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Her idea for me to go away to college with her is a far-fetched one. My grades could be worse, but they’re not good by any means. Still, I can’t help but think what life would be like if that were possible. Our own place. Movie nights on the couch. Her helping me study and me getting a stable job after I graduate. It’s never been something I allowed myself to think about, but what if it isn’t such a hopeless dream?
HALFWAY THROUGH THE MORNING, after Delaney cooked us both breakfast, the two of us are hanging out in my bedroom when she gets up and excuses herself. I don’t think much of it, being too sucked into the video I’m watching on my phone, but as she comes back, I stop. She’s wearing a silk robe I didn’t even know she had and holding a wrapped prese
nt.
“I was going to give you this yesterday, but then you probably wouldn’t have come to the party,” she explains.
I take the box from her and place it on my lap, noting how heavy it is. She stays standing the whole time and watches me intently. I can tell she’s nervous by the way her gaze refuses to meet mine.
As I pull off the wrapping paper, the plain box gives nothing away. It isn’t until I open it, however, that the whole world manages to get a little brighter. Inside is a top-of-the-line tattoo gun, with all the necessary needles and inks to go with it. This thing must have put her back at least a few grand. I look up at her with nothing but pure astonishment.
“You listened.”
She smiles. “I listen to everything you say.”
I get up, grabbing her face and kissing her in a way that shows my gratitude. I’ll never be able to repay her for this, but fuck if I’m not going to make sure she knows how much I appreciate it.
I pull her in close and breathe in her intoxicating scent. “You’re incredible. Thank you.”
She hums but still looks nervous as she backs away. “That was only the first part of your present.” Her hand presses on my chest, and I fall back onto my bed.
“What’s the second?”
Her fingers slowly untie the silk belt, and she allows the robe to slide off her shoulders, pooling on the floor. She stands there in black lingerie, looking sinful as hell and making me question what I did to deserve such a fucking temptress. However, nothing could prepare me for the words that come out of her mouth.
“I want to be your first victim. I want you to tattoo me.”
My face splits into a wide grin. “Jesus Christ. Corruption looks so fucking good on you.”
AFTER SETTING EVERYTHING UP, which may have been delayed by my need to take full advantage of Delaney’s outfit, I sketch out the tattoo she wants. It’s a pair of angel wings, delicate and petite—just like her. I couldn’t think of anything more fitting if I tried.
I clean the spot right beneath her collarbone and place the stencil. She stays perfectly still on my bed as she looks at it in the mirror. Once she nods, I get everything ready to permanently mark her flawless skin.
“Is it going to hurt?”
I attach the needle and pour the ink into the ink-cap. “Well, it doesn’t tickle.” Ready to start, I turn toward her and stop. “Do you trust me?”
The corners of her mouth raise, despite her nervousness. “For the most part.”
I smirk, and the buzzing of the gun fills the air as I start the machine. Delaney braces for impact, flinching only slightly when the needle touches her for the first time. She hisses in pain, but I keep my attention solely focused on what I’m doing. The last thing I want is for her first tattoo to come out looking like shit.
“So, this may be the wrong time to bring this up, but there’s this gala my parents throw every year. It benefits a bunch of different charities, though it’s really just a way for my dad to make himself look good. My older sister will be coming for it, and my whole family is going to be there, and I totally understand if you say no. I know it’s not your scene. It’s not even really my scene, but—”
Pausing for only a second, I kiss her quickly to cut her off. “You’re rambling, babe.”
She sighs. “Will you come with me?”
Admittedly, the last thing I want to do is spend a perfectly good night sucking up to a bunch of assholes who think they’re better than everyone else simply because they have money. However, the fact that Delaney wants to introduce me to the rest of her family is not lost on me. And besides, it could be another way to piss off her dad—which is something I have come to truly enjoy.
“When is it?”
“Next weekend,” she answers shyly.
I can’t help but laugh. “Damn, Bambi. Way to give me notice.”
“Shit, you’re right. Forget I asked.”
Shaking my head, I force her gaze to meet my own. “Of course, I’ll be there.”
