Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Roman stares at me for a few long, torturous heartbeats before turning his attention back to his client. “Em will get you taken care of. We’ll need to give you a few weeks to heal, and then we can finish some of the shading. I would suggest booking now. The schedule tends to fill up quickly.”
“Thanks again, Rome.” The two shake hands and Roman disappears into his room. I quickly run Scott’s credit card, book his next appointment with Roman, and walk him to the door. I turn the lock, switch off the Open sign, and turn off the lights in the lobby.
My knees are wobbly as I reach his door, where I knock lightly on the frame. He glances up, and his green eyes hold my gaze, but he doesn’t speak.
“Hey.” I clear my throat. “I have a favor.”
“What’s up?” he asks.
“I’ve been wanting another tattoo, and I was hoping you would be willing to give it to me.”
“You know Forrest will be pissed that you didn’t ask him.”
“He gave me my first.” I nod toward my ankle and my anchor tattoo.
“Doesn’t matter. He’s still going to be pissed.”
I shrug. “I love my brother, Rome. He’s everything to me, but I’m also an adult. I get to make my own choices in this life, and I choose you. I want you to be the one to do this for me.”
He pauses. I’m sure he’s letting my words roll around in that gorgeous head of his. We both know that my little speech is about more than just him giving me a tattoo. “Do you even know what you want?”
“I do. I’ll be right back.” I turn, rush back to the desk, grab my sketch, the final one that I’m in love with, and race back to his room. I hand him the drawing and step back. This is stressful, letting someone who is as talented as Roman look at my art. I’ve worked so hard on this, and the fear of him tearing apart the design is real. Not that he would ever be mean, but putting yourself out there is always scary, no matter who you’re with.
“Who drew this?”
“I did.”
His head snaps up, and those green eyes of his are burning with an emotion I can’t name.
“I’ve been working on it for over a year, and I finally have it how I want it.” I’m rambling, but he’s not saying anything. He finally pulls his gaze back to the drawing, and he’s just staring at it.
“This is really good, Emerson.”
He rarely uses my full name.
“Thank you.” I can feel the blush coating my cheeks. “I want it on my left hip, and I want you to do it.” My voice is strong and clear. Not holding a hint of the anxiety that’s coursing through my veins.
“You really want to face the wrath of your brother?”
“It’s one of you. As long as it’s someone from Everlasting Ink, from his circle, he’s going to be okay with it. If he’s not?” I shrug. “That’s his issue, not mine. You’re who I choose.” I hold my breath as I wait for him to decide.
“When?” His voice is gruff.
“Tonight. It’s just us, and it’s still early enough. Unless, I mean, if you have plans, we can schedule another time?” I’m quick to offer.
“No plans, Em.”
Hope swells in my chest. “Does that mean you’ll do it?”
Slowly, he nods as his eyes find mine. “I’ll do it.”
I don’t think. I close the distance between us and launch myself into his arms. He catches me easily. I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. I cling to him, burying my face in his neck. After weeks of back and forth, and him pushing me away, I was certain he was going to tell me no.
“Thank you, Rome. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” I lift my head so that he can see the sincerity in my eyes.
“It’s really fucking hard for me to say no to you, baby girl,” he says softly. His hands are gripping my thighs, holding me to him.
“You tell me no on a daily basis.”
“Not without difficulty.”
“So, I’m wearing you down?” I grin.
The corner of his mouth lifts in a smile. “With this. You wore me down with this.”
“I’ll take my wins where I can get them. Can we do it now? Tonight?” I ask eagerly.
“Can you sit through a few hours?”
“Yes.” I don’t hesitate with my answer.
“Then, yeah, we’ll do it tonight. Let me get this set up and we’ll get to work.”
“Thank you.” I kiss his cheek, and his hands grip my thighs a little harder. He doesn’t reply, but he nods, and I know that’s as good of a reply as I’m going to get. He stares deep into my eyes, and his head leans in.