“Deal.” I carry Goonie to the kitchen and set him down by his food bowl. “Sheesh. You’d think we left you alone for weeks instead of just one night.”
After filling his bowl and refreshing his water, I headupstairs to unpack. My inner walls and thighs ache as I move around the room, making me smile to myself.
I toss my dirty clothes into the hamper and step into the shower. When I get out, I smell something cooking downstairs.
Pulling on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt, I head back down to the kitchen.
Ryder is stirring something on the stove.
“Smells amazing,” I say, coming up behind him to peek over his shoulder.
“Just some pasta with a quick marinara,” he says with a shrug. “Nothing fancy, but I figured we could both use some carbs after last night.”
Heat floods my cheeks when he looks down at me with a wicked grin.
“How ‘bout I open a bottle of wine?” I ask, trying to distract myself from the way his shoulders flex as he stirs the sauce.
“Sounds good.”
We move around the kitchen together like we’ve been doing it forever. I set the table while Ryder cooks, and soon we’re sitting kitty-corner from one another.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
“Hmm?” I twirl pasta around my fork.
“Why did you cancel your tattoo appointment?”
The question catches me off guard. “Um…”
“Jax mentioned it.” He takes a sip of wine, eyes never leaving mine.
Suddenly nervous, I set my fork down. “I don’t know. I guess I got cold feet?”
“About what? The tattoo itself or...” He hesitates. “Or because of me?”
“Both, maybe?” I sigh. “I mean, you remember. The appointment just popped up in my alerts out of the blue the same night your stuff showed up, and it kind of freakedme out.”
“What did you want to have done?”
“A phoenix.” I shrug, feeling a little self-conscious. “Rising from the ashes and all that. I know it’s super cliché, but it felt symbolic after everything I went through with my mom, with Eric and where I am now.”
Ryder nods thoughtfully.
“Now I’m thinking about getting something different.” I play with my pasta, avoiding his gaze. “Something that represents this crazy thing called my life. Maybe a quote on my side, across my ribs.”
“I could still do it for you.”
“You could?” I blink in surprise. “I mean, of course you could, but?—”
“Actually,” he cuts in. “How about you come to work with me tomorrow and hang out? I’ve got an opening tomorrow after lunch. One of my clients had to reschedule.” Intense and focused, his gaze locks with mine. “Let me do your tattoo.”
My heart flutters. “Tomorrow? That’s... so soon.”
“I think it’s perfect timing, actually.” He grabs my hand, tracing slow circles on my palm with his thumb. “You said you wanted something that represents new beginnings. What better way to honor our unique situation and what we’ve been doing to help you get your mojo back? Could be good inspiration as well.”
I hesitate, biting my lip. “I don’t know...”
“Come on, kitten,” he coaxes, dropping his voice to a low rumble, causing butterflies to take flight in my belly. “Let me put my mark on you.”
