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Roy held up the stencil in black-gloved hands. “Sit your arse up here and take off those shoes.”
Emma climbed onto the table and removed her Converse and sock from her right foot. Roy prepared the area and held up the guide. “Right here?”
“Yeah. That’s perfect.”
He smoothed the stencil over her skin before peeling it away. He had the petroleum jelly, ink cups, and the tattoo gun all ready. “Lie back and bend your knee. Keep that foot still now, like a good lass,” Roy instructed.
A smile teased her lips as she did as he instructed.
The buzz of the gun started, and his chair wheeled closer. “You ready?”
“Yes.” She closed her eyes, anticipating the bite of pain as the gun broke the skin. A prickling sensation of needles curled up from her foot, winding above her leg and unfurling until it reached the tip of her head. She relaxed into it, welcoming the warm sting. Roy knew she preferred to be tattooed in silence, and she was grateful he didn’t try to make small talk with her. This was as close as she could get to the relief the blade offered while still not technically self-harming. She deepened her breath as the tattoo gun made the outline of the wrench, savoring the itch of the burning sensation as her synapses fired and endorphins flooded her veins. Emma was forced into her body, held prisoner by pain to feel only the hurt she chose. The burning vibration took center stage and drowned out all other sensations and emotions. Everything else inside quieted.
Just like when I’m fucking Link.
Roy pulled the gun away and switched heads to a thicker needle. “Ready for the color?”
She nodded, needing to have the biting soreness back to distract her from her thoughts already.
The steady buzz filled the room again, and she closed her eyes, sinking deep into the darkness behind her eyelids, adrenaline coursing through her veins. She relished the silence inside that the prickling fire brought. Time ceased to exist; there was only this heady, weightless feeling, as if she were in a cloud. Relief washed over her like a comforting warm wave.
“All done. Take a look,” Roy said, wheeling his chair back as he wiped her tattoo with the paper towel, clearing the ink and blood.
Emma sat, staring at the swollen red-tinged skin. The colorful wrench on the outside of her right foot was exactly like she’d envisioned. “I love it.” Tears burned the back of her eyes, but she blinked them away. The only time those bastards had managed to escape was when Link had shattered her apart, making her come so completely undone that she’d not been able to hold anything back. A crack in her well-made dam. It wouldn’t happen again though—it couldn’t.
Roy slathered some more jelly over it and prepared the dressing. “I get the symbolism of the wrench and Ghanaian flag. But, why the foot of all places?”
“So I can take a piece of him with me everywhere I travel,” she answered. So I won’t be alone.
“Ahhh, I see. Your Da would love it,” Roy agreed.
The thought made her laugh out loud. Her father had never been a fan of tattoos. He’d probably hate to see more ink marring her body, but also love it at the same time because she’d done it for him.
“So, who’s the lad really?” Roy asked, taping the black gauze pad onto her foot carefully.
Emma gazed towards the only wall separating Link and her. The steady buzz of Tessa’s tattoo gun was still going. His tattoo was larger, made to cover his pec, so naturally it would take more time than hers.
“He’s my father’s son,” she answered honestly.
“He sure doesn’t look at you in a brotherly way,” Roy pointed out.
Emma cut her gaze to him. “Are you suggesting there’s something more going on between Link and me?”
Roy’s expression grew serious, one brow quirking in concern. “I’m telling ya, that lad is more than halfway in luv wit ya.”
A soft gasp escaped her lips. No. Could he be?
Warm hope bubbled in her belly, sending butterflies of possibility fluttering through her. Maybe she was doing the same thing to him as he’d been doing to her. Maybe Link was falling in love with her too. And just maybe she’d let herself believe that for once he would finally see her. And love me back.
27
Emma
Emma crashed forward onto the bed in the hotel room, exhausted. Her mind swirled with questions. Roy had planted a seed she was terrified to hope for. Could Link be falling for her?
Smack!
Her ass stung, surprising her and sending a warm rush to her core. She smiled and turned on her side to face him. Link was smirking as he stretched out beside her.
