"What the fuck is that?" Everyone stops and looks to me. The fucking sign I ordered just came and it looks like shit. Dad comes over and pats my shoulder. "I knew you were gonna hate it. We'll send it back." I shake my head. "It took a fucking month and a half to get this one." He shrugs. "What do you wanna do kid?" I throw my arms in the air. I don't fucking need this. We were supposed to open a week ago. That fucking didn't happen. Carmen hasn't been feeling well. She was having some cramping and the doctor put her on bed rest. We're at the safe mark, but it's still scary to think about having the baby early. I can't do all this without her. "Just have the guy put the fucker up." He gives me a look, but walks off. I need to go check on Carmen. I've been running around all morning. I walk over and jog up the steps to our home. We got everything we need for this place. I know she wants to remodel the kitchen. And we will once the baby is here. I open the door. "Carmen." She isn't on the couch where I left her this morning. God damn that woman just won't stay put. "Carmen." I walk back the hall. She's not in the bathroom. Our bedroom door is half closed. I walk over and push it open, then stop in the doorway. She's asleep. Well that's a good thing. I walk into the room and just look at her. She's so gorgeous. I've been such a pain in the ass for her. I'm so grateful she never gave up on me. I would have never come this far without her. She starts to move a bit. She looks uncomfortable. Her belly is getting bigger by the day I swear. I sit on the edge of the bed, then run my fingers through her hair. She mumbles, "Dalton." I smile but it falls when she says, "God no. Dalton. Dalton no." I trail my finger tips down her cheek. Her eyes flutter. "Dalton don't go." My heart aches in my chest. She's dreaming about me leaving her. I would never..... I pat her arm. "Babe." She starts to wake up. Her eyes open. My heart slams in my chest like the first time we met. Her eyes still catch me off guard sometimes. "Hey." She smiles then moves so that her head and arms are across my legs. "I missed you." She whispers. I pull hair away from her face as I ask, "What were you dreaming about?" She looks up at me confused. "I don't remember why?" I smile as I tell her, "You were calling out to me. Telling me no and not to go." She swallows hard. "Oh." She starts to sit up. I help her. "Carmen? You wanna talk about it?" She sits back against the head board, taking herself further from me. I don't like it, so I move into the bed next to her. "Dalton your shoes are still on." I ignore her scolding and pull her into my arms. "Tell me what your dream was about." She snuggles into my side as best as she can. I feel the baby kick and chuckle. She giggles then sighs. "I keep having the same one...." She takes another breath making me a bit nervous. "You leave once the baby's here." She whispers then hides her face in my arm. I close my eyes needing a minute to figure out what to say. I know I haven't always been the best to her, but since I found out about this baby I have changed. I want this life we have. I want it so much more than I did even a month ago. I open my eyes and move from the bed. She looks to me. I can see fear spread across her face. I swallow hard then drop down to one knee. She clasps both hands to her mouth. "Carmen I know it wasn't long ago that I said I wasn't ready to make a big step like marriage, but I was wrong. I love our life. I'm excited for what's to come, and I wanna do that with you by my side as my wife." I reach into my jacket pocket where I have been keeping this ring for the last two weeks now, waiting for the right time. I sit the little black box on the bed next to her, then ask, "Will you marry me, baby?" She bursts into tears nodding her head. I smile as she just looks at the box. "Open it." She sniffles a couple times then takes her hands away from her mouth to pick up the box. She opens it and gasps. I had a custom ring made. Carmen is a one of a kind woman and deserves a one of a kind ring. I drove the jeweler nuts, but it turned out better than I hoped. She looks to me. "Dalton, it's so beautiful." I reach out taking the box from her. "I had to make it special like you." She sniffles again as more tears fall. I take the ring from the box. "Are you sure about this, cuz once you're wearing my ring, you're mine forever." She holds her hand out to me. "I wouldn't want it any other way." I slide the ring onto her finger. It fits her perfectly. I run my thumb over the black diamond and down the side to the skull lined band. She starts to move from the bed. "What are you doing?" She holds her finger up for me to wait. I watch her waddle over to her dresser. She opens the top drawer and pulls something out. She walks back to me. I'm still on one knee. She gets down on her knees in front of me. I try to force her back to her feet, but she tells me, "Dalton stop." I don't know what she's trying to do. She holds up a solid black band. "Dalton Hartwell, I accept your ring, but only if you accept mine. Will you be my husband?" I actually have to blink back tears. Damn. I'm becoming such a pussy. "Of course." She puts the ring on my finger. I get up taking her with me as I tell her, "Fuck me, I love you." She chuckles into my neck telling me, "Well fuck me, I love you too."
It's finally the day. My shop, Black Ink, is open. I smile as my first client walks through the door. Just about every single one of my previous clients called and scheduled with me when they found out I was opening this place. I bet that just really fucked Steve off. Sunny greets the man and has him do all the paper work. I start to get set up. I have all the line work done that I'll need for the next three months. I've been unable to sleep well with our baby girl's due date creeping closer and closer, so I work. Carmen sleeps all the time. She said these last few weeks have been really wearing her out. She's down right miserable. I almost wish she would just go ahead and come just a little early to spare Carmen any further discomfort. "Dalton he's set." Sunny calls out to me as the man comes over to me. "Hey man this place is great." I nod telling him, "Thanks." I really should have made a better effort to remember my clients names. I know I've done at least four pieces on him. "Uh I'm sorry what's your name again?" He holds his hand out. "Zane." I take it with a nod telling him, "That's right I'm sorry. I've just been out of the loop for too long. Have a seat." He sits on the chair telling me, "No problem man. Hey I hear you're having a baby huh?" I nod as I sit across from him and pull out my folder of line work. "Yeah man. You have any kids?" His face lights up. "Yeah I have a daughter. She's the best man. Totally daddy's girl. I wish I could see her more, but her bitch mom only lets me have her every other weekend. Ain't that some shit. You with your baby's mom?" I pull his line work out and hold it up for him to see as I tell him, "Yeah we're engaged." He looks over the work, then tells me, "Hell yes that is bad ass. And hey, stay with her man. It may get hard, but trust me, being away from your baby is harder." I nod as I stand. "Solid advice. I'm just gonna go copy this. Be right back." He nods, then pulls his phone out. I can't imagine not seeing my baby. I feel bad for the guy. I'm just about to go back over when the door to our place opens. Carmen looks panicked. "Dalton." She calls out to me then bends over yelling out in pain. I run over to her. Zane and Sunny are right behind me. "Babe, you in labor?" She half nods telling me, "I hope so or something is really wrong." I wrap my arm around her. "How long have you been in pain?" She shrugs. "Maybe an hour. I thought it was Braxton hicks." I have no clue what that is, and I don't care. I pick her off her feet and head for the door. "Sorry Zane we'll need to reschedule." He rushes over and opens the door for me. "No problem man. Good luck and congratulations."
"I'm sorry I'm ruining your opening." I look to her and smile. "Carmen our baby is coming. This is the best day ever." She starts to smile, but it turns into a look of pain as she clutches her stomach. I didn't really prepare for this part, and I don't like it. I don't like seeing her in pain like this. I push my foot down on the gas pedal. She reaches over and slaps my thigh. "Slow the fuck down." She doesn't even sound like herself. Fuck this is what everyone warned me of. She's about to hate me until this baby is out. I let off the gas. "Sorry babe." I reach over and touch her stomach. She smacks my hand away. "Don't touch me, Dalton." I put both hands firmly on the wheel and drive exactly three over the speed limit the entire way to the hospital. I hope our little girl gets here and fast if this is how it's gonna be.
I look down at her tiny little face. Carmen r
eaches out and touches her pink hat. "I'm sorry I called you a piece of shit." I look up to her and smirk. "I was ok with piece of shit, but when you called me a loser, that stung a bit. I mean, I used to be, but I've been better." She moves so that she can touch my face. "Babe, I didn't mean that." I kiss her hand, then tell her, "I know. You're the strongest person I know. I don't know how you did this." I look back down. She's perfect. She looks exactly like Carmen. "So what are you naming her?" I ask as I look up. I know Carmen picked a name already, but she wouldn't tell me what it was. "Blake Gretchen." The emotion that rushes through me is too much. A few tears run down my face, but I manage to keep my voice normal as I tell her, "It's beautiful." I look down at my perfect daughter. "Well Miss Blake Gretchen, your daddy loves you so fucking much." She makes the cutest little grunt noise, but keeps on sleeping. "Dalton you can't say fuck around her." I give her a look. "Why the fuck not? She doesn't know what we're saying." She chuckles as she lays her head back on the pillow closing her eyes as she tells me, "Whatever." I look between the two of them so happy that I'm not still living in that shit hole motel, drinking my life away. I hold Blake a little closer, then watch Carmen drop off to sleep. These two are my world, and I will never take them for granted.
"You ready to do this?" Zane takes my out stretched hand. "Yeah man. How's the baby?" I nod telling him, "She's amazing, thanks." He smiles then sits in my client chair. "So what'd you name your little princess?" I clear my throat. It hasn't gotten any easier to say her name. I'm not sure it ever will. It just means too much. "Blake Gretchen." He makes a funny face. He doesn't need to get it. "Ok so where are we putting this?" He lifts his shirt to reveal his six pack. Fuck tattooing a stomach it hard enough, then add abs. I can handle it though, cuz I'm Dalton fucking Hartwell. Sunny comes over and looks at the guy like he's her dinner. Hell if I could, I would tell him she gives good head, but I don't think I should. "I'm gonna run for coffee. Want any?" I nod then add, "Grab some for Car too please." She looks to Zane. "How about for you handsome?" He waves her off. "I'm good thanks." He gives her a wink adding, "But thanks gorgeous." She gives a little giggle then walks out. I give him a nod then point to the table. "Have a little lay down man." He moves to the table asking, "So how's the wife? Everything go ok?" I like that he called her my wife. Won't be long before it's the truth. I nod telling him, "Yep." Carmen has been a damn beast at this mom stuff. I try and get up through the night, but she ends up telling me to get rest. She doesn't even seem exhausted. She was meant to be a mom. I'm so damn lucky she's the mother of my baby. Blake is the light of my life. She gets this cute little smile when I hold her. I will kill anyone who takes the smile from her face ever. "Ok so hold still while I get placement." He stays stone still as I press the line work to his stomach. I pull back the paper slowly. It looks good. "Ok man wanna look?" He gets up and goes to the mirror. "It looks a little off." I look to him. It looks good to me. He turns to me. "Just kidding. You're the best man. It looks awesome." He comes back and lays on the table. I hear the door and get excited. I look over my shoulder as Carmen comes toward me holding Blake. She's so gorgeous. She's wearing one of my hoodies cuz she says she's still fat. The woman looks incredible. She has a bit more curve to her now after having Blake, but damn I like. We have three more weeks til I can fuck her. We may need a sitter cuz I'm not planning on letting her leave the bed for at least twenty four hours. It's been months since I was buried inside her, and I plan on making up for lost time. Zane sits up. "Oh hey there. What a little sweetie." Carmen smiles at him. "Thank you." She looks to his stomach. "Wow babe that's gonna be awesome. How many hours?" I sit in my chair and motion for him to lay back as I pull on gloves. "About four, maybe five hours." She nods as I pick up my machine. "I wanna see it done." She's been coming down and hanging out with me a lot more in the past week or so. I hope she's not feeling like I'm abandoning her. I took off a week to spend with her and Blake, but I had to get back to appointments especially since my entire opening week had to be rescheduled. "Sunny just went for coffee, I asked her to grab you some too." She leans down kissing my cheek. "Thanks babe." I nod then motion for her to get Blake close. I give her tiny forehead a kiss then turn to my client. "Alright man, here we go."
I hold my arm out as she comes to sit next to me on the couch. As much as I wanna hold Blake all the time, Carmen lays her in her crib to sleep. She said we'll regret it if we hold her constantly. "Are you feeling abandoned?" She chuckles as she lays her head on my arm, pressing her hand to my stomach. "No why?" I shrug. "Just making sure. You've been down in the shop more this week." She giggles a bit as she tells me, "Well soooorrrrry I'll stay up here where I belong from now on." I slide my hand to her face, forcing her to look at me. "I just wanna make sure I'm being the best fiancé and dad I can be. If I'm working too much, tell me. I'll cut back. I'll hire someone else to help me." She shakes her head no. "I just like being near you." I nod telling her, "Well in that case, come down anytime you want." She smiles as I search her gorgeous face a few seconds. I lean down slowly pressing my lips to hers. Damn it, I wish I could lay her out and bury myself in her. She moans into my mouth. I grab her hip pulling her into my lap. She slams her tongue into my mouth. Guess I'm not the only one that missed being able to fuck. She grinds into me. I'm rock hard in two seconds flat. She reaches between us rubbing me through my pants. "Carmen." I mumble against her lips. She only kisses me harder. I don't wanna be the rational one right now. I grab her hips and lift her off me, well because I can. She gives me the cutest pouty face ever. "The doctor said no sex for six weeks babe." She rolls her eyes and stomps off into the kitchen." I can't believe I actually did that. I just don't wanna do anything wrong that could hurt her. I stand and follow her into the kitchen. She's putting a bag of popcorn into the microwave. I slide my hands to her hips. "Babe you know I want to. But I don't wanna do anything we shouldn't do." She sighs then leans into me. "I know but god it's been soooo long, Dalton." I kiss her neck whispering, "You don't have to remind me." She slides her hand up into my hair. I've let it grow in a bit lately. She showed me some picture of David Beckham and told me that I would look good with his hair, so I'm sporting the Beckham. Yeah I've got it bad for this woman. I growl as she gives it a tug. I nip her earlobe. She moans, arching her back. We need to do something. This is just too much. I slide my hand into the front of her yoga pants. She practically convulses as I slide my finger over her clit. Jesus. I'm gonna cum just from watching her. She grabs at my thighs as I slowly slip my finger through her. I nibble her neck as I push my finger inside her. She gasps, digging her finger nails into my legs so hard I can feel them breaking through my pants. Fuck it. This is hot as hell. I add another finger and pump them in and out of her. She reaches one hand up tugging on my hair. I bite down a bit harder on her neck. I'm seriously gonna lose it in my pants. Makes her job easier, I guess. She presses her ass to me moving up and down as I pump my fingers faster. I kiss up and down her neck slowly wanting this to last, but knowing it's not going to. I love touching her. Feeling the passion between us. I knew having Blake wouldn't affect that, even though all my dad friends told me it would. Carmen and I are different. We're not like everyone else. She slides her hand into my pants and starts moving her hand along me. I almost stop what I'm doing as the pleasure takes over my body. I tilt my head back as we both start to breath heavily. She goes first clenching around my fingers like a damn vise. I can't even move them for a few seconds. She turns to face me as she keeps moving her hand along me. "Do you need my mouth?" Just her voice all husky, needy sounding, as she says the words takes me over. I close my eyes as I cum in my pants. I don't even care right now. That was sexy as hell, and long over due.
She walks through the door with a smile on her face. I lay a zonked out Blake down in her bassinet. "Are we in the clear?" She shakes her head yes, then grabs my face pulling my lips to hers. I start to get lost in her, then remember where we are. I push on her hips as I nip her bottom lip once. "Baby, I have a client coming in." I ke
pt Blake down here with me while she went to her six week check up appointment. Her bassinet has become a permanent fixture in the shop. I would be lying if I said I didn't wanna take my hot, sexy fiancé up stairs and fuck her hard and fast. I'm hard just thinking about it. But the door opens and in walks my client. Sunny looks to us then back to the client. Carmen nips my bottom lip then whispers, "If you get even five minutes free time, you get your ass up there." She carefully lifts Blake from the bassinet, not waking her. I watch her ass sway in her tight little jeans as she walks away. I adjust my rock hard dick, before I walk over to greet my client. "Hey there." I don't have a clue who this is. It must be someone new. "What are you looking to get today?" The woman in front of me can't be much over five feet tall, has dark hair that's cut into a short almost boy style cut, and looks to be old enough to be my mom. She looks nervous as hell. "Well I was hoping you could duplicate this." She reaches into her purse. I hate the word duplicate. I don't like to tattoo someone else's work. She pulls out a piece of paper that has a picture of a man on it. He has a decent amount of tattoos. I take the picture asking, "All of it?" She nods. "Yep." Ok there is obviously a story here. "Ma'am I'm not big on duplicating other artists works.." She cuts me off telling me, "I've heard that. You can tweak the pieces, but I'd like them close and the placement the same." I nod then start to really look over each piece. He has a half sleeve of a snake on his right arm. A half sleeve of a falcon on the other arm, and a rose on his neck. "Ok what piece did you wanna start with?" She fidgets a bit as she seems to think this over. "Which one will hurt the most?" I glance to Sunny who is not at all trying to mind her own business. She speaks up. "The neck will be a bitch." The woman smiles at her, then looks to me. "Neck then." I can tattoo a rose, that's nothing, but this rose is a bit unique. "Have a seat for a few. I'm gonna go sketch up a rose for you." She walks over to the couch in the corner. I walk over and get some sketch paper. She's a tiny woman. I wanna keep this as delicate as I can. In the picture the rose takes up half of the mans neck. I think I will make hers a bit smaller and maybe even try to get her to move it down a bit. She doesn't appear to have any other visible tattoos. Before I even start to sketch I walk over to her. "Ma'am I'm not trying to be a dick, but are you allowed to have tattoos at your job? Would you be ok with moving it more to your shoulder, and do you have better pictures of these tattoos? Maybe something more up close." She smiles at me. "Yes I can have tattoos anywhere I want them. I want it on my neck, but feel free to use your expertise to make it the appropriate size for me. Zeke's was quite large. And yes I have a closer picture of the rose but not the snake and falcon." She pulls her phone out and scrolls through until she finds it and holds it up to me. I take it from her asking, "Can I borrow this for a minute?" She nods. I take her phone over to my drawing station. Now I see why the rose looked a bit off. It's more like a rose tulip hybrid flower. I really don't like it now that I'm seeing a closer picture of it. All I can do is draw up my own version and hope she loves it.
Black Ink (Hart Book 2) Page 5