“And why’s that?” I lean on the booth wall and cross my arms over my chest, genuinely curious.
“In my book,” he says, leaning close to Tessa and putting some final touches on the awesome blue dragon curling on her pale skin, “dragons are for those fucked over by their parents, in one way or another. Life may have screwed you over, swallowed you and spit you out. It doesn’t matter. It’s not the same. The dragon is the people who bring you into this world and then fuck your life up. So that’s why Tessa got one. Cuz her dad is a real piece of work.” He flicks a look at me. “And so was yours.”
“Leave it be, Z-man.” Yeah, I’m goddamn furious at my dad for what he did, but he died in the process, and the grief is there, right under the surface, waiting for the anger to subside so it can surface.
“I know, fucker. This isn’t just for your dad. It’s also for your mom who walked out on you. And it’s for you.” He nails me with that dark, strangely old and wise gaze. “Because you proved them both wrong by surviving and saving your brothers, too. Not just from the fire, but every day, by looking after them, protecting them. Caring for them. That’s what I’m talking about. This is your badge of honor, and it’s badass.”
Tessa snorts.
He turns back to her, lifts his pierced brow. “You don’t think it’s badass, girl?”
“Oh, it’s badass all right.” She glances down at it. “Plus, it’s my first tat.”
“But surely not the last.” Zane winks, and I rub a hand over my face, trying not to laugh. “Now you have a taste for bad, tattooed boys, you’ll want more of this. More ink. Some piercings, perhaps.” He waves a hand languidly, his gaze shrewd.
“I only want one bad, tattooed boy,” Tessa says, looking past Zane’s shoulder at me. “And he’s right here.”
My heart does a weird little flip in my chest. A good little flip that leaves me feeling warm and relaxed.
“See?” Zane doesn’t turn around, but his shoulders shake in silent laughter. “That’s so romantic. Which is why I’m giving you matching tats. Aren’t you gonna thank me, fucker?”
“Matching tats? You’re out of your fucking mind. And there’s no way in hell I’m kissing you, so just forget it.”
“Who said anything about kissing?” He turns to me, indignant. “Who said—”
“If I’m kissing anybody, that’s my girl there, so if you’re done drawing on her…”
“Drawing? Motherfucker.” Now he laughs out loud. “I’m gonna ink a dragon on your dick for this, you ungrateful asshole.”
Tessa slides off her chair. “He really means it, you know.” She winks.
“I don’t need another dragon.” I push up my sleeve, displaying the one Zane inked on me years ago. “Enough of dragons.”
Zane is watching me, his face too damn solemn. “Then what do you want, fucker? Just say the word.”
I scratch my jaw. This may be the stupidest idea ever, but what the hell. Trust your heart and all that shit. So I gesture for Zane to come closer, and I whisper my request in his ear.
He leans away and whistles, eyes widening. “Sure about that?”
“Yeah.” I smile. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
I want her name inked over my heart. Where it belongs. Where she belongs. In big, bold letters.
He shakes his head. “I’ll schedule an appointment for you. Holy shit, man.” But he looks pleased. I know I’ll get ribbed about it by the guys when they find out, but hell, it’s my body, my life.
And my girl.
So I grab Tessa around the waist and pull her out of the booth, out onto the street, because all I need is to take my girl back home and show her, today and every day, how much she means to me.
Acknowledgments
Well, this has been an amazing journey so far. From the moment I published Asher to now, I have so much to be thankful for. So many people I want to thank – their names would fill pages and pages.
Without the help of my wonderful editor this story wouldn’t be readable. Any remaining errors in the text are my fault as I tend to change things last minute.
Huge thanks to Nathalie Aynié for the constant help and support, and for the brainstorming sessions. She rocks bears in tutus!
Also huge thanks to Kia Zi Shiru for her support and help, and to 5 Times Formatting for the great formatting.
I also want to thank my author friends who have beta read and/or helped me with their suggestions and advice throughout: J.A. Beard and Jean Davis.
An enormous thank you goes out to my amazing Street Team for their enthusiasm and support. In particular I want to thank Lucii Grubb, Beth M. Diaz, Louise Bailey, Raj Billa, Lisa Walker, Maria Poli, Myra Espino, Rhiannon Matthias, Nelly Guajardo, Amy Beth, Iam Lizzie, Maddoxx Moran, Brooke Hall, Malissa Richard, Lenalovesbooks, and Ellie Aspill.