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He wasn’t scaring her off if that’s what he was going for. “I know how to take care of tattoos and fresh wounds.”
“I know you do, but this is different.” He handed her a bottle of water, then reached to grab one for himself. “I won't be using needles to ink your skin, Lex. The solder is a hot pen to the skin. It's the most intense thing you've done. Fuck, it's as extreme as I've ever done.”
He'd done the research, the practice, and the work. It was his out-of-the-blue idea after one of their sessions. Noah expressed interest in accentuating and weaving her scars into the garden along her torso. His ink paired with the meticulously planned markings would be stunning when he finished.
Noah wanted her to be proud of them, of her survival, and show her she didn't need to hide away.
“I'm confident in your skills and knowledge. Are you?” She trusted him, but only if he did of himself. What he wanted to do was intense, and a normal amount of hesitation was understandable.
“Yes, I am.”
“Okay, so what’s the aftercare, Doc?” she teased.
“It’s mine to take care of, sweet pea.” Noah kissed her nose, loving the way she tried to hide her joyful nose scrunch with an annoyed look. “Nope, my rules. I will see you every night and clean it. Redress it, every step of the healing process.”
“Excuses.”
“I’m not ashamed to admit it.” He tipped her face up to meet his eyes. “Permanently marking and scaring you is different than a tattoo.” He gave her a pointed look. “Listen to your dominant.”
“Ugh, you’ve been around Nolan and Mia too long,” Lexi grumbled.
“Do you know what I’ve learned?” He didn’t pause for her to answer, he reached out and placed his finger under her chin. “You’re mine to take care of. Seeing to your needs fulfills mine. It brings me joy.”
She studied his facial expression, and the honesty in his stare warmed her heart. “Yes, Sir.” She caved, moving from her seat to straddle his waist, wrapping her arms around his neck and her palms pressed across his back.
“Don't you understand, sweet pea? I'm going to love you no matter what life throws at us. No matter how much shit you throw at me, I'm going to love you the way you deserve, Lexi. I'll love you until you let me.”
Her lips moved but her voice wasn’t there.
Lexi rolled her lips between her teeth, holding her breath as his gaze bore into hers, waiting for her next move. “I love you,” she vowed, her words were barely above a whisper. “Everyone always leaves.” Her vulnerability rushed forward, slamming to the forefront.
“I’ll prove you wrong,” he vowed.
I wish it felt that simple.
Five
Cracking his neck, Noah stepped onto the landing of the second floor overlooking the social pit. He scanned the crowd, noticing a few clients he’d worked on at the shop and various private club clients.
When the owner approached him about doing some work here, he hadn’t realized there would be a private area dedicated to just that. He was just glad he didn’t have any appointments with the subs tonight, not that he minded doing the piercing and tattoos for the club. But… he was itching to play and there was onl y one sassy minx in the world for him . He planned on making Lexi sing tonight. She always needed a deeper release after a session, he’d come to crave it too. She begged for more, pushing limits and needing to be wrung out right down to the core.
Music filled the open space and Noah caught sight of Wes sitting by the bar, he headed down the curved staircase to meet with his friend.
“Hey.”
Wes turned and smiled at Noah, patting him on the shoulder. “I wondered if I’d see you here.”
“Play or prowl?” Noah signaled the bartender. “Whiskey, neat.”
“Two,” he corrected. “Prowl. Playing hasn’t been hitting the spot lately.” They made their way over to the seating area on the second level.
“That’s what happens when you leave your best girls at home.” They always say others can see what’s right in front of you better than you can.
“Never in a million years,” he grumbled, hunching his shoulders and leaning against the bar. “Oh, I started getting the hardware for the table you wanted. I got this beautiful piece of oak.” Wes carved and crafted some of the most beautiful pieces of furniture he’d ever seen. Noah wanted something for the front room that made a statement. His buddy was the obvious choice. They’d designed a coffee table, with storage and some unassuming features.
“I can’t wait.” Noah grinned, licking his lips at the thought of strapping Lexi down to the table the way it was intended. “D-ring anchor points as we discussed?”
“Six of them and a locking mechanism. It’s going to be one of my favorites when I’m done.”
