Page 97 of Ink

“Thank you,” I say in a choked whisper. “This is the best gift next to you that I’ve ever received.”

Ink inclines his head. “Every time you spin this ring to calm yourself, I want you to remember that your every want, every need, and every desire is mine. Remember that if something happens to you, I’ll burn the fucking world down to get to you. All you have to do is breathe until I’m there, bunny.” He grabs my hand, bringing it to his lips as he places a kiss on the ring.

I don’t know what to say, so I say nothing.

Instead, I show him how I feel.

My lips touch his softly at first. For once, Ink doesn’t take the lead. He takes everything I give him, sucking it all out. The tip of my tongue touches his lips and he lets me in, deepening the kiss. This isn’t about getting this to the next base. Nothing about this is hurried or rushed. It’s slow and intimate as we both fill each other up.

Ink pulls away first, both of us breathing hard.

“In case it wasn’t obvious, I love you, bunny.”

“Madame Salem was right,” I say.

Ink looks at me, confused. “Who is Madame Salem?”

“A fortune teller I met on my way home from work. She read my cards and told me I met my soulmate. I didn’t really believe her, but now I do.”

“Remind me to thank her.” Ink smiles. “Let’s get some sleep. I’m fuckin’ beat and I have church in the mornin’.”

Ink pulls the covers over us as I sink down and settle in against his side. For the first time, I sleep completely at ease, knowing my nightmare is dead.

Chapter

Thirty-One

INK

“So… the ass tattoo,” Evan says, looking expectantly at Sutton as soon as we come downstairs the next morning.

“What ass tattoo?” I ask. “This is the first I’m hearin’ about it.”

Evan tilts her head and cocks an eyebrow. “That’s because it doesn’t concern you.”

Doesn’t concern me?

“It’s my fuckin’ ass. So yeah, it concerns me,” I say, giving it right back to her as I mimic her facial expression.

“It’s not a big deal, babe,” Sutton laughs as she lays a hand on my upper arm. “Evan bet me a tattoo on my butt because I thought we wouldn’t get together and she did.”

“Why wouldn’t we get together?”

Evan is looking at Sutton with a look that says ‘I told you so.’

“I don’t know!” Sutton exclaims. “I thought you were just being nice!”

“Oh, I was being nice alright. But I also wanted to tap that ass.” I wink.

Sutton rolls her eyes before turning her attention back to Evan. “When do you want to get tattoos?”

Evan shrugs. “Let’s do it today.”

I raise my palm in the air, doing a stop motion. “Hold up. I’m busy today, so no one is gettin’ tattoos.”

“You’re not the only tattoo artist in town, genius.” Evan smirks, knowing damn well what she’s doing.

“No, but I’m the only one that will be tattooing anything on Sutton’s body. And I know Prez isn’t going to let just anybody touch yours.”