Untamed (A Bad Boy Secret Baby Romance)(200)

“I can’t believe we’re talking about this again.”

“Think you’d like it?”

I widen my eyes in disbelief. “I honestly haven’t thought about it before.”

“Well, think about it.”

I give him a shrug and a head-shake. “I don’t think that I care.”

“Think Tina will branch out into piercings? Hire someone good?”

“Ew, no,” I say. “And besides, I don’t think I’d be comfortable with you getting it done at our shop.”

“Our shop?”

“Tina’s letting me take on more clients now,” I say, grinning. “In fact, I’m starting to bring in business!”

For a moment, Pierce almost beams at me. “That’s great, Pen. I knew you’d make it.”

“I haven’t made it yet. But I’m getting there.”

“How long will you apprentice for her?”

“The full year, if I can.”

“And then?”

“Then I’ll talk to her about starting my own shop. Or I’ll work for her for a little longer, you know? Get more experience.”

“I was thinking about getting a new tattoo,” he says.

“Oh, yeah?” I ask, grinning. I go to him, take his hand. “So was I, actually.”

“Where?”

“I want a half-sleeve. I’ve been sketching up some designs.”

“In your top-secret sketchbook you never let me look at?”

“I’ve got it with me now,” I tell him. “It’s in the car. Want to see them?”

“Hell fucking yes, I do.”

“Then come on. We’ll get them and go sit in the garden. It’s a nice day today. We’ll let all the adults mingle.”

We leave the room together, hand-in-hand.

“You know, I’m glad you’re not fighting anymore. When is the grand opening for the gym?”

“Not set yet. There’s still some work that needs to be done, and I need to get a practice cage in.”

“Ballpark?”

“Sometime next month.”

“So you’re really going to teach, huh?”

Pierce shrugs. “Why not? Man’s got to earn a living.”

“Well, just as long as you don’t teach them how to get into underground fights. Have you got students yet?”

“They’re lined up twice ’round the block. What can I say?” he asks, smugly. “They’re learning from a legend.”

“Oh, shut up.”

As we’re walking down the steps, he leans into me and smells my hair. Then he whispers, “I’m still going to fuck you in every room in this house, you know. We’ve got all afternoon.”

“No you’re not,” I tell him. “You couldn’t do it that many times in one day, anyway.”

In his eyes I see a blaze of competitiveness.

“Want to bet?”