Page 92 of The Haunting Plot

“It’s still healing, but he said the scabbing is normal.”

“I need you to give me more than that. What are they for?”

“I think you know.”

“I need to hear you say it.”

“This one is a flame like the one Jonah and I drew. There’s a butterfly. I took a picture after McKenna doodled it on me and asked him to make it identical. And I had Jane and Tommy draw designs too. Jane went with a heart, so that’s in her handwriting. And of course, the turtle is from Tommy. In his drawing, the turtle’s head looked like a dick, so I asked the artist to make it less phallic, but it’s pretty close to what he drew.”

“And the wing?”

“It’s a raven’s wing.”

“Sawyer. This is⁠—”

“My entire world in one tattoo.”

Her breath catches as her lip trembles. “Are you going to shade it in?”

“Nope. That’s why I got it. I saw the way it calmed Jonah down. I figured I’d leave it like this so he could color it whenever he got upset.”

“Sawyer. I—” Her voice catches as she tries to compose herself. “I don’t know what to say. This is the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen, better than anything I could’ve written.”

“You don’t think it was impulsive? You’re not going to yell at me about how it’s permanent, and we should’ve talked about it first?”

“No. You’re an adult and fully capable of making your own decisions. I’m honored that you’d want a permanent reminder of me and my kids on your skin.”

She bends down to kiss me. The press of her body against me is desperate and devastating, like she can’t get close enough to satisfy the need coursing through her. And I’m right there with her, pawing at every scrap of clothing she’s wearing as I try to remove it without breaking the kiss.

Once she’s fully naked, she climbs onto my lap, pushing me onto my back as she attacks my mouth with hers. I wrap my arms around her and roll her onto her back as she slowly inches up on the bed. Waiting till she’s comfortable, I hover over her, just out of reach as I search her eyes for permission to continue. She grabs my face and pulls me against her, and I lean down, concentrating my weight on one arm as I kiss her. There’s a savageness to her kisses that awakens the animal inside me, and I want to pin her to this bed and fuck all the tension out of her body until she’s pliant and sated.

“Why are you hovering?” she pants, chest heaving as she breaks the kiss.

“What?”

“You’re leaning on your forearm.”

“I’m a big guy. I don’t want to crush you.”

“You silly, silly man. I sleep with a weighted blanket for a reason. I want your full weight on me.”

“Are you sure?”

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not a skinny little thing either. I’m tall, and I’m thick. The meat on my bones serves a purpose when I have to keep my kid safe during meltdowns. And the meat on your bones is really appealing to me.”

“Are you saying you want to devour me?”

“Not literally. But I would happily explore my favorite parts of you.”

I can’t help the grin that lights up my face. “And what are those?”

“Need me to stroke your ego?”

“Maybe?”

I brace for her witty retort, but the look on my face must stop her. She pushes me off her, and I land on my back as she climbs on top of me. “The strength in your body is my favorite part.” She leans down and kisses my forehead. “So strong. Capable of making split-second decisions while also being considerate and gentle.”

She kisses my lips. “A little mouthy, but kind when it matters.” Her mouth glides down to my shoulders. “Solid. Carrying the weight of an entire community of people who depend on you.” Soft lips cover me in kisses until she hovers over my biceps. “Well-built. Sturdy enough to lift the burdens that most can’t carry.” After covering both of my arms in kisses, her fingers stroke my chest, teasing the smattering of chest hair. “Powerful enough to take care of what matters most.”