“What do you do to relieve the pain?” I regretted that question immediately. If he answered going out and screwing omegas, I would die right there on the chair.
“I have my ways. Running. Exercise. Meditation when I can. We also have a psychologist for firefighters that all of us have access to if we need to talk to someone.”
“I used to talk to someone when I was younger.”
He nodded but didn’t pry. “Having a third party who isn’t directly involved in your life helps. Sometimes just to vent, or other times they give good, neutral advice.”
We talked more about his work and then some about mine. We also gushed over Laney, and it was cute how seriously he took his job as an uncle. He’d even started a savings account for her first car.
By the time he was done, I barely registered the pain anymore. Maybe I did understand how people could cover their body in ink. Especially if Theo was the artist.
“You’re all done. Take a look.”
He got up and positioned the mirrors so I could get a look at my back. It was gorgeous. A dragon with such exquisite detail that I swore some of the scales were actually shimmering in the light. If I moved back and forth, it seemed to be flying.
“It’s gorgeous, Theo. You must’ve been in some kind of creative genius flow when you drew this up.”
Theo cleared his throat. “Something like that. It fits you perfectly. Like it was made for you.”
We let that sentiment hang between us until he moved to get a bag from the cabinet in the corner. “I, uh, I bought this for you. It’s not much but I’m glad you are the one wearing my design.”
He handed me the bag and I separated the tissue, revealing a few things.
A tattoo care kit. The expensive one I’d seen online but passed on.
And a bracelet. Leather. Embossed with a dragon just like the one across my back. “Would you help me put it on?”
“It looks great on you.” His fingers lingered on my skin longer than strictly necessary, and I shuddered in response.
“The tattoo or the bracelet?”
“Both, omega. You look great in everything, but you look best in nothing at all.”
My heart beat out of control in my chest. His words shot straight through me and to my cock. Goddess, I wanted him. Despite my hang-ups and trust issues, my desire for this man was overriding all of that.
“Thank you.”
Nodding, he let go of my wrist and I almost whimpered at the loss of contact.
“I know you said you don’t want anything serious but can I take you out on a date?”
“When?” I barely let a second pass before responding.
“I am off this Friday? We could go out to eat. There’s a new pizza place. They delivered to the firehouse the other day, and it was fantastic.”
I sighed. Theo was so steady, so true, I wanted to lock myself inside him and keep safe and secure. “That sounds nice.”
A smile lit up his face and if I wasn’t mistaken, those golden eyes sparkled. All because of me. “Can I pick you up?” he asked.
“Yes. I-I’ll text you my address.”
We exchanged numbers and, when I got home, he had already texted me.
Can’t wait for Friday. Take care of your dragon. Sleep well, sweetheart.
Chapter Nine
Theo
