got no claim on him. He’s not mine as much as I’m not his. So why in that moment did you want him to be just that?
I shake the thoughts away and lean back against the headboard with my eyes closed. I try to push the image of her working on his skin aside, but it won’t leave me.
Trick You: A Brother's Best Friend Romance (Rebel Ink Book 2) Page 12