“Don’t worry.” His voice is gentle. “I promise I’ll take good care of you.”
FORTY-FIVE
ryder
My heart is poundingwith anticipation, my dick half hard as I lead Noia over to my station and gesture to the chair.
“Have a seat.”
She hesitates only a moment before sliding onto the black leather.
The sight of her sitting in my chair, about to wear my art on her skin forever, sends a jolt of possessiveness through me that’s so intense it makes my cock stiffen even more.
She’s not the only one who’s going to have to breathe through this.
“Nervous?” I ask as I adjust the chair.
“A little, but…” She gives me a shaky smile. “I trust you.”
Those three words are a direct hit, and I swallow against a need so visceral I have to clear my throat. “You need to tuck your shirt out of the way so I can place the stencil. Or you can just take it off.”
She snorts as she tucks the hem of her T-shirt up under her bra, exposing the smooth skin of her ribcage. The sight of her half-exposed while she sits in my chair makes my mouth go dry.
Focus, Blackwood.
Goosebumps rise on her skin when I clean the area with alcohol.
“Cold,” she murmurs, sucking in a breath.
“Sorry.” Rubbing my hands together, I get them warm before putting the stencil in place. “Hold still.”
She inhales, body tense as I press the paper to her skin. When I peel it away, the outline is perfectly positioned along the curve of her ribs.
“Go check it out in the mirror.” I pat her thigh. “Make sure it’s exactly where you want it.”
Noia slides off the chair and walks to the full-length mirror, eyes going wide as she takes in the purple lines.
“It’s perfect,” she whispers, tracing the outline with her fingertip.
“You sure? Once I start, there’s no going back.”
She turns, eyes bright as they lock with mine. “I’m sure.”
“Good. Now. Back in the chair, kitten.”
As she settles, I adjust my machine. When I turn the machine on to test it, a visible shiver runs through her body.
“This is going to hurt,” I warn, pulling on my gloves. “Especially on the ribs. Deep breaths, okay? Try to stay as still as possible and let me know at any time if you need a break.”
Eyes fixed on mine, she nods.
When I place my hand on her skin, the warmth bleeds through the glove and into my palm, forcing me to take a deep breath to steady myself. If I don’t get my shit together, Jax is going to start calling me ‘Moaner Ryder,’ and I’ll never live it down.
Fuck’s sake.
“Ready?”
“Ready.”
